2005 ABC Calypso Tent Opening Night
Yaa Arts Center, Notting Hill, London, UK
The show featured several calypsonians based in Britain and guest
appearances by National Junior Monarch eight-year-old Shalleika
Hazell, who had the crowd in stitches with her songs Hornerman and
Barking Beef. She received an encore for her outstanding performance.
Lord Cloak - (Errol Brown)
With a to tal
of twelve
wins
under his belt, Trinidad born, Lord Cloak has won the Calypso
Monarch crown the most times in London . Cloak’s style is
reminiscent of the notable Trinidad Calypsonian “Lord Blakie”.
Cloak is full of wit and humour as he often sings about the
injustices done to calypsonians by the various Carnival
Committees and his continuous reign. Some of his wining songs
are Promoters, Give My Name an Ease, The Judges and Cloak Again.
He last won the titile in 1999 |
Explainer was born Winston Henry on November 13, and grew up in
San Juan, Trinidad. He earned his sobriquet from his calypsonian
friends Relator, Prowler and Valentino who thought the name was
apt since Henry was always "explaining" things to them.
Explainer started his musical career in 1969 at the Southern
Brigade calypso tent earning a weekly salary of $50. He sang
"School Children Education". He later joined Kitchener's Review
before landing at Sparrow's Young Brigade in 1972.
Explainer has been a finalist in the Trinidad and Tobago
National Calypso competition on numerous occasions and finished
second in the 1982 Calypso Finals, Some of Explainer's hits
include "Not Me and the Monarchy" and "Heroes" I Ain't Jammin;
Zodiac Fever; Trini; Carnival; Tell Dem; Thanks; Politician;
Dread |

alexanderdgreat.com |
Another highlight of the programme was former Young
King Brian London, who gave a stunning performance with his
renditions of Tsunami and a song about the long time way of life in T&T.
Among the British calypsonians Lord Cloak was
definitely the best performer, according to ABC President Ashton
Moore. "He belted out his humorous ditty on the Judges in a truly
professional manner that sent the audience wild. He was the only
calypsonian to get two encores for the night."
Reigning Calypso Monarch Wen’D paid tribute
to the late Onika Bostic in one of her three songs.
Wendy was
mentored by the featured TnT Calypsonian Explainer. Her Kind Ah Man from
2004 has shown good legs throughout
the
year with becoming a women’s anthem of sorts. Wen’D had previously
held the Calypso Monarch
in 2001.
Wen’D will be
recording her 2nd album in 2005 and you can find some songs on her excellent
web site which was launched in late 2004. [more]
Others appearing in the finals are The Mighty
Tiger, Alexander D Great, Lord Cloak, Admiral Jack, Totally Talibah, Mighty
Explorer, Deloris Francis, Cleopatra, Helena B, Music Man, Peace
& Love, H1, Clivus, G String
2003 Calypso Monarch Sandra Alexander who was
born in England, of St Lucian parentage is not in the finals this year.
Her best known song from that year Black on Black is
much remembered having become the theme song for the ‘Mother’s
Against Guns’ march.
"My favourite performers are Alexander D Great and Lord Cloak. Cloak has
a unique way of expressing his songs, and Alexander is very eclectic
with his songs." Sandra told the Soca News
The featured artist from Trinidad for the 2005 London
Calypso Tent season is Explainer who wraps up the programme singing
several of his big hits, among them Ras Mas and Heroes. The crowd called
for his signature song Lorraine, which has them "dancing and chipping
away" stated producer Ashton Moore.
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