Customer Reviews

Trinidad Is Changing

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sir Lancelot is a superb calypso singer, who also has a considerable screen presence in the 1940s in the Val Lewton horror films for RKO, and other films such as Jules Dassin's Brite Force. This CD contains a song that Sir Lancelot composed especially for Val Lewton's I Walked With A Zombie, "Shame and Sorrow on the Family." Brilliant in all respects; you're lucky to stumble on this. If you have any interest in authentic 40s Trinidadian calypso music whatsoever, buy this CD immediately.

Sir Lancelot deseves a special place in the pantheon of great calypsonians. He spoke(sang) in a era long gone, however, his insight into the west indian psyche is remarkable which is still relevant today. The calypsonians of yesteryear faced many, many hurdles in their quest for recognition and acceptance in a society run by the dictates of English imperialism. Guys like Sir Lancelot had to slay the dragons of racism and cultural oppression and the stifling strictures of colonialism. The search for a caribbean identity and political independence, I daresay was initiated by the likes of Sir Lancelot

The best way to describe the story-telling of original calypso is that you can remember the words, the story and the melody. 'Nuff said.