A New Book on the History of the Calypso Competitions

Allow me to introduce you to my recently published book The Finalists: A Graphical Look Back At Trinidad And Tobago's Calypso And Soca Monarch Finals (see attachmenmt).

 

"The Finalists" graphically traces the history of Trinidad & Tobago's Calypso and Soca Monarch competitions. For the first time in the history of staging these competitions, researchers, students and lovers of these art forms can find in one place a complete listing of the finalists, their songs, the places they secured in the respective competitions, and in the case of the calypso finalists, the  calypso tents to which each calypsonian was affiliated through the years.

 

The data presented in this book, in the comprehensive manner in which it is presented, can neither be found in the files of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organization nor those of Caribbean Prestige Foundation for the Arts (organizers of these Competitions).

 

"The Finalists" is without doubt an important reference document that should be made available to all interested in this kind of raw data. I strongly believe it will be of great interest to anoyne involved in the calypso business who has a sense of history as far as this wonderful art form is concerned. 

 

I have attached a copy of the book covers and a review of the book by noted Trinbagonian journalist and calypso authority, Debbie Jacob, which is featured in the current issue of the inflight magazine Caribbean Beat.

 

The Finalists has been receiving rave reviews since its initial launch at the Triindad and Tobago National Library earlier this year. Peter Ray Blood, writing in his Bloodline column for the Trinidad Guardian says that "on the subject of publications, one of the better ones I got my hands on for C2K7 was The Finalists…edited by John E. H. Barry. This book is a must for researchers, students and cultural archivists who wish to get their facts and stats correct."  

 

The biggest endorsement, however, comes from the governmant of Trinidad and Tobago with their order of hundreds of copies for distribution to the secondary schools throughout the nation at this time when culture-related activities are more and more focused on as part of the school curriculum.

 

This book is enjoying quite a warm reception in the US as I move from city to city where Caribbean folk who have maintained strong links with the home country have settled.   

 

Please follow the link at the bottom of this page for more information on the book and its author.

 

I thank you and hope you can spread the word about this book that is being described in certain circles as the new bible of calypso and soca.

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Go To
www.trinbagofinalists.com