My FaceBook friend Ian Walcott wrote this “Cock and Bull” review of the  2009 Laff it off production “Another Cock and Bull Story”, I thought it was a pretty excellent review, hence I am putting it here for you to read…

Unfortunately, the curtains finally came down on Laff-It-Off’s 2009 production “Another Cock and Bull Story,” that had one of its most successful runs in its 24 year history. For those who didn’t see this year’s production, let’s hope that there’s another weekend for the last minute stragglers for you certainly would have missed three hours of pure entertainment, intelligent comedy, good acting and belly laughs to make you fall out your seats. 

Cecily Spencer-Cross, in her role as director, brought a freshness to the script by modernizing our favorite Bajan rumshop, the Nook and Cranny Bar,” giving it a website, wireless Internet connection and taking us through the roller coaster ride of converting the bar into a strip joint. Now if that situation alone does not warrant a chuckle, watching Sue with two oversized bunny ears slide up and down a pole is the director’s guarantee that you will laugh. 

Sue, played by Carla Springer, was part of what I’d call the veterans, alongside Tony Thompson who plays Lemuel and Sybul Rice, and Peta Allenye who continues to play Wilhemina Herrassofat. It’s also refreshing that Miss Herrassofat has evolved from the passive-aggressive wife who tolerated the indiscretions of Lemuel, into a more liberated business woman who is willing to take new chances with love, lust and her profession. This new found freedom will allow her the space, as she rightly claims, to experiment with Internet dating and more liberal sexual adventures after being repressed by years of sexual frustration at the hands of her alcoholic-loser-husband. Sounds familiar?

If it rings a bell, it’s because since 1983 Laff-It-Off has always looked at problems and issues in the community and our daily struggles and held them up to our faces like a mural in which we can see ourselves, sometimes ridiculed, sometimes parodied but always truthful. It is this truth that makes the characters “sweet” and believable in their purest and most authentic form of Barbadiana. 

Sex sells but as a society we continue to be loath at the mention of the mere word so that we transfer our intellectual energy and ability to critique our society into polarized positions about politics, public personas and salacious newsbytes on issues like bestiality. This is precisely what makes Laff-It-Off so successful after all this time. The producers, director and actors all work as a team and decide each year to unabashedly turn these societal hypocrisies on their head and place them smack in our faces. 

It is hopeful, therefore, that the young talent in Barbados will take up the mantel and go forward with this rich tradition of Bajan comedy for which producer Ian Estwick must be given full credit. It was refreshing to see the young brilliant actor Chrispen Hackett as Woodall together with Jherad Alleyne as Panty Pollard, Ishiaka McNiel as Dolly and Toni-Ann Johnson as Allison. Though Alleyne can be charged a bit with hamming on stage, this young brigade brought a renewed sense of hope for the future of our theater. 

I will conclude that just as Daphne Joseph-Hackett in 1970 rightly predicted that Tony Thompson will be one of this region’s finest actors, as he has proven time and time again, I dare say that in 2009 we can make a similar prediction on Chrispen Hackett. He has already mastered the one ingredient that guarantees success on stage, he has perfect and precise timing and the lithe movements of his body together with mastering subtlety will take him into the top tier very quickly. A new star is born! 

Thanks again to Ian Walcott for that well written review, he dissected the plot and characters with impressive clarity and with some  fancy words too. Wasn’t it refreshing to reading something on Boyce Voice that is not proliferated with  dumb ass comments and cursing somebody? I can’t help, see I did it again, dumb ass me…..

The Cottage Studios, a subsidiary of Good Vybz Inc launched the cd singles by the 2008 winners of the 6-12 Cherish Breedy and 13-20 Quinn Belgrave categories of the Richard Stoute Teen Talent at the Garrison Secondary School on Friday February 20, 2009 at a special extended assembly at 9:00 a.m., at the time of the launch at the school, all radio stations across Barbados were sent a copy of the songs to be played at 9:00 a.m.

