No raining on kaiso

THE OVERCAST CONDITIONS couldn’t stop Barbadians and visitors from turning out in their thousands last night to the Banks/Lime Pic-O-De-Crop calypso finals at Kensington Oval.Armed with umbrellas in all sizes, colours and lengths to protect them from rain that threatened to pour from the dark clouds that blanketed the sky, they came to take in a contest that boasted some of the most exciting names in local calypso, vying for the calypso title, a vehicle and cash prizes.As delivery trucks made their last-minute drop-offs at one entrance, long lines of patrons were seen shuffling towards another from as early as 6 p.m. to be directed to the appropriate stands by eager attendants.At 8 p.m. the National Anthem was played, signalling the start of the show. By then the grounds and stands were humming with anticipation as calypso lovers waited for the first contestant to take to the expansive stage.Although the clouds held, occasional drizzles caused a canopy of umbrellas to open over what seemed like a very impartial crowd.   That impartiality went the way of the dodo bird, however, when defending monarch Red Plastic Bag took to the stage at No. 9. The reception he received was a clear sign that he was unquestionably the pre-show favourite of the first half. Hundreds of red plastic bags came out of nowhere ambushing the entire Oval. The red baggers, like enraged bulls, were “out of control”.Colin Spencer, pulling No. 1, had thrilled the audience with Lyrical Master Number Two. Dressed in total red and emerging from a coffin, he got loud applause. Second out, Adrian Clarke was impressive with Crowd Response. He had the crowd buzzing from start to finish.Sheldon Hope, at three, was confident with Hope, while Tassa, who followed, got good response with her Going To The Dump.Gabby, next on, surprisingly did not generate the excitement at the start, but redeemed himself enough to get an appreciative response for Haiti.At No. 8 John King also got a good response with Ah Gun Down, while Crystal did not seem to be seeing too clearly based on the crowd’s response to her Crystal Ball.TC brought up the rear with an excellent rendition of Out Of Control.Generally speaking, however, patrons were quite appreciative of the offerings of the first half and at the end many were impressed with Clarke, TC, Red Plastic Bag, Blood and Spencer.“I have Red Plastic Bag, even if he sounds awful,” a patron said with a laugh, adding that “he could have come with an apron and T-shirt”.“The first half was very good,” said another. “Who I got leading? Look at my hand,” she said, showing her red plastic bag.“Don’t be biased,” chimed in her friend. “He ain’t leading. TC is way out front. Every word she said, dictionwise, was clear.” TC’s diction was perfect. “When Bag sang I could not understand what he was saying. If I did not know the song, I would not understand what he was saying,” said the patron.“I like Blood’s song Not My Son,” said a young man. “I like his performance, and his song reflects what is happening in the society. Children do things and mothers usually say ‘not my son’.”There was no end to the suggestions of who would win this year’s calypso crown. At half-time it was still anybody’s crown.