Remember Rebecca? A look at one of the most intriguing moments in steelband history - Panorama 1983

[Pan Times]

Remember Rebecca? A look at one of the most intriguing moments in steelband history - Panorama 1983

Global - It could be a story about a mauve towel, army greens, eight ducks and a briefcase. But it really rocks as one of the most fiercely contested Panorama zone finals this side of the trenches. To a pan freak, or casual observer even, it might have been difficult to resist the urge to empathize with WITCO Desperadoes, as the band stormed the stage at 12:45 a.m., Saturday, at the Queen’s Park Savannah.. For, what was unraveling center stage brought a new word to the 1983 pan festival: dramarama read more

[Salah Wilson]

What a defining moment in Steelpan History, what a defining moment in my life.....everyone who was there has a story to tell....I was there ....1983 & 1984 ...I had the very fortunate pleasure to have been a part of Desperadoes and it remains today one of the best times that I have ever experienced in all of my forty something years in the Pan business. I was at my good friend and "Big Brother' Wallace Austin ( Pan Tuner) in Morvant when the larger than life General himself Rudolph Charles walked in. I had previously migrated in 1973 to Montreal. I met Rudolph.in 1974 in Montreal when he tuned up a band for the first carnival of Montreal, and where he came in my apartment to tune up my double second ( From Wallace). ...that's another story ..( imagine a pan being tuned in an apartment in 1974 in Montreal all white neighbourhood). eventually I was put out of that apartment not long after....but back to the story......To finish set it up I had been away from Trinidad for about 5 years since my last visit ( living in a muslim community in both New York and Montreal during that time) and when I had returned in December of 1982 I happened to hear a cassette of "Party" by Despers .....I played it four times straight without moving away.......... I was just intrigued with the arrangements of Clive Bradley. Being an old member of Flamingoes ( Gay ) was ok at that time...the band was now a shell of itself with the new band formed from it being Exodus. But I was not impressed...So on that faithful day in Morvant when Rudolph walked in at Wallace's home and saw me dressed up in my muslim garbs ...he said to me "We want some more spiritual vibes up on the hill" and invited me up to play with Desperadoes...... there was no questioning ...I said I am ready. Here is the general himself asking me to play with the best band in the world and remember I just heard last year Panorama song "I' going and Party tonight". The trip over the laventille hill from Morvant was memorable...I remember Rudolph telling me that he was also Muslim and his name was Hakim which I called him whenever we were alone. when we arrived on top of the hill. He introduced me to some people who are today still very good friends ( David, Tash, Pijoux) and some who have passed on Michael, Buffy (R.I.P) .. the introduction of me was simple ...all the General said was ....."He is one of us". and that was my entry into this championship year . there are many more interesting things to say but to be there that year was nothing comparable to the feeling and excitement ...imagine four pan Tuners ( Rudolph, Bertie, Lincoln, Wallace) ..imagine Bradley as the arranger assisted by Robert Grenidge...imagine players like Gunga din, Crawl,and so many othere too numerous to mention ...imagine the song Rebecca...you had to have been there...the rest is History ..Thanks for the memories Despers

[Ian Franklin]

Hello Salah,
Thanks for sharing your exploits with Charlo and Despers. I am not opening a can of worms, but I cannot understand how does a tune seem to be great to most pan people, but not great as far as the judges are concerned.
In 1983, Desperadoes won the Panorama by three points, but in 1984 Renegades won by 17.5 points. No one talks about how great Renegades' performance of "Sweet Pan" was. Just some food for thought (lol)
Also, after reading Dalton Narine's review of Desperadoes 1983 performance of Rebecca, the band is featured with their 1999 performance at the, "Tribute to all the Panorama Champions." which does not do any justice to the band's 1983 live performance of Rebecca. More food for thought. (lol)
Love, Peace and Pan,
Ian

[Salah Wilson]

Hi Ian,
I hear and understand what you are saying, ....but sometimes it is not just by how many points a band wins, but the night in question when it happens...the hype , the jam, so many factors and of course every one's own particular experience....whenever I think of my experience with Despers a smile just comes to my face like right now. I have been asked by WST to share in detail that experience and I think I will. What I have written was a mere short summary of a beautiful experience but there is a lot more. ...and I still feel for the band and would love to see it get back at the top...the top of the Panorama and the top of the Hill (LOL)

[Sweet Eustace]

that was a great one Shalah, but "symphony in G" was the real classic, Bradley was a real genius he started the tune from scratch late monday night and finished it the Friday morning 8 am you boy Pinhead fainted during the night that thursday, lincoln and wallace worked night and day all week blending pans in the yard and man was making trips back and forth with tenors to Bertie house, by Saturday everything was ready, that is how winners work, I was also playing with the Phase which is mih band and I prefered "Pan rebels" to rebecca, but we were not ready we had all kinds of old pans and a rythym section that was totally out of it, Renegades was watching closely and were ready the next year a week before the rama, how you could beat that everything was perfect, next year things were not the same up the hill, but that was another classic "the Jammer" I hate competition, Renegades tune was no classic but they had the best performance that year and deserved to win but a lot of real Classics falls by the wayside as a result of the competition thing talking bout besides the Jammer, we also had "I music" "doh back back"in 84 and 83 the only classic by casablanca "ash wenesday jail" nutones only classic "oh la La" somebody tief mih personal pan up the hill but Rebecca won my soul, forget judges Ian merrytones won the hearts of the crowd for several years and did not advance past the prelims, they sure don't make them like they used to

