Sweet steelpan on Tuesday night caused traffic jams throughout Tunapuna when the Exodus and birdsong steel orchestras competed in the large band preliminary round of the National Panorama championships. The Pan Trinbago adjudicators visited both those bands right after having judged the RBC Redemption Soundsetters earlier that evening.
The judges in fact hopped on to a plane and came straight to birdsong on St Vincent Street, Tunapuna from the airport without rest. And this after having been in Tobago the night before to judge the small and medium bands there on Monday. At birdsong arranger, Andy Narell and the 115 musicians, which included 60 that came in from abroad with Narell, were waiting to perform, “Pan Magic” composed by Nyon Manswell and produced by Carl Jacobs.
Birdsong’s performance was near immaculate and much enjoyed by the people gathered at the panyard and spilling out onto the streets bordering it. In the arrangement, which on the night was delivered in a laid back style, you could hear some jazzy progressions, along with a touch of Kitchener and even some oriental phrases. Just as quickly as the judges sat to listen to birdsong, so did they board the maxi taxis to head over to Exodus.
The crowd at Republic Bank Exodus Pan Yard on the Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna spilled onto the main road slowing the traffic to a near halt. Cars were also parked on the side streets nearby also creating pileups there. Some people were even sitting on chairs in the trays of several trucks parked near the panyard so they could see and hear the band perform.
Exodus too did not disappoint their supporters with their performance of, “De Puna Band,” recorded by Farmer Nappy (Darryl Henry) and composed by Gregory “GB” Ballantyne and Pelham Goddard who arranged the piece that was created specifically for Exodus to compete with in Panorama.
The band’s rendition of the tune was quite spirited and while birdsong went with a more easy listening feel, Exodus went with pace, power and delivered a quite spirited performance. The crowd, which included Opposition Leader, Dr Keith Rowley and former finance minister, Brian Kuei Tung
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