Phase II has enough seconds for them not to question if the number 2 has any effect on them, after all they claim the number 2, everytime someone calls their name there it is again the number 2. If you have to be associated with a number you better choose 1. They have about 12 seconds to proove my point.
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I know both Boogsie and Prof personally, and consider them friends. Boogsie, sometimes, has the innocence of a child, and I have seen many take advantage of his trusting spirit. Boogsie is one of the kindest, most-giving people you would ever meet, and Prof is Mr. Cool; he always has a smile for you, and is very dedicated to his fans. He plays music for them, and you all would not believe his strict work ethic and time management skills, when it comes to his art. His stage presentation is impeccable - a true professional. The Professor! I actually have a recording of an original jazz riff that both Prof and I composed, and I consider him a great musician, and an even greater arranger.
That said, I would have to give Boogsie the edge, when it comes to "musical knowledge". Prof's handicap is he was never formally trained as a musician, and everything comes from his spirit. (That is, at the same time, what is most-impressive about Professor.) The same can be said of Boogsie, for certain, but I think that Boogsie's experience and his exposure to formal music structure - his works with Pat Bishop, for example - helped develop his "musicianship". Both Andy Narell and Othello Mollineaux, in my opinion, display a musical intellect in their playing, that clearly shows the advantages of "formal training". But no one can deny, that in Len "Boogsie" Sharpe's case, we are dealing with a prodigy; a trailblazer in the likes of Mozart, the Amadeus of Trinidad & Tobago. I think that Boogsie is in a category all by himself, and his compositions will be the study of music students for centuries to come.
As far as major/minor leagues, they are ALL major league, to me. It is contradictory to, on one hand, agree that judging has been an issue for decades, and on the other, rate arrangers based on their successes/failures in Panorama. As a "scientist", I consider "results" to be "reliable", based on the method used in collecting the "scores" (data). Each individual being "tested", must have an equal chance, and the "variables" of location, human and political bias, time, stress levels of judges (from exhaustion), etc., must be considered ("manipulated", "controlled", and "observed", scientifically speaking.) This is the approach used in the testing of drugs, the administering of various tests and assessments, and the judging of Panorma, in my opinion, has too many ignored "variables", for me to consider any of the results as being "reliable". All the top arrangers are major league, to me; the ability to have hundreds of attitudes, come together, in "unison", and play thousands of notes, that make "musical sense", in ten minutes! That's MAJOR LEAGUE, right there! The "new breed" of arrangers - Shanelle, Devon, and others, have a musical intellect, that, in my opinion, will take pan to an entirely 'nother level, and just like their inspiration, Boogsie, will have to endure the lag time it takes for "judges" to catch up with their musicianship. In reality, pan would not survive without the arranger; the unsung hero of the "steelband movement". The leader, who continues the struggle, not with violence, but with the dedication to continue the tradition of the steelband, ensuring its survival. The arranger truly is the heart of the steelband - the life-force that pumps the blood through the veins of the pan body. The day that the arranger dies, is the day that pan dies. The steelband arranger gives life to the instrument. That is the value of the steelband arranger. AWESOME!!! EVERY ONE OF YOU.
GHOST
Pantum, from a pure academic perspective your methodology (analysis) is applicable as it relates to scores and variables etc. Social scientific approaches to judging panorama is impossible for obvious reasons. As a result, the judges have a challenge and, often times I believe they do a good job. Considering that they have to work with a set of clearly defined criteria which they attempt to apply objectively, it is difficult to please everyone. I hope your insight and "mini lesson" can help to make some of these discussions less confrontational because of the high emotions pan discussion continue to evoke among its many supporters.
Some food 4 thought, before we engage in friendly discussions of pan and the panorama competition a little perspective shift is ok, I hope it will also make you smile. Check out De Alberto's classic calypso as he lovingly pays tribute with 'My Band" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnaCYKK--QM - the opening lyric lays it out clearly, 'every band in panorama, well, deserves to be a winner; every steel band is a champion, all arrangements sounding fine, but I know, no band is better than mine...'
I agree, Stepp. But even the social sciences adopt "pseudo-scientific" methods. I'm not blaming the judges, and I don't have a "band", per say. I was just making the point that the conditions should be the same for all participants, and I do not think it is. Will check out your clip later, have to get back to work.
BTW - I am Mr. Confrontation! lol.
GHOST
Outstanding analysis! You can definitely be objective when you try, Ghost!
Thank you Pantum for these remarks. The angle you adopted is extremely healthy and helpful to many who have not had the opportunity for such contact. Also your scientific explanation is quite helpful and faultless. Thank you again.
Cecil, the financial rewards are always nice and necessary, but what many don't realize these arrangers would do this for free - for the love of pan. When Boogsie wrote "Music In We Blood" he was not necessarily speaking only of himself. Around these guys, you feel the respect and admiration, pride and loyalty tempered by a deep love for music, particularly PAN. But make no mistake they are also fiercely competitive and dedicated and enjoy coming at each other every year with their music. As they always would say with a serious smile, "Panorama is a different animal." Isn't it amazing how away from the panorama stage it is always peace and love with that generation. They are all winners and we are a better people because of their efforts, I am glad they are around showing us the way. Listen.
Shahadah45 I am listening and what I am hearing is some of Boogsie best work but he just cannot get past #2. Can you imagine how frustrating this must be for him, knowing the type of work he put down only to find out it's not good enough. He will be back again next year to do it all over again because of the "MUSIC IN HE BLOOD"
Very sarcastic! This is one of the greatest panorama steelbands of all times. Always a contender and maybe unfairly treated most times. The arranger is very innovative and goes outside the box to create.something fresh. Maybe, he should do like some other arrangers and play the same thing every year. My advice to Boogsie, "Keep Pumpng." You are a winner!
Joseph sure Boogsie is a winner, but AllStars and Silver Stars have the dollars to proove who is number 1.
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