{"id":959,"date":"2012-12-23T06:11:06","date_gmt":"2012-12-23T06:11:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.quiliby.com\/all\/?p=959"},"modified":"2013-01-15T16:47:33","modified_gmt":"2013-01-15T16:47:33","slug":"lennox-grays-around-my-christmas-tree-has-weathered-four-decades","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quiliby.com\/all\/lennox-grays-around-my-christmas-tree-has-weathered-four-decades.html","title":{"rendered":"Lennox Gray\u2019s “Around My Christmas Tree” has weathered four decades"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following Michelle Loubon article was published in The Trinidad Guardian<\/em>, Dec. 23, 2012.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Trinis know Christmas time is just around the bend when the airwaves echo with beloved classics Around My Christmas Tree (1978) and Sha-la-la Christmas Song (1976). The evergreens were composed and sung by retired tax auditor Lennox Gray. Unconsciously, Trinis sing the familiar refrain from the Christmas Tree. A popular line goes \u201cLaughing children tug at Mr Santa\/Teddy bears and dollies saying mama.\u201d<\/p>\n

Effortlessly, they slip into Sha La la\u2019s Christmas Song and its instructions to \u201cTell your granny\/Put the sorrel in the sun to dry\/Make the pastelle\/bake the ham and now do you know why.\u201d Both ballad-type songs with a subtle hint of American pop icon Johnny Mathis styles have weathered four decades. They continue to enjoy a place of honour during the Yuletide season. The songs have morphed into Christmas staples like parang from Los Alumnos de San Juan and socaparang from greats like Baron and Kenny J. …<\/p>\n

Tired of white Christmases<\/strong>
\nReverting to the dynamic duo\u2019s genesis, Gray made reference to the turbulent 1970s and the period of social unrest that characterised T&T society. \u201cWe have to put the songs in context. There was the revolution in the 1970s. Everyone was seeking or asserting their identity. A group of artistes from the period felt whenever they turned on the radio they were only getting carols like Hark the Herald Angels Sing and Joy To The World. They wanted music with local flavour, texture and appeal. They wanted something that was uniquely Trini. They were tired of the white Christmases. They started clamouring for local styled music,\u201d added Gray.<\/p>\n

A band of artistes started writing songs that reflected Trini society and culture. A typical Trini Christmas consists of black fruit cake, red wine, pastelles, ginger beer and sorrel. Gray captured this slice of Trini life in his gems.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe society wanted songs that they could relate to. I consider myself to have been part of that movement. I was instrumental in creating that local expression,\u201d said Gray. …<\/p>\n