Calypso music, the art form of storytelling in rhythm and rhyme, is on full display in all its elements at ‘Back To Basics’ Kaiso Tent. Headed by Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters, the cast includes an impressive lineup of veteran calypsonian the likes of Tobago Crusoe, Funny, Trinidad Rio, Luta, to name a few. These are true exponents of the art, a vanishing breed of authentic Trinidadian artistes, making them a must-see for anyone longing to have a true carnival experience.

Although the baby of the cast, Terri Lyons’ retention of ‘Meghan’ steals the show nightly bringing her many encores and compliments. “Powerful amazing voice, a beautifully written and composed song. Great Job Terri” just one of the comments on her performance. (performance above)

The man is funny. His antics on stage, his delivery, and his lyrics are funny. He goes by the sobriquet ‘Lord Funny’. Throughout the years he has sent audiences into stitches with his many hilarious calypsos which are normally delivered with a serious face. At Back To Basics Kaiso Tent, he was in true form with ‘Shaking It’; encores accompanied his performance.

 

Another humorous Calypso which can be heard at Back to Basics is ‘Bringing in Money’ sang by Tobago Crusoe. Here is where the calypsonian is at his finest. Taking a recent event of a pastor who brought in ‘tons’ of hundred-dollar bills to the Central Bank before they became null and void due to the issuance of a new version of the bill. Crusoe delivered a perfect witty calypso of true storytelling. His tone and energy are unbelievable for a man his age and as a teacher of the art form his students couldn’t ask for better; there’s none.

 

Social commentary and the passing of wisdom in song is another aspect of calypso that makes it an indispensable artform. Xposer’s “It’s So Nice To Be Nice” a gem of a calypso is one of the social commentaries delivered at the tent nightly. He receives light applause at the end of each chorus and a thunderous appreciation at the end of the song.

 

A master of calypso in every sense, Winston ‘Gypsy Peters’ is in his element doing what has become second nature to him; singing calypso. He effortlessly moves from one location of the hall to the next engaging patrons with the double entendre sweet refrain of “Anytime that you want to come just call me”. The adlib genius of Gypsy is also in full display as he kept adding new lines to the song depending on which female patron he is trying to serenade.

 

Back To Basics Kaiso Tent delivers Kaiso! Kaiso! Kaiso! Calypso at its best! Humor, Social Commentary, and Satire, the three pillars on which calypso is established, are a staple at every show. It’s refreshing to see that the calypsonians are not composing and singing songs to meet some judging criteria for the Calypso Monarch Competition, but their intention and primary focus are to please the audience and that they do well in every show. This attitude will surely bring more patrons back to the tents and revive the frailing industry.

Caribbean Entertainment Hub says kudos to the management of Back To Basics Kaiso Tent and encourages our readers to pay them a visit whenever you are in Trinidad for the carnival season or where ever they may pitch their tent. We would also like to congratulate both Terri Lyons and Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters for being selected for the 2020 Calypso Monarch Competition and wish them full success.