Ricky T! Ricky T! Ricky T!

There was really no need to announce the 2009 Power Soca king; Carnival City seemed to have anticipated the results (except for Ila Man’s fans who did as his new verse suggested and demanded their money back because he didn’t win). But while the Fire City people were not too happy with Ila Man’s 2nd place finish, the jumbies in Ricky T’s camp were all too ready to celebrate.

After a mere 35 minutes of deliberations, judges sent back the verdict that put Ricky T at 369 points, ahead of Ila Man by 16 points. Ila’s 353 total was only 4 points ahead of Superman HD, who scored 349 points to fly into 3rd place.

While Ricky T had the superior presentation with pyrotechnics, traditional stilt-walking jumbies, and even a guest appearance by Amy Winehouse herself (not really) it was really his presence that had the audience acting like jumbies all over the Mindoo Phillip Park. All he had to do was show up.

Ila though, worked hard to get his money back (hopefully now he can afford that used car and some monopoly money). He brought the ENERGY!!!

But the energy god himself was not put to shame. Every installment was in High Def right through for the blue and red-caped savior of soca. And yes you can still call him Superman!!!

The news of the night though was the lackluster tone of the show. (It was POWER SOCA people!!!) There were more bathing suits, sorry, costumes; more wining; more big tunes (sounds familiar); more jumping and waving; more rags, more flags; but something was missing, missing.

Things were not too hot for artistes like Winter, Frost, Minell and Orion. Not even Blaze, De Arc, or Jessica could raise some serious heat.

Maybe supporters hoping to get their favourite crowned did not want points for crowd response given to the competition; possibly it was the popularity (or lack) of some artistes and/or songs. Whatever. Few were able to rev the crowd and give real power soca hype to the night. (I want my money back! Whoa!)

The out-of-synch sound system and bbboooooorrrrrriiiiinnnngggg MC’s did not help. Scady was more lively at RCI Party in D’ Yard and Hall’s style of hosting is just not for soca. Period. Only Superman could have saved that.

The night still had some ‘ka-boom’ moments with Cocoa Farmer, Esteban, Kakal, et al. And while the wave offering was small change, it was power all the way for the likes of Nintus, Private 6 and Mantius.

Some anticipated front runners sizzled however. Although boasting an international resume, Alpha showed his lack of flexibility and got lost in a presentation that just was not working. QPid too, was overly focused on the presentation, making for a somewhat dry performance (It’s rumoured that she was ill; so she gets a handicap that puts her on top of the boys as she was still able to move the crowd).

While usually we cyah wait for the day when power soca come to transform into revelers, we usually expect the show to be on a higher level than that. I don’t care whether it was a bird, a plane, or a kangaroo, the show was looking funny, funny, funny. Maybe I don’t want my money back (I had FUN!!) but note to CDF - watch out for your ah,ah,assets.