If it is one man who can send me into a total, unbridled frenzy come Carnival time it is Machel Montano. Seriously, when he performs onstage I loose every bit of self respecting dignity and scream his name until I get hoarse, much to the amusement of my husband who sends me into a frenzy for the other 363 days of the year, and I get so high off his music it's like the drug of Carnival. It's as if my body has a mind of it's own when he opens his mouth to sing, discovering moves that I never thought I could accomplish without years of yoga training and nothing gets me in the mood for Carnival more than seeing Machel perform live.Each year I wait to hear what new soca he has for the season, and each year he never fails to up the ante! Always something new to add to the mix, though I thought the year he brought Junko was a penultimate! I remember the first time I saw her perform with Xtatic was at Jamboree's fete at Pier 1. By that time I was used to the acrobatics of Machel's "Power Puff Girls" so I was expecting another raunchy performance by them, but then he stopped his set and said "Where my girls them?" and a spot light hit the top of a scaffolding high above the stage where Ms. Junko was wining ON HER HEAD. Yeah, jaws took a long time to be scraped off the floor after that introduction. Outside of Carnival I am nothing close to being a Machel fan, I see him from time to time when he comes into my office and apart from a polite smile I go about my business as usual, his power over me is only when he is onstage.
Since the V.I.P. stand came falling down at his concert many years ago I have yet to return to another of Machel's concerts. At that time I was actually in V.I.P. , luckily not on the stands, but being involved in that tragedy where I saw many people injured left a sour taste in my mouth for any type of large concert like that. I prefer to see Machel perform at a fete where I can get up close to the front of the stage and where these isn't a massive crush of people who can get too crazy over Mr. Montano for my liking.
I am still waiting to hear what Machel has new for 2007, apparently those who were at his concert at Miami Carnival already got a taste to wet their appetites. Sadly, all I have to do is wait until his new music is launched in Trinidad.In the meantime here are some videos from YouTube of Machel performing with Walker and Machel at Bacchanal Wednesday. Those should brighten your Sunday morning. And you can also check out his My Space if you are a huge fan.
52 comments:
Test
Well yeah,
Machel is in a class of his own. You could see that potential even when he first started singing. I'm married now and pushing 34 years, so I'm not up infront the stage anymore where all the wildness goes on with the youths. I used to like it up there back in the day.
I got to re-live the up close Machel experience year before last when a promoter brought up Machel to perform in Hamilton, Ont. for their carnival. And could you imagine the fete buss. The promoter rented out the Hamilton convention centre and I'm not sure why, but only a few hundred people showed up. Machel still put on a great show and I was back upfront maybe 3 people deep from the stage and didn't even get my toe mash. Imagine he ask where his powder posse is, and nobody actually walk with any powder....... it was kinda sad. Me and my crew had a great night still
Saucym, I was telling a friend recently that Machel never releases junk. Machel comes good and he comes original every year. Every year I anticipate what he is going to bring out and he never fails to impress. You remember long time when Machel was still new on the scene and people used to rell ridicule him? And this was the youths themselves eh...now they can't get enough of him. I guess everyone has to pay their dues.
I posted on Buublenut's one of the best fetes I went to was Hamilton carnival '05, believe it or not, bc he performed to a embarrassingly small crowd, which meant I was right up front & got the best view to fully appreciate a Machel performance.
So Saucyd, what is that power only he has? Why no other soca singer??
Trini-in-Toronto..I heard about the Hamilton disaster, that would RHEL suck..=S
Nevertheless, I try not to miss his concerts when he comes to Toronto - Fire Fete, Return Fete, Caribana, Doh Cry...NONE! The last time I saw him perform was in R.A.M. tour -Rupee, Allison Hinds and Machel- and that was in September of this year.
"If it is one man who can send me into a total, unbridled frenzy come Carnival time it is Machel Montano." and BINGO was his name-o, lol!
Everytime I sidenote and think that $50CAN (NOT all-inclusive!)is waaayy too much money to pay to see him in concert, I end up wining out double what I pay for, lol...it's like I can't control myself when he gets on stage, and neither can anyone around me. The crowd feeds off his bolts of energy in his performance, and vice versa. You get a wave of nostalgia and euphoria at the same time..Saucy, yuh know what I talking about.
It just makes you wanna skip all the months that holding you back from getting in costume for Carnival...
