Well said Sir. I could'nt have said it any better,but this discussion could go on forever and North Steelband men will still be convinced that South played no part in the development and contribution of pan. The younger generation are only aware of the modern day players and arrangers from North with some knowledge of a few older ones like Ellie and Anthony Williams.
I had better stop here as I could go on and on and on.
On another note. It was so sad to here that my rival arranger and good friend Junior Pouchet died recently. Junior and I were both arrangers and players with the National Steelband and toured with the band. God bless his soul and I would be surprised if he did not start a band up there.
Hi Aldwyn, I remember Earl using 3 sticks but I have to admit that I never saw anyone using 4.I am also aware that Allan used 3 as he was our tuner under contract when we were Texaco Sundowners..I was the captain and music arranger of the band.
I also saw someone talking about Sundowners from Marabella. Let me correct that and let you know that the Texaco Sundowners died in 1965 and the band that called themselves Sundowners in Vistabella and sponsered by Schlumberger, was not the same band.
It was also nice to see that some people remember that there was once a top band in South and Trinidad called Sundowners. We did place second to Pan Am North Stars in the very first Panorama held in Trinidad, plus a third place in the Music Festival with Skaters Waltz and several first place in Southern Carnival and Festival competitions.
Greetings to you Alwyn. It makes me feel nice whenever the Name Sundowners is mentioned as I was Born and Bred in that area and still reside in Panco Lane. The "Downers" brought lots of Recognition and Fame to our area and it is here that I started taking "Ah Little Knock" on the Tenor although I was too small to participate with Steve Regis and his Bro Raffee, Belvie, Bit, Bassie, Fats, The Surbrattee Brothers, Rudy Rahim, Tony Joseph, Fingers, Wayne Hart, Clive Date, Robin ( Calypsonian), and Oswald Downes just to name a few thru the years. The entire area were Members of this Band and those Victories and Performances are Indelibly Recorded in the Hearts and Minds of very many of us. In 1964 Rayfee started West Stars and was joined by Steve soon after as Sundowners moved to Vistabella so we all gravitated to West Stars where I played the Tenor. Keep in touch with me as I am working on acquiring some recordings which Sundowners was part of . If I am successful I'll be very happy to share them with you. You can contact me at 18686532479.
Mr. Jones, a pleasant evening to you. I just read your inquiry on whether there is a recording from Sundowners Steel Orchestra from Vistabella. Unfortunately, I was too young at the time and technology was not readily available in the panyard...It so happen that I was the woman on the bass for this band which was then lead by Mr. Raymond Henry who I just spoke to.
Comments
Hello Aldwyn,
I have the 18 minute DVD.
PLease E mail laventl@aol.com
Thanks
Ian
Well said Sir. I could'nt have said it any better,but this discussion could go on forever and North Steelband men will still be convinced that South played no part in the development and contribution of pan. The younger generation are only aware of the modern day players and arrangers from North with some knowledge of a few older ones like Ellie and Anthony Williams.
I had better stop here as I could go on and on and on.
On another note. It was so sad to here that my rival arranger and good friend Junior Pouchet died recently. Junior and I were both arrangers and players with the National Steelband and toured with the band. God bless his soul and I would be surprised if he did not start a band up there.
Steve
Hi Aldwyn, I remember Earl using 3 sticks but I have to admit that I never saw anyone using 4.I am also aware that Allan used 3 as he was our tuner under contract when we were Texaco Sundowners..I was the captain and music arranger of the band.
I also saw someone talking about Sundowners from Marabella. Let me correct that and let you know that the Texaco Sundowners died in 1965 and the band that called themselves Sundowners in Vistabella and sponsered by Schlumberger, was not the same band.
It was also nice to see that some people remember that there was once a top band in South and Trinidad called Sundowners. We did place second to Pan Am North Stars in the very first Panorama held in Trinidad, plus a third place in the Music Festival with Skaters Waltz and several first place in Southern Carnival and Festival competitions.
However, that was all in the past.
Steve Regis
Hello Aldwyn Jones. I am in Trinidad. Please send me your contact number
to my Email laventl@aol.com.
Sincerely,
Ian Franklin
hi Aldwin...I remember it like yesterday. Trying to track down more music from
those times...maybe on old reel to reel tapes. No luck so far...will keep tryin.
I remember Sundowers well. They were from just a few miles down the road from us in Marabella.
They were one of the top south bands of that era.
Unfortunately, like my band Southern Marines there are no recordings that I know of from that era.
Sure wish I had some south bands from those days!
you photo's page is my tenor pan !
all the best
musically