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Kitch, we still love you By Terry Joseph, Trinidad Express June 13, 2003 |
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A poll of hundreds of calypso lovers conducted via e-mail over the period May 19 to 25, has turned in Kitchener's "Sugar Bum Bum" as the most popular dance calypso released between 1960 to 1990. Not only did Kitchener leap past his calypso counterparts to top the standings but The Grandmaster's songs occupied ten places in the Top 100 ranking (see list below), with blockbusters like "Rainorama", "Mama, Dis is Mas", "Flag Woman" and "Pan in A Minor". Respondents were simply asked to list their top ten dance calypsoes over the period. The top 100 songs emerged from their responses. While 300 queries were sent out, evidently scores of recipients forwarded the e-mail to their groups. The result was an unexpected deluge. On Friday May 23rd alone, nearly 200 returns came in, and over the five-day period 692 responses were received (some voters filing up to 20 titles, arguing they could not narrow their choices to a mere ten). Responses contained many pleasant surprises. However, omissions of what most calypso lovers might consider predictable choices were equally astonishing. No one selected Tambu's "Culture", for instance, nor did Maestro's "Tanty" or Shorty's "Money Eh No Problem" get even a single nod. It was also interesting to note the number of correspondents requesting leave to include songs from outside the period of reckoning. Titles most frequently mentioned in this context were: David Rudder's "High Mas", Brother Marvin's "Jahaaji Bhai", Roaring Lion's "Papa Choonks" and "Get Something and Wave" by SuperBlue. The latter song missed the cut by just one year. Indeed, several theories may be distilled from the responses, not the least of which is that "Miami Vibes" by Rootsman, considered the anthem of that Florida festival, was a popular choice of participants from North America. Organised by Dear Friends & Gentle People, producers of next Wednesday's Back in Time Kaiso Dance, the poll was conducted to inform the party's DJs of popular choices, which will be played at the fete, billed as Calypso's Most Wanted. Appearing at the third annual fund-raiser, which will take place at the Queen's Park Oval, will be Scrunter, Shadow, Singing Sandra, Skatie and Antigua's King Shortshirt, with music by Roy Cape & the Kaiso All Stars. DJs Hurricane George, Crosby Sounds and Barbadian Admiral Nelson will supply memories from the console, while steelband music comes from the prize-winning Exodus and St James Tripolians, with The Laventille Rhythm Section adding its special brand of tempo. Tickets are available at Crosby's Music (north and south), Rhyner's Music Store, Cleve's One-Stop on Frederick Street, Martin's on the Boulevard, Harvard Club, Foodmasters in Tunapuna, FCB Couva Branch and Atherly's by the Park, Roxanne's Beauty Salon at Cross-Crossing and Belle Bagai on Gransaul Street in San Fernando. The dance is again being staged to raise funds for The Foundation for the Arts and to assist ailing veteran calypsonians in meeting their medical expenses. |