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Tribute to Arrow
Alphonsus Celestine Edmund Cassell
Soca King of the World
Montserrat has lost a patriotic and iconic son;
the region has lost its leading Soca Ambassador;
the world has lost an entertainer of stellar caliber.
Soca King, Arrow, is easily the most popular Montserratian name on planet earth, and that did not come by chance or favor. Arrow was a combination of many sterling qualities, talents and skills that accounted for his tremendous success.
In music, he featured as singer, arranger, entertainer par excellence, with a characteristic penchant for innovative fusion of different popular Caribbean and Latin styles. He was the consummate Caribbean artist with a voice that resonated across the circum Caribbean region. Twenty-two albums in forty years is a lifetime achievement unmatched by any other Montserratian singer in history.
His music was upbeat and catchy, but his lyrics did not descend into mudslinging or the indulgently suggestive and pornographic undertones and overtones of so many other Caribbean artists. He focused on positive messages about history, patriotism, society, love for music, life, work and clean fun. As Hero once said, the religious and moral vigilance of their parents influenced the tone and tenor of their music.
As a performer, he captured the interest and moral support of the likes of Ken Allen, the song writer, the Mighty Sparrow of calypso fame, and Sir George Martin of international musical production renown. Beyond them, he captivated music lovers around the world who translated his Hot Hot Hot (Mas Candela) into different languages to embrace his pulsating rhythms into their own hearts and culture.
As an entrepreneur, he demonstrated an instinctive business acumen that surfaced initially in high school with his rubber stamp micro business, and then flourished in the variety products of his signature Man Shop and his music enterprise.
As a human being, he modeled hard work, perseverance, diligence and personal discipline in his pursuit of his goals and his craft. He was no sluggard, no mumbling finger pointer, no whining complainer, but a man of resolute mind and purposeful action, who knew how to roll with the punches. Hurricane Hugo (1989) did not crush his spirit, nor did the volcanic eruptions of 1995 onwards alienate him from his native land.
He was no ostentatious braggart, even at the height of personal success and fame, but maintained a modest, simple life style and deportment that were clearly distinguishable from his electrifying stage performances. He had no airs that would prevent the ordinary man from approaching him as Phonzi or Arrow; and he honored others with respectful sobriquets like CM., Doc., Rev., and his very personable smile. What a delightful person to know!
As a distinguished son of Alliouagana, he remained faithful to the little Rock right to the end, not lured to greener fields of tempting promise. He unquestionably contributed to the development of national pride and the Montserratian sense of self for many local sons and daughters who might not have had much else to boast about.
His contribution to his native land deserves a tribute similar to what Trinidad and the University of the West Indies did for Sparrow, or Jamaica did for Bob Marley. As significant as an MBE is perceived to be, it does not fully represent the legendary personality of this unique local icon who represented his country in Guyana, Trinidad, Panama, Cartagena, Cuba, Carifesta, Oswego, NY and the great metropoles of the world, at no charge. He has left an artistic legacy of which all Montserrat should be proud, and generations to come must be made aware.
He had a heart of gold; a voice of silver; a spirit bigger than either his physical stature or his country; and a diamond vision that propelled him to lofty heights of fame.
My family and I cherish affectionate memories of Arrow. My sister Alice, my cousin Ruth, my wife Mayte and my children, as well as all the founding members of Emerald Community Singers (1971-1986). We will always remember the kind role he played by sharing vital information about contacts in the recording industry in the early 70’s when he was still just launching his own career. Nor can we forget those precious moments shared at music festivals across the region and beyond.
Our sincerest condolences go out to the entire family in these difficult days.
J A George Irish
9/23/10
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