In 1986, while still single and living in New Hampshire, I was awakened by the sweet sound of pan from my clock radio which was tuned to a Boston Jazz radio station.Then I heard the radio DJ say that the panist was Andy Narell, who had gone to Trinidad to learn about the steelpan.What caught my attention was the DJ's comment that he doubted that Andy had anything to learn in Trinidad, as he was so skilled.Since that was the year that Mr Narell performed in three steelbands for the Panorama,I doubt that Andy would have concurred with that radio DJ's opinion.1986 was the year of "The Hammer", and I've always felt that Andy's sojourn in Trinidad that year affected his music.Here from his album "The Hammer", is Andy Narell's version of "The Hammer" featuring vocals by David Rudder.
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BigMac outside of a parent's love for their child, there are very few things that are not about a competition at its fundamental roots. Even mangoes are competiting against each other as to which one will be eaten by you. The flip side of what you speak is dangerous case of mediocrity.
Tell me something....what is it that determines who is better than who where improvisation is concerned?...Is it improv on a particular tune?...Improv over a number of years?...Style of improv?...Does the improviser keep up with new trends in music?...Is education a factor?...What about the instrument of choice?
I ask these questions because I too am of the view that there can be not best in improv...well say unless you have a competition like the defunct "Pan Ramajay" as a yardstick. In Pelham Goddard's recent WST interview he too higlighted this who-better-than-who business among steelbands. I have experienced several times where even at a simple event as a block-o-rama, once more than one steelband is present, you have uneccessary bantering.
Like it or not competition is an inherent part of the Steelband psyche. I just feel we need to think carefully before attaching superlatives like better and best to our more talented panists.
That's a strange question Glenroy. I'm not sure how to answer it. It's like asking were the Beatles equally skilled as Earth Wind and Fire. Clearly they were not. But they both made great music that will remembered forever. So in this regard I will say no, the names you mentioned are not equal in skill.
I agree with you in general. Many times it boils down to taste. But there are times when clearly the "best" does exist. For example, after a playoff series between Boston and Chicago speaking about his encounter with Jordon Larry Bird said after "That was God disguised as Michael Jordan"
Upon seeing Jimi Hendrix for the first time performing live, Eric Clapton who was already considered a guitar god said he seriously considered perusing a different profession. Clapton said about Hendrix "it scared me,... here was the real thing."
I am willing to be educated, Sidd. My guess is that Ray Holman will make your list as his touch on the pan is very much like Narell. Care to throw a few more names in the ring ?
I'm always amused by the way Trinidadians use the expression "Barber Greene " to refer to paved roads and highways in Trinidad.
The expression is used in conversation and in calypso (like this one) and since no one asked me, I'll educate the non-Trinis anyway.
In the fifties and sixties, huge road paving machines manufactured by the Barber-Greene company, one of the top road construction firms of the day, were used in a major road paving project throughout the island.
The name Barber-Greene was prominently displayed on the machines, and from that we locals referred to the entire project as laying down the Barber-Greene.
From then on, the black top roads were called in local slang "the Barber -Greene."
Barber-Greene is no longer in existence, following the purchase of its paving products by Caterpillar in 1991.
Comments
@bigmacttwi
BigMac outside of a parent's love for their child, there are very few things that are not about a competition at its fundamental roots. Even mangoes are competiting against each other as to which one will be eaten by you. The flip side of what you speak is dangerous case of mediocrity.
bugs
Tell me something....what is it that determines who is better than who where improvisation is concerned?...Is it improv on a particular tune?...Improv over a number of years?...Style of improv?...Does the improviser keep up with new trends in music?...Is education a factor?...What about the instrument of choice?
I ask these questions because I too am of the view that there can be not best in improv...well say unless you have a competition like the defunct "Pan Ramajay" as a yardstick. In Pelham Goddard's recent WST interview he too higlighted this who-better-than-who business among steelbands. I have experienced several times where even at a simple event as a block-o-rama, once more than one steelband is present, you have uneccessary bantering.
Like it or not competition is an inherent part of the Steelband psyche. I just feel we need to think carefully before attaching superlatives like better and best to our more talented panists.
bugs
I don't think a sports comparison is apt, Bugs. Sports by its nature has tangible measurements of talent.
You have statistics that can be compared.
Music , on the other hand is subjective, when one is referring to the established stars who are tops in their genres.
Then, I think for the most part it is a matter of preference.
If the skills and expertise are similar, then its a matter of style.
You won't say any one of the tenor pan players I mentioned is more skilled the the other, would you?
The differences, I think, is the way they express themselves musically.
Who can say which musical expression is the best?
To me, its all a matter of taste.
@ Glenroy
I agree with you in general. Many times it boils down to taste. But there are times when clearly the "best" does exist. For example, after a playoff series between Boston and Chicago speaking about his encounter with Jordon Larry Bird said after "That was God disguised as Michael Jordan"
Upon seeing Jimi Hendrix for the first time performing live, Eric Clapton who was already considered a guitar god said he seriously considered perusing a different profession. Clapton said about Hendrix "it scared me,... here was the real thing."
bugs
I am always uncomfortable crediting any individual musician as the "best" in any genre.
I prefer to say "favorite".
For example, Trinidad All Stars is my favorite, but I cannot say that they are "better" than Phase II, Despers, Renegades or Exodus.
My favorite pan soloists, based on what I've experienced, are Robbie and Professor.
Should I proclaim them as "better" than Boogsie,Ray , Andy, or Two Lef' ?
I can't do that.
Could I say that Miles was a "better" trumpet player than Satchmo? or that Hendrix was better than Clapton?
It's all a matter of personal choice, folks, and we're all entitled to that.
I'm always amused by the way Trinidadians use the expression "Barber Greene " to refer to paved roads and highways in Trinidad.
The expression is used in conversation and in calypso (like this one) and since no one asked me, I'll educate the non-Trinis anyway.
In the fifties and sixties, huge road paving machines manufactured by the Barber-Greene company, one of the top road construction firms of the day, were used in a major road paving project throughout the island.
The name Barber-Greene was prominently displayed on the machines, and from that we locals referred to the entire project as laying down the Barber-Greene.
From then on, the black top roads were called in local slang "the Barber -Greene."
Barber-Greene is no longer in existence, following the purchase of its paving products by Caterpillar in 1991.
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