Yet Another Slight For The Steelbands By The Trinidad & Tobago Government?

I hope I misunderstood, but I was perusing the Express Online this morning, and I read where PM Kamla Bissesar, and her administration, have launched a nationwide celebration of Trinidad & Tobago's 50th Independence anniversary, which is planned to continue through the month of December.

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Kamla_to_launch__50th_Independence_anniversary_celebrations-145709355.html

Firstly, I hope ALL PNM Haterz, do some research, as to how this party, under Dr. Eric Williams, won that battle against a World "Superpower", and you will see that not ALL of PNM history deserves our ridicule. They did some great things! And some really bad ones; agreed. (And I am no big fan of either, but the Doc saw to it that I could have attended Trinity College as a poor, Black child, growing up in class-based colonial Trinidad.)

My main issue with the PM's plans, though, has to do with the fact that they included a solo steelpan player, yet , and entire dance company, an entire tassa (drum) group, and, an entire "rhythm section". I really find that disrespectful to the steelbands, for the history of the instrument, is wrapped up in the collective, not the individual. It was STEELBANDS, made up of individuals. Why not hire a solo tassa drummer? The relevance of the instrument we affectionately call a "pan", is in the ranges of "voices", originally for the poly-syncopation of African drum rhythms, then, for the melodic, counter-melodic, and harmonic forms of Western musical orchestras. Don't get me wrong, I love hearing pan in a variety of contexts, however, I feel it would be more appropriate, to "celebrate" our independence, by showing our national instrument in its true histo-cultural persona- THE STEELBAND!

What do you think? Are you okay with this arrangement? Me, I think it's ALL about MONEY! I'm sure the usual excuse will pop up: "The cost of transporting steelbands is too expensive." What about a nine month celebration, how expensive is that? Couldn't you celebrate for, say, six months instead, so you can hire an ENTIRE steelband? Thank goodness, it's not our Centennial; we would be celebrating for 18 months! And I also question the performance fees; is the "panman" going to make the same income as all the other performers, or are the fees skewered, based on other criteria? As far as I am concerned, this is, yet, another slight of the steelbands, and proof of the urgent need for the "revival" of the STEELBAND MOVEMENT!

Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks. Honoring the Legacy of George "Sonny" Goddard

All the parties play politricks with the steelpan movement at some point. Steelpan People have to unite at home and abroad to demand respect for the national instrument, starting with putting it back on the tail of the national airline.

1971, New Years day newspaper article reports that Goddard is upset over the arrests, and calls for removal of the “primitive law”. Calls for steelbands to boycott government functions. George does not attend the Prime Minister’s Party for Tripoli Steelband, just back on tour with Liberace. On February 28, a paid advertisement, “Thank You Dr. Eric Williams”, endorsed by forty-five steelband leaders, appears in the local newspapers. Shortly after, George is fired by the government. SIC (Steelbands Improvement Committee) presses for special convention with aims of disrupting proceedings and moving for a “no confidence” vote. George announces there will no special meeting, and resigns in June as the Association’s leader. Finally, toward the year’s end, the name of the Association would be changed to Pan Trinbago.

Replies

Andre-Roger Dellevi April 7, 2012 at 2:08pm

All the parties play politricks with the steelpan movement at some point. Steelpan People have to unite at home and abroad to demand respect for the national instrument, starting with putting it back on the tail of the national airline.

1971, New Years day newspaper article reports that Goddard is upset over the arrests, and calls for removal of the “primitive law”. Calls for steelbands to boycott government functions. George does not attend the Prime Minister’s Party for Tripoli Steelband, just back on tour with Liberace. On February 28, a paid advertisement, “Thank You Dr. Eric Williams”, endorsed by forty-five steelband leaders, appears in the local newspapers. Shortly after, George is fired by the government. SIC (Steelbands Improvement Committee) presses for special convention with aims of disrupting proceedings and moving for a “no confidence” vote. George announces there will no special meeting, and resigns in June as the Association’s leader. Finally, toward the year’s end, the name of the Association would be changed to Pan Trinbago.
- Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks > Andre-Roger Dellevi April 7, 2012 at 10:08pm
  
  Thanks and much respect for posting this, Andre. (Ain;t that a female dog!!!) Wait 'til I bus de full story...
  
  GHOST.
lance Seuanrine April 3, 2012 at 12:08pm

Greetings: I have observed the trend with this social conversation. There was a request to have the program published. Nevertheless, maybe, When Steel Talks could take the lead to find out what has transpired. I do appreciate Ghost's comments but are we at the roundtable helping to make the decisions? What are the plans for the steelband during the celebrations that are scheduled for the period? Are there funds available to have meaningful concerts, exhibitions, lectures throughout the country? I would love to see some of the elders enjoying some of the fruits of the labor of love. Are there plans for securing the steelband's success in the future?

Are there are any plans to get the National Steelband back on track and to be part of any celebration to entertain dignataries or be part of the Tourist industry? I would like to see if the Steelband can become more recognisable beyond Carnival times. Give thanks and Blessing. Dr. Lance Seunarine
- Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks > lance Seuanrine April 3, 2012 at 1:55pm
  
  Great questions and comment, Doc. I look forward to the answers. ANYONE?
  
  GHOST.
  - Cecil hinkson > Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks April 3, 2012 at 7:17pm
    
    I doh know what other activity dey having but ah sure Phase II doing up the avenue, dey must have pan on the road.
    - Mercer Ramdoo > Cecil hinkson April 14, 2012 at 8:18pm
      
      There are four months to Independence. There is NO way a 50th ann'y would be complete without a steelband parade. When Pantrinbago wakes up, maybe you'll hear something.
    - Cecil hinkson > Cecil hinkson April 4, 2012 at 10:51am
      
      Correction. It should read Phase II GOING up the avenue.
Pan'tum - The Ghost Who Talks April 3, 2012 at 10:51am

Speaking of "Babylon"...http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2012-04-02/scrap-metal-thieves-take-...

Obviously, EVERY country has its issues. In Trinidad, just watch where you drive; you could be heading to the bridge that's nowhere! lmao.

GHOST, reporting on GHOST BRIDGE.
VALENTINE YOUNG April 3, 2012 at 10:38am

I think since Independence of 1962 the most significant thing that has happened in Sweet T&T is the emergence of the Steel Pan as a Musical instrument accepted throught the World as such. It would be fitting to herald this Musical Wonder as our main contribution in our short History as an Independent Nation, and during our 50th Anniversary celebrations, homage should be paid to it. Steelband is our Identity throughout the world. Our two greatest contribution to mankind is definitely SteelPan and ''Brian 'Charles Lara.'' I support the Goverment in their efforts to celebrate our 50th Anniversary in style, but they must not loose sight of the big picture, which is, to promote and expose the Steel band Culture to the World. Steelband is God given gift to the people of T&T, and we must treat it with respect and dignity and cherish it. Lets see what will happen in its promotion for the balance of the year...............
lance Seuanrine April 3, 2012 at 10:15am

Greetings: Just listened to another great arrangement by Brothers Jules and Demas -- The Trinidad All Stars Black Orpheus (2006). This has to be one of the greatest arrangements of our time. Give thanks. Dr. Lance Seunarine

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