WATER AND POWDER !!!!
Superb Superblue
By DARCEL CHOY and STEPHON NICHOLAS Tuesday, January 22 2013
http://www.newsday.co.tt/carnival_2013/0,172367.htmlFIVE-TIME International Soca Monarch Austin “Superblue” Lyons, veteran chutney star Drupatee Ramgoonai and Rodney “Benjai” Le Blanc had a massive crowd of thousands chanting their names after giving incredible performances on Sunday night in the Soca Monarch semi-finals at the Arima Velodrome in Arima.
Performing in tenth position in the Power Soca Category at about 11.15 pm, Superblue had the massive crowd going wild even before he stepped on stage. As horns, at the beginning of his song “Fantastic Friday” blared, the cheers for “Super” grew louder and as he appeared screams could be heard and flags waving.
With members of 3 Canal backing him up, Superblue gave a great performance, an improvement from his other performances for this year, which is his return to active performance after a 13-year hiatus. He danced across the stage and did his usual microphone tricks to the delight of the crowd. Most spectators were seen jumping up and down from the front of the stage to all the way to the back of the stands. As he sang the line, “water and powder”, powder and water could be seen being thrown in the air by a spectator. At the end of his performance the crowd chanted “Super” for several minutes even while one of the emcees came on stage to introduce the next performer.
Backstage, people were seen wiping tears with some saying his performance was pore-raising and they expressed confidence that Superblue would make a return to the finals of the Soca Monarch competition.Also putting in a good performance was Neil “Iwer” George who sang in position number one. Declaring he had some “unfinished business”, the three-time Monarch needed no backup dancers or props to do what he does best, asked the crowd to jump and put their hands up for the Carnival which they duly obliged.
Speaking to Newsday after his performance, Iwer - the runner-up in the Power category for the last two years - admitted that he is unsure of his chances this year. Also impressing was last year’s “bucket man” Swappi who again brought the water to cool the heat at the Velodrome in his rendition of “Chaos”. Encouraging the crowd to wet him down, Swappi was in no mood “for chupidness”.
There were also good performances from Devon Matthews (Start the Party), Skinny Fabulous (Monster) and Destra (Carry On) who - perhaps inspired by seeing Superblue return - climbed a scaffolding before gyrating to the approval of her fans.
Earlier, in the Groovy Category Drupatee Persad who performed in position number 17 with her song ‘Indian Gyal’, really had the crowd’s attention. Although there was a deafening feedback from the microphone, that did not stop the veteran artiste from giving a great performance. She gave her signature “Weeeeee!” and showed off her dancing skills which the crowd enjoyed. Before leaving the stage she asked the audience to support her in the Chutney Soca Monarch semi finals on Saturday.
Rodney ‘Benjai’ Le Blanc sent the crowd in a frenzy with his performance of ‘Feter’. Benjai walked on stage with a school bag on his back and hyped up the crowd as he sang. Close to the end of the performance, Benjai took off the school bag, placed it on the stage and took out a bottle of Cranberry Juice and drank from it. He then took out a bottle of scotch and poured it on his head, he then proceeded to drink from the bottle and the crowd screamed and started chanting his name. Benjai with scotch dripping from his face, started to dance as he sang, “I is a feter” before walking off the stage.
Other artists who gave great performances included Destra Garcia who boldly stated that since “Bunji pull out, the monarch is mine.” She was referring to the decision made by Ian ‘Bunji Garlin’ Alvarez and his wife Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez to remove themselves from the competition because of issues with the contract.
Denise ‘Saucy Wow’ Belfon’s dancing skills as the ‘Wining Specialist’ had the crowd’s eyes fixated on her throughout her entire performance. At the end, she assured the audience they will see her in the finals on Carnival Friday.
The show moved smoothly despite technical difficulties during some of the performances. It was expected to begin 6 pm and the first performance began at about 6.15 with the Groovy competition ending at about 10 pm and the power ending at about 2.15 am.
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