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Time to Celebrate or is it?

Posted Mon, 2010/07/12 - 12:13pm

One must say that the offering of celebration time has improved somewhat over that of 2009. However if things are to get better, we expect further evolution for next crop over season. On listening to what this tent had to offer I’ve just made a few comments, observations or even strong opinions. Call them what you like...I’ll get to the point...

Cyclone– sauntered onto the stage singing Punctuality or more so Punch In, but the lacklustre way in which he performed made you wonder if he did punch in for his performance. Even though he appears as if he can command the stage he didn’t, his phrasing and diction needed so much work, I wonder if no one gave him any tips before judging night. I rated his performance unimaginative generally.  It got less exciting in his second piece, confirmed by those patrons who fell asleep just ahead of where I sat. His punch line was missing.

We’ve seen a significant improvement in the presentations this year by the ladies. Having said that, some ladies are still playing catch up and Baby Doll who I must say has some good potential is not yet ready for the big stage. This young lady still sounds like she was competing for the junior title, in antics and in stage presence. Her arranger chose the right key in Aborted Abortion as this piece was a big piece but the full meaning and effect was lost by the performer.

One highlight of the Celebration was the side splitting and creative song delivered by the old guy “Wrinkles”. After being hurt a few times by persons taking advantage of him, either borrowing or seeking cash donations from him, these persons he says he is finished assisting. Furthermore he says he is not doing it any longer – Not-For-A-Soul. Engaging and comedic yet gives a true taste of kaiso in its true sense, strong storyline and good tempo that made the night for some patrons. Even though Wrinkles said he was not doing it again – Not-For-A-Soul he ended up being begged to do an encore.

IshiakaI believe should easily make one of the 18 semi-finalists, as he brought out the passionate plea of the possible damage that crime and violence can have on Barbados’ Tourism. This piece very serious in approach may have been lost by some in the audience. I believe that Ishiaka can improve some more but possibly has not found the formulae as yet. Even though he may make the 18, I believe that he will again miss the finals.

Long fellow in both of his presentations was boring. Knowing Long-fellow from previous years and what he can do, either the arranger or writer may not have given him the best fighting power this year.  The judges will be unimpressed by his lack of style and singing to just the front row. He will not make it to the semi-finals, and you know what? He sounded just like last year strains.

Even though his party piece was topical and full of rhythm, Ramases’ Hard times tekking over, did not really budge the audience. When you are looking to judge for party monarch some of the effect has to be the crowd response. He did a valiant effort in getting persons to raise their hands, but I believe that the well executed choreography may be the only thing to give applause. I don’t think that shouting to the crowd various commands and such like will get you anywhere if they just aren’t interested, and if you do shout to your audience, it cannot be for the entire piece. Ramases performing his own piece is not a good idea, and possibly should be focussing on his writing. Well selected dancers and routine, just needed a different singer in this space.

One favourite with the Celebration Time posse, was Queen T and her Wiggle & Dip. This got very easy response from those gathered. The explosive attire added to Queen T’s effect of wowing the crowd and the ease to which wiggling and dipping can be done. One must be agile and flexible to handle this move. However on the serious performance side, Queen T talked through her entire “song”, which was by the way based on just two words, she just can’t sing. I was still waiting for a melody line and was lost in the Dip. The delivery of this was strongly visual, but to have the performer out of breath in the middle of the piece was a bit disappointing. She will not make it to party monarch.

Redd Man– celebrating his birthday was quit muddled in his rendition of wuk my waist and will easily not make it over to Party Monarch. Neither inspiring nor catchy, and was more like a filler. This young man is not yet a performer and will need coaching.

Carry On! Was a hugh impact and made any other piece performed previously pale in comparison. This Hypa Dawg piece would also be a hard act to follow. With 10 being excellent, this piece would have easily earned an 8 or 9. High energy does not even  comprehend the delivery of this piece, and this class performer did it with such ease. Hypa Dawg – hardly broke a sweat and yet the entire place was in an uproar, he also showed how to command an audience which should be emulated by other performers. Even though he is not a great singer, he stuck to a comfortable register as well as maximising his chanting efforts.  The listener enjoyed clarity of voice and diction served very well. If the heartbeat was at 100 bpm, the addition of the Hypa Kids carried that rate even higher. Happy feet caused the place to explode from stage to the entrance of the tent and happy was it since the audience raved and raved for these two juniors, who seemed unfazed by the thrill of the crowd and the bright lights. These young ones have very good potential and based on the obvious coaching from their Hypa dad, will easily mature to class acts over time.

Knowing MC Mac Fingall, when he delivered Mock Boxie there was nothing more obvious than that, and not surprisingly during the piece did his prop come onto stage with the mock boxie comparable to that of the Mother Sally. Apparently when you pinch this added appendage that so many women are allegedly wearing it doesn’t even move. Further as Mac sang  “ ... de ting nah wiggle, nah jiggle de ting nah jump it dead like a table...” this very fun piece is typical of the performer’s style, easy rhythm, easy rhyme, easy chip. This is Mock Boxie will be very real when it hits Eastern Parkway later this year.

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