During the 2008 RSTTC, Good Vybz Inc., provided material for give-a-ways, members of the management team attended all of the preliminaries, semis – the semi-finalists were showcased at the Ship Inn every Thursday night during the Strategy performances, leading up to their final performances to give the contestants exposure, in a quest to making them comfortable in preparation for their big night, as well as presenting Mr. Stoute at the finals with a cheque for the cost of the full package promised which served as their commitment to the sponsorship package offered. 

Quinn is a past student and Cherish is presently a student of that school.

The song “I’m The One“ which Cherish sings, was written by a Garrison Secondary School old scholar, Toni Norville and produced by Matthew “Fewwture’ Ashby, Shane Forrester and Lori Worrell at The Cottage Studios.

This was the first time such an event was held at the school and the Principal, Mr. Matthew Farley and Master of Ceremonies was extremely proud.

It must be noted that Malcolm X, Kareen Clarke, Daddy Mark, as well as writer of Cherish’s song Toni Norville were present at the launch which was a grand affair and very inspiring for the entire school students pas t and present and teachers alike, also present was the first principal Mr. Sealy and from the legal profession two of a long line of attorneys Junior – Allsopp and magistrates and Ian Weekes. Ministers Michael Lashley and Chris Sinckler also attended.

Quinn’s song  “ Wit’ Me “ was written and produced by the latest addition to the Good Vybz Inc, team Michael “B-Roca” Holder, and it also features Kirk Brown whose initiative, through his interest in culture generally, has been primarily responsible for this effort. 

Cherish Breedy also celebrated her 13th birthday on February 20th making her the youngest and first teen talent winner to be recorded at this age (12).

Merle Niles presented two photos of the performers. Cherish and Quinn to the school to launch the opening of a photo gallery and announced that these photos will are the first in a long line of photos to be given to the school of persons who excelled.

Check  out the Garrison School Old Scholars on Facebook.

“The thoughtless theories of thirty thousand thespians” that’s a phrase I constantly repeat to myself, before any appearance whether it be radio television or a public speaking event. This was taught to me by the late Jeannette Layne Clark, the purpose was for me to practice pronouncing my “th’s” properly to correct the speaking fault most bajans are famous for…

I attended Jeannette’s “Speak for your self” course back in 2004 and because of the tutoring efforts of her and Sharon Marshall I started to pronounce my “th’s” correctly, so when you hear me on the radio saying three instead of tree, that is Jeannette’s teachings living on in my speech..

When you hear me speaking badly well you know that would not please Jeannette, she was known for calling up broadcasters and correcting them for their mangling of the English Language.

Jeannette was a woman who spoke her mind, back in December 1983 she said of Madd’s first yuletide release the song should be “thrown into the inner recesses of the nearest dust bin” even when she told you off she did so eloquently.

Which then led to Madd immortalizing her in our next release “Janet” which continues to get airplay all like now.

Jeannette was renowned for her proliferic writings, her weekly newspaper columns “Lick Mout Lou” and “Private line”.   Also the novel “A Villa in Paradise” and her hilarious comedy pieces “Okras in de stew” “Partners in profit” and the long running stage production “Pampalam”

I had the privilege of being directed by Jeannette in 30th anniversary Pampalam in 2007, which was the last one staged.

I was Ali Singh in the “Partners in Profit” piece for that year and I learnt a lot and enjoyed it immensely. Ali Singh got to ride a bicycle on stage every night that was bare fun.

Jeannette was brave enough to put the controversial Peter Boyce in her production which some people would not have dared to do. 

Also in that Pampalam were Marvo Manning, Merle Niles, Sade, Janice Perryman, Wendell Thomas Yolanda Holder, Eleanor Rice and Angela Weithers. 

The production was written, produced and directed by Jeanette.

At the end I got every body to sign the program for that year, but I missed getting Jeannette’s and drove around with the booklet for months intending to pass and get it signed… It’s too late now…

I sat with with Jeannette on the CBC Board on the one meeting she attended as Deputy Chairman before she resigned because of illness.

