Meeting the music genius from Tobago

In the
Shadow of Greatness

by Peter D Neptune
Port of Spain, Trinidad

Although many of his fans may believe he has been receiving a raw deal from many promoters, the media and even "The Big Yard Judges," musical pioneer Winston Bailey - "The Shadow," is not a bitter man.
"As long as I have my music I am happy," he said. I have given up on making music to please people who are not receptive or play deaf when the message is being sang.
"Music is my life," he declares and he often sits for hours with his guitar, "listening to the music" as it comes to him.
Still cautious of revealing much of his past, the young Winston Bailey spent his early childhood days in Tobago before running away to Trinidad to seek a new life. Much of their hardships he endured as a young lad is reflected in his music, including his latest offering Little Boy Blue, Another Mistake and Way Way Out on his Am I Sweet or What? album.
On his arrival to Trinidad, he initially lived in the rough neighbourhood of Laventille, east of the capital Port of Spain before he heard the call of the music. He performed small gigs in the nightclubs around the city to make ends meet.
During this time, the true identity and uniqueness of his music began to shine early in his career and he quickly gained a reputation for creating hypnotizing rhythm lines for his recordings. He had little success himself, though as a test, he would often write songs for others, only to see them embraced by tent managers and promoters. This has certainly been frustrating but he kept at his music over the years.
He said his distinctive songs come from deep within him. They are uniquely Shadow. Despite each of his songs having their own rhythm and mood, you can always tell Shadow's music, even before his voice is heard and as he starts to sing, he is taken over by the music. His familiar chant and captivates you as the music and rhythm begins to flow through your body.
Shadow is truly a warrior for the music and he has grown up the music and it has grown with him. His latest offering, Am I Sweet or What? contains twelve songs that are destined to become classics, particularly his social commentary Little Boy Blue.
"This is a bad album," he declared. "The last time I enjoyed making music like this was The Garden album." He said local's take their own music for granted and the rest of the Caribbean and indeed the world play our music year round while it is a seasonal trip for Trinbagonians.
People, and even some artists do the music for Carnival, it is for a period. Those who love it and like it like I do work on it all year long. We need to have more of our music playing on the airways, he said. Much about the way music is treated, distributed and promoted in Trinidad and Tobago bothers him, and he has not yet decided on the level of participation he will make in this year's Carnival.
"Many youth activists are commenting about the young people's obsession with dub and music with lyrics that glorify violence. Obviously this is what is being played to them all year long. They are not being offered the wide alternatives that is available with our own music.
"We have to build our music in the local market, this is the music of our country we have to be number one here. Hundreds of records are released each year, yet many listeners complain about the lack of choices, we are not getting the exposure at home.
Apart from the leadership role of Shadow as Producer and Executive Producer on the album, Am I Sweet or
What? features excellent arrangements by Frankie Mc
Intosh and Fitz Melo Thomas.

"As a project, this album brought me back to the way it used to be. I even went back to Coral Studios to record and mix the music after an absence of several years." Eric Machaud as sound engineer did a terrific job of bringing out the subtle tone of the drums in the background. "This did alot to set the mood of the music."
"I didn't need inspiration for doing this album," explains Shadow, life is all around me and I pick up the rhythms and vibes from life itself." This album is a real treat for music lovers and even more so for those who really appreciate Shadow's work. He will not disappoint listeners with his unique but strong lyrical content and captivating rhythms.

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