Raw Kaiso, Vol. 2: Live in Concert in Port of Spain [Live]

Amazon.com
There seem to be primarily two types of Calypso currently available in the U.S. There's the huge back catalog of reissues by classic Calypso kings like Atilla the Hun, Roaring Lion, and Lord Kitchener, and an endless stream of cheap, meaningless, and vacuous party music spawned by labels in both the U.S. and Trinidad. But Trinidad Rio and Brigo straddle a small but important group of artists who use new sounds and new grooves to make Calypso that is still relevant, witty, politically sly, and thoroughly Caribbean. These two artists use a contemporary band--electronic keyboards, bass, electric guitar, and drums create a sound sometimes punctuated by horns--to make statements about life and music in Trinidad today. Sex (and sometimes sexism) dominates, both for its own sake and in the service of subtle political comments. But there is also topical broadside aplenty in songs about the foibles of the electric company, the local politicians and radio stations, and the complexities of modern living, all poured out with high sprits and humor in a live recording. Calypso survives, thrives, and defies mass marketing on Raw Kaiso. --Louis Gibson

Tracks:

Intro to Rio - Trinidad Rio
Free Show Kaiso King - Trinidad Rio
Chinese Football Match - Trinidad Rio
Lookin' for Cups - Trinidad Rio
Body Parts - Trinidad Rio
Poor Man's Furniture Shop - Trinidad Rio
Travelin' Man - Trinidad Rio
Back to Basic - Trinidad Rio
Intro to Brigo - Brigo
Mama Popo - Brigo
Do So Ain't Like So - Brigo
Walking in the Dark - Brigo
Shake Up - Brigo
Careless Mothers - Brigo
Voodoo Man - Brigo
Limbo Break - Brigo

Amazon.com

There seem to be primarily two types of Calypso currently available in the U.S. There's the huge back catalog of reissues by classic Calypso kings like Atilla the Hun, Roaring Lion, and Lord Kitchener, and an endless stream of cheap, meaningless, and vacuous party music spawned by labels in both the U.S. and Trinidad. But Trinidad Rio and Brigo straddle a small but important group of artists who use new sounds and new grooves to make Calypso that is still relevant, witty, politically sly, and thoroughly Caribbean. These two artists use a contemporary band--electronic keyboards, bass, electric guitar, and drums create a sound sometimes punctuated by horns--to make statements about life and music in Trinidad today. Sex (and sometimes sexism) dominates, both for its own sake and in the service of subtle political comments. But there is also topical broadside aplenty in songs about the foibles of the electric company, the local politicians and radio stations, and the complexities of modern living, all poured out with high sprits and humor in a live recording. Calypso survives, thrives, and defies mass marketing on Raw Kaiso. --Louis Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Rio and Brigo at their best, captured live!.......2000-01-25

If you've been to Trinidad during the Carnival season and visited one of the Calypso Tents, then this is definitely a CD for you.

Rio delivers a diverse array of selections, some with subtle sexual innuendos, others with biting political commentary.

Brigo re-emphasizes his unique beauty with 'Mama Popo' and continues belting out his classics with his roaring, yet stylish demeanor till the very end.

The cd is MC'd by none other than the Revue's Dennis "Sprangalang" Hall and backed by the competent (quite at that) Frankie Francis. Michael Goodwin gives a very good introduction with included lyrics and liner notes (for dem who doh understan' d' Trini talk).

THIS CD IS A MUST HAVE TRINIS!

World Music: