The 2009 Pic-o-de-Crop Semi-Finals – Second Half

Time to Separate the Sheep from the Goats

After the first half I had a good idea of who had to be beat, and who had to pull up their socks. (For my report on the first half click HERE). This is a competition where a singer must have 2 good songs to made it past the semis. That's right, 2 songs; not one, TWO. Seems simple to learn and easy to remember but many a kaisoman and kaisowoman have failed to grasp this concept.

So who among this 18 had two competition worthy songs? Actually, one would be surprised at the lack of a full complement of tunes presented by the veterans; people who should know better. Why come to a dog fight with a cat? Really? You know it is a knock-down, drag-out rumble to the Oval. You know that the lyrical master is in session. You know that a few former kings are in the competition. So, you have no excuse - time to bring out the heat and separate the contenders from the also-rans.

The judges were looking at lyrics (40 points), rendition (35 points) and melody (25 points). That is way too complicated for the Sunflower.

My scoring system is a basic 1 to 10. Here are my notes:

The Second Half

1. Classic / Song: I Ain't Finish It

• Wore purple.
• Back-ups sounded a little off.
• Could be finished in the competition.
• Reminded me of another song by another calypsonian on a similar topic. Anybody else Noted the similarity?
  

Score: 5 - Wow, I expected a better showing.
Final Average: 5.5 - See you next year buddy.

2. Ras Iley / Song: Ringbang Soul

• Hair free of tam and trailing the floor behind him. (Bad idea?) His hair is longer than he is tall. I fear he might trip on it and fall.
• My fear of his falling is great and distracting.
• Back-ups look hot in jungle green. Where do they buy these clothes?
• Song has few lyrics, and they are repeated often.
  
• Where are the lyrics man?
• Makes for good entertainment but not a good showing in the 2nd half.

Score: 4 - What do you expect? I had to my brotheren, this song has no lyrics.
Final Average - 5.5 - Like Classic, you have to watch this year's finals from the stands.

3. Bumba / Song: Yes We Can

• White suit with red shirt. (These fellas really take that hook line "wear white" seriously. This is not glow fete.)
  
• Song is called "Yes we can", but I am thinking "no you can't".
• Hey, the song has in pan!
  
• The pan does not help.
• Next!!

Score: 3 - This is a competition!!!
Final average: 5.1 - I don't really see you making the finals Bumba. Sorry pal, better luck next time.

4. Sir Ruel / Song: We are the Calypsonians

• Nice outfit. Very Bag-like.
• Nice melody.
• Good rendition. My toe is tapping.
  
• Strong voice.
• Could soon be King Ruel.

Score: 7 - Junior Monarch organizers should be proud.
Final average: 7.25 - Looking like we have our first candidate to meet King Adrian.

5. Mr. Impact / Song: Priorities

• Very blue outfit. Too bad one is not allowed to take pictures and video at these events.
• The song is a bit of a snoozer.
• Getting sleepy. (Could be because it is 10:30pm and Sunflower goes to bed early on Friday nights.)
• Song seems a bit long.
  
• It is like agony waiting for the Bag to perform next. (Bag is coming, Bag is coming!!!!)
  

Score: 6.5 - Well, he beat out Classic, Ras Iley and Bumba.
Final average: 6.75 - Is this enough to make it? The competition may be close.

6. Red Plastic Bag / Song: Something Happening

• Man ent start song yet an' people waving red rags.
• There are rumblings in the crowd that "This is my favourite song", "I cayn help but move when I hear this song", and "I love this song". (Does he even need to perform?)
  
• Big applause at the mere announcement of the song's title.
• RPB is attired in a vintage-Bag red shirt and black pants.
• He starts to sing.
• Audience is singing along.
  
• Can hardly hear him sing the chorus, the crowd is singing too loudly.
• People are waving their arms and moving around in their seats.
  
• I see red.
• He asked the crowd to stand up and they did!!!
• Never seen nothing like this in all my years of attending semi-finals!!!
• WOW. I was afraid they would call for an encore.
  

Score: 10 - This is the man to beat. Adrian had better watch out. I hear Adrian will make an appearance after the second half. Another first for the crowd. Can hardly wait.
Final average: 9.5 - WOW. He and Sir Ruel are off the the Oval. But who else will join them?

7. Ishiaka / Song: Eyes Wide Shut

• Regrettable that he has to follow the Bag.
• Hard to concentrate. Still feeling chills from Bag's performance. Would hate to be a judge.
• He is singing well.
  
• Unfortunate title 'cause I think people had their eyes wide shut to your performance.
  

Score: 6 - Word of advice: if you ever draw a placement in the semi-finals line up after Bag, exchange. This is not a good place to be.
Final average: 5.5 - Maybe next time Ishiaka. The calypso force is strong in you, my young kaisoman.

7. John King / Song: Heaven

• White long shirt and pants. Who set the standard of dress for male calypsonians? This needs to be revamped. Someone should sing a song about it.
• Nice pan. It helps.
• Great performance. Not a lot of lyrics though.
• The (bad) luck of the draw for Ishiaka to be sandwiched between Bag and John King.
  

Score: 8 or 7.5 - John King knows how to perform. Heaven vs Something Happening, which is the better song?
Final average: 7.5 - And now joins Sir Ruel and RPB is John King.

