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On behalf of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra our condolences are out to the family and friends of the late Mr. Alonzo Jones. Mr.Jones was a bassist with the Phase II Steel Orchestra, and will be buried in Trinidad, on March 17th 2014.
Trinidad%20All%20Stars%20-%204th%20Gen.docx
Trinidad All Stars: Four Generations of Sailors
From the 1930’s under the leadership of people like “Sagiator” Drayton to Eric Stowe, “Big-Head” Hamilton Thomas, Prince Batson and Neville Jules the great Trinidad All Stars has remained firmly committed to the Carnival Arts. This band from Hell Yard could not do otherwise, it is their CORE VALUE, their raison d’etre, the reason to be. The following is a quotation from their hopefully soon-to-be-published History Book titled: “Men, Mettle & Metal – the Birth of Steel-Drum Music and the History of Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra: “The lesson to be learnt is that Panorama should not be the ‘be-all and end-all’ for steelbands that are serious about the Carnival tradition and their institutional presence therein; furthermore, that the commitment to this tradition and to such a presence during Carnival pays off at the end of the day. All Stars has gained tremendously from such a commitment; every year collecting prize monies both for playing music and masquerading at the various judging points while other steelbands simply fold up after Panorama and J’ouvert until the following year. All Stars has over the years reaped a financial bonanza as a result and has been placed on a sound financial footing that is unmatched by any other steelband…” Beresford Hunte, the present Captain is never tired of saying to reporters that “All Stars is not a Panorama band, All Stars is more than that, much more…” In 2012, All Stars placed 6th in the Band of the Year competition, in 2013, the band was placed 3rd, now in 2014, it is the Band of the Year. It was not a fluke, not a surprise to anyone following the trajectory. The section leaders must be commended for their efforts and, most of all, tribute must be extended to the section of young Drum-Majorettes who performed at the front of the band on both days; amongst them were the grand-children and great grand-children of ‘Big-Head’ Hamilton Thomas namely Ms Lorraine Lamont, Mallorey-Marie Elizabeth Lamont and Alexxandria-Maria Shaniah Lamont – the fourth generation of Sailors from Hell Yard. All praises!
Bukka Rennie.
On behalf of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and the pan world at large our condolences go out to Mr. Kenneth "Panam" Clarke on the passing of his loving mother, Mrs. Dorcas Clarke-Charles, who passed on at Mt. Hope Hospital, Trinidad in the morning of March 8th 2014.
As the pan world knows, Mrs. Clarke's son, Kenneth, is the youngest pannist at 9 years old that toured with the great North Stars in 1964.
May Mrs. Dorcas Clarke-Charles, RIP
We underestimate how sweet pan really can be, if played the right way.
Just after backing up a calypsonian the host decides to put the pannist on de stop and see if he can handle, what you think.... Freestyle!!
The Excitement now start to build. We "Jumping High" All Stars rock the North Stand and captures #1 in the Semis
Please see quoted below a letter I have sent to the Press in response to Pantrinbago's latest innovation:
The Editor
Dear Sir/Madam,
Thank you Pool coordinator and Pan Trinbago officers for this ingenious solution to encourage the youth to learn, play and enjoy the National Instrument
When I read Pantrinbago’s announcement of a new element in the Panorama – Pan Splash -my first feeling was horror, then deep sadness and finally amusement. Bad enough that we have to continue with the Greens which pose stiff competition to pan lovers who want to hear the staged event. But surely, the INTERNATIONAL body for the national instrument would understand that this ‘Girls Gone Wild ‘ type event is just another manifestation of the blatant disrespect and disregard of our heritage.
Culture Minister Lincoln Douglas was willing to accept Diaz’s explanation that the event would “facilitate the involvement of young people in associating with the Steelband and that the people who participate in this event are those to listen to, and play pan eventually. They (Pan Trinbago) are more versed in these things than I am and my concerns have been answered in that way,”
Michelle George: Event co-coordinator of the Pan Splash- “for re-education of the young people and rethinking the art of entertainment, in regard to the national instrument. We believe that young people need to integrate and be taught how to appreciate the pan, and the point of going on The Greens was for the pan, so it’s not a concept that means to take away from the pan because we are making sure we do not interrupt the pan at all, and once a band is on-stage, the Jumbotron goes up and all other music in the area is ceased, so all the Pan Splash patrons will be able to see and hear the Steelbands as they perform and compete.”
