I've changed my mind again. The stars say "All Stars" But...

[Bugs]

Okay folks with the order of appearance out, the stars seem to be aligned for a Trinidad All Stars win. They are a great band, with a great song that matches them and they are playing at position ten. And their arranger, Smooth, knows how to finish off the competition. But the stage is also set for the making of some real Panorama history and greatness. Imagine if Desperadoes was the win from position 1 or Phase II was to close the gap and win after trailing from way behind after the semi-finals. Any band that wins Panorama this year will make history.

I'm not playing it safe. I'm going for history. Too much great music in this Panorama.

1. Despers
2. All Stars
2 Phase II
4 Renegades
4 Supernovas
6 Tropical Angel Harps

[Glenda Marvray]

Alvin Daniels' 'We are Conquerors' is a great Carnival piece and Liam Teague has gone above and beyond in his arrangement. I think Silver Stars has a really good chance this year!!

[Brian Pinkey]

I am not ready for Panorama finals...still have no favorite, as I didn't hear all of the semi-finals. I have not even found my favorite tune of choice. I expect that doesn't matter, as many bands have chosen "Good Morning"...Why? I hear very little musical in the tune, and less in the simple lyrics. Seems like a jump up wine and jam simple song to me. So what they do with it in steelband? I don't know as I dinna hear the semi finals all. But I will tune in for the Finals, and you can bet I will make comment and lecture and crying if the best gets shut out again...like last year. 

[Denise Haynes]

Wayne 

I agree with you.  Never rule out Phase II.  I initially had them as "also ran", but I am reviewing my pick now as follows:

Despers/Phase II/All Stars- 1st 3 places. Siver Stars and Renegades after that.  Exodus has a hard task being the last to play.

Boogie is not past his prime....just on to another phase!

[Trevor Emanuel Cooper]

INVADERS is playing the perfect  tune this Panorama, because it is quite evident that this band should be part of the the "ULTIMATE REJECTS" crew, but in the steelband world. INVADERS has shown so much Character, especially when "Birdie" Mannette was replaced as Captain and Leader. Don't let the Sins of the parents continuously fall on the children. It is not about how good Invaders perform, but how some people just dislike Invaders, it is like this band just doesn't exist, but "We Jamming still".  

[Wayne Cezair]

Those who giving up on Boogsie might have a shock coming. His music this year is not the typical Panorama jam down so he is a a disadvantage which could go in his favour or against, so he could come in first of fifth depending on how the judges take it or if they even have the capacity to judge him.

In any case he has completely replace all the music from the semis leaving only the opening bars intact.

Let's see what the judges say, but for me it's more than time for a change in the Panorama format

[Mercer Ramdoo]

Supernovas, Starlift, Silver Stars, Despers, AllStars. Anything different would be considered cheating or tiefing. Take yuh pick. I'm not drunk, Claude.

[panrebel]

Didn't Despers under Robert Greenidge with Musical Volcano win Panorama playing at position #1?

If so, would it then be history if Despers won Panorama playing at position 1 a second time?

[39ueshs3kne8m]

Bugs

I take your point but for the record if Despers were to win, history would be repeated. In 1991 Despers played in position one and won with a Robbie's arrangement of Musical Volcano.. . . . . .and. . . . Renegades did not come 4th : )

[Bukka Rennie]

Yes Despers played No:1 in 1991 and won with Robbie's Volcano. All Stars did it twice in 1973 and 2010 . The last time was "Showtime" playing a Silver Stars tune. Its not impossible.

[ARTHUR W TRAVERSO]

Desperadoes is going to set the bar high by playing first but the other bands have a few days to make some changes . The first and last positions could spell disaster and with XO out in that early morning Trinidad dew the canopies would have been helpful to the players and the steel pans . So that leaves us with a dark horse and they are in a good position playing the very popular soca hit song by Orlando "Single". My picks are Tropical Angel Harps, All Stars, Desperadoes, Renegades, Skiffle, XO. Invaders, Supernovas, Starlift and Silver Stars in that order. Yes I said it ! Since the only south will not win they will cushion it and give it to Clayton Morris central band when in reality South / Central is in the same Panorama zone ! Tropical Angel Harps has been knocking on the savannah doors for a long time and all of Chaguanas and Central are backing them. Ah lie !