Young guns roughed up Savannah party

The Pan Buzz was at the Savannah Party last Sunday in Port-of-Spain and found it exciting. I knocked back two bake and shark and settled in. There were as much vendors as spectators, which tells you the economic hard times are here. Thank God Pan Trinbago abandoned the OK Corral idea and gave back the “Drag” (or “Bulltrack”) to the people. They scored heavily at the Grand Stand, North Stand and Party Greens. However, Panorama for me is the big bands. I often wonder why Pan Trinbago is persisting in having the small bands clog up the programme every year. They have got to be moved out of these semifinals. Panatics are not interested in the small bands. I think the young bloods of arranging gave a good account of themselves, but they will get a sound “cut tail” by their more experienced counterparts. Leon “Smooth” Edwards (Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars); Edwin Pouchet (PCS Silver Stars); Pelham “PG” Goddard (Republic Bank Exodus); and, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe (Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove) roughed up the young guns. It was musical violence at its worst. But I have a problem, I can’t see a clear-cut winner.

 

Comments on young arrangers

• Seion Gomez (Solo Harmonites)

I like Seion Gomez’ use of the Hallejuah Chorus at the introduction of the piece Archbishop of Pan. I think he has the best arranged Archbishop of Pan, but the judges don’t think so.

 

• I am Teague (Starlift)

When Starlift linked with Liam Teague last year, I said “aha! now is music like lentil peas.”

But, in 2012 it seems that the bottom has fallen out of the barrel; Starlift failed to make it to the finals. “Holy Moses!” The judges thought Liam’s Vibes lacked vibes. What a disappointment.

 

• Duvonne Stewart (bpTT Renegades)

I like Duvonne Stewart’s arrangement of Vibes. It was lively and interesting. He has just over a week to tighten things up. The band went into the music too slowly and the ending had an unfinished quality about it.

Look for Duvonne in the top four, but I don’t think Renegades has Panorama win number ten in the bag in 2012.

 

• Shenelle Abraham (Junior Sammy Group of Companies Skiffle)

Skiffle had a chance to go with Jason “Peanuts” Isaac, a veteran arranger, and has now paid the price for hemming and hawing. After waiting on their call, Peanuts flew back to America... a disappointed man.

He was prepared to lead South out of its long winter, as South bands have failed to win a Panorama for 36 years... and now it looks like 37.

Junia Regrello went for an untried hand, Shenelle Abraham. What a miscalculation!

Shenelle will come on in time, but for now Panorama is not, and I repeat, not, child’s play.

Regrello must be cursing his intelligence.

Shenelle’s arrangement of Vibes was okay... but elementary.

 

• The ghost of Bradley

Andre White (Despers) did some exciting things in Designers Prophet of Pan, and I swear I even saw the ghost of Clive Bradley during the performance. The arrangement was a hodge podge of bits and pieces, and seemed to lack cohesion.

I am not surprised the judges threw him out on his head. While, I too, was excited about, what Andre had to offer it’s safe to say Despers sent a boy to do a man’s job.