Theophilus "Small Island Pride" Woods (far left) with fellow calypsonians.
Small Island Pride, the seemingly paradoxical, yet catchy moniker belongs to one person, and contrary to initial impressions, not to a band. Having emigrated to calypso-haven Trinidad, from a small island, Granada, Theophilus Woods is one of the pioneers of calypso music whose name is rarely heard of, probably because he left the earth at a young age, in 1961. Considering that it is relatively difficult to find pre-60's calypso records, his underrated status can be tolerated.
"Great use of double-entendre in which the courtship ritual is expressed in automotive terms. The pace of the calypso rises to fever pitch until the young lady and her car both catch fire.This on has an old time sound. Instumentation is limited to acoustic guitar, bass, and maracas. The guitar strums with a pan-Caribbean rhythmic feel reminiscent of Jamaican mento, Guyanese badji [Bhagee], and other related rural west Indian Song and dance styles."
The above commentary, which sums up pretty much everything about the song, is done by YouTube user "movieman529".
"The old time sound" in question demonstrates the essence of calypso music, way before the big bands with horn sections of at least five musicians. The rhythm section on this song is indeed minimal, but in a positive way. It is the bittersweet vibe, the naïvity in Small Island Pride's voice and the catchy chorus of joyful chants that make this song an early calypso masterpiece.
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