Oh boy, de Carnival Jumbie reach back again, oui..hahahahha
MACHEL...the MAN the MYTH the LEGEND...I couldn't agree more when he goes on stage I get possesed by the SOCA GODS...he has really taken SOCA music to new heights and he is really in a class all by himslef. With that said, I was completely disapointed with his performance this year at bacchanal wednesday...It was very tuff to swallow the 1/2 hour + of Reggae acts...don't get the wrong idea, I enjoy listening to Reggae music but not during TNT Carnival...my crew and I for the 1st time walked out of Machels performance in pure disgust!! As good as he is I hope he doesn't forget this is "WE" Carnival.
Well Saucy gyul, yuh have meh eye open wide, wide this early Sunday morning. Lawd, how me and meh cousin Row love to see Machel perform. It hadda time when I used to travel around the world to see this man on stage - ah mean every Carnival, every show - OK well not EVERY one but it felt like it. When he used to come NY to perform at SOB's, well now self ah mash up. He have such an energy, you can't help but be transfixed by him. This year Carnival I went to Atlantis all inclusive and lemme tell all yuh that fete was expensive eh, but so worth it. I hadda time especially since Kees and Machel performed with their bands and yuh coulda go right up by the stage if yuh wanted. The venue was nice and the crowd pretty too bad but not social or stush at all. That is a must on my fete list next year, oui.
As a person though, I have seen Machel in a not too good light many years ago at Miami Carnival - me and meh girls had just reach on de Thursday and so did he and his band. We were eating at an IHOP on Collins and they came in and were so mean and awful to the wait staff, I was embarrassed to be Trini. That burst my Machel bubble right there. I used to idolize him but after seeing that "performance" me say well me could watch him wine, dais it. But de man could give ah performance, ah give him dat.
Karabana I don't know what it is about Machel, but whatever IT is he, and only he has that power over me with his soca music. I go crazy for Machel, no lie after he finishes performs I am hoarse, fuss I screaming for the man. He put SO much energy into his performances that it transcends the crowd..LOL.
Like I said, if I see him after Carnival or even on the road for Carnival I could not be bothered is only when he gets on stage. I get soaking wet at one of his performances at Trini Posse because he was spraying Water in the crowd and I was up front, I was at Eye Wide Shut jumping up like a mad woman again in front the stage..it even have pics of me on triniscene.com and I remember at one party I was upfront hitting him in the crotch with a bandanna when he was wining and getting on bad :D
I tell yuh I does go crazy!
sweetrini I have seen him in a less than favourable light as well, that's why I pay him no mind OFF stage.But as a performer he have talent!I never reached as far to idolize him, maybe because he dated my friend from since we were all in high school so I have seen him like everybody else, human.
it looks like it is too bad for the TRIBE, HARTS and other folks as Machel has already announced he is mashing it up in Island People yet once again. I think i going to sell my HARTS costume to play with this man because i am so crazy about him.
Good for you anon! One thing I surely don't mind is Machel NOT playing with TRIBE so that the groupies and stormers can follow him to another band. Machel on the road for Carnival is WAY WAY too much madness, THAT I cannot handle!!!!!
I WAS DEY!!!!! I WAS DEY!!!!! IF MACHEL SINGING DE ALPHABET I WINING TO IT. And I was in some a dem party too!!!!!!
well I must be getting real old 'cause I get over my Machel obsession a few years ago. I think 2k4 was the last year I attended his Alternative Concept - I vowed never to support that show again, I left there in disappointed disgust! And I no longer make it my business to follow every fete he performing at for carnival either. I'm 1 of those fans that does NOT appreciate coming TNT for carnival only to hear him perform a cheap imitation of a reggae set at every fete. Nothing makes me more mad in a fete than to see/hear Machel waste time singing reggae when he have a huge catalogue of wicked soca tunes to perform! What happen to he? He feel soca not good enough anymore to capture a crowd's attention? If I wanted to see a reggae performance I would go Jamaica dammit!
amprincess I see yuh so vex with Machel yuh post it three times LOL. I deleted the duplicate comments. I have never been back to his Alternative Concert after 2000.But I never followed him to EVERY fete, allyuh real good!These days he playing in practically every fete too booth so that is plenty fetes to hit :D I go take him at meh lil all-inclusives and Eyes Wide Shut and wherever else he pops up. Anyways I feel you with Reggae for Carnival from any band,it have to be strictly soca.
Ok I made the long drive from Diego to South last night to see Machel perform at Club Sting. Needless to say HE MASH IT UP!!!!
