Best places to hear "oldies" in T&T?

[Tim Walker]

Since this is my first post, I suppose I should start by thanking everyone for an excellent and informative site. The soon to be Mrs. and I are planning to honeymoon in T&T in late April and we would not have felt confident enough to plan things on our own without resources like this.

Now for my question: musically, I am an old man, preferring 1960s calypso and rocksteady to dancehall and soca. Can anyone suggest any nightclubs, pubs, or even radio stations in Tobago or the Port of Spain area that cater to older tastes?

Thanks in advance.

[Steve Wooler]

Hi Tim

Welcome aboard!

I'm with you, 100%. Sadly, the music of T&T is a pale (or should that be dark?) shadow of what it once was. T&T gave the world Calypso but Lord Kitchener and Mighty Sparrow and their many contemporaries must be turning in their graves (with apologies and respect to those who have not yet passed) at the modern offerings. I can't speak for Trinindad, but sadly it is rare that you hear much of the good old stuff on Tobago nowadays. I'm in mourning.

[Paul Williams]

Whilst it is not in any way a club or having an organised music scene you can hear a lot of the older style music at Coddringtons in Castara and if you are lucky meet some of the guys who knew some of the artists back in the 60s and 70s.
It might be that you have to ask Coddrington to play some of his older stuff but he will enjoy it and tell you who you are listening to.

[Tim Walker]

Thank you both for the replies. I'll have Sparrow and Melody running through my head the whole time regardless.

[Natasha Irish]

Hi Tim

Welcome aboard!

I'm with you, 100%. Sadly, the music of T&T is a pale (or should that be dark?) shadow of what it once was. T&T gave the world Calypso but Lord Kitchener and Mighty Sparrow and their many contemporaries must be turning in their graves (with apologies and respect to those who have not yet passed) at the modern offerings. I can't speak for Trinindad, but sadly it is rare that you hear much of the good old stuff on Tobago nowadays. I'm in mourning.

I respectfully but firmly disagree. T&T is a gold mine of musical talent and its artists put out quality music each and every year. How many of those quality songs get airplay and forward in comparison to the same favorites over and over (the soca mafia is not a myth) is another story but if one seeks, there is plently music to rival the older stuff.

[Paul Makin]

tambrin devote(d?) a weekend afternoon to classics/older tracks. cant remember if its sat or sunday though

if tyoure anywhere near you should check the boards posted outside the bar south of the shirvan road/highway junction (it was called "green light" but may now have changed !). they very regularly have "back in times" events.

paul.