‘Master of great melody’

As the entertainment fraternity mourns the loss of Colin Observer Reid, many are paying tribute to his legacy. Here is a poem penned by his friend Cultural Ambassador Dr The Most Honourable Anthony Gabby Carter.

My Friend Colin

I’ve lost so many friends recently

It’s really sad indeed.

Sir Don, Sir Everton, Romeo,

Owen Arthur, Smokey Burke

And now Colin Reid.

You know him as Observer

A fine tailor by trade.

But when it came

To singing and song-writing

Put him not in the shade.

A master of great melody,

A brilliant phrasing boss,

His unexpected passing

Is a tremendous loss.

Colin was so unselfish.

To many who could croon

He would give to sing

Most of his best works,

Many a master tune.

He would sit there quiet

When rehearsals going on.

As soon as the artise he wrote for sang…

Bam!

Observer was gone!

I’ll call him

And say

“Colin, listen hay

You cannot fool me.

That song sang

(by whoever it was)

Is a classic …

A beauty.”

He would laugh and admit

It was his composition.

I would tell him

If he kept it

He’ll be hard to beat in competition.

“Gabberts, man, I fed up

I hate competing now.

They don’t hear what I’m writing.

I’ll still be left out anyhow.”

He had good grounds for venting.

Most calypsonians knew that

In fact..

Most people believe

He should have won with Cat Attack.

Some said he was miserably.

With that I disagree.

What can one expect from someone

Who consistently is treated unfairly?

Rest well, my dear brother.

Your wondrous works remain.

I will sing a sweet song for you

Until we meet again.

Dr The Most Honourable Anthony Gabby Carter