When I attended Jeannette’s funeral I made sure and pronounced my “th’s when I was singing the hymns, 

Jannette is gone but her excellence and legacy lives on

“The thoughtless theories of thirty thousand thespians”

If you desire to be a professional and “qualified” entertainer musician my buddy and associate Chris Harper has teamed up with the prestigious Berklee College of Music to offer barbadians an opportunity to be qualified.

Note use of the that word “qualified” that is something I find those of us in entertainment don’t pay enough attention to. Since no compulsory educational qualifications are needed to be an entertainer we can just say “I is an entertainer” and that’s it. Sometimes I read in the court pages an entertainer is charged for something and its someone that in all my 30 years in the business I have never seen them yet, but them pulling we down claiming to be part of our industry.

Thats why it would be good if it were mandatory that to be deemed an entertainer you needed some qualification, not only for that reason but because we have something to fall back on should times change.

That’s why its important to take advantage of this opportunity that Chris is offering us and I would like to publicly compliment Harper on his laudable efforts to uplift and educate the industry.

Over the past five years Berklee College of Music has partnered with Notes to Note Inc. to conduct the Barbados leg of their annual scholarship tour. This year the project has been strengthened and is an official project of the office of International Programs which will allow students to access more of the college’s resources through addition scholarships and financial aid.

 The scholarship office released the follow statement on the scholarship tour.

 ”Berklee travels the globe visiting over 40 cities annually seeking those talented musicians who we feel are an excellent match to the college.  By participating in a live audition and interview, applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships towards the full-time program or the Five Week Summer Performance Program.”

 The scholarships auditions will take place on Saturday 21^st February from 9:00am at the Barbados Community College.                 

Persons from Barbados and the region who wish to take part in the audition process need to complete the application for admission online at https://www.berklee.edu/apply/.

  On Thursday 19^th and Friday 20^{th of} February at the Barbados Community College at 5:00pm each day there will be a lecture on the admissions process and a pre-audition workshop respectively. These will be conducted by Vice-President of student affairs Steve Lipman and Professors John Pierce and John Marasco of the Berklee College of Music.

For further information on auditions please contact:

Chris Harper  

Managing Director

Notes to Note Inc.
phone (246)427-2555
email: notestonote@caribsurf.com 

Here’s a press release on a local Bajan star Philip 7 who is set to go places with his new release which Boyce Voice will be featuring soon, click and take a read…..

The versatile and multi-talented Pyramid artist Philip 7  is again revealing the depth of his skills, with the recent recording and release of a warm and melodic track produced by one of Jamaica’s most long-standing and accomplished producers Richard ’Shams’ Browne.

Philip 7 is well known for the quality and variety of his music, which reflects alternative as well as R & B influences, but when he struck with the authentic reggae hit Beautiful Surprise some time ago, he proved his musical flexibility, and his ability to incorporate different genres.

This latest reggae track Who You Are, was created in Jamaica and is a reggae inspired exploration of a special love interest that totally captures Philip 7’s mind. High production values, solid lyrics, and the characteristic versatile vocals of Philip 7 will ensure this number shines brightly.

The work has not stopped there for Philip 7. He also made recent links with other top Jamaican producers to ensure his talent reaches maximum potential on wax. Most recently, he completed the track Looking For, which was produced by the young yet accomplished Jamaican producer Stephen McGregor, and he has also been working with another veteran producer Donovan Germaine of the Penthouse Label.

We will get back to the second part of this story later, but here we wil do a flash back and invite you to veiw Philip 7 video to the song “Beautiful Surprise” click below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4LSD3G0qVU

 

I have seen the light! Soon brothers and sisters you will be referring to me as Pastor Peter Boyce !!

I have become convinced that we in the entertainment industry are in the wrong business, while we get on stage singing wuck up songs and telling nasty jokes for little or no rewards, I have noticed that church pastors have been preaching the good word of the lord reaping financial sweets and getting through licking.

