In his novel, “Beyond a Boundary” renowned West Indian author and intellectual, C.L.R. James wrote of his fascination with calypso singers and the sometimes ribald ditties they sang in their tents at carnival time.

Such fascination was evident on the faces of all who attended the Faculty of Humanities’s night of vintage calypso at the learning Resource Center, UWI St Augustine Campus. Locals and expatriates alike savoured the experience of witnessing some of the greatest exponents of the art form in the likes of the calypso bards Brother Valentino, Shadow, Lord Relator, and Stalin, who were joined by an equally impressive diva Joanne Foster, in a mesmerizing, four hour long show.

Brother Valentino started off the innings with classics like “Where Calypso Went”, “Pan From the West” and of course everybody’s’ favorite “Life is a Stage”.

Next to follow was Joanne Foster of the Soca Divas tent who sent down her message in a powerful and passionate manner, singing social commentary, much to the delight of the captive audience.

The mighty Shadow was next in line, and he was as sensational as he was humorous. Performing in a highly energetic manner like only Shadow can, he treated the audience to classics such as “Dingolay”, “Stranger”, “Looking for Horn” and “Bassman”.

After completing his renditions and thanking the appreciative crowd, Shadow was not allowed to leave until he delivered one more verse, despite more cries of “encore” even when that one was over, he begged the audience to let him go, insisting that he had to appear in the tent that night.

He was only forgiven by the crowd’s knowledge that the next performer was the Lord Relator, ably accompanied by lion on drum.

The king of wit with his smooth rhythmic style had the audience in stitches as with his well known humorous numbers like “Mathilda” and “Fundamental changes”

To cop off a fantastic innings of masterful stroke-play by all the players thus far, and indeed one of which even the great CLR James would have been proud, last but by no means least, came the Mighty Stalin. Truly one of the calypso masters of all time, he started with his inspirational piece, “We Can Make It If We Try” and ended with the all time favorite “Black Man Feeling To Party” which compelled everybody to get off their feet, dancing and swaying and wondering why the show ever had to end. Even the media photographers had to put down their cameras and take a little wine.