Andy Narell posted this in facebook
I just want to say thank you to all the players and to the entire Birdsong organization for a fantastic performance last night. You did everything I asked and hoped for and you were awesome from the first play on the track to the last play on stage. As I think you all know I didn't expect to win any points for the music, but I was shocked, baffled, and disappointed that the judges saw fit to dismiss such a great performance by the band. They're entitled to their opinion. I hope that you all realize what you achieved this Panorama season and will take that with you. I wouldn't change a note of this piece and I couldn't have asked for a better performance. Bravo!
Sorry Andy I'm not buying what you're selling. Did you really expect the judges to reward you for totally dissing Trinidad and Tobago music culture and tradition? Of course not. You used Birdsong to validate you and your weaknesses, like you use Trinidad All Stars a few years ago. And now some of the gullible public and those with their own agenda are walking around like fools screaming "Andy, Andy" and a band that has never won anything or placed in the finals in a decade is the subject of talk. This is exactly as you planned it. If you can't pass the exam, rewrite the questions to your liking. What a fraud and conman you are. You know your music is not good enough to compete in any panorama on any level. Quite frankly, you would not have qualified with Birdsong even in the small band category. Take a listen.
And one more thing, exactly who out of the bands that came ahead of you did you think you were better than?
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Ey people...this thing about Narell is simple yuh know...he had "good" music....everybody else was better in the judges eyes...which is most important...I really hate competitors who can't take licks...Andy spoil it by being "shocked, baffled, and disappointed that the judges saw fit to dismiss such a great performance by the band"....I wonder if he knows how many times my band and so many others had to endure disappointment? ... especially before the categorization of bands...
Exactly!
And the Ghost...maybe I shouldn't be too surprised...when Rudy "Two Lef'" Smith arranged for Birdsong and was dismissed he publicly complained that his music went over the judges heads...more recently Raf Robertson saw it opportune to blame his cutarse on "Small Bands" for taking up space early in the day and causing Birdsong to play before an almost empty stand (as if that was really the cause of their demise that year)...and guess what?...they played almost last this year again...Maybe it's a Birdsong trend to hire "Top Flight" arrangers who believe they so much better than the rest of the competition, only for them to be rudely awakened by the truth...
Amen!!
Mr. Dika
You have issues. Your posting has so much hate. I respect a man for his different opinions but what you posted had so much contempt For Andy Narell. What he wrote was meant to uplift the sprits of the players, alot of whom are youngsters, it's sad you did'nt or refuse to see that.
I know this GENTLEMAN and he is nothing as you portraied. His music was very refreshing to hear after Allstars and Silver Stars. The other arranger whose music was sadly overlooked or cast aside was Zanda.
This is not about who is great. Your original statement had to do with Andy Narell's post where talked about the judging and tried to encourage the players that played Birdsong ( so I believe) don't try to change the subject. As an arranger he has all right to criticize the judging, a number of other arrangers do it. Why not Narell, because he is not a Trinidadian. I listen to seventeen bands last Sunday and I can count eight bands and only eight who deserve to be in the finals. That is what it is about for me, year after year bands are forwarded to finals that should be home and bands that sent home should be in the finals. Before you'll level all the venom at Andy Narell, thing about all the Trinidians that are destroying pan, the ones who only want to play for profit, the ones who refuse to play mas with a steelband. Don't be mad with him because he has an opinion about an instrument and he show he happens to be involved with. I am acquainted with Andy Narell, Pelham Goddard and Jit Samaroo are personal friends of mine. I class them all the same very talented musicians in their own right and above all GENTLEMEN. This is the last responce for me on this subject, you won't change my opinion and I know I can't change yours. I hope we can all work side by side to better the instrument and for the benefit of the players.
Are you serious Mr. Marcelle? Or are you just plain Andy drunk. Andy Narell publically stated that he was going to do his own thing and break all the rules. So now that the judges have rejected him, he has a problem? So if you can't pass the exam rewrite your own? Cool, go ahead. But if the judges fail you - shut up!! In a contest where winning is everything, the judges essentially fail nine other finalist every year. Did you forget to tell Andy this is competition Mr. Marcelle? Or did Andy enter to make a statement on your back or kids of Birdsong?
Your embracing people of all races and background is not an issue here, unless you have issues with race. This about the lowering and redefining the standards for greatness - which have been clearly defined in this arena. Sparrow is great, Kitchener was great, Michael Jordan was great, Larry bird was great, Miles Davis was great, Jit is great, Pelham Goddard is great, the Beatles were great. Andy Narell is not great. Name one great musician who have ever called Andy great. In fact I remember the great Hugh Masekela who said in an interview in Trinidad that Andy Narell was his friend but warned the Trinidad people about not understanding their own greatness and the whole Andy Narell issue was problematic. Andy Narell should market himself.
Nothing I said was insulting or erroneous.
And if I am right Mr. Marcelle you are one of the biggest fools of all time. You are a child in a big man's game. You know absolutely nothing about the business of music. Andy is all about business. Come back when you learn what you need to know so you can sound intelligent. In the mean time Andy will continue to insult you and laugh at you without you having a clue.
Andy is no Zanda.
If want to listen to an outside musician who has something real to offer, check out Gary Gibson. He is a vastly superior musician to Andy Narell.
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