Wednesday, 26 October 2011

"We Rhythms"


   ♪"Soca in meh body, soca in me head, soca all around meh, soca in the fete"♪

"Soca Queen": Alison Hinds
    The lyrics of Alison Hinds’ song “Soca in meh body” speak of a feeling many Barbadians can relate to, that is being lost in the sweet rhythms of soca and enjoying the mood it brings.
Soca is popular across the Caribbean. Many Barbadians define it as the music you “chip down the road” to during the Crop Over festival, however it isn’t the only genre we have that plays a big role in our musical culture.

    I’m sure that many citizens, who went to primary school in the island, can recall singing and doing movements to many folks songs such as “Jon Belly Ma Ma”, “Sweet Sweet Flying Fish and Cou-Cou” and “See muh lil brown girl”. Folk music is said to have been fully developed by the end of the 17th century and was used by the slaves to past time or for recreation.

    The comical lyrics and dances that come from folk songs aren’t the only music related aspects we were taught or have been seeing since childhood. The Tuk Band and Landship are a major part of our musical culture! It is always a joy to see the Captain calling out orders to his crew as they “raise the sails” or “scrub the deck” to the rhythm of the pennywhistle, kittle triangle and a snare and double-headed bass drum.


Creator of Spouge

    Spouge, along with the Landship, is indigenous to our island. Created by the brilliant mind of Jackie Opel in the 1960’s, Spouge music was a combination of a cowbell, bass guitar, trap set and various other electronic and percussion instruments. This genre brings that bounce and rock melody that makes you just want to wine and have a good time!   ♪"Gimme Music…to rock my body and soul!"♪ 


    Of course I wouldn’t be in my right mind if I were not to mention calypso! Man, those rhythms hypnotise the brain; taking control of the waistline and bumper causing one to “do a number” almost anywhere. Of course you cannot mention calypso without the powerful voices of Alison Hinds, Rupee, Blood, Edwin Yearwood and younger artistes such as Mikey or Pong coming to mind. Calypso is King during, before and after Crop Over time; in fact people both here and across the globe identify it as part of who we are.

    With mentioning calypso, Kaiso (a type of calypso: social commentary) comes to mind. Many people can be seen flocking to events just to hear what and who Red Plastic Bag, or the Observer would be “discussing” in their…entertaining and sometimes double entendre lyrics.   


    When ever I hear the captivating melodies of my gem, my blood bubbles with excitement, my fingers tap to the beat and I have the irresistible urge to move to the sounds. After all, like Rupee sings “I am a Bajan!”


Questions to the Forum:

What’s your favorite genre of Barbadian Music?

                                           
 Who’s your favorite Barbadian Artist?
                                            
What is another form of music that is special to our home?
                                    

2 comments:

  1. Photo of Alison Hinds taken from caribbeanmassive.com

    Photo of Jackie Opel taken from silhouettes1979.com

    For more history on Barbadian Music visit http://bajanfuhlife.com/cropover/music_of_barbados.html

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  2. I think olden goldies is a form of music that is special to our home, because i remember growing up in my grandmother's house listening to that. That song that went "what are you doing Sunday baby i want to marry you" will always be stuck in my memory. As for my favorite artist it is Statement.

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