The Colour of Crop Over 2024

Greetings to my faithful readers.  I'll be celebrating 4,700 views soon after posting this page.  So I'm thanking all who'll visit and give me that distinction.😊

Now for the roll call to you who hailed from Barbados, Canada, Cayman Islands (and at least one of the visits may've been me 😁), Germany, Ireland, Israel, Sweden, Turks & Caicos, United States and Vietnam. 

One of my readers reminded me recently that I've not posted in a while. It's true. Blame it on the Chinese dramas I began watching this summer. One episode is not enough. Maybe I'll share the OSTs in a future post. I even binge on reading the recaps. Also with all of the copyright issues at play, I have to be careful sourcing wallpapers or other images and the videos I want to use on the page.

So a big thank you to Gerald Walcott, wire-bender par excellence, who in his own words goes for days without sleep during the Crop Over season applying his craft. He was good enough to share these images of costumes from Colorz Entertainment's 2024 Kadooment Band featuring his wire work. They don't need Red Bull to give them wings. Colorz got Gerald Walcott to give them. 😉

  Models showing costumes from Colorz Entertainment 2024 Kadooment band Photo Credit: Gerald Walcott

Note that I've chosen images with "fluffy" gals as they deserve to jump too. Of course there are many who will still wear the monokinis or 4 triangles covering the essentials. 

        Fluffy gals deserve to jump too. Another costume for Colorz Entertainment's 2024 Kadooment band. 
                                                                    Credit: Gerald Walcott

While costumes are one aspect of the Crop Over Festival, they're only worn one day.  It is the music of the festival that rules for nearly 3 months. There is the soca (up-tempo party music) and the kaiso (slower songs usually focusing on social commentary).  Among my faves this year was this calypso penned by our maestro, Dr. the Honourable Anthony "Mighty Gabby" Carter and rendered by the teenaged sensation Tae. Check out her wonderful final calypso competition performance. She is the future of kaiso in Barbados. 

                                                    Cover Artwork for A Big Circus by Tae 

The competition winner was Adrian "AC" Clarke - one of my fave calypsonians and no stranger to my blog.  He had a big, big tune last year and was outsmarted in his performance by the eventual 2023 winner. He made up for it this year and was as close to flawless for a final performance as I've seen. I was very happy for him.

As for my party song of the season - H.O.T.P. (Heart of the Party). Once I'm at a red traffic light and I hear it on the radio, you'll see my hands in the air and I'm bouncing around in my car seat. Remember only at red traffic lights.  Even now my shoulders are shaking as I listen to it again.💓💓💓💓💓

                                Mikey and Mr. Blood are veterans now in the Crop Over arena

And the song that I only noticed the week before the Crop Over season culminated - Tomorrow by Brucelee Almightee. He won the People's Monarch fan vote competition and the 2024 Road March title (his was the most played song on the road). Kudos to him.

                                                           Brucelee Almightee

I trust you'll enjoy this glimpse of Barbados' Crop Over 2024.

'Til next time.

One Love: Filmed In Jamaica

Greetings from Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 👋

No I have not migrated. I'm overseas for meetings. It's been a busy year - between care of my elderly dependents and my work commitments - and errands - I've not found the time to post anything...until now. 

I note that the blog has more than 4,600 visits. Thank you ever so much for your loyalty. I'm obliged and humbled. I've made 76 entries on this blog so there's still much for you to read and in most instances... enjoy. 

I usually recognise the nationalities of those who visit.  Over the past month, you've hailed from: Barbados, Canada, Germany, Grenada, Ireland, Russia, Sweden, United States and Vietnam.

I salute you. One Love 💖

That is the title for this post - inspired by the movie Bob Marley: One Love. I saw it in February and planned to make it my next post, which I would dedicate to other films I've seen set in Jamaica. I really shouldn't be promoting Jamaica so much. Still these three movies were most enjoyable. 

Bob Marley: One Love was a captivating portrayal of Marley's life and music.  It was an engrossing glimpse into his enduring legacy and the impact of his message of unity and peace.  Of course, actor Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley, was really easy on the eyes and it was great to see Lashana Lynch's powerful portrayal of Rita Marley. I've been a Lashana fan from her role in Shonda Rhimes' colour-blind casting for Still Star-Crossed (life after Romeo and Juliet).  Network television wasn't ready for a reimagined Verona but Netflix was more than ready for her reimagined Bridgerton regency series. 