He announced that next year will be his 25th year in the business and we will see a Machel like never before. He sang a few lines from a 2007 release entitled "FLY" and when ah tell allyuh meh pores raise. Ah cyar wait fuh 2007!!!! He also answered the rumor that he bought a section in Island People... its Sahara Jumbie.
I for one aint want no part of any band that Machel playing in. Sorry to say he attracts some scary non-costumed folks who figure they have more rights than costumed masqueraders. So I staying far from IP and will be having a time in Fireman with TRIBE.
l8r
Les
Gosh I had goose bumps watching those videos!!! I was at the Bacchanl Wed. fete and it brought back real memories!!! Still have goose bumps! CAN'T WAIT FOR CAR NIVAL 07
Yeah. Machel does get meh vex with he social reggae, imitation hip hop set. I want soca! But here nah, Saucy, doh vex eh, but that year the stage fall down was a BOSS concert!!!!! Girl! Ah glad ah stay. I know people went hospital and come back to the concert in cast! LOL! I have a fren does only go party/fete he in. I not so bad. But from the time he start to sing - hell, time I know he starting to walk towards the stage - that is it!!!! MAD MAD MAD MAD! Tuh tu nuh... tuh tuh nuh nuh!
As ah does tell people, I love him as an entertainer. But he kyah get brush.
Okkkkk saucy diva, you dont have to bring it down so. Thats you if you happy Machel not playing in Tribe, but other people like it. So fire then.
good afternoon everyone....
Saucy I so glad u created an entire post about the lord of lords...MACHEL...I like you...once its carnival and once i at a fete...its craziness....Machel brings out the woman in me..!! I surprised myself to see how I be carrying on in the place...scandelous fuh true!! get get get..delirious...wooo yeaaahh woooeee yeeeah...
I only got to see him once fuh 2k6 carnival (at Mania) - but by the stage was too full, I would have been crushed...so I just stayed by the back and watched from dere...but the vibe was wicked!! I love that bwoy bad...
I must also add - that he really love his fans...of all the times I've wanted to tief a wine or tief a smooch or tief a picture...he always has a few seconds fuh me...sigh!
i feeling what allyuh saying about the reggae/soca mixing...I think they trying bad to mix all the music together...reggae-dancehall+soca...but when is carnival (which is soca time) - only soca should play...fuh all the other times of the year - dey can do whatever the hell they want
But oh gosh...Genie wine (by Vegas) was one of my songs fuh 2k6...."genie wine, genie wine...gyal wine like a geennniiieeenie...anywhich part u seee meee ee meee...."
Saucy,
I was in IP last year and I don't remember Machel attracting a bad crowd. He was just in his section having fun like everybody else...so I guess he couldn't attract a crowd bc he was not performing...HOWEVER...when it was time to cross de savannah stage, Machel was on top of a truck performing Band of de Year!! It was one of the greatest experiences I ever had!!! The vibe was amazing and he kept on singing...ISLAND PPL IN DE AIR, ISLAND PPL IN DE AIR...well yuh know yuh girl was jumpin' up like a crazy woman!
anon, he played with TRIBE in 2005 as well and was low key. But anon 11:35Am said he will be "mashing it up" in IP, if he is performing trust me, word will get out and it will be Poison 2004 all over again :S Once he not performing allyuh safe in IP. :D
I cracking up here. Thing is you know from the time you hear Machel performing he will bring it. Its no disappointment.
I was shocked to in Insomnia this year the weekend before Carnival Mon and singing reggae, he have enugh soca hits its un-necessary. I think I could handle it, just outside of the countdown to carnival.
I love the waistline, I don't find he look hot or anything, but my gosh, give me that waist ANYTIME I will handle it.
My husband was not impressed with him when we saw him in his Alternatvie Concept for Notting hill this August.He found it was too mainstream the conscious & hiphop thing.
He's bring madness too eh. If I upfront in a fete and he come on, suddenly I gone mid-back? All kinda madness I cah take that.
Since when he doing that kinda mix set? Is it cause he is a ras, and he appeal to the rastas or something?
He dressing real good these days too.
