Thursday, November 13 2008

click on pic to zoom in

Calypso Rose...

MUSICAL legend Calypso Rose recently launched her new international album entitled Calypso Rose in France. This new album is produced in Paris and Port-of-Spain by the local label Maturity Music and is distributed by World Village/Harmonia Mundi, a leading label in Europe with 55 of its own stores, promoting artists such as Buena Vista Social Club and Natasha Atlas.

The album release was executed in partnership with top French medias Radio (FIP), Distribution outlets (FNAC), No1 Weekly (Telerama), No1 Daily (Liberation), No1 World Music website (Mondomix), World Music Magazine (Vibrations) and Public French Television network (FRO). This enabled the album to peak at the number four position on the World Music Charts on iTunes France last week.

The launch was the highlight of four shows by Calypso Rose and her new band,which includes musicians from France, the French West Indies and two local musicians — guitarist Antony Voisin and bassist Corey Wallace. Seven thousand people attended her main show at Marseille for Fiesta Des Suds.

The official press conference launching Calypso Rose was a historical moment for World Music fans as the veteran calypsonian met with Omara Portuando, the last surviving singer of Cuba’s popular Buena Vista Social Club. The two promised to do a song together.

The media only showcase in Paris, “Divan du Monde” was organised by Culture France (the French Government) and by the leading French touring agent Azimuth Production. It was a success, with Calypso Rose getting positive reviews in the French Media and on BBC Caribbean.

On January 11, 2009, the album will be launched in the United States at the Webster Hall, New York as part of the Global Fest World Music Festival.

Rose’s TT fans will get to enjoy the new collection when the album is released during the Carnival season at a special show. In fact, during C2K9, a special film crew from France will be here filming a documentary on Calypso Rose, tentatively titled, Rose, The Diva of Calypso. Later in the year, Calypso Rose will embark on a summer tour in Europe from June to August.

Calypso Rose is a living legend and icon in the calypso world, having taken the art form to every continent, while opening the door for other women to follow. Born MacCatha Lewis (after General Douglas MacArthur), Calypso Rose began performing in her native Tobago when she was 15. Rose won the Calypso Queen competition five years in a row, while also trying to compete in the male-only Calypso King contest. In 1978, Rose captured calypso’s premiere title with “I Thank Thee” and “Her Majesty”, breaking down the gender barrier, causing the title to be renamed the Calypso Monarch.