Judges gave San City the nod with an unpopular song, why? Voice and Rudder’s Madness.
It has been five years of drought for San City. Since moving up to the medium category, they have only now gotten the nod from the judges. Based on the band’s analysis, there are a number of factors responsible for their failures and successes. However, there was one difference which I would expand on.
The band had a meeting, at which we decided on a couple of songs, one being Madness by David Rudder and Voice. The band chose Madness. It was the lesser of the two popular songs. But, because of the royalty of the two artists, the band was hopeful that the song would pick up steam as the Carnival progressed. Though it has, it still is not as popular as we expected. So, we are having a lot of people unfamiliar with the melody though we are still hoping that the radio stations start to give the song some love.
So, what was the difference for San City. I spoke to one of the parents who normally gives his analysis from a layman’s standpoint. He revealed that a lot of the song did not make sense to him but as an explanation was given to the judges by the arranger, he then fully understood the interpretation of the song. Madness is the name of the song and to interpret madness, the arranger used a lot of dissonance (harsh and clashing harmonies) poly rhythms and poly melodies (multiple melodic lines playing simultaneously by different instruments) to create a sense of the different voices in a mad man’s head speaking at the same time. And a reoccurring motif (a repeated short melodic or rhythmic phrase) which would represent that place in a mad person’s head which he can’t move past. Based on the judges’ comments, it was evident that the explanation was helpful to them, as they spoke to the interpretation of madness by the arranger in relation to the composer’s theme.
Thanks to God, band members, fans, service providers, management, and last but not least, the judges. Hope to have a blast at the semis and satisfy all our supporters with a remarkable performance.
Replies
Mr. Aquil: Ah think that you completely MISUNDERSTOOD the message in that song. As I hear it, it eh have nothing to do with some man being MAD and hearing all kinda voices in his head.
It is a STANDARD CARNIVAL/CALYPSO STORY about abandoning everyday life and going into a FETE and BREAKING AWAY (as they use to say long time).
Right now is MADNESS and we just want to PARTY PARTY (FETE FETE FETE) and wine up in the dance with every chance we get. The MADNESS is the REVELRY and escape from the DAILY GRIND as the RHYTHM drive the PARTY GOERS to the point of ECSTATIC MADNESS. Not ST. ANNS MADNESS like in the first RUDDER MADNESS.
Yuh was lucky to fool dem judges with some extraneous misinterpretation of a BASIC CALYPSO/CARNIVAL MESSAGE.
Next year: Leh meh help yuh PICK THE RIGHT SONG and tell yuh how to interpret it and then yuh could put all yuh FANCY MUSICAL IDEAS on display.
thank thank you Mr claude, for your offer and the enlightenment, but right now to me, your words are sounding like a Rant of a mad man.
https://youtu.be/SYqLeYJoaBc
ODW thanks
Voice & David Rudder - Madness "2019 Soca" (Trinidad)
2019 Panorama Prelims, South Medium Bands(San City)