The following views are those of 'a friend' who says that he is like 'aloes' or 'caraile' (both with a bitter taste). However, if used in the right way it becomes acceptable to the user who reaps the benefit of the plant/fruit. He is "Bitter" just like the aloe and caraile but he is bitter with truth to test your 'knowledge palette'. This is his review of the recently concluded Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.
Carnival Review by "Bitter"
The curtain has come down on another carnival season. Typically Carnival 2013 was a mixed bag, with moments that make you proud to be a Trinbagonian, and those that make you cringe and turn away.
Soca and Chutney monarchs, or, as I like to call them, Soca Shouter and Chutney Shouter were, as usual, more about spectacle than substance and the performances that stood out were the ones that relied more on stagecraft.
Panorama partially escaped the embrace of the arranger-composed pan song, and was interesting, thought not great. Much excellent music never makes it out of the semi-finals and is lost to all but the dedicated few who record every rendition. This year, 'Panpot', working with Pantrinbago made every note played by every band available online. It is a much-appreciated effort. Hopefully they seek ways to monetize this resource.
There were many good calypsos but no great ones. As with panorama, better songs were left behind in the semi-finals and in the tents. Perhaps the independence calypso competition divided the attentions of the composers. One tent patron, quoted in the Trinidad Guardian, remarked "Calypsonians now are either preaching or bashing. I cannot pay my hard earned dollars to go to listen to stupidness"
Dimanche Gras was a changed show this year. The various organizations decided to split their competitions off from the Dimanche Gras show and managed to make each of the longer than the original. With the dirge-like songs making up the "serious calypso" genre, splitting the show should have made it easier to produce a tight, well put together Dimanche Gras, instead, the show ran too long and tried to do too much.
'Carnaval' was beautiful, I watched thousands of masqueraders parade in spectacular costumes. Unfortunately, this was in Rio, since I was able to access a free, hi-definition video stream. The same cannot be said about Trinidad Carnival, which in its best moments looked like a bootleg VHS movie from the 1990's. At its worst, the streams simply failed. After being spoiled by Carnivaltv the past couple years, the lack of a solid, high quality stream was vexing. The NCBA's stream for Monday and Tuesday provided little information about what was on screen, and a picture that was better suited to radio. The rights of the constituent members may have been preserved, but were their interests?
All my complaints notwithstanding, for an expat, Carnival is about the music and the Soca music was excellent. The return of Superblue proved to be the highlight of the season. He may not have been able to perform like the blue of old, but the High Priest of Soca reigns with his lyrics, not his antics.
Well I pray, and I pray
For a day like today
Bright and shining
Soca Glory
Everyone with a plan and a smile on their face
Lordy, lordy, of every creed and race
Phenomenal, lovely atmosphere
If the lord is our shepherd, who shall we fear?
...
I'm just here to say I love you
A voice from out the blue
-Superblue "Fantastic Friday"
