Soca parang pioneer Edwin Ayoung says T&T is fortunate to be the only
country in the Caribbean with its own Christmas music. Known to the
entertainment industry as Crazy, he can also stake claim to being the creator of
the first Parang Soca tune—Parang Soca—in 1978. The indigenous music is a blend
of calypso and Spanish-styled rhythms.
It was followed by hits like Maria, Put Jesus In Your Christmas, Yvonne,
Muchacha and Merry Christmas and He’s Alive. This week, Ayoung said: “T&T is
the only country in the Caribbean that has its own music. We are so fortunate.
Other countries have to depend on carols like Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy
to the World. “We can enjoy dancing and singing to parang soca songs.”
While
Ayoung is known for his zany lyrics, wild hair and energetic performances of
smutty tunes like Cock Can’t Stand Up and the classic Nani Wine, he has vowed
never to sing a dirty parang soca song.
“Christmas is about Jesus. I am a Jesus man. I have to give God the glory,
praise and honour with my songs,” he gushed. Like the Biblical King David who
penned the Psalms, Ayoung said the parang soca genre of music was created to
honour Jesus. “I sing put Jesus in your Christmas while all the painting, house
cleaning and shopping is going on. We need to remember the significance of the
Christ story.” Ayoung said it was one of his favourite stories—the birth of the
baby Jesus in a manger who came to redeem mankind from their sins.
Apart from his work, the parang soca trailblazer enjoys the slew of soca
parang songs from calypsonian Scrunter, like Ah Want Ah Piece of Pork. He also
enjoys songstress Marcia Miranda’s 2008 popular tune—Tiefing Parang Band—which
was arranged by Mt Lambert-based arranger extraordinaire Dr Leston Paul.
‘He’s Alive’
While celebrants dance the night away to the
familiar strains of Muchacha and Yvonne, Ayoung said one of his favourite soca
parang songs is He’s Alive—dedicated to the resurrected Christ. “I heard it late
one night on the radio. I don’t hear it on the airwaves during the day. “But,
He’s Alive is a great song.” Without warning, he crooned, “When I woke up this
morning/I knew right away He’s alive because He saved me from me from all my
turmoil and strife. He’s Alive.”
Quizzed on his Christmas wish for T&T, Ayoung said: “I wish T&T would
enjoy a safe and crime-free 2009. We need to be our brother’s keeper.” On a
personal note, he said: “I spent the day in Brazil, a beautiful village on the
outskirts of Arima. “I enjoyed delicious Christmas food. I even had curried duck
from my good friend Constance Coker. “I had a real Trini Christmas...parang,
pastelles and soca parang. I played with little Asia Marie. I sang sugar, sugar,
sugar for her.”
‘It Hard for ‘09’
For C2K9, Crazy is more than ready for
the season, for the Road March and Panorama, with a zany, double entendre single
titled It Hard. He will be singing at The Revue calypso tent which is scheduled
to premiere its C2K9 programme on January 23, at Arima Velodrome. For a crack to
dethrone Sugar Aloes as reigning National Calypso Monarch, Crazy has a poignant
social commentary named Ahead of Time.
