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TO define what took place at the Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain, at the weekend as a mere show would be an injustice to the night's featured artiste, Singing Sandra.

Simply titled "Mother", the concert seemed more like a thanksgiving celebration of worship and praise to God as well as an exercise of spiritual cleansing for the nation as Sandra, along with her several guest artistes, performed mainly songs of edification throughout Saturday night.

There was just one sour moment when as Bunji Garlin made his way on to the stage a man sitting nearby began to shout, "Bunji, why yuh don't go home." Hearing this, Garlin responded by performing a freestyle chant respectfully admonishing the man for his foolish attitude.

With the crowd laughing at him, the now embarrassed man proceeded to spew expletives, creating an even greater spectacle of himself.

In a later verse Garlin apologised to the irate patron, but warned that anyone who disrespected him should always expect a severe tongue lashing.

Garlin, along with Faye-Ann Lyons, then proceeded to bring the house down with a fantastic performance that raised patrons, both youth and elders, out of their seats, waving and chanting.

The night of course belonged to Sandra, who delivered what can only be described as an outstanding presentation that had folks singing, dancing and at one point invading the stage to hug and kiss her.

Near the end of the concert as Sandra sang "Voices From The Ghetto," while sitting on the steps of the stage, dozens of patrons left their seats and approached the stage to greet her.

The police attempted to stop them, but Sandra instructed them to allow the people to approach her as they were her "brothers and sisters from the ghetto."

Several people crowded around her, hugging, kissing her and having their photos taken with her. Sandra then got up and told the rest of the audience that she wanted to introduce them to several of her longtime friends from Laventille. Pointing out three of them in particular, Sandra said, "This is Ruthen Friday. He, his brother, Winston and I won the award for Best Humorist in Scouting for Talent 1975."

Sandra also called up a young man named Ryan Peters to the stage, telling the patrons that he was the person that composed her 2005 hit single, "Clean Heart, Clear Conscience." As the 23-year-old Laventille youth took the stage, Sandra remarked, "Yuh think he can't be a gangster killing people? He decided to go for something better?" She then invited Peters to perform his version of the song as the people cheered him on.

Sandra also called on young calypsonian Karene Asche, who sang "Voices From The Ghetto" in her own style much to the delight of Sandra and the audience. As Sandra performed her popular song, "Ancient Rhythms", she was joined on stage by reigning T&T Idols Champion, Tenaj Smith, who thrilled the patrons with her impressive vocals and dancing alongside Sandra.

Earlier in the evening, Sandra had also invited another young calypsonian, Dareem Charles, who sang "Watch Out My Children" with her. The 15-year-old calypsonian won rapturous applause as he sang the song's chorus in both Spanish and French. When Sandra performed "The Power Of A Child," she called Ziggy Ranking to the stage and they did the song as a duet.

Later on, Ziggy Ranking would again take the stage alongside Sandra, this time serenading her with "Forever Young," as she sat on a chair teary-eyed.

This was part of a tribute to Sandra by the concert's producers, Homegrown Entertainment, under the direction of music producer Glenroy Watson.

Sandra was presented with a plaque in appreciation of her contribution to the calypso art form and culture in general throughout her lifetime thus far. Other artistes and producers, including Roy Cape, Richard "Char Su" Ahong, Black Stalin, Christophe Grant and Carlyle "Juiceman" Roberts, were presented with awards.

Along with her own evergreen songs, Sandra also performed cover versions of several calypso, pop and soul classics, including Paul McCartney's hit, "Long And Winding Road," as well as "Trade Winds Of Our Time," during which Sandra left the stage to go into the audience and dance with one of the firemen on duty.

There was also a reunion of the United Sisters, which featured Sandra, Tigress and Marvellous Marva. Before they sang "Ambataila Woman," Sandra said that although one of the sisters had passed on (Lady B died on September 11 2001), "She is still here in our hearts."

Performers Denise Belfon, Scrunter, Johnny King and Black Stalin also thrilled the audience.

At the end of the night, it was several hundred exhausted people who filed out of the Queen's Park Savannah, totally burnt out, but everyone seemed to be totally satisfied and spiritually rejuvenated as they commented about the wonderful gift of music they had just been given by "Mother".

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index...ws?id=70425796

By Peter Ray Blood

It was a production befitting a queen and Singing Sandra didn’t disappoint her “subjects.” With Glenroy Watson as its executive producer, Mother, the concert, was held on Saturday night at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, before a large audience.

It was Sandra’s first full-length concert of her 21-year career as a professional calypsonian.

On entering the venue the first noticeable feature was the stage set.

Anticipating good weather, the promoters opted to use no tents or covering over the musicians. Brightly coloured African motifs on a backdrop mural gave the impression of the outer walls of a Zulu village.

The set was also decorated with large colourful panels of fabric, festooned on tall bamboo poles.

Mother was anchored by CT Vibe 105FM personality Holly Thomas, with its artistes taking turns at introducing acts.

