HONOREES Daniel Brown aka Trinidad Rio is a gem in the Kaiso Crown. One who has never wavered from the wit, humour and character that defines the true true calypsonian. His calypso career, which began in 1970, has been dedicated to upholding the dying art of humourous calypso. Following in the footsteps of Spoiler and Cypher, Rio has earned a reputation for being one of the most consistent performers in a calypso tent by tickling the funny bones of patrons until they have rewarded him with countless enthusiastic encores. Many calypso seasons have recorded Trinidad Rio as the calypsonian who received the most encores in the calypso tent. His music is known for its riveting rhythms and memorable melodies.. His lyrics often chronicle his own personal struggle to stay true to calypso tradition. The Waiting Game, Kaiso Hustlers and Free Show Kaiso King are vivid examples of this. His social commentaries includes taking a frank look at Trinidad and Tobago society in Troubled Times, while Callalloo Christians is a stinging commentary on hypocrisy. Talparo, a picturesque community on the outskirts of Arima, is his favourite haunt, and he immortalized the remote community in his classic composition Back To Basics with the line “Ah make a phone call to Talparo. And ah get a phone bill to Mexico.” Commenting on his love for Talparo, the home of the formidable Talparo Tambule in Kandal troupe (a band of boismen), he said: “I have land in Talparo. I love Talparo. When I go up there, it is like a different zone. I love the bush. When I go up there, I just watch around. I just lie down on the ground. I am enjoying nature. I pick oranges and portugals. I grew up in the Belmont Orphanage. I just see people...not colour and race. I love people. I love the easy going people in Talparo. I look forward to driving up in my van. It is not even on a weekend. When I was singing in Spektakula, I would go up on a weekday. It would rejuvenate me.” Coupled with his love for vast swathes of greenery and an agrarian lifestyle, Rio’s committed to kaiso. “It is something I am into 365 days a year. My work is all year round. It is not seasonal. I am doing music for the people. I am a God-fearing altruist. I love mankind. I love to see smiles on people’s faces,” he said. “You can’t limit kaiso to a seasonal event. It is not meant just for competition. If you are competing, you could be specific. But the work is all year round.” Rio is inspired by the myriad responses to his music. “You have an audience. Some people might laugh, cry, dance...do anything. There is a big difference. They are new overexposed and underplayed. Is it a new song. If they like it, they want encores. As long as the people don’t know it is new, they would ask for more verses and chorus. It is dynamic to see the way they react. Think about the fun they have with Big Word Man and No Drawers.” Among his gems are Food For Thought, Savannah Debate, Never On A Sunday, River Come Down, Feel At Home, Caribbean Brother and Multi Religious Man. Too Much Love, a song recorded but never sung in a tent, exposes his wry sense of humor in a love song. Apart from the pastoral delights of Talparo, the Caribbean is another of Rios beloved stomping grounds. The nature lover often takes a moment to head to the beaches in Antigua, cool glades in Barbados and nutmeg plantations in Grenada.youtu.be/_CYZutevh7A
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 01:22:47 +0000
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