Memories - Was it really better back then?

Although Claude is suffering from the concussion Lebron and company gave him in game 6, he does raise an interesting point. Why do we spend so much time in the past when talking about Pan music and experiences? This is not something that is locked into older folks. Young folks do it too. They also listen to and talk about older pan recordings and performances. Was really it better back then?

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  • Casper, I understand the band sponsorship problem has not change in over 20+ years, but the funding for this has to come from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture (or the Ministry who is responsible for PAN) this will be giving the season players employment and keeping the youth in tune with the direction of the Authorities future for PAN. This venture will cover a few of the areas of PAN that is faltering, the authorities have to get input from the folks on the ground and the youths.  I am willing to sit with the authorities to discuss the full plan

     

  • I have been thinking of this for some time now (about 20 years).  If all the major Bands select a few schools (one Primary and Secondary) and sponsor these schools; meaning these school will have season pan players and tuners from the major bands who will mentor these young minds teaching the basic and ensuring  a bevy of the younger generation is available to carry on the herculean task of keeping the world aware of who created the only musical instrument developed in the 21st century.  I am available to discuss this plan in detail with the authorities if  they choose to follow this route.     

  • Noel, I feel your pain I can say your rhetoric bring back lots of memories, for me it was walking over the hill from Morvant to practice at WITCO Gay Desperadoes  Community Center and yes I was call all sorts of names from hooligans to what ever expletive verb may enter the persons mouth, but we endured  and can look back and relish the time I spent playing pan with the likes of Rudolph Charles, Edward Toweine, Robert Greenrige, Denzel, Prince, Panka, Herbert Nash and brother and others.  As I remember all we wanted to do was to play the best music we could possible play. I did not know I was supposed to get paid for three years when I started to play for Despers it was done with love for the pan and music.  In 1967 I believe I reach my peak when Despers won the Peoples Choice, Champion of Champions, Governor-General's Trophy and of course to top it off played Carols and Classics in Steel, we played every form of music in 1967.  We need programs to model those pass programs but with a bit of creativity to stimulate the young players and get us back on track

         

  • Well said!
  • This is a very interesting, and important, discussion.

    I believe that because it is so important, we need to keep everything in perspective. 

    First of all those born in the 1940s  like myself, and even the 50s, 'grew up' with pan. We experienced the joy of hearing this instrument our people invented grow from a fairly rudimentary, simple, group of a few percussion insruments, into orchestras capable of playing the most equisite and beuatiful, or powerful and magnificent music.

    The young men who grew up playing in those days were part of this development. No one knew how far this phenomenon would go. So these men were all part of the excitement of the  creation and experimentation and presentation of this musical phenomenon to the world.

    They -- Or in most cases I should say YOU (the persons who write here) belong to an era that can never be recreated.  You created something magnificent, often working against the criticism, the opposition of so called  'decent society'.

    It is, therefore, a bit unfair to expect the kind of dedication, the kind of love, the kind of excitement over the pan from the modern generation, the millenials of pan, as was generated in your day and by your peers.

    When young Ray Holman, in 4th form at QRC, started arranging a song for Starlift, he was not 'following a tradition'. he was starting one. When Jules decided to practice Beethoven's Minuet in G late into the wee hours, vowing the members of All Stars to secrecy and then 'dropping this Bomb' on Jouvert morning. he was following no tradition, no trend! 

    All the experiments and improvements occured in a spirit of experimentation and creation: Highlanders haunting 'Let Every Vallry' caused goose pimples on Jouvay morning because this sound had never been heard before anywhere in the world. Despers rocket pans, excited us all. This was nothing we saw on TV or in films. It was US! 'OUR TING!'

    So it is perfectly normal for older pan afficionados to look back to those heady days of ecitement and innovation when talking about pan.

    It is true that pan is taken for granted by many of the youth. they dont see what the big thing is. And that is a serious problem. But the blame for this MUST lie, not in them, not in the other interests and distractions that  are there. It lies in the education systeM. Not  nearly enough emphasis is placesd on teaching about the history, the triumphs and the achiebvement of pan. It also lies in the fact that the powers that be in our country have been quite happy to sideline pan. To not revere it as a fundamental part of our culture and as the heart of our carnival. They have, all in the name of the mighty dollar, pushed pan off the road and made carnival become a 'wining  behind a big truck' festival!

    But we can find ways to push against this.

    And this forum may well be a focal point to start this.

    Remember

    When Steel Talks -- Everybody listens!

    • Mr. Hinkson I totally agree. That sound can never be replicated.  Iron was king then.
    • Trinidad All Stars - 96 All Stars 'Bomb' Medley

      • Steelband and Calypso/Bomb Tunes

        • Despers - SuperStar

          Steelband Bomb Tune...arranger Beverly Griffith.

          • odw, regardless who arranges for Despers, the BASS music remains the same.

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