The "law is an ass" is a derisive expression said when the rigid application of the letter of the law is seen to be contrary to common sense. Source: The Phrase Finder.
Calypsonians, the voice of the people, relish the opportunity to address the nation's mood on a given topic. political and social commentaries; topics that are fodder for any Calypsonian worth his salt. For a topic like "The Law is an Ass", sentiment is an ideal top that requires intelligent social commentary from a Calypso bard. Today we feature a classic example of the with and biting commentary from one of Trinidad and Tobago's Calypsonian. This is "The Law is an Ass" sung by Llewlyn McIntosh; his sobriquet is "Short Pants".
Llewelyn "Short Pants" McIntosh composed and sang the calypso "The Law is an Ass" in 1979. The song is a satirical commentary on the Trinidad and Tobago legal system, which McIntosh considered unjust. The song's lyrics are full of wit and humor, and they have been praised for their sharp social commentary.
The song begins with McIntosh singing about how the law is "an ass" because it is "blind" and "deaf". He proceeds to describe how the law is used to oppress the poor and the working class. In contrast, the wealthy and powerful can get away with crimes. McIntosh also criticizes the legal system for being slow and inefficient. He also criticizes it for being more interested in protecting the wealthy's interests than upholding justice.
The song ends with McIntosh urging listeners to "fight the law" and "be free". He argues that the law is not a force for goodness but rather a tool of oppression. The song "The Law is an Ass" is a powerful and important social commentary, and it remains relevant today.
The song was a hit in Trinidad and Tobago and made McIntosh a national icon. Additionally, calypso music saw a comeback in popularity as a result of the song's success. This had been declining in popularity in the years leading up to the song's release.
"The Law is an Ass" is a classic calypso song still enjoyed today. It is a reminder of music's power to speak truth to power and challenge the status quo. After listening to the song, please leave a comment via this post regarding your thoughts about this classic Calypso. As a matter of fact, share this post with your social media contacts, the singer and this blogger will appreciate your assistance in spreading our culture... Kaiso, kaiso, that is Calypso!
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: The Law is an Ass
Artist/Name: Llewellyn McIntosh
Sobriquet: Short Pants
Music by: Clive Bradley & Orchestra
Music Arranged by: Frankie Francis
Chorus: Jocelyn, Venie & Earl
Recorded at: Caribbean Sound Studios
NME Productions
Year: 1979
Recording Engineer: Charles Nicol
Published by: PRS Music
Record Pressed in Barbados by West Indies Records Barbados Ltd.
Genre: Calypso
Please be advised that the music is presented here for your listening pleasure and for promotional purposes only ("Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976). No copyright infringement is intended! We don't own the rights to this music, and it is presented here for promotional use only. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share the music and rob the artists of needed income! I, nor this blog, make any claims of ownership over any of the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used for this post because they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).
This music just flows, making it a surefire hit song for Saint Lucia's Carnival 2023. There is no one like Lashley "Motto" Winter of Teamfoxx. He is a skilled music producer and has a distinct voice in today's Soca music scene. When you hear his voice there is no denying that it is Motto. No one sounds like him.
This is a production of Penn and Ace with additional production by Motto. This music is awesome. It is Dennery Segment with Zouk and Kompa influences. This musical pelau will have you moving even if you had no plans of moving (as in dancing). If you hear this song and don't tap your feet or find some way to groove to the beat then you are definitely not a West Indian.
We love this music production and believe it will do well across the Caribbean basin. The problem is that most radio stations across the Caribbean stick to what they know. They can be insular in thinking and miss out on some good music. Take Trinidad and Tobago as an example. Tune in to the local radio stations and tell us if you hear any of the upcoming music released for all the summer carnivals from 'up the Islands'. No need to fear, stay tuned to Sokah2Soca, we will bring as many new tracks as possible your way. In the meantime, enjoy "How is Me (Bike Life)" by Motto.
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora:
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, artists, and music producers. Become the proverbial culture vulture and share this post with your peers and on all social media platforms. We are on Facebook; Twitter; YouTube; Instagram and Soundcloud. All our posts are available on FeedSpot and via Email Subscription. Thank you in advance. For more interesting content, please visit our official blog @Sokah2Soca.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: How is Me (Bike Life)
Artist/Performed by: Motto
Originally produced by: Penn & Ace (St Lucia)
Written by: Motto
Additional Production by: Lashley Motto Winter (Teamfoxx)
Genre: Soca Music
Please be advised that the music is presented here for your listening pleasure and for promotional purposes only ("Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976). No copyright infringement is intended! We don't own the rights to this music, and it is presented here for promotional use only. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share the music and rob the artists of needed income! I, nor this blog, make any claims of ownership over any of the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used for this post because they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).