The actual opening act, a dance, drum and song invocation by Malick Folk Performers, was preceded by a lengthy monologue by Thomas, in which he promised patrons “a production like no other before in T&T,” and indeed there were some pretensions that the producers did try to present something unique.

Sandra made her initial entrance on stage astride a black horse, accompanied by two costumed grooms, singing an Orisa chant.

Dismounted, her first set included Nobody Wins a War, one of the selections she won the Carifesta V Monarch title in the ’80s; Red, White and Black; Laventille; and, One Destiny, One Heart.

Johnny King was Sandra’s first guest and he enticed the audience to sing Appreciation with him. The singing policeman sent patrons into even further excitement with his 2005 favourite, Darling.

The frenzy would increase immediately after King’s exit with the entrance of Cro Cro who opened with a riveting rendition of African.

He then sang the relatively unheard Laventille Youth Man, got an encore, and returned to oblige patrons’ request for Chop off dey hand. He was encored a second time.

Up next was Scrunter, treating the crowd to three of his all-time hits, Take the Number, Woman on the Bass, and an acapella version of The Will.

Scrunter introduced Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon who cut a regal picture in a beautiful sky blue and turquoise gown.

There was nothing saucy about Belfon’s performance as she displayed another side of her singing talent by rendering only ballads and spirituals.

Opening with Tonight (Will you still love me tomorrow?), she offered Mahalia Jackson’s Troubles, Go tell it on the Mountain, and a medley consisting of He’s Got the whole world in his hands, Amen and Rock My Soul.

Sandra returned after Belfon to pay tribute to her “mother,” Ella Andall, by singing Black Woman.

She paid similar tribute to the late Ras Shorty I with Watch Out my Children. This item underscored Sandra’s affiliation with young people as a teenager named Dareem was introduced to sing the lyrics in Spanish and French. This performance drew thunderous applause.

Ziggy Rankin’ then joined Sandra, followed by her singing Power of a Child and Roberta Flack’s Tradewinds.

To perfect accompaniment by Roy Cape All Stars’ keyboardist Carlisle “Juiceman” Roberts, guitarist Sly, bassist “Bassie” Boynes, drummer Steve Jardine, and sequencer Virgil, Sandra left the stage to dance with a fireman on duty stageside, and Oba, husband of calypsonian Twiggy, to the crowd’s delight.

Rendering He Ain’t Heavy, Sandra again had patrons singing every line, as well as when she was joined by her United Sisters “sisters” Tigress and Marvellous Marva to sing Ambataila Woman.

It was now 11.15 pm and many a patron was overheard commenting on already getting their money’s worth.

Intermission was taken, with awards being presented to people who helped Sandra during her career in the break.

On the resumption, Ziggy Rankin’ returned to do a duet of Forever Young with Sandra.

Malick Folk Performers also did a bele dance as testimony of Sandra dancing prowess as a Best Village performer during the early ’80s. Sandra starred in this number as the bele queen.

The next segment featured two of Sandra’s “children,” Bunji Garlin and Fay-Ann Lyons.

This young duo showed their ability to move a crowd, bringing patrons to their feet, as well as Garlin’s uncanny skill of “free style” when he pulled up a patron for “dissing” him.

Taking turns at singing each other’s hits, Garlin singing Fay Ann’s Breakaway and Fay Ann singing Bunji’s Fireman, the duo split the audience in two, having each faction singing and dancing against the other.

Black Stalin, accompanied by vocalist Marilyn Williams, held patrons captive as they sang a sequel to Freedom Song, as well as the original. No one remained seated when “the blackman” sang Black man feelin’ to Party.

Just before 1 am, Stalin introduced Sandra to sing Voices from the Ghetto. Again, the entire audience sang every line of this song with gusto.

During the performance Sandra was joined on stage by her “brothers” and “sisters” from the ghetto, including Ruthven Friday with whom Sandra boasted she’d teamed up with to beat comedian Tommy Joseph to the Best Humour Performance in the 1975 edition of Scouting for Talent.

When the excitement subsided a bit, Sandra moved on to singing Clean Heart, during which she introduced its 23-year-old ghetto composer One-Dee.

Though too lengthy, Sandra’s first full-length lived up to Holly Thomas’ pre-show promise of being a unique production, and it was indeed the mother of calypso concerts.

Singing Sandra's star is rising. She is to me, finally getting the respect she deserves. She (along with others like Bunji Garlin, Maximus Dan, etc.) is a reminder to many who think Trini soca is only about "Wave" and "Flags in de air", that there are serious conscious bards out there in de tradition of Black Stalin and Valentino.

wow I hope she gets back on top where she belongs.

What was up with the Bunji go home comment Isnt Bunji Trini? Or were they talking about his Raga style?

its called hateration of individual expression. The fella didn't want bunji there cause he doh like him.

Congrats Sandra and your dad was in tears and very proud of you as I read the story to him.

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Excelent Information
How about a tape of the show any info on that
We need to get the recording of theses things