People in calypso music
By Jack Galliett & Carl V. Johnson
Calypso music is the music of hope, dance, living life, and most of all, the party! In Trinidad, Calypso music could be called ‘Heartbeat’ of the people, created by the people, for the people. The people that create this music, are no different than the people that listen and enjoy the music. We want to focus on two big influences in calypso music, The Lord Kitchener, and David Rudder. They both have had a big influence on modern calypso music by adding their own personal touch or performing in a well know style.
One of the most famous Trinidadian singers was Lord Kitchner also known as the “Grandmaster”. Lord Kitchener was famous for his road marches through the 1940’s through the 70’s and won ten road march titles in the Trinidadian Road march hall of fame. The book Carnival Music in Trinidad by Shannon Dudley a Road marches are “a song for dancing in the street on carnival day” (Dudley, 25). One of his award winning Road Marches was “sixty seven”.
Lord Kitchener was born on April 18 1922 in Trinidad, with the name Aldwyn Roberts. Roberts was part of a family of six. Robert's father was a successful blacksmith and his mother was a housewife. Roberts started writing music when he was ten years old and also learned how to play the guitar at around this age.. Roberts attended school at the Arima Boys Government School until he he was fourteen, when his father tragically died. Kitchener's father encouraged Roberts to sing and play music. In an interview with Lord Kitchener describing how his father was After his death Kitchener started his career as a Trinidadian musician.
David Rudder is one of the people that emerged from no-where with his music by winning Young Kings in 1986 while also being elected Calypso Monarch the same year. The interesting thing about Rudder is the fact he did not change his name like the many other calypsonian artists. This upset and bothered some of the trinidadian people because of Rudder not following tradition. This did not stop Rudder from producing albums and continuing to make music.
In the book mentioned earlier, Dudley talks about one of Rudder’s songs titled “High Mas”. Dudley says,
“The title of “High Mas’” plays in the Trinidadian word “masquerade,” casting the the bacchanal of carnival as a spiritual experience akin to the Catholic high mass. This analogy challenges a view that dates from the English colonial period, and that is still held by many people in trinidad, that carnival - in particular the kind of sexual license that people take in carnival dancing - is essentially immoral. Instead the song implies that music, “wining” (a kind of dancing that involves winding the waist and pelvis) and “having a good time” (including ‘liming,’ or socializing/partying with friends) are spiritually healing” (Dudley, 32). (https://youtu.be/TC4O_W1ixYw)
With this some of the lines and lyrics can remind one of christian prayers that could have been used in a Catholic church service. It Is almost controversial with the style of calypso in the fact that carnival is usually about making sins before lent. WIth Rudder’s music, singing about praising God and promoting that their actions are not sinful. Something to wonder about.
Carnival would not be possible without the music, and the music would not be possible without the people. From the traditions and creativity that made the music to the people that think of new ways to entertain audiences year after year, David Rudder and Lord Kitchener definitely had a big influence. Their music will continue to be part of carnival and continue to bring life to the party.
BIbliography
"David Rudder Biography Achievements & Awards." David Rudder Biography Achievements & Awards. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <http://www.davidmichaelrudder.com/Biography.php>.
"David Rudder." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rudder>.
Dudley, Shannon. "The Man of Word." Carnival Music in Trinidad: Experiencing Music, Expressing Culture. New York: Oxford UP, 2004. 23-36. Print.
Oyewole, G. Godwin. "A Tribute to Lord Kitchener." A Tribute to Lord Kitchener. N.p., 2 Mar. 2015. Web. 19 Oct. 2015. <http://www.tntisland.com/kitchbio.html>.
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