Atlanta Daily World

Massie Patterson Carib Singers
To Appear At M'Brown, Nov. 19

The Massie Patterson Carib Singers who will appear at the Morris Brown College Gymnasium on Friday, Nov. 19 at 8:00 P. M. have a program of the true Calypso music, songs that are new to American ears. The group consists of twelve singers, dancers, drummers and musicians, and this wonderful West Indian folk music is given an absolutely authentic presentation. It is the real traditional Calypso, with none of the Broadway night club vulgarities.

Beautifully costumed in the old nd Barbados, these singers give their lovely songs with rhythms fresh to American listeners, while the dancing is all in the Island style, again something new. It is a fast moving show, generally lively and gay, but interspersed with patois songs of great beauty with an occasional tragic note. From Haiti, the songs showing voodoo influence are very stirring and dramatic.

CAN'T KEEP FEET STILL

All of their numbers are danced well as sung. The Islanders get in such a festive mood that they cannot keep their feet or bodies still, they are enjoying themselves and so does the audience.

Whether it is a song about two jealous women, 'I'm a better woman than you,' because 'when I walk down the avenue, I get more whistles than you' which moves rapidly along to its logical conclusion, a hair pulling match—or a song, 'Small Island,' poking fun at the newcomer—'You come from Trinidad in a fishing boat and row you're wearing a great big overcoat:' the mildly acid humor will delight you.

The West Indian Dances cover a wide field because they were subject to many influences. The African, of course, is the predominantly basic influence but it is modified by the Spanish influence in the Castillian and the French, together with the English 'Morris-Dancer' technique.

For example, there is a dance that is also sung, in which the two principals, each followed by an admiring group of women, have a stick fight. Such affairs are well known in Trinidad and actually is the old quarterstaff so famous in English folk lore. Another, dance called 'Pepper Sauce woman' is the story of the woman who danced until she died. John Haskins of the Washington Times Herald described 'Pepper Sauce Woman' as 'A tense dance, accompanied by drums; the accompaniment was remarkable for smoothly accelerated tempo from allegro to something past prestissimo.'

When you see this recital, you will at once understand why they have such a great box office in New York. It must be seen and heard to be appreciated.