George further described the pool as a marvelous idea, “a much cooler gimmick to get you into the pan and trick you into enjoying it”.
I would suggest that other organizations, bodies, whatever……follow the leader
(1) That Churches have a Pool and Greens to TRICK parishioners to the return to church.
(2) That Police Stations have a Pool and Greens to TRICK informants into reporting crime and abuse and TRICK miscreants to stop their criminal ways.
(3) That Schools have a Pool and Greens as an excellent gimmick to TRICK the students into book learning and good behaviour.
(4) That every community have a Pool within a four block radius to TRICK residents and stop them from burning tyres and distract them from the ills in their community.
(5) That every home has a pool to help parents TRICK their children into staying at home instead of running away.
(6)That every Government Office building has a Pool to TRICK Public Servants into coming work on time, staying at their posts and becoming more productive.
(7) That every prison have a Pool to TRICK the officers and prisoners into believing that they are living in a five-star hotel and all is well.
And finally
(8) Every Steelband have a Pool and Greens so that their players could be TRICKED into staying their own Panyards, generate their own income and TRICK themselves into thinking that Pantrinbago [the world governing body for Steelbands] is championing their cause with dignity, creativity and integrity.
Wake up! Band leaders, Pannists – this may well be the last Panorama that really is about the National Instrument.
The culture of Panorama - Steelbands, the Drag, the Barber Green, hot sun, meeting long lost friends, arguments, pelau, corn soup, macaroni pie will be an “ole ting” replaced by phi, e-pan, pool, jumbotron, tents, caterers, misting machines, changing rooms, air-conditioned VIP rooms. The price of progress is high [King Austin} Bring back the old time days [Nappy Mayers].
Sincerely,
marie diane dupre
I would like to congratulate my son Hanif Goodridge for his bands performance in the recent Single pan competition, they did not make it into the semi final round, but he made a great effort, he was the youngest arranger in the 2014 single pan competition, and also his first time arranging for a panorama competition, Son the sky is the limit, you've wanted to arrange since primary school and you finally got the opportunity to do so, you would always have my support. Keep reaching for the planets and stars and never give up on your dreams, all the best hun !!!!
We are all tired of the same old adage year after year. I propose Pan Trinbago set up an annual Pan Music competition to help drive the musical creativity within Trinidad carnival. Most composers have little to gain from producing a pan tune and many have to incur the high cost of a quality studio production. If there was a musical Pan Tune competition... Say the first 3 tunes to have acceptance by the bands gain a winning financial fund, for example the winner would get full reimbursement of the studio cost plus a financial reward for having four or more bands play his or her tune the second have three play their tune and the third having two. This will improve 1. The creative quality of the music, and 2. The desire to keep creating year after year.
Remove the older tune plying allowance and concentrate on new creative music.
This I think would bring much needed freshness to the art form
I once posed this question to Pan Trinbago and received a professional reply. Also, do you think the medium and large bands should be slated for the same night?
Having observed the attitude of we /us the members of WST on the forum,,there was redicule,,hate,,non co-operation,,silence,,forgiveness,,and still therafter redicule,,which as grown ups I found it to be very shameful,,2013 was a year of attacks and egotism at the ending of the year there was a resolution I do presume,, for betterment,progress,,focus towards Pantrinbago,,,but it seems to me that inner discontent/hate for persons that do produce a tangible program/Steelpan Wise ,,are still the black sheep,,,there is a time to be jovial and there is a time to be serious,,,,i do not think that WST had started or had introduced the Forum for us to be tantalisizing each other, degregation,,,i do feel its for an Educational purpose,,undoing the wrong,,dedicating ourselves towards the upliftment of the Steelpan,,,Arrangers,,Tuners,,etc, ensuring that the Steelpan /man /woman suffers no further,,eradicating the wrongs,,misuse,, and stagnancy,,GIVING THEM THEIR DUES,, as a Panman /Tuner I know of the bus finger,struggle,,,suffering and sacrifice that a Steelpan Player endures ,,,Just For the Love of The Instrument,,,i am just voicing my opinion ,,trust me ,,?????God Bless.
