WST Review
The 2017 Trinidad and Tobago Panorama season—and by extension the Carnival season—was a tumultuous one that was overflowing with enough drama, intrigue, passion and controversy to field a season of Scandal, Empire or Game of Thrones. But in the end there was the music. An abundance of great music created by the finest arrangers, and outstanding performances delivered by the best steel orchestras in the world.
Two songs captured the imagination of Trinidad and Tobago for this 2017 Panorama and Carnival season - “Full Extreme” by Ultimate Rejects and “Good Morning” by Peter Ram. In fact, “Good Morning” became sort of the de-facto “test piece” as no other tune of choice has endeared itself to the steel orchestras as much in recent times. However, on closer inspection Bunji Garlin & Machel Montano’s “Buss Head” or Crazy’s “Gee Gee Ree” would be apropos to telling the complete Panorama season’s story.
And in the midst of this turmoil there was a push for a higher level of understanding and harmony among many in the steelband community as the slogan “Pan before Band” was ushered in. However, in the heat of the ultra-competitive Panorama aftermath, this movement—which, contradictory at best given the highly competitive nature of the competition—took some serious blows and developed some deep dents as would be expected within the tradition of Panorama.
Pan Trinbago, the producer of the national Panorama competition found itself embroiled in an internal struggle - an insurrection from the players, conflict with its members and at odds with Trinidad & Tobago’s Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts. Pan Trinbago came under a cloud of controversy and faced accusations of a lack of transparency that threatened to cancel the Panorama. A temporary detente was reached among all parties involved that allowed the Panorama to take place. How this will all ultimately play out going forward is laced with uncertainty, confusion and rancor.
Replies
Wicked...
There was a lot of Good this year, but if the Minister doesn't exterminate the Bad this year, there might not be a next year.
Silver Stars was nice this year. Phase II will be back next year.
bugs
Oh bugs!!! Next Year (PANORAMA 2018) will be just as exciting and fulfilling to PAN LOVING AUDIENCES as 2017 was. Under the distinguished leadership of the RIGHT HONOURABLE KEITH DIAZ you can expect only the highest quality product.
DDT was banned in most places -- NO EXTERMINATION!!!
Claude
I don't normally mess with 'Bug Spray".
But in the case of Rolly Polly and dem gangstas - Bring Back DDT!
bugs
Trini pays no attention to the BAD and the UGLY not seeing how in the end it will impact the GOOD.
To me it seems like they live in a bubble in T&T and don't give a damn what outside people think. [they like it so] I would like to see a change in their attitude because they could be making some dollars with panorama.