United Kingdom - The first time I saw Despers (the legendary Desperadoes Steel Orchestra hailing from Laventille in Trinidad), I was with my brother Norman in 1981. They were performing at the Birmingham Odeon, as part of their UK tour. The whole aud
Chances are, if you are anything like me you will have some old VHS videos with the Panorama on it from the 1980's. I just sent an email to Pan Trinbago asking them to re-master those old VHS videos to DVD with improved video quality and sound; I thi
Panorama on the Net 2009In the last few weeks, hundreds of thousands of pan historians, fans and players hooked into the When Steel Talks online network and site seeking to gain and/or share information on the panorama happenings, and become associ
Many can talk the talk - but few can walk the walk. Panist Jonathan Scales without a doubt is ‘walking the walk.’ On his sophomore release called Plot/Scheme, Scales takes the listener not only into unexpected territory, but clearly uncharted real-es
Celebration of Women and the Steelpan Art Form
Keva Margetson
Antigua & Barbuda- The late Keva Margetson of Antigua was an avid supporter of all the historical and cultural things that make people of the Caribbean both unique and great. There are th
I had a great time in Trinidad with my brother Norman and friends. Norman played
Double Seconds with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra - a long awaited dream came true. Most of this year I spent with Desperadoes, it seemed that anywhere I went I ended
Show 3 is online
http://www.thepancafe.com/radio_player.php
Please feel free to get involved
THIS MONTHS SHOW
1) Song For My Father (The Pan Cafe Quartet)
2) Doh Back Back (All Stars)
3) Charlo (Ralph Macdonald)
4) Where The Ganges Meets The Nile
I had a great time in Trinidad with my brother Norman and friends. Norman played
Double Seconds with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra - a long awaited dream came true. Most of this year I spent with Desperadoes, it seemed that anywhere I went I ended
Here is a simple question or NOT - "When is it OK and NOT OK to use bits and pieces, or 'quotes' from a previously arranged piece of music?"
At what point can this be considered plagiarism?? if at all? For many musicians, they can easily replicate a
Why steel bands?
"I've been doing that since I was in Trinidad as a little kid. One of the hurtful things when I came to England was that I had to leave my (steel drum) pan and my dog behind." ... Billy Ocean
DeKalb, Ill. — Less than a minute after Robert Chappell first heard steelpannist Liam Teague’s “hands like lightning,” the Northern Illinois University professor knew what he must do.
“When Liam first came to NIU in January of 1993, everybody obviou
Africa Panorama 2009!
The Nigerian Forces Panorama will come up between 20th and 23rd of November 2009. There will be nine organisations participating but we will have more than nine bands, since some organisations will present multiple bands from va
The year is 1994 and Robert Greenidge is the arranger for Moods Pan Groove of New York. This is a two minute sample of the heralded ten minute arrangement as captured by Basement Recordings. Go to https://whensteeltalks.ning.com/video/no-wuk-for-car
Has anyone here worked with a contact mic on their pan? A friend of mine is suggesting this for me to play in Notting Hill - any ideas? I have only ever used a regular mic, above or below the pan, which can cause problems if the pan is swinging, or i
The Calypso and its derivatives remain that intrinsic, artistic thread that weaves the creative cloth of history, documenting and storytelling through live performances for the masses. The late Lord Blakie was one of the true great masters of this cr
Quiet, humble, unassuming but meticulous - Robbie Joseph, editor of Pan Podium is the consummate professional. He brings a cutting-edge combination of talent and experience to the table, in additi
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I am seeking a Lord Kitchener's Appreciation Day on February 11, 2010 to Comemorate Aldwyn Roberts who is gone but not forgotten. I am seeking to have all Steelbands of Arima and surrounding areas perform for the 10th anniversary of this great contri
This is a never-before-released or heard, 'slow version' of the great Len "Boogsie" Sharpe classic arrangement of "In My House" as performed by Pan Rebels and captured by Basement Recordings, as the orchestra prepared for the annual New York panorama
Hi there....Word is that a Band named "PTB Express"comprising a number of top Pan Players taped a performance that was shown on Trinidad and Tobago Television on Old Year's Night 1981.These Players included...Boogsie Sharpe,Earl Brooks,Ken Philmore,a