I like in th minor that is very hot next big in the dance the wedding
Some of this really happened...
Just ask any man who was jumping up in a Steelband
And though he got lucky
But with tears in his eyes on Ash - Wednesday had to ask.....
Trini-gal why …. why
You acting so crazy After Carnival
Please tell me why …
Why you playing you don’t know me After Carnival
After.... carnival done
And we had "all we" fun
Yuh running to church to pray
Bunning candle night and day
Begging for mercy After Carnival
Holy Father please forgive me ..... After Carnival
Is them who make me After Carnival
Shake "meh" booty After Carnival
Tell me why…. (Trini Gal)..
Tell me why….. Tell me why Ah want the truth doh lie….
When.... "we were" in the band
Calling me yuh outside man
You weren’t feeling shame
Now ah can't even call your by yuh name
When U see me coming After Carnival
Why U take of running After Carnival
Hiding from me … After carnival
Like if you owe me money .....
Tell me why…..Trini Gal
Tell me why ...Tell me why
Ah, want the truth doh lie.
It… was just yesterday
You were teaching me to **carray”
After... you drink up all meh rum
Now you holy playing nun
Why yuh so highty tighty... After Carnival
Playing that yuh doh know me After Carnival
Walking dainty - dainty. After Carnival
Acting up saintly… saintly ... After carnival
Tell me why ….Trini Gal
Tell me why…….Tell me why
Ah, want the truth "doh" lie.
**Carray ..... A dance move similar to "Twerking"
(c) Henry O. Miller 1995
From its Inception to now. What era would You say were the Golden Years?
Tell me again and again
Brother help me understand
The evolution of the Steel Band
The stories told of days of old
Really fascinate me
So ah ask (may) granny
How sat me down and explained me,
she said
It was Man better Man,
Pan better Pan
Band better Band
And Lord help you
If you touch the flag woman
And when we coming down Marie Square
With we bomb ringing in the air
You just had to be there to understand
Those golden years of pan
Tell me again and again
About the years of stigma
Long before pan get culture
And what about the "Bar Jon Era"
She explained to me de pan geography
And the confrontations
Between de rival steelbands
And the repercussions.
And then de bards of the land,
Those Lord and Mighty "Calypso-ions"
For "De Mach Gra" would have a new tune
And by Jouvert Morning
That's what we beating
And when we heading for the Grand Stand,
Man woman and child pushing dey pan
You just had to be there to understand,
Those golden years of pan.
Pan gone but panman stay
That is what they tell me
But they can't fool we
Because we know the history
Mama used to say
That come one day
You'll see Made in Japan
Or even Taiwan
Stamp on a stellpan
But doh matter how far I roam
Trinidad will always be home
And when ever ah hear ah sweet pan
It takes me right back to de island
I remember de big yards
Big Boy - the men of steel
And The holy fathers of bands
Yes I was there to see
And I understand
Those golden years of pan.
Its about time that Steel bands have a vote of No Confidence in its President. Keith Diaz. This a man is a Parasite sucking the blood of The Pan men. He and his Cronies must Go. Steel bands are still waiting to be Paid for the Last Festival. This was the 1st Festival that neither an Audio or Video was made for Public enjoyment,, He uses Pantrinbago as His personal Piggy bank, but No Money for Pan. This Man should be in Jail. Keith Diaz must go before he destroys or Pan Culture.
News has come at hand that Conrad Franklyn Entrepreneur and management consultant/International Steel band Promoter has died.
He passed on 22nd December in California USA, after a long illness.
The information was supplied by is Brother Dr. Gaston Franklyn,who was unable to attend his burial because he was at sea at the time of receiving the news. Conrad Franklyn was the founder of the Trinidad and Tobago Showboat company. This company supplied Pan players for many foreign engagements...which promoted a lot of players who are now Arrangers and Promoters themselves. He tried Making Pan men "show-Men" and women as well. Some people had Great experiences and Others not so great. The bottom line is that he Tried to make a dollar for himself while promoting the Pan. He was cremated on the 27th December 2013. May he rest in Peace and his memories be a good one.
