Come on, National Cultural Foundation, please don’t do that! Cranston Browne, chairman of the NCF was recently quoted as saying that there are discussions in progress with the focus on possibly creating a situation in which the Pic-O-De-Crop finalists will compete by performing only one song. I shook my head and whispered: “Say it ain’t so, Cranston, say it ain’t so!”
As the days have gone by, the public responses have been varied. Initially, I observed those who simply queried the benefits of the potentially new regime. Later, the objectors came out, and I was pleased to hear our current calypso monarch, Classic speak openly against it.
As I engaged some of my friends who have been both practitioners and supporters of the calypso art form, the feelings have been almost unanimous. It would be a backward step resulting in nothing beneficial. The competition would be compromised. The creative challenge to the calypsonians would be reduced and the diversity of calypso would suffer an almost fatal blow.
As has been publicly stated, the purpose of the change of the traditional competition structure would allow for greater participation in the finals. Is that really what is wanted?
Do we really want more finalists or more quality? My vote will always be for the latter.
Spectators do not pay to see more singers; they pay to see good performances and keen competition.
There was a time that some of us may well remember when the semi-finals were reduced in like manner to a one song competition. The night was no shorter; the quality of the performances fluctuated and the result was quite predictable. Indeed, at times, one was lulled into boredom. Thankfully, this experiment was short-lived. Let’s keep it as a thing of the past.
I have had the distinct pleasure and honour to have been a judge in both the semi-finals and finals for nine different years and speak from that perspective. Each calypsonian who makes it to finals night seeks to outdo the other with social commentary and party compositions. Originality, diction, movement and physical interpretation define their execution.
They also engage in subtle finesse to gain the extra point or two by opting to perform one song or the other first or last. This helps the partisan back and forth that is so much a part of crowd excitement.
With the one song focus, performers such as De Broomer and his Two Lines contribution could end up wearing the crown. Heaven forbid.
Often, we have seen a very good performance dropping a notch or two because of a prop issue or a slight problem of timing or diction that is addressed and even overcome in the performance of the second song. Over the years, I believe (no, I know) two of our greatest proponents of the kaiso form Red Plastic Bag and Gabby have both had such an experience.
Writing and composing are serious artistic talents. All efforts should be made for each to grow and for their creators to explore, discover and express. These should never be compromised on the altar of all-inclusiveness. Anything of worth, by definition, must include a level of discrimination. Let us support that exclusive club of quality and not water it down just to give others unearned and easy opportunities.
It is never worth it. Quality over quantity, please!
