Kaiso! The Trinidad Calypso: a study of the calypso as oral literature

by Keith Q. Warner, Tom Gladden (Illustrator)

Book by Warner, Keith Q

154 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[C. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-balanced short introduction to the calypso music of Trinidad, particularly in analysis of the lyrical content. Warner sets out to survey briefly what calypso is now, and how it evolved. This of course dates the book slightly, as this was published in the early 1980s. This means the move towards soca in the mid 1970s is not greatly touched upon. He first examines the antecedents of calypso in West African griot music, before analysing various aspects of contemporary lyrics, including social commentary, gender, and the more fantastical imagery one comes across in the music. However, it must be pointed out that the sample set for this is quite small, as Warner openly admits to referring overwhelmingly to the music of the Mighty Sparrow. But this is quite apt, given his unquestionably brilliant lyrical and melodic skill. So I would particularly recommend this book to any fans of Sparrow, but also to anyone who understands the power that calypso has to provoke and amuse. The short-lived calypso craze of the 1950s has left a distinctly novelty image to calypso, which is a shame. Anyone who’s heard the live picongs (lyrical battles) recorded by Emory Cook in the mid-1950s will have heard a much rawer sound. Calypso was essential to the development of reggae, hip-hop, and afrobeat, so it’s refreshing to read a book which takes the genre seriously.