                                                                The Poster

How Stella Got Her Groove Back is another most entertaining film with a backdrop of Jamaica. I became a fan of Taye Diggs after watching that one. Angela Bassett's reputation went before her so it's no surprise that she was great, even in a light-hearted film albeit delving into self-discovery and romance. A story of a stunning, almost middle-aged woman, Stella, as she rediscovers her passion for life and love during a transformative trip to Jamaica. 

It asked serious questions about relationships and age. When it's a man, it's ok. When it's a woman - it's an embarrassment? Puh-leezee. Don't get me wrong, I'm not defending it for personal reasons as I have no groove to get back - and probably never had any. LOL. 😃

                                            Poster for How Stella Got Her Groove Back 

Before there was a Stella to get her groove back, there was the Dancehall Queen (music video shown not the trailer). The electrifying film featured the vibrant world of Jamaican dancehall culture. The story revolved around Marcia, a street vendor, as she transformed into a dancehall sensation, blending drama and music in a compelling narrative. When I watched this as the second film during a trip to the cinema decades ago, I had zero expectations. By the end of the night, it was a complete revelation on many levels perhaps because it was a Jamaican film and not some big-budget Hollywood drama.  It was gritty and down-to-earth.

                                                     The Dancehall Queen Film Poster

As always, I like to sign off with a song. What better one than Bob Marley singing One Love -the official video.

                                                   The Legend himself: Bob Marley

Until next time...

Shalom.🙏

Of Carnival and ...

February is the month of love, carnival and the birthday of Barbados' most recent National Hero, Rihanna.  My focus for this entry? Carnival (well calypso) and a bit of love (a sweet spouge rendition).  

First, though, as usual, let me greet those who visited the page over the last month.  You hailed from: Barbados, Canada, China, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, USA and Vietnam! 👋 It seems like this page is a meeting of the United Nations. So grateful for your visits. Thank you. 🙇

I'll begin with Carnival. The most well-known at this time of year is Brazil and for the Caribbean region - Trinidad.  First up? A man of firsts - the winner of their Dimanche Gras (calypso finals), the veteran entertainer, Machel Montano. I remember him as a child in the 1980s when he won his first Junior Monarch title in Trinidad & Tobago with "Too Young to Soca".  Yes. I am that old. We all wondered if he would continue in the artform. He later made a name for himself with party music (soca) and now he's the calypso king of Trinidad & Tobago on his first try. I trust you will enjoy seeing his winning live performance.  When he showed Ras Shorty-I on the screen I got chills.  I'd planned to compare my local fave calypso about the calypso artform but decided not to take anything away from a now middle-aged Machel Montano. His performance was first class and his reputation as an excellent performer precedes him. 

Machel Montano - Trinidad & Tobago's Calypso Monarch 2024 and...

Machel Montano - an eager school boy in the1980s when he won his first calypso title - Junior Calypso Monarch of Trinidad and Tobago with "Too Young To Soca"

Still, the calypso in Trinidad which chorus has been repeating itself in my head over the past week is this lady's - and there's nothing "holy" about it. It's beat is just "wholly" infectious. I've heard it called the women's anthem for 2024.  With the current generation, it seems that anything goes, so a lyric or 2 is a little risqué.  It's not for the prudish.  Still, no-one can argue that Nadia Batson went to Market with this one.

Nadia Batson's rhythmic "Market" song is a huge hit this year 

I can't not feature something Barbadian so to bring it back home on a "love theme", this classic by the late Richard Stoute speaks of both love, fidelity and family.  The best part? It's a spouge rhythm. 

If calypso, chutney and ragga were born in Trinidad, then spouge was birthed in Barbados more than 50 years ago. 

Here is a  photo of the late Richard Stoute, in Valentine's red and white. 

The late Richard Stoute, outstanding Barbadian balladeer. 

No better note to sign off, on the eve of Valentine's Day.

Happy Valentine's Day to all. 🍷🍓🌹

 

Year In Review?

It's still New Year's Eve as I finally make time for my last blog entry for the year, 2023.

