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Weekend action begins on a Friday
Posted: Friday, March 15, 2002
By Peter Ray Blood
For two nights they came to the Temple of Soca, the Mas Camp Pub, transformed for the event, with griot and chantwell David Michael Rudder in attendance.
On Sunday and Wednesday, from all walks of life they sipped, savouring the refreshing brew served from the chalice of soca.
Sunday night's edition saw the packed Woodbrook showplace graced by the presence of visiting Canadian Minister of Justice Martin Cauchon; High Commissioner Simon Wade; British High Commissioner Peter Harborne and wife Tessa; Canadian Trade Commissioner Tom Bearss; Lyn Murray; and delegates attending the OAS Justice Ministers Conference.
Also attending were Dr Huguette Demers; Bonnie Hector; Grace Hill; retired Brig John Sandy and his wife Jackie; National Flour Mills' Michael Potella and Donna Cox; National Carnival Commission vice-chairman Ainsworth Mohammed; Owen Serrette; Scotiabank executive Ingrid Lashley; Black Stalin; and sports commentator Ruskin Mark.
Wednesday night's turnout was just as impressive and included politicians, calypsonians, attorneys and even a movie star.
Seen were government ministers Joan Yuille-Williams and Arnold Piggott; US Embassy official David Stewart; artist Peter Minshall; calypsonians Sugar Aloes, Bro Superior, Protector and Contender; rapso artiste Karega Mandela; NFM manager Reg Bacchus; Coca Cola official Keith Leggard; and, and LA Law Trinidad-born star, Lorraine Toussaint.
On both evenings, sponsored by NFM, Rudder was backed by a handpicked crop of accomplished musicians, including Rapid Response Orchestra keyboardist Kenneth Baptiste, Albert Bushe, Tony Voisin, Leopold Stephenson, Clyde Mitchell, Edward Elliott, Joel Bonaparte, and vocalists Starr, Junior D and Natalie Yorke.
On Wednesday night, Berklee College of Music student Wayne Bruno, joined the accompanying band.
Rudder offered the full gamut of his 16-year repertoire, venturing down memory lane with acclaimed hits like "Bahia Girl", "Calypso Music", "Song for a Lonely Soul", "Mad Man Rant", "Jump Up", "Madness", "Calabash", "Permission to Mash Up de Place", "Dus' in Dey Face", "Hammer" and "High Mas."
With a Japanese recording crew also in attendance, Rudder gave tracks from his 2002 CD, Farewell to the Flesh, special treatment. These included "Egyptian Eyes", a song Rudder said was inspired by Muslim "terrorist" Mohammed Attar, "Outta Hand", "J'Ouvert", "Jump Up", "Maracas Bay" and the title track.
Aside from "Egyptian Eyes", the most poignant moment of Rudder's act was his touching rendition of "Jerusalem", sung at a snail's pace, with every lyric vividly evoking the wretched suffering that continues in the Middle East.
Rudder's performances also spanned a variety of emotions. At times, he induced quiet reflection, at other times gaiety, and on occasions, a sense of national pride.
Rudder fans can expect more of their favourite artiste in three months' time when he does his eagerly anticipated full-length concert on June 29.
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