I have been around Calypso for most of my life. I had the privilege to witnessed, the dominant calypsonians of the 1960s and the 1970s like the Mighty Rhymer, Tylor, Sunblaze, and others from that generation, engaged in their time consuming, repetitive, rehearsal at the Climax Band room, trying to perfect their songs.
I often get to the band room, early and sit at one of the window of the band room, which occupied the downstairs of the unoccupied Residence of Fred and Thelma John, which was my closest neighbor; and for hours on end, I sit in my spot, listening to these iconic artist practice their songs. Refusing to move from my place, for fear that someone will take my seat.
Although these were the dominant calypsonians of the sixties and seventies I got to see these masters of old time Calypso in the seventies. I was the only child in primary School, who knew of and saw these iconic performers do their thing, and had the honor of running little errons for them. I often bring to the attention of my little friends, what each artist was coming with for the years carnival, long before the songs hits the radio, by singing their song, which I memorized from hearing it over and over while they rehearsed their song.
No to boast but I to, am a very good song writer, and I have written quite a number of Calypso. I have a keen ears for a good song. In my honest opinion, many calypsonians who are giving an opportunity to be a proforming member of a tent should never be given a Mike to sing in public.
While I was listening to the piliminary judging of the St. Vincent and the Grenadine base Calypso tents shows, for the 2019, Calypso season. There were a lot of good songs with very good presenter, which made for good proformances. And although I love many of the performances, there were two performances that stood out and caught my attention. Those were the performances of Patches Knight, who I think goes by Patch King these days and that of Vibrating Skates.
However, I will like to turn the spotlight on Patches. There is no hiding the fact that Patches is a very good song writer, and he have proven it over and over. However, in my opinion Patches has one major Problem, the selection of the topic on which he writes. I suspect that song writing comes very easy for Patches, because he have never had a poorly written song; however, "for the most part," the topic he chooses to address in his songs, are merely seasonal and local.
However, for the 2019 Calypso season, I am of the opinion that Robert Nights/King: Patches, may have written a Caribbean classic, in his song titled "Yard Boy". I refer to Patches song as a potential Caribbean classic, simply because, Calypso is not a popular genra of music on the international scene. However, it is readily accepted, understood and appreciated in the Caribbean and by Caribbean people.
Patches started the song with two inspirational quotes, the first was from well loved emancipator Harriett Tubman, then he followed that up with a quote from the great international renound Pan-Africanist, Jamacian: Marcus Garvey. These quotes complimented the song and put on display patches knowledge and the fact that he is widely read. The song Yard boy deals with a popular and historical topic, of race relations, and The "King" paid particular attention to the people who should be working for the liberation of their people, but instead join with the oppressors of their people to compound the oppression of the already oppression people.
In his disgust for the behavior of the people who should know better and therefore do better. King resorted to calling them common names that are widely used in colonies where victims of the Trans-Atlantic slaves have been struggling against white evil for more than four hundred years. The title of the song is one of those names: "Yard boy"; names, he skillfully weaved into his chorus.
This song is well structured, well phased, and articulately put together, there is no jumbling, rushing of dicing of words that is common in Calypsos, which is a sign the Writers has an extremely limited vocabulary. This song is well paced, with a timing and a rhythm that perfectly match the story that is being told and the emotion of the song.
The interlude between verses is long enough to give his listeners enough time to regurgitate and digest the segment of the story they were just told, and the song is so well timed and structured with simple, understandable vocabulary, it leaves listeners with an anticipated desire for more. Although this song is over seven minutes long, it does not seems like it. Because it peaks and keeps your interest.
Patches presented this song in a soulful, pain filled lamentation that was instrumental in only making the song what it will end up being "a classic." I for see this song being played, on the radio, social media, at social justice rallies and being enjoyed and sang along with for many years after this generation have leave this Earth. Patches has proven that he is a preeminent song writer and performer.
However, with that said, I am of the opinion, it is only four things that can stop Robert Patches King from winning the Monarchy this year, and they are:
1. An extremely poor second song.
2. An extremely Poor performance
3. Politics
4. And Vibrating Skates matching his first songs with a classic like: "Yard boy."
Oh I almost forget; I must add to the list of Robert Patches King obstacles to receiving the crown and sitting in the Monarchy chair is; Ralph Gonsalves hand pick monarch: "The Man Zangy.
