– representing ‘The Golden Arrow Head’ internationally

By Naomi Parris

KNOWN for a masterpiece that is considered to be the anthem of one of Guyana’s biggest festivals, Mashramani, Courtney Noel, singer, songwriter, screenwriter, actor, producer and director is one of the many talented Guyanese artistes who have been striving to have his homeland recognised for its beauty.
Growing up in a typical Guyanese home, Noel was surrounded by music and the arts which paved the way for his astounding career. With the sounds of his grandfather’s fiddle entwined with his grandmother’s harmonica, it is no surprise that he became the songbird of the family.

“It really started with my grandparents; not sure when, but my grandfather played the fiddle and my grandmother played the harmonica, which is interesting because I’ve never seen many women playing the harmonica. My grandfather and grandmother were a major influence in my life,” Noel told the Pepperpot Magazine.

However, what is surprising, is that Noel had initially found his true love in the theatre arts with his mind bent on being an actor one day, representing his dear homeland on the big screen. “When I was pretty young I knew this is what I wanted to do; I was five and I knew this is what I wanted to do. I didn’t think of singing, I thought more along the lines of acting. I love music and I love singing, but acting is where I really saw myself and I love movies,” he said.

Noel never thought of himself as being a singer, but after a small school concert in which he shone, he unlocked a new talent.
This small but significant milestone gave a then eight-year-old Noel who attended the St. Margaret’s Primary School the confidence boost he needed to pursue his career as an actor, singer and overall performer.

Noel once again shone when he performed at his high school, Queen’s College, where he made the decision to pursue his career as an all-round performer.
A young and vibrant Noel then migrated to New York, where he began his music career and sang alongside a few other artistes in a group which unfortunately was shortlived because of some disagreements; nevertheless, his career did not end there.

‘The golden era’
Holding the record for the most-played song during Mashramani, Noel wrote one of Guyana’s most popular soca anthems which to this date has not lost its spunk.
Having written the song some 20 years ago, Noel disclosed that it was a near-death experience that inspired him to write and produce the song ‘The Golden Arrowhead.’
Not wanting to share too many details, Noel stated that he was on the verge of drowning and in the moment of fighting for his life, all he could see was the glorious parts of his home Guyana and nothing but red, white, green, black and gold.

While not much of a soca artiste, Noel wrote the song and to his surprise, it is still a song today that is played during the time of festivities. However, despite the song being so popular, it has never won an award or has never been recognised by any Government of Guyana, he said.

The true power of the song, however, is the patriotism and the love for one’s country, which makes it so memorable even after all these years.
This, Noel noted, is what makes the song so special. “I’ve had so many experiences, people have come up to me, once I was doing a show in New York and these cops they were Guyanese cops which I didn’t realise and they realised that it was my song and it was so emotional,” he said adding:
“Over the years, for me the personal pride I feel, having touched so many lives and Guyanese lives; you can’t pay for that.”
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the song’s release, he noted that he is in the process of making a remix, in which he hopes to feature some of the new budding faces of Guyana’s music industry.

On the big screens
While many may know Noel for his musical talents, what they do not know is that he has appeared on the big screen playing a small but significant role in ‘Da 5 Bloods’ alongside Chadwick Boseman. The film was also directed by the award-winning director, Spike Lee.

In the film he explained he was given the chance to express and to represent his country with the use of creole dialogue.
Aside from starring on the big screen, Noel is also a playwright, who has a few projects under his belt, in which he hopes to one day produce and direct.
Noel, who is set to celebrate many achievements this year along with the celebration of his 60th birth anniversary, plans to release a few new projects starting with a new song, ‘All my love’ in the coming weeks.