Hats off to calypsonian Darcy ‘Ras Iley’ Small for pulling off a successful second Ras Iley and Friends – One Caribbean Show based on the response of the reasonably good crowd at the Garfield Sobers Gymnasium Saturday night.
Iley, who won Barbados’ Crop Over Festival Tune of the Crop title on two occasions, clearly showed how to put together a team to party. He did it with an impressive lineup of Trinidad and Tobago and local calypsonians.
Patrons also had a choice of where to sit to wine their waists. Some preferred the tiered seating rows which look on to the stage. The majority opted to trip the light fantastic on the floor space as they refreshed themselves at vending carts within the gym.
The running order was long and it promised to be an extended night. Organisers seem to be conscious of an early morning finish and on the dot of the scheduled 9 p.m. start, the National Anthem of Barbados was played. Then Master of Ceremonies Mac Fingall entered.
Fingall also was part of the cast and set a good tone for an exciting evening with popular hits like Ding Dong, Las Mas and I Go Wine; Pompey with Doctor Doctor and Vampire followed by Crazy with his trademark hits including In Time to Come and Nani Wine.
Then it was Gypsy who rendered Ship Is sinking and Ungrateful. There seemed to be some initial problems with the sound production because from this author’s perspective one could not hear the lyrics of Crazy and Gypsy.
Bumba did excellent renditions of They Want To Know and Seamen, while Serenader’s Breakdown and Juck For Juck brought memories of his heyday.
The next three calypsonians Trinidadian Sugar Aloes and Baron and Barbadian Cultural Ambassador The Most Honourable Anthony The Mighty Gabby Carter showed why they are the creme de la creme of the artform with flawless executions of some of their well-known songs.
Aloes transfixed the audience with Signs and Love being me; Baron personified class and panache in rendering Feeling it and Socaman. Gabby’s treatment of Hit It, Dah beach Is Mine and Cassandra was unblemished.
Also appearing were Shurwayne Winchester, Ronnie Mcintosh, Super Blue and Iwer George. They took the audience on a high with their party hits; Barbadian King of the road Grynner was also well received as he performed We Want More, Mr T and Leggo I Hand, singing using his walker.
This brain child Ras Iley also got a resounding response for his treatment of Mr Energy, Expose and Spring Garden.
Respect to ten-time calypso king of Barbados Cultural Ambassador The Most Honourable Stedson RPB Wiltshire. He sent home the crowd on a high with Ragga Ragga, Boat Ride and Spontaneous.
Iley also awarded Gabby, RPB and Fingall for their contribution to his development. (JS)