9. Smokey Burke / Song: Mo Money

• It is 11:01 pm.
• Things not looking good for Smokey. If he does not put down a boss performance he can't join the others at the Oval. His disappointment will be great.
• He's wearing red and white and reminds me of that fellow who brings around gifts.
  
• I don't get the beat - strange. Can't really follow.

Score: 5 - Smokes, you have to wheel and come again.
Final average: 4.5 - Do not expect your name to be called before position number 10.

Second Half of the Second Half

Nine (9) more contestants to go. I see a parting of the great divide between those who will make it to the finals and those who will be left behind. So far Sir Ruel, John King and Red Plastic Bag seem like definite possibilities.

10. Sheldon Hope / Song: Character

• Easy stage performance.
• Getting sleepy.
• Good lyrics.
• Back-up singers looking good.
  
• Song seems long.
• Words getting lost - not clear.

Score: 6.5 - His songs don't really grab me but that does not make them bad songs.
Final average: 5.5 - I bet he still makes the finals.

11. Sammi Jane / Song: Shame

• More props. People reenacting a robbery on stage. What is with the props? No props at semi-finals!!! This better not be a new trend.
• Bad choice of outfit. I get the idea and think it was a bad one.
  
• Outfit distracting. Can't reconcile the old-lady attire with the young-lady voice.
• Can not make the finals.
  
• She seems to be shouting again. Too bad. Song has good lyrics.
  

Score: 4. - Sorry Sammi Jane but the competition ends here for you.
Final average: 4 - You too will be left at the Gymnasium.

12. Blood / Song: We Looking It

• It is 11:25pm.
  
• Red suit with white shirt and shoes.
  
• Too many words but lyrics tight.
  
• Should make the finals.
• First half was "shoo bee doo", second half was "shee boon boon bim byee".

Score: 7 - Blood like John King knows how to perform.
Final average: 6.5 - Still a close race, but should be enough to take him to the Oval, Mr. Impact too.

13. T.C / Song: Fight Domestic Violence

• It is 11:30pm.
  
• White outfit. (What is with all the white and red?)
• Might not make the finals. (I am dreaming of a roast beef sandwich I left in the fridge)
• Topic is too serious for the soo-soo melody.
• Where do the back-ups get their outfits? NICE!!!
• Am I missing something? Why is this in the semi-finals?
• A tad boring.
  

Score: 6 - She should have sung her party song.
Final average: 5.5 - Hmmm. A finals without T.C. is looking likely.

14. Romeo / Song: Last Days

• Another cool suit by Romes. This time in cream (well it looks like cream under the lights).
• Great melody. Better than most I heard here tonight.

Score: 7 - He has been in this kaiso game for a long time and always gives a solid performance.
Final average - 7 - Romeo seems headed down Fontabelle.

15. Tassa / Song: Letter to Daddy

• Great dresses on back-up singers.
• Singer is wearing an orange and gold outfit with a matching head tie. Hit or miss.
• Nice melody, better than T.C's.
• It's getting late, which route should I take home. (The mind wonders a bit.)
  

Score: 6.5 - Might be on her way to the finals.
Final average: 6.75 - Good enough for a repeat performance next week Friday.

16. Colin Spencer / Song: Where do we go from here?

• Black suit with white shirt. (Many black suits tonight.)
• No surprises with a good performance.

Score: 6 - Where does Colin go from here?
Final average 6 - To the finals?

17. Hee Haw / Singer: Ain't Fooling Around

• Crowd applause before singer arrives onstage.
• White suit with mustard shirt.
• Good melody.
• Not bad rendition.
• Must keep voice in check and not play to the crowd.
• Fancy foot work, must be careful not to tire himself.
• Hey, this is a song/singing competition not a dance contest!!!
• "Hee haws" at the end of the song. Dagnabbit!!!
  

Score: 6 - Would like to give more but the "hee haw", the "hee haw"!!!.
Final average: 6.75 - Pack your bags you are heading to the finals.

18. Kid Site / Song: Domestic Violence

• Another white long shirt and pants combo with a blue design and a gold piece in front.
• Not his best tune.
• May get left at the Gymnasium.
• His disappointment may also be great.
  

Score: 5 - Things not looking good for the former king.
Final average: 6 - Must see where a score of 6 lands him. Finals? Looking iffy.

Second Half Results - According to Sunflower

The Standing after the Second Half
Who will Meet Adrian at the Fianls - According to Sunflower

Based on my tabulations the results look close. The cut off point should be contestant number 9 which makes the cut off mark a final average of 6 points. Two singers tie with 6 points. So to whom will I give the nod and to whom the reserve spot?

The two in question are Kid Site and Colin Spencer. One a former king and the other a major social commentator who usually makes it to the Stadium (now the Oval). I will give the edge to Colin and the reserve spot to Kid Site. The former king may have to sit this one out.

Sunflower's Final 9

1. Red Plastic Bag
   
2. Sir Ruel
   
3. John King
4. Romeo
   
5. Hee Haw
6. Mr. Impact
7. Tassa
   
8. Blood
   
9. Colin Spencer

Reserve: Kid Site
A big chance: Sheldon Hope

What will the judges decide? Am I close or way off?

For my report on the first half click here ----> First Half

To see how I matched up against the judges click here ----> The Judges Decision