Explainer’s Lorraine is still going strong

Carissa Lee

carisa.lee@cnc3.co.tt

Forty years after its launch, Calypso Lorraine remains a favorite of many.

The latest person to admit this was BBC journalist Ross Atkins, who tweeted that after discovering Winston Henry’s song (Explainer) in 1982, he couldn’t get enough of it.

“It’s just a massive song, it was the song that brought the whole house down, I ran that night in Brixton, actually me and my wife Sarah loved it so much it was our first dance at our wedding,” Atkins explained on BBC Radio 6.

Atkins’ tweet was liked and shared thousands of times as many Trinbagonians endorsed his statements regarding the Explainer hit song.

“This song is a TRUE classic,” said K.

“Without a doubt, this Explainer hit is one for the ages,” added Denzil.

And while Henry was grateful for the recognition, he wasn’t surprised that it came from a foreigner. Explainer said that three years ago he performed Lorraine internationally.

“It’s always been a big song, it’s only in Trinidad that I find people have taken it as an old song, but that’s who we are,” he said.

The calypso veteran said that in this country their music is only considered good enough for competitions, but he believes calypso can make waves internationally, similar to what Lorraine has done over the past four decades.

“You know who I admire, the juice men and women, Patrice Roberts and those people, you know why I admire them because they go out and do shows and they sell them out… So the juice goes up every time,” he explained he.

He said he and Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell (Arrow) were the only two West Indian calypsonians to reach the UK charts.

The creator of Raga Soca (reggae and soca) said this is why he sang Monarchy in 1980 because the crown does nothing for the art form. However, Explainer then said that his song had managed to force a change in the Calypso Monarch prize money from $1,000 to $12,000.

A boost he almost capitalized on in 1982 when he came second with Lorraine, a song he barely recorded.

“I was more into tracks that probably had some kind of competitive interest … I didn’t believe I could win a race with that,” he said.

But arranger Frankie Mackintosh was adamant not only to put the song on his Man from the Ghetto album, but to lead with it.

“He says one day you’ll remember me… and you’ll remember that this song was chosen by me because I know this song will take you many, many places, I’ll never forget his words,” Explainer said.

And yes, Lorraine (not her real name) is based on a true story. Explainer said exactly how the song described him and how it evolved in his life at the time. His favorite lyrics are Babe, my mind is made done Airport Kennedy will be my next stop. Cry and try to convince me. Since the meh suitcase is already ready.

“When I was going home for the carnival, when I told her I was going home, she started crying. In most cases, you find that people come together and have to separate because of their situation,” he recalls.

Over the years Explainer has worked with many young soca artists, he believes they are the future.

He has also lectured in schools and prisons and said that involving youth in cultural activities can create pathways to steer them in the right direction away from crime.

“Before you become a criminal, there’s only so much you can do,” he said.

Explainer plans to release another album later this year.