Is calypso dying? It would appear so, since calypsoes, especially those heard at Dimanche Gras shows within recent years, are no longer referred to as "immortal". For that matter, the winning calypsoes of yesteryear are easier remembered today than those of yesterday.

As mentioned in an Express Editorial, these offerings, apart from lacking the basic principles of a good calypso, such as "wit... and a catchy tune", "fall short lyrically as well".

Some winning catchy tunes of the past that are still fresh in my mind are Sparrow's "Jean and Dinah" and "Ten To One is Murder", Kitchener's "Spree Simon" and "Fever", Black Stalin's "Dorothy" and "Black Man Feeling to Party"; not to mention Duke's "beaver trick" of victories which all included not only social commentary and "social bacchanal", but also adhered to all the basic principles.

For that matter, bringing down the curtain at the calypso tents at that time was always, if not a Road March contender, something the patrons could dance to in the aisle on their way out.

Since the unwritten consensus is that one shouldn't complain without attempting to provide a solution, I would like to suggest that the same way the Groovy Soca Monarch was able to, as far as I am concerned, add some sanity to the Soca Monarch competition, I think a "groovy" or Road March-type calypso should be mandatory at Dimanche Gras as a second tune to not only "wake up" the patrons, but to break the monotony of what the Express Editorial described as "every song being a mundane variation of a santimanitay chorus".

If TUCO can see it fit to give some thought to my recommendation, then patrons at future Dimanche Gras shows will be spared the task of having to put into action the Immortal Spoiler's 1955 winning contribution and "Pick Sense From Nonsense".

Gregory Cockburn

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