Soca star Crazy, Ernie Smith shine at Backyard Fete in NYC
Published:Monday | August 21, 2023 | 12:06 AMAnthony Turner/Gleaner Writer
NY:
“This has to be the best backyard party ever!” exclaimed New York radio host David ‘Fat Forward’ Warren during soca star Crazy’s exhilarating performance.
Seventy-eight-year-old Crazy, widely regarded as one of the kings of soca music, was in fine nick as he belted out his anthem Nani Wine in the pouring rain. The man has aged well, and he proved he can still get down low as he gyrated his ageing hips.
Warren was one of more than 400 specially invited guests in attendance at Jamaica-born attorney Merrick Dammar and his Trinidadian wife Debbie’s, annual free Summer Jam at their Dutchess County mansion in NY. Crazy, veteran reggae singers Ernie Smith, Pluto Shervington, Ansel Meditation, Lovindeer, MC Oliver Samuels, soca heavyweight Lord Laro and NY own’s Dance Master were among the performers.
Singer Pluto Shervington took the crowd down memory lane with Your Honour, Ram Goat Liver and I Man Born Ya. Ernie Smith was just as sensational as he served up I Can’t Take It, Life Is Just for Living, One Dream, Bend Down, Ride On Sammy and All For Jesus. Smith kicked the party into overdrive with Duppy Gunman and upped the ante with perennial favourite Pitta Patta; that may have invited the gods to open the skies. Soon after, a shower of rain started which sent patrons scampering for cover.
The persistent drizzle which followed threatened to bring an early close to the event; however, the umbrellas came out and revellers stood their ground as NY soca artiste Dance Master delivered his hit In the Center, and a mash-up of Michael Jackson’s iconic Moonwalk dance complimented with his jacket toss. Singer Ansel Mediation also held his own, revving up the crowd with his 1975 hit song Woman Is Like A Shadow.
The crowd shouted “Laro, Laro!” as 83-year-old soca star Lord Laro graced centre stage and segued into My Commanding Wife to rapturous applause. Although he is not as agile as 20 years ago, he nevertheless rocked the crowd in true soca style.
The event was in full flight at 11 p.m., with guests still partying. Attorney Dammar has been hosting this annual shindig for the past 29 years. Over the years, performers like Jimmy Cliff, The Chi-Lites, Ray, Goodman and Brown, The Melodians, Gregory Isaacs, Glen Washington, Reggae Queen Marcia Griffiths, Lovindeer, JC Lodge, Roy Rayon, Allison Hinds, Sister Charmaine, Red Rat, Johnny Osborne and Braata Folk Singers have all performed.
Asked what was the motivation for hosting the annual backyard event, Dammar said, “My motivation stems from a strong sense of community and allowing members to enjoy quality entertainment, food and beverages without the pressure of paying. I am of the opinion that if one is in a position to offer joy to others, then one is obligated to do so.”
He told The Gleaner, “Every aspect of the production is geared towards their satisfaction. This allows the process to evolve into a guest oriented endeavor.”
The summer’s shindig doubled as a graduation celebration for the Dammars’
22-year-old son, Markhus, who graduated cumme laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science.
Markhus, described by his father as “a talented musician who has fused Beatles music with reggae and psychedelic to create a new genre”, took the stage and displayed his musical prowess with a composition of his own.