BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda

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In the calypso sphere there are some vintage calypsonians that Antiguans and Barbudans can never forget. One such calypsonian is Percival Watt, known in the calypso world as the “Mighty Bottle,” but fondly called “Bottle,” by his contemporaries and others. Born in the Point area, many moons ago, Bottle became interested in calypso singing in the days when Lord Kitchener was the king of the calypso world, long before Sparrow made his debut. When Bottle was at school and got the chance to listen to Kitchener’s “Mount Talga” song, he knew then that he wanted to be a calypsonian. Later on he listened a lot to Lord Melody and the Mighty Spoiler and became more interested in the art form. He was given the name “Bottle” when he was employed as a bottlewasher at Lawrence Gonsalves Rum Shop. Many believed that he was the best bottle washer at the time, and the name came naturally. As a young boy growing up in the Point area, it was obvious that he would be involved with a steelband or become a calypsonian, since these were the activities that most of the young people were attracted to at the time. Bottle’s parents were against his involvement with calypso singing. He used to lime with Black Shirt and they would steal away and go up to Princess Elizabeth Hall to sing calypso. Dennis “Den den” Phillip who is the uncle of Teddy Bridges (leader of Laviscount Calypso profile Percival The Mighty Bottle Watt Ann Joseph Brass) had a string band in the early 1950’s, and Bottle used to hang around the band and that made him even more interested in calypso singing. Bottle’s first calypso was made while he was still going to school and was called, “The Coger.” He explained that one of his classmates was very good at cogging, and his friends urged him to make up a calypso on him. In 1954 and 1955, Bottle sang regularly at Tents held at the Princess Elizabeth Hall. Some of the other calypsonians who were involved at the time were Prince Alphonso, Lord Mongay (who is now King Canary), Lord Dardian, and Black Shirt (brother of Shelly Tobitt) to name a few. In 1956, Bottle sang for the Pre- Carnival dances which were held at the Boys School with Ambrose Quintet band and at the Mount with Oscar Mason’s band. All this was done on the same night. When Carnival officially started in Antigua and Barbuda in 1957, the first Calypso competition was held at the Deluxe Cinema. Bottle, brimming with confidence on the night, sang two crowd pleasers entitled, “Blow, blow, blow de Carnival” and “From Shad to Chicken.” He was adjudged first runner-up, and Samuel “Styler” Ryan of Montserrat walked away with the Calypso Monarch title, and Mighty Veteran was second runner-up. In those early days, calypsonians were backed-up by Hell’s Gate and Brute Force steelbands, but in 1958, when Paul “King Obstinate” Richards won the Calypso Monarch title at the Antigua Recreation Ground, many believed he got the edge when he had “Basil Gardiner’s All Stars” band, instead of the steelband, providing his back-up music. Obstinate changed the face of the calypso competition because after 1958, steelbands no longer backed up calypsonians. From 1957, Bottle competed for the next 15 years until he migrated to the U.S. in 1972. Before leaving for the US , he sang regularly at Maurice’s and Kensingston Court which were two of the favorite spots in town. Darcy, the proprietor of Kensington Court was a lover of calypso and steelband music. Bottle also sang at the Mill Reef Club, Mamora Bay White Sands, The Anchorage and Hawksbill hotels, and other places as a solo artiste. Some of Bottle's coninued on p64 come celebrate our golden jubilee
64 continued from 63 tunes over the years were “When me Nar do”, “Crazy Calysonian”, “Carifta”, “Female Woodcutter”, “Drink, drink, drink” and “Party People.” During the days when Oscar Mason’s band controlled the Tents and also provided back-up for the calypsonians, each calypsonian was paid EC$1.50 each weekend. Most calypsonians used the money to buy rum, bread and saltfish cake from Mary King’s baker shop which was situated next to Oscar Mason’s residence on South Street . Only three writers ever wrote calypsos for Bottle. They were Lesroy Merchant, Little Man Pelle and Earl Winter. Bottle usually writes his own songs. While living in the US, Bottle did not abandon his calypso singing. As a matter of fact, he sang for over ten years as a solo artiste with his guitar Mas Music F a n t a s y at the Showboat Restaurant which is a very popular spot in Greenwich, Connecticut. Calypso Franco and Lord Lee would join Bottle at the Showboat whenever they visited the US. Upon returning home, Bottle sang at the Royal Antigua Hotel for ten years as a solo artiste. He is currently working between Blue Waters and Galley Bay hotels. When asked his views on the state of the art form today, he said, "calypso has come a long way from the 1950’s and 60’s. I prefer the calypsos of yesterday than those sung today.” He continued, “yesterday’s calypsos were more entertaining and they told a story, they had a good melody line, and of course were more creative.” Not that he has anything against the modern day music as he is comfortable with change, but believes there is too much politics, rather than humour and laughter, in the calypsos today." As Antigua and Barbuda gears up for the 50th anniversary of Carnival, the Mighty Bottle has been chosen as the Grand Marshall of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Congratulations to a good old veteran. ��
Page 1 and 2: 38 King Goldie First Caribana King
Page 3 and 4: 40 I remembered some years ago as I
Page 5 and 6: AD F/P
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Page 9 and 10: 46 As far back as I can remember, a
Page 11 and 12: 48 Calypso is defined as a popular
Page 14 and 15: Sir McLean Emanuel better known as
Page 16 and 17: Another great moment in my life was
Page 18 and 19: Calypso profile A mechanic, father,
Page 20 and 21: Calypso profile Althea Queen Singin
Page 22 and 23: In 1997, Scorpion became the first
Page 24 and 25: When Rupert “Baba” Blaize was i
Page 28 and 29: Calypso profile Trevor Zacari King
Page 30 and 31: Calypso profile Shelly Tobitt Calyp
Page 33 and 34: 70 Stanley R. Humphreys is one of A
Page 35 and 36: continued from p71 financial suppor
Page 38 and 39: Antigua’s Carnival is different,
Page 40: MasprofilE Colin Wanga Martin Lesro

BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda

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