Trinidad and Tobago

From the www.VideoSource... Global Village Travel Guide and DVD, "Caribbean". Stock footage available from videosource.com...
Transcript:
The musical traditions of the Caribbean run as deep as the cultures that settled here, and the rhythms of calypso and reggae can be felt throughout the islands. Nowhere is calypso more pervasive than in its birthplace of Trinidad.
Here, in Trinidad, West African slaves mixed their rhythms with those of the Spanish colonizers to create the Afro-Caribbean blend that is synonymous with dancing and improvisation. Calypso is impromptu story telling and social commentary set to infectious rhythms.
The people of Trinidad's irrepressible urge to make music is probably best reflected in the steel drum. Originally fashioned from discarded oil barrels, the steel drum is now one of the most popular instruments in the Caribbean. Their sound is unmistakable, and the steel band is an important part of everyday life.
Building and tuning these instruments is a painstaking tradition that is passed down from one generation to the next. In some cases, drum tuning has even entered the computer age...
Every drum has a different pitch, and when several are played together the steel band comes alive.
Calypso achieves its highest expression in the visual and musical spectacle of Carnival.
Carnival is celebrated more lavishly in Trinidad than anywhere else in the Caribbean. It is a non-stop party for two days before Ash Wednesday, and the locals plan for it all year.
The festivity is carefully organized, with 15 to 20 clubs competing for the best costumes. Bands represent each club, and the people parade in costumes ranging from African tribal attire to serpents to dazzling butterflies. It is a sensual and high-spirited celebration of life.