To say that this song has mixed reactions is an understatement! We think it is offensive, in poor taste, and simply created for attention. Now, we love Bouyon music, but this song and its lyrics are a travesty and should be condemned as distasteful. Why do this? Why demean our women like this? One may ask, Why post the song if you feel this way? In fact, we want to draw attention to it, not to praise it, but to condemn it. Our goal is to educate and inform singers and producers that songs with distasteful and demeaning lyrics will not be praised on this website or on any website.
Just as we feel this way, there are many out there who love the song for its nasty lyrics. There is a video online with a guy and a cast gleefully enacting the lyrics. While the song has been praised for its creative collaboration and catchy melody, we will not praise it because of the distasteful lyrics content. Quite rightly, it has also been criticized for its explicit lyrics. Some fans have said that the lyrics are too vulgar and that censorship should prevail. Others have said that the lyrics are empowering and celebrate female sexuality (nope, not at all). This is not going to push West Indian music globally!
Overall, "Push Ur Hand In Your" is an unusual and catchy song that will get people talking about its cringe-worthy lyrics. Whether you love it or hate it, there is no denying that it will be a memorable song. It will hopefully teach these singers that vulgarity is not cool. So we want Mr. Ridge/Cross D Bridge Studio/Diwana James/Drummer Fridge, Kenny G, Pudaz, and Dova that Bouyon deserves better, and your fans deserve better!
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora:
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, artists, and music producers. Become the proverbial culture vulture and share this post with your peers and on all social media platforms. We are on Facebook; Twitter; YouTube; Instagram and Soundcloud. All our posts are available on FeedSpot and via Email Subscription. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Song Title: Push Ur Hand in Your
Produced by: Mr. Ridge/Cross D Bridge Studio/Diwana James/Drummer Fridge
Mixed & mastered by: Drummer Fridge
Genre: Bouyon
Warning:
This song's words are explicit. It is not appropriate to play this song near young children or still young adolescents.
Please be advised that the music is presented here for your listening pleasure and for promotional purposes only ("Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976). No copyright infringement is intended! We don't own the rights to this music, and it is presented here for promotional use only. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share the music and rob the artists of needed income! I, nor this blog, make any claims of ownership over any of the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used for this post because they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).
Chord Masters Steel Orchestra win Pan Down Memory Lane 2023 | Results
By Ananda/Sokah2Soca
in
Blog
June 23, 2023
With all the attention placed on the "Pan in the 21st Century Conventional Bands" Finals Competition, we must not forget about the "Pan Down Memory Lane Single Pan" competition. Some have stated that the ideas used for the musical arrangements by the bands in the "Pan Down Memory Lane" competition were superior to those in the "Pan in the 21st Century" competition.
While many stated that most conventional bands lacked imagination with their arrangements, that was not the case for the Pan Down Memory Lane Competition. We extend congratulations to Chord Masters Steel Orchestra on their victory; they will take home "The Patrick Arnold Challenge Trophy" and prize money. In second place was "D'Original Woodbrook Modernairs," while Nostrand Symphony came in third.
We celebrate all the bands that made it to the finals and delivered interesting arrangements for this competition. We have included the winning performance by Chord Masters. While the recording is not of the best quality, it does not overshadow the beautiful sounds heard.
Pan Down Memory Lane Official Results published by Pan Trinbago
Let us promote the culture of the Caribbean diaspora:
Our goal is to promote Caribbean culture, artists, and music producers. Become the proverbial culture vulture and share this post with your peers and on all social media platforms. We are on Facebook; Twitter; YouTube; Instagram and Soundcloud. All our posts are available on FeedSpot, and via Email Subscription. Thank you in advance.
Production Notes/Music Credits:
Competition: Pan Down Memory Lane 2023
Governing Body: Pan Trinbago
Band: Chord Masters
Location: Pamberi Panyard, Santa Cruz Old Road, San Juan
Tune of Choice: Frankie - 1985
Original Song: Sister Sledge
Composed by: Denise Rich
Arranger: Andre White
Tuner: Desmond 'Mappo' Richardson
Leaders: Richard De Coteau
Recording Courtesy: WACK Radio 90.1 FM Visual Radio
Contact: www.wackradio90.1fm.com
Genre: Steelband Music
Please be advised that the music is presented here for your listening pleasure and for promotional purposes only ("Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976). No copyright infringement is intended! We don't own the rights to this music, and it is presented here for promotional use only. We encourage you to promote the artists and their music; please don't download and share the music and rob the artists of needed income! I, nor this blog, make any claims of ownership over any of the videos, songs, photos, or graphics used for this post because they all belong to their respective owners.
♫Please press the music player button below to listen now (small triangle in the Music player/TV Frame).
Frankie by Sister Sledge
