The Hunter's hand!

Every time my country has a controversy, I am always surprised by the justifications of some people for what seems to be a simple matter, a simple case of right or wrong… my people seem to find every imaginable reason to excuse wrongdoing… are we that eager to accept wrong?

I agree, maybe Calypso isn’t that big a deal to some in Dominica, but, to people like me that look forward to the Calypso season, almost akin to that of a Catholic’s eagerness to celebrate Christ the King or Easter, it means a whole lot to me that a calypsonian so celebrated that many hail him to be one of the legends of the art form has found himself in hot water and not just because he was caught in a dubious act, but especially because he had a chance to explain his actions and chose instead to offer up a “cock and bull story” for want of a better phrase.

He could have simply said, yes, I erred; it was a rash action during a time of desperation. I would have gladly accepted that rationale, after all, we have all fallen short. But his explanation turned out to be utter rubbish, based on photos that appeared all over social media. It is one thing to write the words to your own song on your hand, it is another thing to deny it, cover it up and then send half the calypso-loving nation into a frenzy; either trying to prove you wrong, seeking to cover up your lies or even offer up justifications for your actions.

I may get flack for my opinion, but what the hell… I like expressing myself. This isn’t anything personal. I have nothing against the artist; I am not even really much focused on him as much as I am focused on his actions. Many young, aspiring artists (junior calypsonians too) I am sure, look up to him as a prominent figure and a role model within the calypso realm. I am sure they are all too knowledgeable of his actions by now as nothing passes over the heads of children these days, as much as we would like to think it might.

Again, I can’t tell the man what he should or shouldn’t do, whether he should step down from the competition, resign from the Association, or otherwise, that is left to him and his conscience but he should surely seek to do the right thing in that case. He didn’t only leave a sour taste in my mouth or in the mouths of other fans, he also managed to sully the image of the art form and the Association. Surely, the two are bigger than the personality of the Artist, even one who is as prominent as he has become over the past two decades.

In my eyes, there’s no justification for writing on his palm, whether or not he peeked, looked at or ignored his palm is irrelevant. The fact remains, by writing the lyrics on his palm, that he sought to gain an unfair advantage, whether or not the rules of the competition guard against this action or not. I won’t even seek to compare that to cheating on an exam, that would be to simple a comparison and I’m sure we can all see the similarities without me pointing them out.

I have offered by opinion and that’s all I will do, my opinion is not to condemn the man, but to condemn his actions.

It is clear all is not well,
Too much hate in Dominica
We are caught in our own spell
That’s why we ain’t going nowhere

Thank you Bobb (can’t believe I’m actually quoting Bobb, smh)

Delroy
Calypso Fanatic

Excerpt from novel: David and I

I'm working on a novel and this is an excerpt from it. It's about 70% complete so I just thought I would share the introductory prologue for some feedback:

David and I

Prologue

That’s all we really knew about him, Mr. Lazare, that he was the village “drunk.” And the villagers of Gros Michel weren’t kind to him; not at all. 

Castigated and shunned, he spent his last years behind that broken down, corroded, galvanized fence that did a very bad job of hiding the mess that was his house. A wooden dilapidated structure, deposited there over two generations before my time. It’s amazing that the house was still standing; it looked more like a breeding ground for cockroaches and rats than a dwelling home.

But he wasn’t the sad type, very far from that; at times he reminded me of Donald Duck; when he was arguing with Mickey Mouse. Mr. Lazare’s voice could be heard at around 6:00 a.m. every morning, singing or rather croaking, over his transistor radio. He was my personal human alarm clock on many mornings; the old grandfather clock that always sticks out among the new furniture pieces but still felt at place in the dusty corners of many living rooms. Just like his house stuck out from among the rest on our street.

You could tell that Mr. Lazare loved calypso music, as he belted out the tunes of the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener. It may have sounded very bad to the passerby, but he knew all the songs; word for word and note for note too.

I didn’t see him much, except when he left his yard for his weekly trip to Ma Boyd’s shop or when he was coming from his fishing boat. He was always going out to sea but I never once saw him returning home with any fish. He would just be whistling on his way home. Once I even met him inside the shop but all he had bought was some batteries and alcohol. To me it was a very strange combination, but maybe all too normal for such a bizarre character.

My mother, in some way seemed fond of him, always smiling when she heard him sing; I had heard her mention many of his exploits, how he had been to England and made millions of dollars only to return to Dominica and throw it all away on a local woman. It was the kind of stories that you only read in books or see in movies.

