Pan songs are rolling off the assembly line faster than the lifting of the curfew.Word on the ground is that the Alvin Daniell/Edwin Pounchet combination is coming with Tempo.Joanne Foster is in the gravy with Panwoman Jammin; before you could catch your breath Earl La Pierre unleashes the Carnival In Cayman. Holy Moses! Glenford Sobers' Steelband Symphony is nice like cooked food, and should challenge arrangers. Oui mama, that song has music to burn.
There's great anticipation for Len "Boogsie" Sharpe's Tribute to Pat Bishop. Haven't heard it yet, but my spies tell me it is vintage Boogsie.The music maestro is back on song after losing his focus in a pathetic exercise attacking Pan Trinbago's executive. Pan lovers feel his fling with hate (Do Something for Pan) cost him $2 million.These songs join some 15 others that have been released.
Three major events involving the pan and pan people hold the spotlight.• Clive Telemaque and Gonzales Sheikers will go to Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars panyard on Duke Street this evening in a cultural jam. Starting at 7 pm is music like lentil peas - pan and calypso.• Veteran pannist Ray Holman presents a True Trini Christmas. Venue is the Little Carib Theatre, in Woodbrook, on Thursday, December 8, at 6.30 pm. Holman guests include Baron, Raymond Edwards and Nigel Ferreira. The mood is Christmas, so expect Holman to nice things up with Yuletide songs and sounds.
• Several top artistes will gather at De Nu Pub (The Mas Camp) on Monday 5, the Thunderbolt Williams' Benefit, at 7 pm. The cast includes Shadow Relator, Crazy, Bro Valentino, Marcia Miranda, PCS Silver Stars, David Baptiste and Gail Valentine, and Santa Rosa Serenaders.Admission is just $100.
Pan Talk in Town
Our Boys grab 'Boogsie'Veteran arranger Len "Boogsie" Sharpe will take up duties at the Tobago band Our Boys.Tobago bands have been enjoying tremendous success in Panorama competition these past few years, especially in the Medium Band category.
One arranger, please.
Despers must go with one arranger for Panorama 2012. Who will it be? It's anybody's guess. The name in the running is Beverly Griffith, sides by vice captain Andre Robley.Panmen on the Hill have not forgiven Robbie Greenidge for the Pan Magnum debacle, when Despers failed to fire in 2010. I don't believe in too many cooks.
Give Praise
Three new Pan CDs are engaging the attention of pan lovers and myself are:Len "Boogsie" Sharpe's Tribute to Sparrow; Earl La Pierre Snr Give Praise and Jason "Peanuts" Isaac's King of the Hill. Boy, the Buzz can't wait to get his hands on these CDs, which I understand, are all collectors items.
Congratulations, Patrick
Congrats all around to Patrick Arnold, the new chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC). Arnold brings to his post the warmth, patience and diligence and I think he will do a fantastic job. Everyone please give him your support.