I can't wait to get to Tobago!
What's the traditional form of Music over there?
Is there a style of music unique to Tobago?
What music do the youth of Tobago listen to?
thanks!
Does Tobago have it's own style of music?
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Paul Mallon
Does Tobago have it's own style of music?
Hi there,
I can't wait to get to Tobago!
What's the traditional form of Music over there?
Is there a style of music unique to Tobago?
What music do the youth of Tobago listen to?
thanks!
I can't wait to get to Tobago!
What's the traditional form of Music over there?
Is there a style of music unique to Tobago?
What music do the youth of Tobago listen to?
thanks!
-
Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Paul
When I first visited Tobago I was expecting to hear mainly Calypso and pan (steel pan) music. I have to admit that this was pretty much a pre-concieved idea, linked to the swaying palm trees and powder-white beaches of the TV adverts.
There is still a vibrant pan culture on Tobago and many of the villages have an open air panyard where all age groups practice for the inter-village and national competitions. The buccooneers (from Buccoo) are typical in that they play a vast range of music, from pop, to R&B, classical and calypso and interpret these according to the occasion.
For my money, a good pan band can certainly rival any orchestra or brass band, but take the medal for musical inventiveness.
There is a style that mixes both calypso and pan into a pretty laid back party atmosphere kind of vibe. I like it but haven't got a clue if it has a name!
Soca is also big on Tobago.
This is a more recent musical style (I think from the 70's) and is notable by its revved up rhythms and is probably the favoured dance music of today. Competition is fierce amongst the writer and soca performers, with Carnival and the numerous Fetes providing plenty of opportunity for letting hair down to break-neck rhythms and pounding beats.
Hot. Hot. Hot is one of the more commercial soca style songs that you may have heard, although this is pretty tame compared to hard-core soca.
Of course, this gendre lent its name to the T&T World Cup football team - The Soca Warriors.
There is even a derivative of the style, which has indian influence known as chutney soca, with its associated competitions to find the National Chutney Soca Monarch. It may sound odd to say this - but soca is almost a sport, if you know what I mean.
I'll run the risk of being shot down in flames now by suggesting that Reggae isn't as popular as Soca, but it is certainly one of the styles that you'll hear local musicians playing, including of course the steel bands.
Ethnic drumming is also practiced and I don't think it's just for the tourists either. Some pics here - http://www.mytobago.info/nightlife.php
Rapso is perhaps a combination of Reggae and ethnic drumming, often with scathing lyrics about black political and social issues, rather than boy meets girl love stories. Very difficult to understand if you don't have an ear for the Trinibagonian lingo and an appreciation for the sentiments expressed.
I've mentioned in another post that the 'imported' new wave R&B, Rap and gangsta rap are popular with the youth who are growing up on a TV and radio diet of 50 cent et al - no different from my kids then.
So, in short, these no shortage of musical styles and certainly no shortage of musicians on Tobago, but I don't think that there is one style specific to Tobago.
I'd certainly like to find out more about the local music myself. It is so evocative and brings back so many memories when you are on the treadmill, back home.
Cheers
Steve
PS It was remiss of me not to mention the folk music of Tobago, so perhaps this gentle style of music, with fiddle, tambourine, goatskin drum and guitars, ukulele and mandolin is about as true to Tobago as anything.
There are plenty of music festivals throughout the year, from local folk festivals to stadium gigs by international Jazz and R&B stars.
PPS some info on soca here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soca_music
When I first visited Tobago I was expecting to hear mainly Calypso and pan (steel pan) music. I have to admit that this was pretty much a pre-concieved idea, linked to the swaying palm trees and powder-white beaches of the TV adverts.
There is still a vibrant pan culture on Tobago and many of the villages have an open air panyard where all age groups practice for the inter-village and national competitions. The buccooneers (from Buccoo) are typical in that they play a vast range of music, from pop, to R&B, classical and calypso and interpret these according to the occasion.
For my money, a good pan band can certainly rival any orchestra or brass band, but take the medal for musical inventiveness.
There is a style that mixes both calypso and pan into a pretty laid back party atmosphere kind of vibe. I like it but haven't got a clue if it has a name!
Soca is also big on Tobago.
This is a more recent musical style (I think from the 70's) and is notable by its revved up rhythms and is probably the favoured dance music of today. Competition is fierce amongst the writer and soca performers, with Carnival and the numerous Fetes providing plenty of opportunity for letting hair down to break-neck rhythms and pounding beats.
Hot. Hot. Hot is one of the more commercial soca style songs that you may have heard, although this is pretty tame compared to hard-core soca.
Of course, this gendre lent its name to the T&T World Cup football team - The Soca Warriors.
There is even a derivative of the style, which has indian influence known as chutney soca, with its associated competitions to find the National Chutney Soca Monarch. It may sound odd to say this - but soca is almost a sport, if you know what I mean.
I'll run the risk of being shot down in flames now by suggesting that Reggae isn't as popular as Soca, but it is certainly one of the styles that you'll hear local musicians playing, including of course the steel bands.