[Ian Franklin]

Hello Salah,
I may be the only one who is still proud of Desperadoes "failures" from 2001 to 2010.
Although they have not been to the winners podium in 10 attempts, the band has never hit rock bottom.
Maybe, I will become concerned after the 2015 Panorama results. Can you get into my head? (lol)
Desperadoes is still the top Steel Orchestra. No! I did not say best, because the panorama has now become the benchmark for "BEST". Just some trivia for the pan buffs: Desperadoes has been to the Panorama finals the most (44) of 47, has the most top three's (22), was a finalist only five times at Classical Competitions but won all (5), has won every competition entered, and is still an entertaining Steel Orchestra at any function today. How many times the band has won Panorama is not important now, but did I mention they have the highest winning ratio, 1: 4.7. (Yes! I also like crunching numbers. (lol)

[Glenroy R Joseph]

Mr. Franklin, I am surprised that a knowledgeable pan jumbie like yourself would use the words "Desperadoes" and "failures" in the same sentence.

I am not a Despers "insider" like you or Salah or Robbie, but I have a pretty good idea what it takes to put out a Steelband the caliber of Desperadoes year after year, and the word "failure" doesn't associate just because the band hasn't won the big prize in the last decade.

There were still some fine performances during that period, and I'm sure Despers placed in the top five several times.

A classic tune that comes to mind from that period was Shadow's "Yuh Looking for Horn" (2001).

The pacing, the rhythm the arrangement - that was pure Bradley/Desperadoes.

And, BTW, other bands may have borrowed Clive Bradley through the years, but WITCO Desperadoes owned him.

[Ian Franklin]

Hello Glenroy,
We are saying the same thing. I merely choose words for praticality. My term "failures" is merely a metaphor.
I am not one to dispute the judges' decision. I want no one to cast shadows on Desperadoes' ten panorama victories. At one time the talk was ,"Desperadoes is Dr. Eric Williams Band", remember that talk!
That was so far from the truth. Think about this fact, Desperadoes never dominated the panorama scene, they are merely consistent. If any Steel Orchestra dominated panorama at a certain period it is, Harmonites and Renegades. This is good dialogue, and thanks for your honesty. Keep those uploads coming. Love, Peace and Pan.
BTW, Desperadoes did place in the top five at panorama in 2001. The first two bands were a mere 5 points above. (lol)
Ian

[Glenroy R Joseph]

This is why we have mixed feelings about the competition. There are so many memories and emotions tied up in the Panorama and they remain forever, even the pain and heartbreaks.

I've seen grown men weep like babies after loosing out in the competition.

Ironically, though Despers "Rebecca" is a classic, it was the All Stars version that hooked me at the time.

After going down the drag and across the stage with them that year, Trinidad All Stars forever became my number one band.

I wasn't present for the finals, but at the time I thought All Stars version was it.

Salah Wilson is correct. There is so much more to the Panorama experience than the judges scorecard.

Steelband performances at that level are so powerfull, they create lifetime memories for players and fans alike,and I've been fortunate to have experienced Panorama as both

I still wonder, though if the judging on the Final Night is necessary, instead of it just being an all out celebration of Sweet Pan.

[Bugs]

But Glenroy, there is nothing like the thrill of a panorama victory. And there is nothing like the pain of a panorama loss. I wouldn't change a thing. It has made us better.

bugs

[Glenroy R Joseph]

Can't argue with that, Bugs.You're right.

And the experience lasts a lifetime,

[steelpan ed]

That I would love to see Glenroy. But, I guess the sharks may not get a bite from the coffers of the night, if you catch my drift. I hear both you and Salah and am very enthused by the commentary on "Rebecca". My singular recollection of the piece was at the panyard one night during a practice session. Iron man Bradshaw., now deceased, approached me while I was listening to Bradley's work and asked what I thought. I, in return, told him that he was asking me answers, so impressed was I with what I was hearing. When the same thing happened the following year, this time with Dr. Rat's approach about "Sweet Pan", I began to wonder whether I was a guru or something. Mind you, it happened again in 1985 when I told someone that both Despers and Renegades would have tied for first that night. The guy told me I was mad. I say, put aside the competition, look at the music and all its interwoven rhythms, see it for what it is, and also what it does to you. I guarantee you that people will suddenly begin to unearth many great pieces from panoramas past. Out of the closet will come stunning arrangements that died on the night because another band was given the light of day.

[Salah Wilson]

Yes Eustace and Glenroy, no one will ever dispute the Genius of Mr. Clive Bradley, but like wise neither the genius works of Boogsie, Smooth, Ray and Jit ...and others.....In the end we just have to be grateful and enjoy these classics of Panorama whether we participated as a player or listener. the best song on that night does not always win...the Jammer of which I was fortunate to participate as a player was also a classic but everyone who was there knows that Despers was not well organized that night. .....Glenroy I have read some of your views on the Panorama competition itself.....only thing I could add is that The competition does bring out elements of greater interest and hype for players and spectators similar to that of the Olympics or World Cup.