The Headliners packed powerful punches last night, as the tent raised its curtains for the Crop Over 2014 season.
Under many, if not all stars, and with little threat of the rain at Hilton Barbados Old Fort, they jabbed at former tent managers, headline-making moves and of course, the “sage” words of Minister of Education, Technology and Innovation Development Ronald Jones among other topics.
Reigning Pic-O’-De-Crop monarch Ian Webster had the moderate audience in stitches and begging for more with his Karaoke Song in the second half. Dressed in a plaid suit, afro atop his head with sunglasses to complete the look, he sang of the increasing popularity of karaoke as a past time on the island.
He also made a few suggestions as to the songs some prominent members of society might be singing to each other.
Colin Spencer’s Bullying also garnered an encore in the first half. He pointed to the fact that there was “bullying” everywhere, which had been occurring for quite some time. His second song defended the current government – perhaps not the most popular sentiment right now, in Government from Mars.
Enough is Enough, Chrystal Cummins-Beckles cried. It was a message of intimate partner violence which was also well received, accompanied by an intricate Roger Gittens arrangement.
Smokey Burke was another hit – and not only for his comedy. His offerings, Crop Over Done and God Is a Bajan were sharp and witty, also backed by great arrangements. Adrian Clarke also brought two solid songs – Constituency of Calypso and I Apologise. Both offerings were chockfull of puns and intelligent jabs.
Blood’s aspirations of a social commentary crown weighed heavily on his mind. How To Win may get him a little closer, but the nation building tune, Hold On Together could do with more work.
Other members of the strong cast included Mandisa, Christal Austin and Fabee who presented one song during the first half.
True to form, Headliners ended with some music to groove to, starting off with Lorenzo’s Stick and moving onto Blood’s Foreday Morning Jam and his collaboration with Faith Callender, Soca Therapy. (LW)
