"Calypso (Kaiso)
music has never stood still" Valton Matthews writes in his
introductory remarks for In Concert...Raw Kaiso I. "But through it
all" he contends having observed that from its roots it has taken
various styles "one thing has never changed: the respect and
affection Trinbagonians feel for 'the true, true kaisonian', the man
or woman who sets brilliant, meaningful lyrics to what ever musical
style happens to be popular at the moment". "Even today," Matthews
continues, " when the social functions of calypso have changed so
much that the music needs different names like soca, rapso, Jump-Up,
Dancehall soca, chutney soca, Ragga and more, there is still an
enthusiastic audience in Trinidad & Tobago for classic kaiso".
That view was confirmed in 1994 when Lord Blakie, Black Prince, and
Zandolie appeared in a concert produced by Rudder, Robin and Robert
Foster. The audience response "was phenomenal" as demonstrated in
this recording.
The Master of Ceremonies is Dennis "Spranalang" Hall. Following is
the cast of musicians.
Saxophone: Frankie Francis, Leo Stephenson
Keyboards: Calliston Pantor
Drums & Percussion: Barry Howard, Winston Matthew's
Bass: Albert Bushe Jr
Guitar: Tony Voisin
Background Vocals: David Rudder, Winston "Gypsy' Peters, Mystic
Prowler
David Rudder describes the Raw Kaiso concert as "a
musical story of three men, two of whom I grew up on in the early
Sixties in Trinidad: The Mighty Zandolie and Lord Blakie; two
original 'rude bwoys.' Blakie, the street-smart, urban warlord, and
Zando, aptly described as 'phallic to the bone', the country gigolo.
The third man, Black Prince, with whom I became acquainted a few
years ago at the Spektakula Forum Calypso Tent, is the wandering
troubadour, the blues singer. He is a piece of the other two in the
sense that he captures the grassroots soul of both of urban and
country Trinidad.
Calypso is an art form filled with diverse characters. In this
collection we present three men who belong to a time of few
inhibitions, no 'political correctness', just raw feelings, vivid
paintings of our life and times, off-the cuff love-it-or-leave-it
stuff. In other words... Raw to the bone. David Rudder |