I miss the whole junko era :-(
I feel the same way about Machel! Carnival isnt carnival with him. When I see dat man is like some kinda ting comes ova me yes. He made my year betta yet my century when he bought me up to wine with him in 2k5. Dat man music neva fails to hit the mark hes just a boss...dun talk!
sorry Saucy my pc giving me real pressure these days - I thought my comments were not uploading so I kept reposting them LOL!
allyuh still find Machel could wine? He don't really wine on stage the way he used to in my opinion.
hmm, I think he toned down on the wining from his younger days :D
I wit hottie,,love my machel, he kinda sexy, but he cyah get brush! He is for me the number one awesome entertainer. Machel wowed me at a 10 to 10 concert in barbados for cropover 2004. As a trini is a shame i never really pay attention to him while i was back home. I b'dos he catch us just as the sun was rising, and a cool rain start to fall ,,Girl it was pure poetry, I was on a natural high and machel was taking things even higher!..i loved him too when he start cussing and ridiculing concert producers in DC for rushing him off the stage one year. He wasn't done pleasing the fans and he was like to hell wit dem! Luv machel, my husband jokes and call him michelle, but is only jealous he jealous!
amprincess, is Big Bird yellow!? You go ask if Machel could wine?! GGGGIIIIIRRRRLLLL! Machel is ranking with any international soca star in terms of performance, talent, stage presence etc. You can't fault the man - he's bordering on genius. But from personal experience and those of friends etc, his attitude - especially towards women - leaves much to be desired.
Well Hottie I know the man COULD wine but like Saucy said - it seems he's toned down since his younger days as a real winer boi.
I agree he is a good entertainer, I just find I getting bored lately by his performances :(
When it comes to winin on stage I feel them boys from Krosfyah got Machel beat in that dept! Have u seen that boy Khiomal? Lawd have mercy, I wanna jump on he waist when he flinging it! There are video clips of Krosfyah performances on youtube & Khiomal's website & they are mesmerizing!
Morning All:
I must be one of the few who cannot stand the sight of Machel on stage....ugh!! Or the sight of Machel period for that matter.....double ugh!!
However, I love his music, I just much prefer to hear it being played than to watch him perform it.
So I for one am estatic that he will not be anywhere near TRIBE for Carnival.
Warrior I am shocked that you do not enjoy Machel on stage, what blasphmey!! (just joking).
At least you still like his music :P
Saucy LOL!
Could you imagine if it really was blasphemy, there'd be an angry mob and I'd be burnt at the stake! :S
But yes, the music sweet. Plus he's done a lot when it comes to taking Soca int'l.
Well I must agree with anon 4:42 that Machel well mash up in Sting on Saturday night!
But I find he need to remember hez a trini and not no Jamaican.. Only bussing out 'bomboclat' every now an then and even red, gold and green Pumas. I'm all for C'bean unity and all that, but aye! Iz like he's giving credence to the opinion that the C'bean is just Jamaica.
I really think that he needs to focus on the SOCA because that's what we really want from him.
He is undoubtedly a great performer, but I find he was a little dutty when it came to his interactions with his audience. At one point, he embarassed a woman who was having a Janet Jackson-esque wardrobe malfunction- and please note, this is going to be broadcast on Synergy.
So I can believe sweettrini about the IHOP incident- he seems like he can be a real asshole.
Furthermore- I understand there are the 'band wars' going on, esp between Tribe and IP, but he really started to get on my nerves only bigging up Sahara Jumbie and IP like is the only section and band worth anything. I am not a groupie and I doh appreciate being made to feel like I not in ting cause I not playin wit he band. Steups.
LOL@ band wars, truer words were never spoken!
Anyway, Sahara Jumbie is Crystal Amming's design, her section is Nubians and she also designed Oasis which is Baje International's co section with IP.She is very talented and I wish for 2008 she brings her own band since from my interactions with her she has alays been pleasant and extremely helpful.
south-reds doh take on the "band wars" girl, come Carnival we all part of one big celebration anways,I happy I am playing with the band I am with and nobody cyar make me feel like I not in "ting". I was never one to "follow the crowd" anyways.I always say when people was running down Poison I was quite happy in meh Harts :D
Steups. When Poison was hot Machel was in dat. Then he swtich to Tribe. Now is IP. That should tell allyuh plenty. And why nobody feel the need to tell me Patrick Manning announced that he planning on constructing a THIRD smelter?!