I begin by celebrating having more than 4,000 page views. Thank you so much to you who consistently check in.  I greet those who visited from Barbados, Canada, Germany, Grenada, Russia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the USA. 👋

I note that quite a few were curious about my trip, so perhaps I'll start there for my year in review.  I travelled rather more than expected this year.  In spite of the issues I highlighted in July, being in the country was ok. It's just I'm not a fan of the cold, so any temperature under 20 degrees Celsius is cold for me.  In contrast, the country in the Middle East I visited some months later had temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius. 😲 Luckily there was air-condition on the commute to the meeting. No photos taken there though.

My fave trip of the year was to Jamaica - and the highlight was a visit to the world-famous Dunn's River Falls. Of course, I'm the first to boast of Barbados' white sandy beaches (even though I've not been to one in more than 5 years).  Still, the beach at Dunn's River was quite decent. I was instructed to bring a swimsuit so I took a dip. Lovely. Yes. I had to leave Barbados to go in the sea. Go figure. 

                                                Beach at Dunn's River Falls, Jamaica

What's interesting is that I was not in the best of health on any of my trips. I had bursitis or was it tendonitis (yet undiagnosed) in April-May? I was trying to contain a respiratory issue in September/October. Little did I know there was a new variant of COVID-19 lurking. It may explain why I had to be nebulized while overseas (not in Jamaica, I survived that trip but may've been exposed to something en route).  As I was overseas for an international meeting the health care system needed to ensure I returned to my homeland.  To achieve that I was nebulized and received antibiotic treatment. Apparently my lungs didn't sound too good.  Returned home, got another medical check and the lungs still weren't quite clear so 10 more days of antibiotic! Concurrently there was some gastrointestinal problem. I ended up having a 37-day purge.  On the bright side I lost 3 inches from my natural waist. 😀 

It's a good thing I'm a survivor.  Given my scare from a few months ago, this season I treated myself to these delicious cupcakes baked by Kimel.  Wonderful baking talent she has. 

                                                     Cupcakes baked by Kimel

In addition, I got myself a pedicure and a manicure. I don't treat myself often, but this year felt like a good time to do so. 

                                                               Pedicure 2023

Of course this is the real reason for my survival as only Cece Winans can render it. 

                                                            Gospel Artiste, Cece Winans

So, here's to a new year. 🍸 

May we have success in all that we do and achieve the goals we set ourselves for our family, work and spiritual lives. 

Shalom 🙏

Barbados - 57 And Moving On

Greetings to my readers from Barbados, France, USA and Russia. 

I was reminded by a blog reader that it was time for my Independence entry. It's been a few months since my last entry. 

On November 30, 2023, Barbados celebrated 57 years of Independence. As usual, there was the pomp and ceremony of our Independence parade. It's always a sight to behold - and the songs to which the formations are made - always superbly rendered.  

On a sad note, Barbados lost a musical icon - Richard Stoute - a few days before Independence Day 2023.  One of the finest male voices in entertainment is now no more. Such smooth, mellow vocals - often only heard on radio as we celebrate Barbados in November. He also invested in developing the musical talents of young Barbadians over decades. Among those who benefited - Barbados' musical General, Edwin Yearwood and our Soca Queen, Alison Hinds, to name two of the more prominent.  In my first blog of the year, I paid tribute to Barbados' Queen of Song, Carolyn Leacock, who passed away in January.  Her daughter, Jan, is another who not only participated but won one of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent contests - his labour of love.  

                                                        The late Richard Stoute

Of course we can't have an independence celebration without food - there are conkies, cassava pone, sweet bread, fish cakes, ham cutters (some of these we have all year long) and then the sweets - tamarind balls, guava cheese, nut cake and sugar cake - all of which are available year-round but may have more sentimental value as we celebrate Independence. 

Left to right: Bajan sweets - guava cheese, sugar cake, tamarind ball and nut cake. 

On that note I'll sign off for another year with one of Richard Stoute's Christmas renditions - "Rock Steady Christmas" as that's the next celebration.

Until next time, stay safe.👋 

    

My Chosen Few

Greetings to my faithful readers across the globe - Barbados, Canada, Ghana, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.👋

Well the revellers have discarded their feathers and beads, wiped clean the glitter as the last lap for the Crop Over season recently ended.  It is now time for Cricket Played Louder and the Barbados Royals' colour is PINK! No wonder we began with a loss to the St. Lucia Kings in their BLUE and YELLOW - two of Barbados' national colours...well ultramarine and gold to be exact. I'm bitterly disappointed. 

