Classic Work by Phase II will Haunt me to my Grave

[Pan Times]

WST Special Certainly every Trinidad and Tobago national panorama is wrapped in drama, intrigue and controversy. Such is the nature and culture of panorama. But 2003 will be remembered as one of the most surprising competitions ever. It spawned music and story lines that will be the basis of great panorama tales that will be told forever. Far more than the usual 'agony of defeat' and 'thrill of victory,' this panorama still remains one of the most talked about and controversial steelpan music events ever. 2003 will be remembered for what happened - as much as what did not happen. Fortunately for all of us steelpan music enthusiasts - respected journalist, pan historian and musician Dalton Narine was on the scene in 2003. Mr. Narine shares his perspective on that special year. Check is story out below An Embarrassment of Riches - Classic Work by Phase II will Haunt me to my Grave Trinidad - It was absolutely the best Panorama performance I’ve ever heard. It was music in B sharpe. Last Sunday, I found that new note just inside Pan Trinbago’s “village,” the organisation’s brand old drag, the one that was introduced to us at the western front of the Savannah Party in a getting-to-know-you moment. Here, under metal-gray skies, in the vicinity of 2.30 p.m., Boogsie Sharpe and his Phase II Pan Groovers cut loose a symphonic arrangement of Music in we Blood for a grap of villagers that circled the band’s cosquelle drums like a halo. So, it was divine, then? Hello? Let me explatiate. click for full story

[Jojo]

A lot of lessons were learned by both Desperadoes and Phase II in 2003. The most important lesson they learned was that shooting yourself in the foot can do just as much damage or more in this case as an outsider shooting you in the foot.

Everyone got what they deserved in 2003.

Desperadoes learned that as great as they were Bradley carried his own star and they were better with him. No one with any serious musical knowledge can ever listen to the arrangement Bradley gave them for the semi finals and not conclude that Bradley was a genius. That arrangement would have won on finals night in my opinion. Bradley had his issues but nobody should ever tamper with his music.

Bradley came out of 2003 with a vengeance. Over the last two years of his life he was a musical monster.

Phase II learned you can't give the judges a reason flunk you - no matter how great your music is. Since 2003, Phase ll has won panorama three times, came in second twice (lost by two points or less) and came third once.

[Anson]

I wish I could hear this music even a small sample here on When Stell Talks.

[merrytonestothebone]

That result has always bothered me...and sadly we had a similar occurance with this years finals...only Desperadoes was the on the receiving end of a dubious decision...wheras there will always be cries of 'dey tief' etc by die-hard supporters no matter the result, I believe that sometime judges get a little more than their musical experience can handle...

[Youtou Farse]

I remember that year well. Was the first year that I played with Phase II (9 bass). The only bass solo to ever challenge me. It was just too much madness with the supporters on the stage that night.......

[Bugs]

Great work Mr. Narine. I will always wonder why Desperadoes decided to mess around with Bradley's semi finals arrangement of "Music in Meh Blood". It is one of the greatest pieces ever written for pan. Desperadoes was in third place after the semis. They messed around with Brads arrangement and end up in sixth or seventh place. Boogsie was straight up robbed on that finals night. It wasn't even close.