Storytime with Mr. Sanch
Pan and Tassa – Curry Tabanca
The marriage of the two most seductively ubiquitous rhythms of Trinidad and Tobago in the song Curry Tabanca was consummated at around 5:00 am on the morning of Saturday 28th February 1987 at ‘Hell Yard’, home of Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, 146 Duke Street, Port of Spain.
The ten hours of rehearsal that began around 9:00 pm the previous evening was supervised by ace arranger Leon ‘Smooth’ Edwards amidst some relentless drilling by the late Fitzgerald (Uncle Gem) Jemmott, who arrived at around 1:00 am.
The drums of the Malick Tassa Group were tuned at around 4:30. Thereafter, the players took their places within the All-Stars’ rhythm section to rehearse what is probably one of the most intriguing climaxes to a Panorama arrangement, played at ‘coasting speed’ that you’ll ever hear in the fifty-two years of the Competition. I was happy to be there.
The version of Curry Tabanca played on the album ‘From Tabanca to Rain’ (Sanch CD0103) is the first take after the night’s rehearsal. You will be interested to know that this particular recording is two minutes slower than the ‘breakneck’ speed at which the song was played during the finals of the competition later that Saturday night and which earned them fourth place.
Story Time with Mr. Sanch
30.07.15
Replies
Let's get real: PAN IS PAN AND TASSA IS TASSA!!!
In other words: 0h, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet ...
Let AFROS do what they do WITH THE PAN AND SOCA -- and let THE INDOS PUSH THEIR CHUTNEY.
I am a REAL TRINI -- I EH COME ON NO BOAT!!!
Thanks Mr. Sanch. Beautiful Storytime.
Trinidad All Stars - Curry Tabanca
2015 International Steelband Panorama Champions