Panorama Time is Bradley Time - The Great One Examined

[Pan Times]

Global - He was simply the world's greatest steelpan music arranger. Moreover, he was the one the titans of pan bowed to. This was his stage, his arena, his moment. This was his time. Panorama was "Bradley Time." Master arranger Clive Bradley, more so than any other, shaped and elevated the music and theatre of the panorama as we know it.

We revisit a musical examination of some of the Master's works by one of the most respected and gifted music talents out of the Caribbean. Frankie McIntosh provides us with an intellectual, as well as a critical and culturally perceptive interpretation of these selected panorama music works from the arranger.

In a special music extraordinaire, take a musical look at one of the recordings.

click for full review - audio and video

[Bugs]

Excellent analysis. Mr. Bradley truly was a genius. This arrangement of Bradley displays the more deep thinking person.

bugs

[GospelPan]

Excellent article...this is the kind of breakdown I'd like to see from the judges of Panorama. However, that maybe asking a bit much since Frankie is a unique musician, composer and arranger.

[EDW1N.LIL APPLE. OR APPLEWHITE....]

HE''S ONE OF DE''BEST THE MASTER''

[Kurleigh Lowe]

In this arrangement (Ben Lion) Bradley maneuvers from B minor (opening), to D minor, (which is up the minor third - fairly standard maneuvering) and then to D major (which is raising the minor third....) and then to G minor (D is the dominant of G, so a D7 chord will lead you to G minor without much hassle) - but then to end the piece in G minor (when you can easily "go home" to B minor) strikes me as rather peculiar.

I would disagree that this was Sir Bradley's initial plan - "Begin in B minor end in G minor" My personal view point is that there was not enough time for him to complete the piece....and the ending leaves me with a sense of "unfinished"

[wmlpan]

Dear Sir,

I humbly, but strongly, disagree with you, and concur with Frankie McIntosh's analysis. Master Bradley takes us on a complete and flavorful musical journey characterized by motifs and movements from the Caribbean, through the Middle East, and back. Particularly his final transitions into his last movement - the grand finale (which always re-emphasizes the introductory theme) - was no doubt finalized, with touchdown back home. There was absolutely no sense of "pressure to finish," "running out of time" or haste.

Note to your file: Bradley enjoyed his work, to the point of sheer mischief. Pressure, and uncertainty were never in his playbook. Especially for 2002, he particularly had fun, and time, not only arranging a song that the kids in the band found real cool, but also creating a 9 minute 23 second work of art that most other arrangers would cringe in fear to even consider as a panorama piece.

[Pan Woman]

Kurleigh; beyond the difference in beginning and ending keys - was there something thematic that left you to believe that Mr. Bradley was done with this tune?

[the pan cafe]

you know the great thing about bradley was his passion for the unexpected.

what also makes him the great one is that in the 60's 70's 80's 90's 00's he was always moving forward never looking back. every era was filled with amazing new ways to elevate pan forward. no other arranger in pan history could say that.
we can theorize why he did this and that, but at the end of the day he probably never knew how he got what he got, how are we supposed to.
our good friend gospel said to me about Brados "What a great character who's greatest asset was not his music, but his personality" i can only second that motion.
can we not just enjoy his greatness without finding flaws and the reason why this and that happens.
the theorists have ruined classical music, are now ruining jazz ... please, please don't ruin bradley..

[Basement]

Pan Cafe, having had the fortune to play for, work with and be around Bradley for years up close and personal on several different levels - I believe that Bradley can stand up to any type scrutiny (personal and musical). Bradley's musical greatness is a done deal. Fortunately, he understood the importance of recording. We have some great ones.

Theorist should study Bradley. I'm sure he is quite pleased after all among many other things, Bradley was an intellectual and could get as technical as anybody if that was you preference. Ultimately and more importantly, Bradley was a people person. He could connect with a three year old as easily as he could with an adult.

Bradley produced music for the people in manner that told their stories and with things they could relate to. Like Bob Marley his music will live on forever.

Kurleigh you provide an interesting take on Ben Lion. I don't agree with you, but it is an interesting perspective. We did the recording of Ben Lion. What you are hearing is pretty much what Brads wanted that year.

[Bugs]

Some of the most beautiful harmonies I have ever heard are in this version of "Ben Lion". This Bradley masterpiece would sound great in any type orchestra. Bradley's transitions are the best of any arrangers ever. How about Bradley simulating and echo with the 4 pans? Wicked!

Basement, if I hadn't seen you guys record some of these performances live I would not believe what I was hearing. Your recordings capture pan as no other. Much respect.

bugs

[Kurleigh Lowe]

There is no disputing the quality and execution of this piece (Ben Lion). It is masterful. "Big ups" to Basement Recordings for being able to capture the melodies so clearly especially in the lower range pans. However, music affects every individual in a way that is unique to that person. This particular Bradley arrangement affected me in a way that none of the others have...and so I shared it with the forum.

[Bugs]

Kurleigh please continue to share your thoughts. They are very appreciated. Everybody has their favorite Bradley piece. For me it is Ben Lion. There is something very special about this arrangement and performance.

bugs

[Basement]

Thanks for your kind words Kurleigh. The recording of Ben Lion is one that is special to us. It is the final performance by Pantonic before they took the stage. It was done with only one take. The difficult conditions that night gave us only one shot at capturing the performance. But as usual Brads was in good spirits and the band was raring to go. He was quite pleased with the results of the recording, as has always been the case with Basement Recordings productions of his works performed by Pantonic.