Cue for Calypso
LAUGMI an odcity irom ixyD the other day. The Bedser Calypso it was called-a vigorous, topical piece on the well-known cricketer. I suppose the calypso, with its lively, yet simple melodies, its journalistic recounting of topicalities, and its eulogistic or, more often, satirical, handling of personalities, is the only surviving parallel to the songs of the minstrels. I have read that calypso-making is a favourite occupation of many Caribbean males. How much healthier this than the parroting by Kiwi adolescents of the inane "lyrics" of current pops, or even the more formal rendering of Victorian ballads by their elders. It is a great pity that we have no equivalent to the calypso in New Zealand. What wonderful opportunities for the writer would be offered by a general election, Springbok fever, parliamentary broadcasts, commercial radio, Wellington’s jealousy of Auckland’s cultural life, and much else. There are at least two poets who would be capable of making calypsos and several others who would be fitting subjects. But since it is idle to hope for products of a Latin culture to spring from Puritan soil, we must be content with the occasional import, like the Bedser item, which brightened up mv whole afternoon.
J.C.
R.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19570125.2.32.2
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 911, 25 January 1957, Page 14
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205Cue for Calypso New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 911, 25 January 1957, Page 14
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
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