Ethnic drumming is also practiced and I don't think it's just for the tourists either. Some pics here - http://www.mytobago.info/nightlife.php
Rapso is perhaps a combination of Reggae and ethnic drumming, often with scathing lyrics about black political and social issues, rather than boy meets girl love stories. Very difficult to understand if you don't have an ear for the Trinibagonian lingo and an appreciation for the sentiments expressed.
I've mentioned in another post that the 'imported' new wave R&B, Rap and gangsta rap are popular with the youth who are growing up on a TV and radio diet of 50 cent et al - no different from my kids then.
So, in short, these no shortage of musical styles and certainly no shortage of musicians on Tobago, but I don't think that there is one style specific to Tobago.
I'd certainly like to find out more about the local music myself. It is so evocative and brings back so many memories when you are on the treadmill, back home.
Cheers
Steve
PS It was remiss of me not to mention the folk music of Tobago, so perhaps this gentle style of music, with fiddle, tambourine, goatskin drum and guitars, ukulele and mandolin is about as true to Tobago as anything.
There are plenty of music festivals throughout the year, from local folk festivals to stadium gigs by international Jazz and R&B stars.
PPS some info on soca here -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soca_music
Take only photos - leave only footprints. I like that concept.
-
Paul Mallon
Excellent!! I can't wait to hear some of this!Steve Pitts wrote:Hi Paul
Rapso is perhaps a combination of Reggae and ethnic drumming, often with scathing lyrics about black political and social issues, rather than boy meets girl love stories. Very difficult to understand if you don't have an ear for the Trinibagonian lingo and an appreciation for the sentiments expressed.
I'm Particularly Partial to D&B and Ragga and Dancehall.
Also Excellent!! that'd be very similar to Irish traditional music I'd imagine.Steve Pitts wrote: PS It was remiss of me not to mention the folk music of Tobago, so perhaps this gentle style of music, with fiddle, tambourine, goatskin drum and guitars, ukulele and mandolin is about as true to Tobago as anything.
Thanks Steve, that's been extremely informative!
much respect!!
I'll check out those photos now.
Paul.
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Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Paul
Hope you found my limited info helpful.
Being the wrong side of 50, I find the hard-core soca a little too frenetic and prefer the calypso / reggae mixes, which are covered by the more mature musicians and bands.
I can't think of a name for it, but it has the same effect on me in many ways as the US west coast acts like the Beach Boys, America, CSNY, Eagles, etc. a really laid-back, easy listening kind of style.
Perfect music to be listened to with the sun shining and the sound of the waves crashing.
I feel a holiday coming on !
Cheers
Steve
Hope you found my limited info helpful.
Being the wrong side of 50, I find the hard-core soca a little too frenetic and prefer the calypso / reggae mixes, which are covered by the more mature musicians and bands.
I can't think of a name for it, but it has the same effect on me in many ways as the US west coast acts like the Beach Boys, America, CSNY, Eagles, etc. a really laid-back, easy listening kind of style.
Perfect music to be listened to with the sun shining and the sound of the waves crashing.
I feel a holiday coming on !
Cheers
Steve
Take only photos - leave only footprints. I like that concept.
-
Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
Hi Paul
A few snippets of info. that you might be interested in - from the on-line The Tobago News
Plymouth Jazz Festival
Patrons would have to dig deeper into their pockets to attend this year's Plymouth Jazz Festival.
The organisers, CL Communications have announced that tickets will be sold for US$90-$120 for the show on April 27; US$125-$155 on April 28; and US$150-$180 on April 29. A seasoned ticket for the three nights will cost US$340 general admission and US$430 VIP.
Hip-hop artiste LL Cool J and Jamaican-born reggae superstar Sean Paul will be the feature acts along with the local soca band Flame on the Friday night, while R&B singer and Broadway actress Heather Headley and reggae singer Beres Hammond will perform on the Saturday night along with local soca star Destra Garcia and the band Atlantik. The Sunday night show will include British pop singer and songwriter Sir Elton John, Earth Wind & Fire and Al Green who will be joined by local star Machel Montano.
and
MORE than $11,000 is up for grabs in the two Calypso competitions organised by the Tobago Cultural Committee carded to come off on January 28.
The Tobago Calypso Jewels for participants between 12 and 19 years will vie for a $1,500 1st prize, $1,250 2nd, $1,000 3rd, $750 4th and $600 5th. There will be three consolation prizes of $500 each.
In the Tobago Calypso Pioneers category for participants 4 to 12 years, the 1sr prize is $1,000, 2nd $750, 3rd $600, 4th $500 and 5th $400. There will be five consolation prizes of $300 each.
Auditions for the competitions will be held on January 20 at Elizabeth's College, Bacolet Street, Scarborough from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Further information can be obtained by calling 760-6750, 467-6491 or 749-8468.
