THE BARBADIAN “Legend” lived up to his name last Saturday, thrilling a small audience at the Queen’s Park Steel Shed in a show that featured some of the veteran stars of local entertainment.
Charles “Legend” Odell, celebrating 53 years in the music business, was the star of the show, entitled Still Standing, and he gave a vintage performance on vocals and guitar.
His original numbers included Shelter In The Storm, Still Standing, Healing, Do It, Every Skin Teet’ Aint No Laugh, The Journey, When I Was Young, Give A Helping Hand, I Want To Know You Africa and a soothing instrumental called Comfort.
Members of the supporting cast, backed by a veteran band, were Colin Observer Reid, Richard Stoute, Tony Grazette and Foreigner Frank.
“The show was a dynamic one, really great!,” said Odell, who performed for an hour before doing a duet with Grazette.
Stoute, however, felt the Legend deserved better.
“I believe if a guy is celebrating 53 years in entertainment, everything should be free. You know what is 53 years of dedication to any environment that is productive? Charles has given a lot, including tours to promote Barbados, gaining the Clement Payne Award, imparting cultural knowledge in schools and the Barbados Youth Service, working with the National Cultural Foundation, attending CARIFESTA, and most of all writing and singing original music for the Opels,” said Stoute.
He added that the show had too many glitches, including the barman and sound engineer not turning up, and confusion over fees for the Steel Shed.
“These things are totally wrong. He was very shabbily treated,” Stoute added, noting also that the attendance of about 50 patrons was also disappointing.
“We’ve got to look at the local entertainers seriously. If there’s a national disaster, local entertainers will have to raise funds to rebuild the country. We can no longer treat our entertainers like this but give most of our money to the foreign entertainers. Charles deserves better,” he said.
Plans are being made for a sunset concert honouring Odell at the Frank Collymore Hall. (RJ)
