Eloise Lewis has left a legacy of being one of the most popular female in the music industry in the Bahamas. Not only did she provoke the thinking for female entertainers, but she was the type of entertainer that set a standard that her male counterparts srtived for. Eloise's music was done in a tasteful flavor, whether she was singing an agressive goombay tune or a lullaby, her personality was always full of presence. Her signature staccato high screams in "Chi Chi Merengue" served as an announcement that she was on stage and ready to go. Although it must have been a challenge to make in a industry dominated by males, Eloise, because of her musicianship could not be denied. The excerpts taken from two of her songs below demonstrates her versatility, vocal and instrumental techniques. When you hear Eloise, there is no other that fits her mold. Her ability to strum out a groove on the guitar and maintain the level of energy exuded in her singing is quite amazing. In listening to the syncopation in her lyrics in contrast to the steady rhythmic pulsation played on the guitar tells us that she knew her instruments well, and was very comfortable in her singing and playing at the same time. At a time when the Bahamas was searching for a distinct sound, Eloise made an invaluable contribution in trying something new. Her style, in my opinion needs to be re-visited and explored. I hear rap, calypso, and most of the rhythms used in our music within her musical presentation. It is amazing that after all this time, her music soungs relevant.
"Chi Chi Merengue" is one of Eloise's most popular songs. This is a groove tune, meaning, the music and the rhythm is most important. The vamp at the beginning of the song establishes the energy that is maintained throughout the arrangement. The vocal seems to be largely improvised with ocassional groove breaks and Elouise's sharp stacatto improvised chants floating above.