Chairman Embau Moheni told the Tobago News that the committee was seeking to encourage the development of excellence and professionalism among Tobago artistes, provide incentives for them to remain in the island to help in the development of the artistic and social environment, engender a greater appreciation of the art form and artistes by the Tobago population, promote the art form as a vehicle of development within communities and give youths the feeling of ownership and responsibility for all aspects of the cultural landscape.
A few snippets of info. that you might be interested in - from the on-line The Tobago News
Plymouth Jazz Festival
Patrons would have to dig deeper into their pockets to attend this year's Plymouth Jazz Festival.
The organisers, CL Communications have announced that tickets will be sold for US$90-$120 for the show on April 27; US$125-$155 on April 28; and US$150-$180 on April 29. A seasoned ticket for the three nights will cost US$340 general admission and US$430 VIP.
Hip-hop artiste LL Cool J and Jamaican-born reggae superstar Sean Paul will be the feature acts along with the local soca band Flame on the Friday night, while R&B singer and Broadway actress Heather Headley and reggae singer Beres Hammond will perform on the Saturday night along with local soca star Destra Garcia and the band Atlantik. The Sunday night show will include British pop singer and songwriter Sir Elton John, Earth Wind & Fire and Al Green who will be joined by local star Machel Montano.
and
MORE than $11,000 is up for grabs in the two Calypso competitions organised by the Tobago Cultural Committee carded to come off on January 28.
The Tobago Calypso Jewels for participants between 12 and 19 years will vie for a $1,500 1st prize, $1,250 2nd, $1,000 3rd, $750 4th and $600 5th. There will be three consolation prizes of $500 each.
In the Tobago Calypso Pioneers category for participants 4 to 12 years, the 1sr prize is $1,000, 2nd $750, 3rd $600, 4th $500 and 5th $400. There will be five consolation prizes of $300 each.
Auditions for the competitions will be held on January 20 at Elizabeth's College, Bacolet Street, Scarborough from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Further information can be obtained by calling 760-6750, 467-6491 or 749-8468.
Chairman Embau Moheni told the Tobago News that the committee was seeking to encourage the development of excellence and professionalism among Tobago artistes, provide incentives for them to remain in the island to help in the development of the artistic and social environment, engender a greater appreciation of the art form and artistes by the Tobago population, promote the art form as a vehicle of development within communities and give youths the feeling of ownership and responsibility for all aspects of the cultural landscape.
Take only photos - leave only footprints. I like that concept.
-
Tony G
- Tobago Fanatic
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:33 am
- Location: Isle of Wight, England
- Contact:
Hi Paul
For top Soca artists, google these names:
Machel Montano & Xtatik
Alison Hinds ( Queen of Soca )
Kevin Lyttle
Roy Cape
Krosfyah
Soca Boys
Scrunter
You'll be pretty sure of finding mp3 links and you'll get a good idea of the range of Soca that's being wined to in the Islands.
You'll be able to buy Soca and Reggae DJ mixes around the market in Scarborough if you are not worried about copyright issues.
There used to be a place called 'One World Music Shop' on Airport New Road in Crown Point, (the road that joins Store Bay Local Road to Milford Road) but that was some years ago. It might be worth checking it out if you want to come home with a CD soundtrack of your visit.
Whatever you do, don't miss Sunday School at Buccoo but keep a close hold on any female members of your party!!!!!
Regards
Tony
For top Soca artists, google these names:
Machel Montano & Xtatik
Alison Hinds ( Queen of Soca )
Kevin Lyttle
Roy Cape
Krosfyah
Soca Boys
Scrunter
You'll be pretty sure of finding mp3 links and you'll get a good idea of the range of Soca that's being wined to in the Islands.
You'll be able to buy Soca and Reggae DJ mixes around the market in Scarborough if you are not worried about copyright issues.
There used to be a place called 'One World Music Shop' on Airport New Road in Crown Point, (the road that joins Store Bay Local Road to Milford Road) but that was some years ago. It might be worth checking it out if you want to come home with a CD soundtrack of your visit.
Whatever you do, don't miss Sunday School at Buccoo but keep a close hold on any female members of your party!!!!!
Regards
Tony
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David Watkins
- Bude Cool Boy
- Posts: 1990
- Joined: Sat Nov 01, 2003 12:12 pm
- Location: Bude Cornwall uk
- Contact:
-
Steve Pitts
- Tobago Anorak
- Posts: 710
- Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 11:18 am
- Location: Bristol U.K
-
Paul Mallon
Ah well, I'm 31 so I won't be entering that one!Steve Pitts wrote:Hi Paul
MORE than $11,000 is up for grabs in the two Calypso competitions organised by the Tobago Cultural Committee carded to come off on January 28.
The Tobago Calypso Jewels for participants between 12 and 19 years will vie for a $1,500 1st prize, $1,250 2nd, $1,000 3rd, $750 4th and $600 5th. There will be three consolation prizes of $500 each.
Thanks for all the info, I'm definitly gonna check all those links out.
P.S.- Loud is good!