NYC brings gospel fever to homeless

What was organized as a talent show turned out into a gospel festival for the folks at the Grotto Home for the Homeless, as members of the National Youth Council and others from the Catholic Youth Christian Club, engaged the inmates in a spiritual encounter.

For almost two hours, the walls of the building trembled from the voices of the youth and homeless (mostly elderly/abandoned persons). Poetry and singing took centre stage but the highlight of the activity occured when the young persons engaged in a sing off with their audience. For about forty five (45) minutes gospel favourite after favourite was chanted out by the crowd and performers.

In the true Dominican spirit, calypso was also given a "brief" moment to shine as calypsonian Yolie shared her tune as well as that of Singining Sandy. Two (2) tunes from local favourite Tarina also made its way unto the impromptu program.

I also had an opportunity to perform my latest poem: I'm stuck.

A wonderful moment for all, both performers and those in the crowd.

Although the Council had planned to have a Walk for Youth 2K9 for that date, because of poor private sector support among other logistical issues it had to be posponed, but still it was time well spent on Global Youth Service Day.

The Youth Council is already putting plans in place to have a big fundraiser with the Home for the Homeless to raise funds for their activities including setting up of a Chapel.

Look out for that one.

Nesta

Carnival and Calypso come in with the New Year

Happy New Year to one and all if i didn't already say it. I've been off the net for a little while but i came back on to spread the good news.

Yes, it's January and if you live in the Caribbean, particularly Dominica and Trinidad then you know it is Carnival and Calypso time. Nothing bigger than the calypso artform in either of these countries.

The action has already started in Dominica for last night was the elimination round of the calypso competition for 2009. I am so elated, not just because it is carnival season but because my very good friend, closest of female friends, Yoland "Yolie" Dorival made it through the elimination round with her song Unfortunate. It is even more amazing when you find out that she only had the song 4 days prior to the competition and decided to enter just a few days before the cut off period.

The song tackles the need for increase diversity in the daily vocabulary of Dominicans and points it out as something unfortunate. As a Dominican, I can tell you that when a word becomes popular here, you hear it all over and from every one. Last year, the word diaspora took a beating because of the reunion celebration.

But let me get back to the competition, only two newcomers made it passed the elimination round, Beetle J being the other calypsonian to make it to the quarterfinals. Former calypso finalist De Booplay who had taken some time off from competing, is also among the twelve selected to go to the next round. Bassy, Senator, Delah, Comforter, General Kendes, Son of De Saint, Jamma B, Educator, and Iration are the other quarter-finalists.

I am looking forward to that show to give full support to all the calypsonians but especially Yolie as she belts out another tune, look out for it too. I've read the lyrics and it promises to be a crowd pleaser, we could just go all the way and yes i said we, cause i intend to support her to the maximum. It is not everyday that a close friend of yours has a chance of making to the cream of the crop of competitions in Dominica, especially since she would never go up for the National Queen show. Hopefully i will be able to share the lyrics with those of you checking out my blog.

Nest@

Sarah Palin Calypso

i'm not one to meddle in politics, especially that of another country but i must admit that i have been glued to CNN and FOX recently with the American Election between Barack and Mccain/Palin.

Now i've come across this song asking Palin to step down from the Vice President race and look after her family. I am not saying that i agree/disagree with the song's lyrics and i'm not even sure who the singer is but the song is hilarious, so here are the words:

Go home and mind baby

Palin girl, go home and mind baby
(what you say)
Palin girl, go home and mind baby
You looking nice
But take my advice
Think of your family
Go home and mind baby

I
People say you have no discretion
Driven only by your ambition
But if you want to make an impression
Be a mother first, not a politician

Palin girl, Go home and mind baby
(what you say)
Palin girl, go home and mind baby
You looking cool
But don't be a fool
Respect your family
Go home and mind baby

II
It is clear you have no experience
Mackie using you for expedience
You should practice a little patience
And convince de world that you have a conscience

III
The GOP call you maverick
Cause you wearing burgundy lipstick
But their actions are so erratic
Like a pit-bull they have you feeling frantic

IV
As the governor of Alaska
There's no doubt you fit the criteria
But no way you could beat Obama
So take Dude and Bristol back to Wasilia

hope you enjoy it, to listen to the song go to my page (delroy) on the Domincan Diaspora website, and look for my music (scroll down on the left side of the page) those of you who know the original song should be able to sing alone to this Caribbean gem.