Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung is assisted by a young, Norwegian woman as he sings “Nani Wine” at Nalen Hall in Stokholm. Below right: Crazy is backed by lead vocalist/guitarist Lars Hansson (background, first photo) and Swedish band Soca Rebels. Photos courtesy Lars Hansson

By Michelle Loubon

Calypsonian Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung and the Swedish band Soca Rebels have teamed up to produce the exotic “Tahiti Baby.” This idea was born after a successful concert in Stockholm, Sweden, at the end of May.

Ayoung and arranger Leston Paul have been working feverishly on his 2004 album, which promises fans “more lyrical songs… less Rosie-type songs, and ‘Tahiti Baby.’”

Accompanied by Soca Rebels, and on the invitation of Ethiopian producer Olle Stallberg, the Trini ambassador of soca “mashed down the capital of Sweden.”

The massive audience, comprising Swedes as well as neighbours from Norway, Finland and Denmark, crowded into Stockholm’s famous Nalen Hall. Four Trinis who had taken residence in the land of renowned benefactor, Swedish millionaire Alfred Nobel, joined the excited party.

The veteran calypsonian treated patrons to classics from his repertoire, such as “De Party Now Start,” “Dis Is How,” and “Nani Wine.”

One Norwegian young lady accepted an invitation from the bard and joined him on stage “to wine down low.” It was pandemonium as he belted out his 1985 Road March gem, “Soucouyant.”

Enticed by his honeyed voice and wild antics, the audience wined, jumped and waved energetically.

Ayoung toned down the frenzy when he delivered the prophetic “In Time To Come,” which took him to the Big Yard along with “Dey Doh Like The Government” in 2000.

As the momentum soared, patrons were treated to his 2003 humorous ditties on a reluctant lady “Rosie” and problems faced in an effort to “Cash It.”

Backed by Soca Rebels’ lead vocalist/guitarist Lars Hansson, Ayoung said: “I mash up the place. The place just pack up and everybody just wining and carrying on. The band was playing real good, too. At the end of the show, people bought my CDs by the twos. It was a real good show.”

Apart from wooing the audience, Ayoung said: “It was a really nice place: Nice people and really great breakfasts. I was impressed at the beautiful city.”