So enough about cricket. Back to Crop Over - Barbados' premier cultural showcase and a major summer tourist attraction.

Congratulations to veteran bandleader Betty West on winning the Best Festival Designer title and with it the Robert Weekes Award for this year's effort, "Soca In de Mas". Well-deserved, I say. 👏 

Here she is in all her splendour, still playing mas in her 70s. Take a bow, Betty!

                            Veteran bandleader, Betty West led Soca in de Mas from the front

That being said, for me the action was in the kaiso category and I'll share a few of my chosen few now.

First up is Niqa with a song this year entitled, "The Chosen Few", which got her into the calypso monarch finals this year.  👏

I first heard her last year's song late in the 2022 season and loved it!! Listen up.  Still bouncing around in my chair as I listen. 

The other two faves of mine this year also found a place in the calypso monarch (Pic-O-De-Crop) finals. Loved this from day one...Teri's "Cat Piss and Peppa" (i.e. Pepper) - and even my 100-year-old grandmother can't tell me what it means. From the content it has to mean "ruction" - quarelling and contention. 

                     Calypsonian Teri, had one of the more popular calypsos for Crop Over 2023

The heavy hitter for me this season was rendered by the man, who placed second in the Pic-O-De-Crop competition, the inimitable Adrian "AC" Clarke with "Anansi and de Big Bad Ram".

                       Adrian "AC Clarke rocked the 2023 Crop Over season with "Anansi and de Big Bad Ram"

So who outsmarted the Kaiso jungle this year? None other than "Anansi" who spun his web and trapped all contenders with his "picong" verse, in "Brain". It was outstanding. Kudos to Ian "iWeb" Webster on another calypso crown - his fourth. Honestly, I thought it was "The Country Ain't Well" version 2023 and I only really listened to it on competition day and realised it was well-spun.

Calypso Monarch 2023, Ian "iWeb" Webster beams broadly on receiving his 4th Pic-O-De-Crop trophy from Prime Minister the Hon. Mia Amor Mottley and sponsor representative Samuel Gaston of Courtesy Garage. 

I wasn't very enthusiastic about this year's "party songs" - too old for the bashment rhythm. I might put out a joint. All I'll say is Quan de Artist with "Waistline" was deemed the Tune-O-De-Crop. Second was Chief Diin with "Yuh Know Da" and the one I sing along with - although I know it's got to be bad for people's health - Leadpipe and Jus Jay's "Brain Freeze". Now this one has a truly international sound and it won Starcom Network's The People's Monarch award based on fan votes. .  

                                  An ecstatic Leadpipe (right) and Jus Jay enjoying their 2023 success

Until next time...

What A Trip!

Warm greetings to all who visited the blog over the last few months from Barbados, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Russia and USA. I know it's been a while. Work. Life. Travelling. Yes - travelling. I was over and away a couple of months ago.

I'll share some photos from my trip. I'm not great at selfies, so I apologize.

I began this blog last month, planning to regale all with my misadventures. For the first time ever I missed my flight - not that I'm the one who checks in first, but I make sure I'm not the last. The outgoing flight was delayed and although we made very good time, I missed my check-in time by 5 minutes. How annoying is that? 😠

Then my first day I got lost - well I took a bus in the wrong direction. 🤦🏽‍♀️ I was in a multilingual country. Some people didn't speak English though. Aaarrghhh.😒

Well, the couples who preferred to snog on each landing rather than go down in the elevator with me ae not worthy of comment. FYI...they didn't look like me. I think there were only 3 instances of that though. 

Then there was the Mom with the little girls and none of the little ones wanted to sit next to me. Come to think of it, the mother preferred to sit next to one of her girls. Hmmmm. Oh my. 🙊 They didn't look like me either. It's a good thing my perspective can be sardonic.

To top it off, one of my poorly packed suitcases actually toppled over on the escalator and knocked me over too. Good grief. 🙄

And I don't like flying so every air pocket was a mighty prayer. 🤢

Still, I survived. I eventually found my way around on terra firma and I had no unpleasantness at my hotel - or any real issues with any of the service providers on the continent.  

Here are those images I took - few though they are. It was a rainy morning.

                                                              Street Scene

                                                          The Clock Tower

                                                                Loving the historic architecture

Note that I've not said where I visited. Some may recognise it. Some may not. It's a pleasant, quiet city. 

Until next time.

Shalom.