When you look the newly refurbished “Power in the Blood” Church just completed in Tudor Bridge you will see what i mean. Feast your eyes on the fancy architecture and the massiveness of the structure, that’s got to be close to a million dollars in building, plus they own two other properties on the same stretch of road.

When was the last time you saw an entertainer make enough money to build an auditorium?
All the years our entertainers still renting venues from government and others, hoping they refurbish the Empire theatre so we could rent some more. That is why we need to see the light!

 Entertainment promoters invest thousands of dollars into high risk shows trying to get people to come out.
Then when we do get an audience we got to pay vat and taxes.
Churches don’t have to advertise to get their congregation and the financial contributions they collect are tax and vat free.

You know another way the goodly men of the cloth get out? Women! That’s right, all those church ladies with problems who go to their pastors seeking counselling looking for a shoulder to cry on, their pastor gives them that comforting shoulder and other additional body parts too, soon he is pumping salvation into their souls.
Look how often salacious Pastors are in the news with some sex charge (will not call Jippy’s name) We entertainers must take a back seat to them, We need to see the light!

Don’t think that I am being bad minded and criticizing the church and priests; in fact I am admiring them.
That’s why I done with this wuckless singing  and joke telling, I am  turn over a new leaf and become Pastor Boyce. I have seen the light and you need to see it too…

“Kite’s sound is the unlikely combination of elemental, spartan reggae and the moodiness of introspective/anthemic rock.”

In case you are wondering how the sound of a flying kite could get such a musical compliment that is because they are talking about our own barbadian band “Kite”.

I was pretty much unaware of the international impact the “kite” had been making but then you could say that confirms the iigrunt dog I am. In a conversation with Stephanie Chase she edified with knowledge of how the band’s music had been featured on television network shows and thing.

Lets go straight to the press release from the band Kite which would say it a lot better than igrunt me could… then click and check out their music video at the end….

Kite’s ‘Firefly’ Features on the CBS Primetime TV Show JERICHO
Hey guys we are thrilled that our song ‘Firefly’ continues to do us proud!
‘Firefly’ has been featured recently on CBS PRIMETIME SERIES ‘Jericho’. The show JERICHO is a drama about what happens in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion in the once peaceful town of Jericho. Visit www.cbs.com/primetime/jericho/ for more info on the show.
It started for Kite in 2005 with the placement on CBS Primetime TV Show ‘The Ghost Whisperer’, then, last Year, Canadian TV CBC featured ‘Up In The Air’ and ‘Wake Up’ ‘from our debut album on the TV series ‘Degrassi’. Firefly featured, once again, on the movie ‘The Stone Angel’ earlier this year. And now it’s ‘Firefly’ on the CBS Prime Time TV Show ‘Jericho’…
We want to thank all of you guys for believing in the songs and giving us so much support here in BIM!
Our 2 albums ‘Up In The Air’ and ‘Thirteen Degrees North’ are on sale island-wide and online. ‘Thirteen Degrees North’ is the first interactive CD released by a Bajan artist and contains not only our music, but the music video to ‘Firefly’, a photo gallery and a mini-documentary on the making of the album…plus links to our web site, where you can get listings of the local outlets for our CDs.
Cheers guys,
Brian and JJ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TfWDVLfHqs

 Untill next time, Go fly a “kite”

Ronnie Morris of Timeless Entertainment announcing the 2009 Barbados Music Awards Nominees at the Sir Garfeild Sobers Complex last night..

and the nominees are….

