Dismissed minister Herbert Volney made his stage debut with veteran calypsonian Edwin Ayoung, also known as Crazy, as he belted out the Carnival 2013 selection Fall Guy, a song about the Section 34 fiasco. The well received performance was the highlight at the street parang fiesta that took place at his First Street, Mt Lambert constituency office on Saturday night. It drew a medium-sized crowd, who expressed appreciation and applauded the upbeat political commentary.
Among those at the launch were Fall Guy's composer Gregory Ballanytne, Mt Lambert arranger Dr Leston Paul and Volney's wife Tricia. In keeping with the Section 34 theme, 34 Santas on motorbikes spread Christmas cheer and distributed presents to the children. They made the trek from Central causing quite a stir with guests, motorists and passersby.
Fall Guy
Ayoung said he felt inspired to create Fall Guy after Volney was dismissed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar for allegedly misleading Parliament into believing that all consultations on the controversial Section 34 of the Adminstration of Justice (Indictable Proceedings) Act had been completed before the legislation was proclaimed. When he mounted the stage at 9:30 pm, a smiling Volney said: "I?proclaim it. I took the rap."
The song's catchy refrain includes the voice of Volney himself saying, 'Mr Speaker, I proclaim it. Aye, Aye! I proclaim it." Volney danced and sang along with Ayoung at the launch. Toying with the crowd, Ayoung asked them if they felt Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar was wrong to fire Volney. There were mixed sentiments. A few shouted "No."
Many seemed were more focused with lapping up the music and song being served by the two eccentric bards. ?As the performance unfolded, Ayoung said: "For 42 years, I?have been trying to win the Dimanche Gras crown. Maybe the Fall Guy would do it."?Asked about Fall Guy's creation, Ayoung said: "Volney is my friend.
I was campaigning with Volney in St Joseph. He promised to fix the sidewalks. He is the man who cut off the snake's head at George Earle Park. He is the man whom my neighbour Percy Villafana let in his front gate. It was the same gate he did not want former PM Prime Minister Patrick Manning to enter in. He gave him the 'Do So.'?Volney is a great man. Whom God bless no man curse."?
Christmas spirit at constituency office
Apart from the Christmas music, constituents and residents also enjoyed treats like corn soup. The children had wads of cotton candy spun on spot, pop corn, soft drinks and snack bags. The upper floor of the mint green constituency office was decorated with reindeer sculptures and Santa pictures. A photo of Persad-Bissessar and Volney decorated the walls. Downstairs, green and red lights twinkled on the trees at the base of the staircase. San Juan-based vocalist Anthony Felix performed Stick from Toco, another song in tribute to Keshorn Walcott.
Asked about his sentiments on Fall Guy, Mt Lambert resident Alexis Randolph said: "?I like Fall Guy bad, bad, bad."?Aranguez resident Marlene Seeram said: "My 30-year-old son is blind. He likes to listen to Crazy's music. Crazy gave me complimentary copy of the Fall Guy. I know he would enjoy it."
'I did it for my constituents'
Asked about his debut, Volney said: "It felt good. Always glad to spend time with my constituents." Asked if he would be making any more guest performances, Volney said: "No. I did it for my constituents." The ex-minister also commented briefly on his call to be reinstated.
"The point of the call for my reinstatement was to offer the PM the option of bringing me back into the Government. It was not my intent to replace anyone including the Justice Minister (Christlyn Moore). But I?felt I should give the?PM?a clear hand because governance is not easy. I?would not like to limit her and I would be willing to help in whatever way she would like."?
Ayoung's Carnival 2013 repertoire
Apart from Fall Guy, Ayoung sang Dr Protestor (a song about hunger striker Dr Wayne Kublalsingh). Comparing Kublalsingh to OWTU?president general, Ancel Roget, Ayoung's song says, "He doh march and fret like Roget/Kublalsingh is as peaceful as a pup." He sang Javelin Jubilation, a tribute to Olympic medallist Keshorn Walcott. In the spirit of the season, Ayoung sang a slew of soca parang hits including Parang Soca, Tito Lara and Yvonne.
Hours before, Ayoung had been honoured for pioneering parang/soca by Embajaderos de Cristo paranderos led by cultural promoter Annabelle Goodridge. The grand ceremony took place at Napa, Keate Street, Port-of-Spain.
Editor's Note�Full transparency: Javelin Jubilation was written by Michelle Loubon