Nelson flies in

Roy Cape Steel Orchestra struck up the familiar strains of La-la-la-la-la. Supported by a cane, master crooner Lord Robert Nelson joined in singing. The crowd sang along: “Put your two hands akimbo. Then you jump/ And you shake.” Calypso royalty had graced the stage for Zangalewa (It’s Time For Africa) the UWI All Inclusive Fete at St Augustine Campus, on Sunday. Among those soaking in the performance were St Augustine Campus principal Prof Clement Sankat and his wife Roshini. Lecturer Indira Rampersad inched closer. Central Bank Governor Ewart Williams watched from the sidelines. Having flown in on Wednesday, Nelson said Zangalewa was his maiden performance.

Beyond his ’80s, Nelson proved he could still hold an audience spellbound. Addressing the crowd as Meh Lover, he invited them to “have a good time/free up we mind.” Nelson proceeded to remove the outer coat of his blue jumper outfit. It was ironic since there’s no rush to see a rotund tummy. But when it came to Nelson, he elicited “oohs and aahs”. The Methuselah of kaiso, assumed the role of Disco Daddy. Along the way, he met “a teenaged woman about 80 something/Who say she disco dancing.” Cool as a cucumber, he exited. After his stellar performance, artiste Blaxx said there was hope for him. “I have about 50 years to go. I am just 20 something...The real party is over here.” The revue also featured acclaimed acts like Shadow who donned his cloak. Stalin and Ronnie Mc Intosh of Ent fame got the audience moving. The audience reacted as if they were hearing an avalanche of melodious music for the first time. Dr Roy Cape, fondly called Pappi, came in for special kudos for his contribution to the artform.

Nelson thanks God
Nelson wasn’t in town when chairman of Prestige Foundation (CPF) William Munro announced he was honouring veterans in the segment—The Play Whe Tribute to the Classics. Among them were Explainer, Baron, Superblue and Black Stalin. Munro had indicated they had shown solidarity since Soca Monarch’s inception. Guardian Media Ltd is its official media sponsor. Asked how he felt about Munro’s recognition, he said: “God is good. And I could live long enough. And I am well enough. It is the goodness of God.  “Carnival is us. Without us (calypsonians/soca artistes) Carnival can’t be anything.”

 Nelson is no stranger to the Soca Monarch stage at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, Port-of-Spain. Resplendent in pink, he assisted Kees Dieffenthaller in copping the 2011 Groovy Soca monarch title. Nelson led a pack of Wotless performers to victory singing: “Right now I just Wotless...and I doh really care less.” As the evening unfolded at UWI, patrons were entertained by Dieffenthaller, Dil-e-Nadan, Ravi B, and Rhapsody. Among the smorgasbord were Debe doubles, crab and dumplings, ribs, bar-b-cued pigtails, jollof rice, curried goat and Arabic cuisine. From all accounts, Zangalewa was a resounding success.