Blessings all.
I often get to the band room, early and sit at one of the window of the band room, which occupied the downstairs of the unoccupied Residence of Fred and Thelma John, which was my closest neighbor; and for hours on end, I sit in my spot, listening to these iconic artist practice their songs. Refusing to move from my place, for fear that someone will take my seat.
Although these were the dominant calypsonians of the sixties and seventies I got to see these masters of old time Calypso in the seventies. I was the only child in primary School, who knew of and saw these iconic performers do their thing, and had the honor of running little errons for them. I often bring to the attention of my little friends, what each artist was coming with for the years carnival, long before the songs hits the radio, by singing their song, which I memorized from hearing it over and over while they rehearsed their song.
No to boast but I to, am a very good song writer, and I have written quite a number of Calypso. I have a keen ears for a good song. In my honest opinion, many calypsonians who are giving an opportunity to be a proforming member of a tent should never be given a Mike to sing in public.
While I was listening to the piliminary judging of the St. Vincent and the Grenadine base Calypso tents shows, for the 2019, Calypso season. There were a lot of good songs with very good presenter, which made for good proformances. And although I love many of the performances, there were two performances that stood out and caught my attention. Those were the performances of Patches Knight, who I think goes by Patch King these days and that of Vibrating Skates.
However, I will like to turn the spotlight on Patches. There is no hiding the fact that Patches is a very good song writer, and he have proven it over and over. However, in my opinion Patches has one major Problem, the selection of the topic on which he writes. I suspect that song writing comes very easy for Patches, because he have never had a poorly written song; however, "for the most part," the topic he chooses to address in his songs, are merely seasonal and local.
However, for the 2019 Calypso season, I am of the opinion that Robert Nights/King: Patches, may have written a Caribbean classic, in his song titled "Yard Boy". I refer to Patches song as a potential Caribbean classic, simply because, Calypso is not a popular genra of music on the international scene. However, it is readily accepted, understood and appreciated in the Caribbean and by Caribbean people.
Patches started the song with two inspirational quotes, the first was from well loved emancipator Harriett Tubman, then he followed that up with a quote from the great international renound Pan-Africanist, Jamacian: Marcus Garvey. These quotes complimented the song and put on display patches knowledge and the fact that he is widely read. The song Yard boy deals with a popular and historical topic, of race relations, and The "King" paid particular attention to the people who should be working for the liberation of their people, but instead join with the oppressors of their people to compound the oppression of the already oppression people.
In his disgust for the behavior of the people who should know better and therefore do better. King resorted to calling them common names that are widely used in colonies where victims of the Trans-Atlantic slaves have been struggling against white evil for more than four hundred years. The title of the song is one of those names: "Yard boy"; names, he skillfully weaved into his chorus.
This song is well structured, well phased, and articulately put together, there is no jumbling, rushing of dicing of words that is common in Calypsos, which is a sign the Writers has an extremely limited vocabulary. This song is well paced, with a timing and a rhythm that perfectly match the story that is being told and the emotion of the song.
The interlude between verses is long enough to give his listeners enough time to regurgitate and digest the segment of the story they were just told, and the song is so well timed and structured with simple, understandable vocabulary, it leaves listeners with an anticipated desire for more. Although this song is over seven minutes long, it does not seems like it. Because it peaks and keeps your interest.
Patches presented this song in a soulful, pain filled lamentation that was instrumental in only making the song what it will end up being "a classic." I for see this song being played, on the radio, social media, at social justice rallies and being enjoyed and sang along with for many years after this generation have leave this Earth. Patches has proven that he is a preeminent song writer and performer.
However, with that said, I am of the opinion, it is only four things that can stop Robert Patches King from winning the Monarchy this year, and they are:
1. An extremely poor second song.
2. An extremely Poor performance
3. Politics
4. And Vibrating Skates matching his first songs with a classic like: "Yard boy."
Oh I almost forget; I must add to the list of Robert Patches King obstacles to receiving the crown and sitting in the Monarchy chair is; Ralph Gonsalves hand pick monarch: "The Man Zangy.
Blessings all.
Take a listen to the song: https://youtu.be/dmqYYXpp0-I
