With the announcement of the ultra talented Mia Gormandy as the 2017 arranger of Birdsong steel orchestra it safe to say the birdsong experiment of the last few years with arranger Andy Narell is over - but what impact, if any, did it have on the Trinidad and Tobago panorama scene?
bugs
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Here's a playlist (12) videos of birdsong Panorama Performances
1982 - 2016
It seemed to have bred a lot of disagreement, but there is a lot to be learnt from Andy Narell
He is very successful in marketing his productions which are all based on his steelpan playing.
Yes, Selwyn: Andy came and took the best that we had to offer and carried it around the world. The question now is what did we take from him in return?
Claude, you got it wrong Andy did not take the best we had, the fact is we FAIL to recognize what we have in our music, when Rudy "Two Left" Smith left Birdsong he suffered similar frustration with the Panorama judging. In fact, I remember his comment when they didn't make the finals. He said the judges don't know MUSIC.
Birdsong was able to capitalize on Rudy's productions via the Sanch label, Andy just followed suite in marketing his own. Both arrangers are deeply rooted in the jazz traditions.
From Panorama 2000 semi-finals.
Birdsong - Happy's Story (Slow version)
Happy Song is a awesome piece of music, well done Rudy Smith.
Reid Wright and be Happy - Happy's Story
Dennis (Charlie) Phillip was like a big brother to me. I loved to argue pan, calypso, and sports with him. Those arguments were quite passionate. He was a Solo Harmonites’ man and I was a Silver Stars’ fan. He was a true leader and genuine person. He had the most contagious laugh. Whatever he did, I enjoyed following him. At the time, I needed someone to help me organize St. Mary’s College basketball team; he was there at my side. I departed Trinidad in 1974, but I follow pan quite closely. I understand that Birdsong is doing wonderful things, especially in the development of the youths. Charlie, please do not start cursing me, but i just do not understand Birdsong’s philosophy when it comes to Panorama. I gather you all are trying to change the Panorama paradigm, but it is just not working.
Not sure what is meant by 'experiment... is over'
The Birdsong 'experiment' is very much alive and continues under the capable hand of Ms Gormandy.
Not sure why Andy Narell is not arranging the Panaroma piece for the band this year, but it's not correct to say that the 'experiment' is over.
The Birdsong Academy of which birdsong is an integral part is still alive and well. As the saying goes 'reports of its demise are very much exaggerated.
Bugs I don't know if it had any impact on the T&T scene but I is certainly creating a buzz in foreign, people [like myself] can't wait to hear what Mia has to bring to the table.
Cecil: You once asked the question: Why do Birdsong players go and spend so much time practicing with Andy when they know that they are going to lose Panorama?
Do you think that they are going to WIN PANORAMA under Mia?
Ah think you missed BUGS question. I would like to hear your answer to his question.
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