Tag Archives: parang

Everyone seems to be gloomy, and angry. The far-flung wishes for merriment, good health and prosperity making their way into our spaces seem regular enough, but if you have a conversation using voices, you can hear the bleakness. Things are tight financially (at least in my circle), relationships are floundering, …

I’ve been on a Scrunter loop, studying lyrics, music, the melodies, the distinctive raspiness of his voice—and it made me want to pay tribute to this one of our outstanding West Indians. I’d interviewed him way back in 1998, and the article said much of what I wanted to say …

The raucous sound of cuatro and maracas spills from a variety store in Arima. A woman in a long wrap skirt stands nearby, hips swaying in time.  Behind her, whistling along, a street vendor measures out bags of the bright red sorrel that will flavour his customers’ Christmas drinks. A …