Hotts I say you does read the online papers every day like a good girl. When I heard that last night I nearly fall off my chair. In the face of all the protests that has got to be the most arrogant move right there.Oh, and you lucky you not here to see the propoganda campaign with commercials showing smelter in Australia with kids running happily through green fields nearby and a voice over saying smelters are safe. :S
Compare the land mass of Australia to Trinidad. With our alreday terrible environmental record. Everybody saying ONE will be a disaster he want to go with THREE! Just now he will wrap himself in velvet robes and demand that we kiss his ring when we see him. I eh know why Hazel doh pour some hot oil in he blasted ears. I am STEAMING
Hottie, that is my biggest gripe with this whole thing. They keep comparing us to countries like Canada and Brazil and Australia, in the hopes it will convince us that smelters are ok. But all of those countries have wide open space!! Everybody in Australia living on the edges, practically the whole middle is for the Kangaroos. Its a fact that Trinidad is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, we don't need no damn smelter. 50 years from now when babies being born with 3 arms and 1 eye, they'll know.
Sorry to go off topic Saucy. Like Hottie this thing have me steaming. I REAL disappointed.
NOT MY BABY DADDY!! LOL...MR. MACHEL NOT A GENTLEMAN WHEN IT COMES TO THE LADIES???
Anywhere Machel dey I dey (well sometimes)....that is the true Soca man right there. Whenever he performing I don't know how I does reach in the heart of the crowd and I don't know how I does get the energy to jump up with those ppl, machel really brings out a side of me I didn't know I have and when he finish sing I ready to go home....
I was in his concert in Trinidad when the VIP section collaspe....well me and my friends said we not leaving cause we came from Tobago just to see him and plenty money done spend already. Is a good thing we stayed cause he still come on stage and gave us a unforgettable performance....
Can someone answer these questions for me?
1) The concert that he kept where the stage collaspe, didn't he say it was a going away concert cause he got some record deal and he will not be around for a while, whatever happen to that?
2) Is he truly married?
Wonderfulkc, email meh fuh DAT story...
Warrior, by then he'll be with his millions out of the country on his private jet and to ass with we.
HH, ah know how yuh feeling about dat smelter. Fumes was coming out meh head when I read bout Patrick announcing ah 3rd Smelter. Is dis man deaf or he just don't give a rat's ass about de people. How de hell he can compare Trini to these places. That's like comparing apples & oranges.
Anyway, about Machel, he's a great performer, can't take dat away from him, but dat's about it. I glad he not in Tribe. Had my experience of being in de same band wid Machel and it was not a nice experience. Let him stay right dey wid IP. And I can believe the IHOP story.
Hottie hottie girl, I'm trying to email u for u to give me the story but my computer messing up...tell me here nah, I am sure other ppl will want to hear what went on (if saucy don't mind)
Wbat experiences law? I glad he not in Tribe too. I don't think that woulda be my scene AT ALL.
Married? Whaz that story for real? Somehow I really can't picture Machel married nah...
yeah was that one girl? you holding out on us?
Hottie, in 50 years he'll be dead which is probably why he don't give a rats ass (forgive meh french) about what the people saying about Smelters.
Employment my ass (oopsie!)!! What they need to do is work on making sure the new Caribbean Airlines don't bus' like Bwee, which it will cause they not doing anything different!!
Sorry y'all, one a dem days
Anyhoo, I want to hear the Machel story too (fuss ah fas')!!
Allyuh want tuh land my ass in trouble? I can confirm that Mr Montano is not married. Anything else, email meh. And what kind of employment is that? Statistics and research prove that smelter workers suffer from ill health which rapidly deteriorates with the passing of time. So not only are we faced with a potential environmental disaster, but in a few years these same people protesting for the smelter would have become burdens on our already groaning health care system. Great play Patrick; in one move he's divided the nation and set us up for an environmental and health catastrophe.
I WANNA HEAR ALL THE DETAILS OF MACHEL MONTANO!!!...IS HE MARRIED, IS HE GAY?? I'M FROM NY AND THE LAST TIME I WAS IN TRINDAD I WENT TO A CONCERT WHERE HE CONFESSED TO THE CROWD THAT HE WAS SINGLE...IS THAT TRUE???PLEASE!!! I'LL TAKE ANYTHING...U CAN SPEAK IN CODES!! I DONT CARE!! I WANNA HEAR ABOUT MACHEL!!! THAT MAN PUTS A SPELL ON ME EVERYTIME I COME TO TRINIDAD!! LOVE HIM TO DEATH!!
Ok Anon, you need to calm down. Deep breaths.
I CAN'T .....LOL...DAT MAN DOES MAKE MEH ACT LIKE A LIL GROUPIE!!!I KNOW, I'M TOO OLD FOR DAT!!
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