Four-time Calypso Monarch Kelvin Pope, known in the calypso world as the Mighty Duke, stole the limelight on Wednesday night when Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) continued its celebration of Calypso History Month at The Mas Camp Pub.
Duke took to the stage just after 11 pm, following openers All Rounder, Shereen Caesar, Rootsman, Versatile, Karen Eccles, Black Prince, Dee Diamond, Kaiso Mac, Dr Will B and Black Gold, and delivered a memorable performance to a packed house. Also in fine fettle was show host Big Foot, who changed an outfit for every act he introduced.
Maximising the intimate setting afforded at the popular Woodbrook showplace, Duke dipped into his archives turning back the hands on a career spanning over five decades. He performed a wide range of classics from his collection, spanning Don?t Destroy Calypso to Looking for a Virgin and Whop Whap Man, culminating with his Road March gem, Thunder.
?Every time I perform I like to throw in an old song that the audience haven?t heard in a long time,? Duke said. ?But, this is Calypso History Month so I had to do something special.?
Judging from the reception Duke received on Wednesday night, ?special? is definitely an understatement. The one shortcoming on the night was that it was neither filmed nor recorded for posterity.
Duke, like many of our cultural icons, are seldom afforded the respect they so deserve. Even in the month dedicated to calypso his songs aren?t on rotation on the nation?s radio airwaves.
However, the venerable southern bard promised that he is prepared to soldier on.
He said: ?Calypso is my life. It?s my everything. Every night is calypso night for Duke and even if we never get the respect we deserve I know we have contributed to culture and our works will live on.?
