I would like to invite the FORUM COGNOSCENTI (Glenroy, Bugs, Merrytones, ODW, Bertel, Bede, Oswald Alexander, Salah, Cecil, JJJ, et al.) to explain to us what makes a good/winning PANORAMA ARRANGEMENT. What do we expect Duvonne and Amrit and Professor to deliver to make them WINNERS?
For me (a casual listener), I like to hear the introduction segue into the melody/verse in a mellifluous fashion. That transition seldom ever meets my expectation so I go through the first verse mostly depressed until the drama picks up again later. Beyond that, I never hear enough CALYPSO JAM in the arrangements to deliver the SPIRIT OF CALYPSO part for me.
Replies
Well said ,I heard a little Despers,on the inside ,you are on point Thanks
Ah like the choices presented by all,because they can all add up to very good music.
I love music that makes me want to dance while I listen intently.I like a nice tight rhythm,rather that raw speed.
I don't like to hear the music cluttered with unnecessary runs,and love a smooth walking bass line.
I guess I am saying Clive Bradley style of arranging a piece,is my preference.
Ah hearing Clive saying "Stay with the song,keep it simple,keep it sweet"
As far as any "good" Panorama arrangement is concerned…for me the kicker is motivic development. Bradley's Pan In Harmony, Rebecca and In My House, Smooth's Woman on the Bass and Unknown Band, Boogsie's Birthday Party, Greenidge and Griffith's Pan In A Minor and long long before all of the above Rimsky-Korkasov's Scheharezde all have one important feature in common….unapologetic Motivic Development…The intro must herald the impending music that is to follow. Modern Panorama arrangements to me don't necessary have to present the traditional Intro, statement of piece, jam, re-statement, climax etc in that order. But it will certainly help to observe some of the norm as the piece unfolds. For instance most Panorama tunes nowadays from single-pan up to Large bands have a minor section. I don't always agree that a minor is always necessary, but then that is me.
What seems to be happening nowadays is that some arrangers are so clever at presenting the motif that it is sometimes unrecognizable. Many others go for unrelated jams and motifs involving hundreds of notes which sometimes gives the listener a hard time following the creation. As Barry Harris would say…"Stay right with it"… You can't go wrong once the tune is in the listeners ear from start to finish with as few deviations as possible.
A good arrangement of a Panorama Tune for me is simple. I like to hear a good intro with a line from the verse or a line from the chorus or a line from both, Then the verse and chorus, then a bridge that brings in the middle voices playing the verse and chorus with the front line supporting the melody, then a variation that brings in the change key, Then a spirit of carnival jam that has meaning or familiar to the melody. then another change key, then a bass solo and also a minor key then. if the tune has runs or chromatics I want to hear the melody coming from the lower pans with the chromatics on top. And for me the ending must end with a phrase from the tune. for example. if the tune is Jean and Dinah it end la da la da la da la da Sparrow take over now, or if the tune is Benwood Dick it should end pom pom pom pom tell she mister Benwood come, .
Good questions, don't know if this example helps, this calypso and Merrytones performance delivers the SPIRIT OF CALYPSO. I know its not a Panorama performance but a winning performance for 1984 Musical Best Calypso, arranged by Kendal Lewis
What ODW?…thanks man...
Merrytones: Take yuh bow and then explain all dem fancy thing going on in yuh song. ODW set yuh up nice for a live illustration. By the time allyuh done we go have some real qualified music critics on this forum. Earl Richards give ah nice thing downstairs.
Good tune MTTTB, not straying from the tune, Who tune those pans that year? Sweet like Cordettes pans, and anybody say sweet like Cordettes pans that is definitely a Compliment, lol
Todays music, Bands stray too far away from the tune, I am sure Merrytones came in the 1st three with that tune,
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next