BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda
BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda
Just about everyone in Antigua and Barbuda knows that Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer has an unsatiable passion for steelband music, calypso and dancing. As Prime Minister and statesman, many believe he should not indulge in these cultural art forms. But Prime Minister Spencer is not alone. A very prominent physician, who has gained the respect and admiration of a wide crosssection of the Antiguan and Barbudan community has, to the wonderment of some, an unequalled passion for the same things, but more so for calypso and composing calypsos. This follows the taboo of the old days when many of us were told that calypso singing and steelband music were ‘bad things.’ Today, they have moved from the ‘bad things’ category to things that are culturally and socially acceptable, and to some extent have now become a part of our everyday way of life. In my interview with Dr. Ramsey, I started by asking him what calypso and composing calypsos really mean to him, and unwaveringly he stated clearly that, “……calypso means more than just racy music and catchy phrases. It is an important part of our cultural heritage and plays such a significant role in Caribbean life, that calypso is celebrated as the music of a very special people – a music that will undoubtedly remain an indelible part of our past, our present, and most certainly, our future.” He continued, “calypso Calypso is not only an important musical phenomenon. It is a passion. It is a calling.” Just listening to him express how he felt about what calypso means, led me to ask him to explain how he got involved in the art form in the first place and how it has become such a passion of his whereby he is now a producer, writer and manager who has worked with many calypsonians and has been quite successful thus far. Dr. Ramsey was very candid, and told me that his initiation into the calypso world came at a very early age. As a young boy growing up in the Village of Willikies, he had the opportunity to listen to a lot of the early calypsos of Sparrow and Lord Melody. He was an avid Sparrow fan and his older brother, Jerome, was a Melody fan. They engaged in numerous discussions about both calypsonians, and at times would compete with each other to see who could compose the best calypso. Back then, his dad owned and operated a night club called “Four Square,” where Oscar Mason’s band played regularly and Paul “King Obstinate” Richards, Eugene “King Canary” Henry and Rupert “King Swallow” Philo were a part of the performance roster. During showtime, young Ramsey would listen attentively to the calypsonians and as time passed he became more and more interested in the art form. However, it was not until he was away at university in the U.K. that he penned his first calypso. By 1980, he had written enough profile Dr. Prince Ramsey Valerie Harris-Pole One of Calypso's Enduring Icons songs, and in collaboration with a number of calypsonians, was able to produce his first album, “Wadadli Gold.” which was quite a success. At the same time, he also worked with King Obstinate, who returned to the Calypso arena after being absent for many years. In 1981, Obstinate’s “Fat Man Dance” captured the Calypso Monarch crown, followed in 198 with “The Elephant Walk,” and in 1983, “Children Melee.” Dr. Ramsey was Obstinate’s producer, and during the same period, he took on the role of big brother to many aspiring calypsonians. In 1981, Dr. Ramsey produced another album, “Wadadli Diamond,” and in 1982 a third called, “Wadadli Pearl.” Among the almost forty (40) calypsonians that Dr. Ramsey has either written for, or produced their albums are King Short Shirt, Calypso Jim, Doctor Solo, Douglas, King Zacari, Eve, Lord Heels, De Surpriser, Lady Smooth, Queen Singing Althea, Amb. Rupert “Baba” Blaize, King Onyan, The Empress, Smarty Jr., Chalice, the late King Zero, De Bear, Blondie, Sammy C, Singing Vicki and others. King Obstinate, who is a three time undefeated winner of the Monarchy had nothing but praises for Dr. Ramsey. He said in his 40th anniversary magazine, “I would like to take this opportunity to personally recognize and thank my producer, come celebrate our continued on p72 golden jubilee
continued from p71 financial support have enabled me to fulfill many of the goals and objectives I had set forth. As one of the stalwarts behind my career development and personal achievement, I thank him for placing his trust and his belief in my capabilities and hope he will continue to support me in whatever directions my musical career takes me.” Another calypsonian who has captured the Monarchy four times, King Onyan, of the “Burning Flames” fame said, “Doc is a very good writer, he will get an idea and just write; you the artiste will have to know how "Doc" works. He is not musically inclined; he may put ten lines in a verse. He just writes and you will have to know how to sing the song. He is very easy to work with.” With a very hectic work schedule at his medical practice on a daily basis, Dr. Ramsey still finds time to manage a few calypsonians, compose and produce calypsos year after year, and still has time for family life and playing dominos. He has worked with almost forty (40) calypsonians. He has under his belt, seven crowns in five years; four (4) Calypso Monarchs, one (1) Independence King, one (1) Junior Calypso King and one (1) Calypso Queen. On this the 50th anniversary of Antigua and Barbuda’s Carnival, Dr. Prince Ramsey should be celebrated for his outstanding contribution to the calypso art form over the Mas Music F a n t a s y past thirty (30) years. Keep on keeping on Doc!! 72 Dr. Prince Ramsey, whose sound tutelage and
- Page 1 and 2: 38 King Goldie First Caribana King
- Page 3 and 4: 40 I remembered some years ago as I
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- Page 7 and 8: continued from p43 the island eithe
- 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 26 and 27: In the calypso sphere there are som
- Page 28 and 29: Calypso profile Trevor Zacari King
- Page 30 and 31: Calypso profile Shelly Tobitt Calyp
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- Page 38 and 39: Antigua’s Carnival is different,
- Page 40: MasprofilE Colin Wanga Martin Lesro
continued from p71<br />
financial support have enabled me to fulfill many of<br />
the goals and objectives I had set forth. As one of<br />
the stalwarts behind my career development and<br />
personal achievement, I thank him for placing his<br />
trust and his belief in my capabilities and hope he<br />
will continue to support me in whatever directions<br />
my musical career takes me.” Another calypsonian<br />
who has captured the Monarchy four times, King<br />
Onyan, of the “Burning Flames” fame said, “Doc<br />
is a very good writer, he will get an idea and just<br />
write; you the artiste will have to know how "Doc"<br />
works. He is not musically inclined; he may put ten<br />
lines in a verse. He just writes and you will have<br />
to know how to sing the song. He is very easy to<br />
work with.”<br />
With a very hectic work schedule at his medical practice<br />
on a daily basis, Dr. Ramsey still finds time to manage a<br />
few calypsonians, compose and produce calypsos year<br />
after year, and still has time for family life and playing<br />
dominos.<br />
He has worked with almost forty (40) calypsonians. He<br />
has under his belt, seven crowns in five years; four (4)<br />
Calypso Monarchs, one (1) Independence King, one (1)<br />
Junior Calypso King and one (1) Calypso Queen.<br />
On this the 50th anniversary of <strong>Antigua</strong> and <strong>Barbuda</strong>’s<br />
Carnival, Dr. Prince Ramsey should be celebrated for<br />
his outstanding contribution to<br />
the calypso art form over the<br />
Mas<br />
Music<br />
F a n t a s y<br />
past thirty (30) years. Keep on<br />
keeping on Doc!!<br />
72 Dr. Prince Ramsey, whose sound tutelage and
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