BMA Special Awards

Lifetime Achievement Award- Square One

International Lifetime Achievement Award- Regina Belle

Living Legend- Anthony Walrond

Award of Merit- Winston Jordan

Cornerstone Awards

Cornerstone- Ivory

Cornerstone- Wayne Poonka Willock

Cornerstone- Merle Niles

Cornerstone- Win Callendar
коли под наемBest Collaboration

Tara and Blood- This Is Fete
Ayana John and LRG- Paper Chase
Janna and Rasheeda- Candy World
Rihanna and T.I.- Live Your Life
Ruby Tech and Damian Marvay- Hustle

Best New Artist

Justin King
Livii Franc
Stabby De Guard
Janna and Rasheeda
Toby Armstrong and Blues Explosion

Ragga / Mid- Tempo Soca Single of the Year

Wrong Gal- Red Plastic Bag
Natahlee- Sun To Sun
Krosfyah feat. Edwin Yearwood- Nah Missing Me
Justin King- Soaking Wet
Gorg- Tipsy

Soca (up-tempo) Single

Stabby- Go Stabby
Blood- That Is What I Talking Bout
Khiomal- Unleash De Beast
Edwin Yearwood- Handle Ya Business
Kirk Brown- Show Me

Best Social Commentary

Mr. Impact- Where Is My Country
Adrian Clarke- Put That In Ya Song
Red Plastic Bag- De Government Change
Sheldon Hope- How Much Longer
Classic- They Dun See

Soca / Calypso Album Of The Year

Soca 2008- South Central Management
Blood Ties- Redd Head Records
Loaded- Monsta Piece
More Fire Blazing- De Red Boys
Feeling Nas- Dwaintrobus

Best Non- Soca Compilation

Unpolished Underdogs- Triple E
Best Christmas Ever- CRS
Mojo Vibes- Lethal Studios

Reggae Artist of the Year

Buggy
David Kirton
Seth Billy

Gospel Artist of the Year

Paula Hinds
Lana Spooner
Hosia Hinds
Crystal Cummins- Beckles
Suzanne Dottin

Jazz Artist of the Year

Rosemary Phillips
David Ziggy Walcott
Marissa Lindsay
Black Clay Soil
Andre Woodvine

R&B / Soul Artist

Ayana John
Hal Linton
Shontelle
J-Co
Damian Marvay

Pop / Rock / Alternative Artist

Kite
Rihanna
Nexcyxx
Phillip 7
Toby Armstrong and Blues Explosion

R & B / Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

Trezay
Ruby Tech
Fantom Dundeal
Nitro
Wizzurd

Song of the Year

Shontelle- T-Shirt
Rihanna- Disturbia
Edwin Yearwood- Nah Missing Me
Ayana John feat. LRG- Paper Chase
Rupee- Feet Donʼt Fail Me Now

Video of the Year Male

Krosfyah feat. Edwin Yearwood- Nah Missing Me
Buggy- Outside Lady
Kirk Brown feat. Danny Reid- Baby
Fantom Dundeal- One Minute
Khiomal- Start De Madness

Video of the Year Female

Tara- All Night
Rihanna- Disturbia
Shontelle- T-Shirt
Tejay- Chimmie Pappa
Rihanna- Take A Bow

Album of the Year

De Red Boys- More Fire Blazing
Krosfyah- Journey
Redd Head Records- Blood Ties
Dwain Anthrobus- Feeling Nas
Triple E- Unpolished Underdogs

Band of the Year

Strategy
Fully Loaded
Krosfyah
Massala
Nexcyxx

Producer of the Year

KB #
Peter Coppin
De Red Boys
Radar
Anderson Armstrong

Songwriter of the Year

Answar
Edwin Yearwood
Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire
Janice Lady J Devonish
Chrystal Cummins- Beckles

Female Entertainer Of The Year

Rihanna
Shontelle
Natahlee
Tarah
Ayana John

Male Entertainer of the Year

Buggy
Kirk Brown
Khiomal
Hal Linton
David Kirton

Boyce Voice congratulates all the 2009 nominees and awardees

Pyramid Entertainment wishes to announce that Mr. Dale, the “soca junkie”, has claimed the title of “Favourite Groove Soca of 2008″ in the International Soca Awards. The awards, which were held in the St. Kitts Marriot Event Center in Frigate Bay, St. Kitts on the 18th of October, were a celebration of the art form and those who partake in building the genre. 
Beyond having a song nominated for the “Favourite Groove Soca of 2008″ title, Mr. Dale was also nominated for “Over All Male Soca Artists of the Year” and “Soca Song of the Year” titles. Narrowly missing having these two under his belt as well, the artiste is currently basking in the accolades and congratulations this masterpiece of a soca song has earned him and the recognition paid by his peers and soca lovers around the world. 
See below for a list of the recipients of this years awards:
2008 International Soca Awards Results 
 
