Michelle Loubon
Springing triumphantly from the pregnant earth, are maples at the Philadelphia home of Tony Barclay. Cocooned inside the basement is a studio.
On the surface, crimson maples and the state-of-the-art studio represent a marriage of nature and modernity.
On a philosophical level, maples represent the Northern climes where he is now domiciled.
The studio represents the Belmont boy's connection with his Trini roots and his grand passion–music.
Relaxing poolside at The Normandie, St Ann's, Barclay said, "Whenever I go into my garage, the flaming red maples standing guard remind me I am living in a North America. I am in Philadelphia...the city of brotherly love. The maple is a Canadian symbol.
"But the studio connects me to my Trini roots. It is my link with my beautiful country. It is my link with my music. The lyrics whirl in my heart," said Barclay.
At home, Barclay sang hits like One Superpower and Hold On Tight at the Revue Tent. Back then, he collaborated with ace arranger Dr Leston Paul and Kenny Phillip.
Soca and reggae together
From the sacred space in his studio, Barclay set to work on his latest album–Soca and Reggae Together. It got the polishing at Flambeau Studios, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.
He was in town to promote the CD which features R&B, soca gospel, Latin rhythms and soca.
He said, "I did this mixture because I felt other genres were getting better airplay.
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I did reggae and R&B. I tried to block them in all corners."
Among the songs representing those genres are Mashup, Trinidad, Living In My World, Tribal Gift, Dreams Destiny, Finger of God, Reap What You Sow and Time Standing Still.
Steelband music tugs at his heart strings, too.
In the 90s, his Pan In Beethoven was recorded by San Juan's Pamberi Orchestra.
"It consists of pan music, too. There's Pan On Demand, Classical Pan Cruise, Jazz on Pan and Pan For Symphony. I have written pan songs with a different flavour and type of music. I don't always cling to the classical and jazz."
Quizzed on his thoughts about ace pannist Boogsie Sharp's declaration that pan was dying, he said, "Boogsie is in the mix. He would know about the politics in the industry."
Devouring St James night life, Barclay enjoyed roti with artiste Superblue. But when he turned on the radio, his countenance fell.
"I feel some DJs are hurting the industry. They are playing the same songs over and over. There are many good songs that are lost because they are not playing them. Some of the songs that are favoured should not be given a chance to be heard," he said.
Switching on the television, Barclay registered his angst.
"Each year, I visit here and I observe. But I see a lot of Jamaican acts on TV. I don't have anything against the music. But I don't see too many soca performers."
But Barclay expressed his thanks to the DJs like Alan Diaz and Iwer George for playing his music.
Respect for Merchant
Reverting to happier times, Barclay remembered the good times he had with deceased Merchant.
"He was a bit of a mentor...a good friend. I feel he is one of the greatest writers (One Superpower)."
He also admires the vintage kaisonian Mighty Spoiler (Theophilus Phillip).
At Philadelphia's Wachovia Centre, it was "a blessed moment" to meet blind crooner Stevie Wonder.
"For Once In My Life, It was a ray of Sunshine in My Life," he said.
He also mourned the passing of Michael Jackson.
Ultimately, he draws inspiration from the Psalmist David who played the harp beautifully for King Saul.
Quoting Psalms 40, he said, "I waited patiently for the Lord and he heard my cry."
Barclay's songs
? Hold On Tight
? One Superpower
? Pan In Beethoven