Best New Female Soca Artist: 
• Zoelah 
 
Male Soca Vocalist of the Year 
• Never Leave Ya by Kerwin Du Bois 
 
Female Soca Performer of the Year 
• Faye-Ann Lyons 
 
Male Soca Performer of the Year 
• Machel Montano 
 
Soca Song Writer of the Year 
• Kernel Roberts & Machel Montano – (Unconditional Love, Blazed D Trail, Make Love) 
 
Best Soca Collaboration Grove 
• Kerwin Du Bois & Shal Marshall – Gyal Farm 
 
(2008 International Soca Awards Results) 
 
Best Soca Collaboration up Tempo 
• Machel Montano & Mighty Sparrow – Congo Man 
 
Over All Female Soca Artist of the Year 
• Faye-Ann Lyons 
 
Over All Male Soca Artists of the Year 
• Machel Montano 
 
International Soca DJ of the year 
• DJ Spice 
 
Best Soca Compilation Rhythm 
• Leh go Riddim 
 
Soca Humor of the Year 
• Phone Card by Crazy 
 
Favorite Groove Soca – Female 
• Patrice Roberts 
 
Favorite Groove Soca – Male 
• Mr. Dale 
 
Favorite up Tempo Soca – Male 
• Pressure Boom by Ricky T 
 
Soca Artist Album/CD of the year 
• Flame On by Machel Montano 
 
Soca Song of the Year 
• Get On by Faye-Ann Lyons 
• Pressure Boom by Ricky T 
 
Favorite Soca Info Website 
• www.toronto-lime.com 
 
Over All Soca Band of the Year 
• Machel Montano HD 
 
Soca producer of the year 
• Kerwin Du Bois – (Breathless, 2 days, Gyal Farm) 
 
Best Soca Music Video 
• Desire by SKHI 
 
Best Soca Re-mix Collaboration 
• Ricky T. ft. Mr. Vegas – Pressure Boom (Remix) 
 
Soca Chutney Song of the Year 
• Bring It by Hunter 
 
Favorite Soca Online Radio 
• WWW.SOCA919.COM

Boyce Note; 

Congrats to all the winners above, I just have one question?? Who do I have to buse to get an award at one of these damn shows? This is like 2 years now Boyce Voice has been up its time I got a freaking award. Take a subtle hint somebody

Don’t I edify and entertain your asses? thats why you keep coming back, I went on Toronto Lime.com, I did not see any articles on “How to be a whore” nor “How to call a cat and make it come” they call that a website?

They did not curse any body even once!!

Its time that Boyce Voice gets an award, if you dont agree, LOG OFF NOW! Bye!   (Come back tomorrow though)

Here’s a Press release sent to me by Boyce Voice reader CiCi about her new Jazz album recorded live at the Calgary Club… Expand your musical horizons and take a read…

Live at the Beat Niq captures a magical performance by CiCi and her quartet of masterful musicians at the famed Calgary jazz club.   The accomplished vocalist and her dexterous band captivated the audience with enthralling performances that run the gamut from the reggae-inspired “Summertime” to the breathtaking ballad “If.”

The venue’s intimate environment allowed the recorded songs to jump out at you like an old Ella Fitzgerald live record, but that didn’t stop the spellbound audience from pushing aside tables to clear space for impromptu dancing inspired by the rhythmic show.   Live at the Beat Niq is packed with marvelous, fresh takes on some of history’s most treasured songs.

CiCi – Live at the Beat Niq
1. The Lady Is A Tramp
2. Summertime
3. If
4. It’s All Right With Me
5. Route 66
6. All Of Me
7. Just In Time
8. Over The Rainbow
9. Teach Me Tonight