Fonclaire- Kitch's " Pan Here to Stay" Arranged by Ken "Professor" Philmore and Milton "Wire" Austin.

During the 1960's and 1970's even into the 1980's, "South" steelbands had a distinct sound.In the days when I played with steelbands like Scarlet Symphony of Marabella and Silvertones of San Fernando, you could easily distinguish a "south" band from a "town" (northern region) band just by the sound.Today, of course arrangers and panists are interchangeable, and bands for the most part have lost that distinct regional sound.This bouncy 1986 arrangement of the 1986 Lord Kitchener classic remains one of my favorite arrangements by the Ken"Professor" Philmore and Fonclaire Steel Orchestra combine.it also reminds me of the "South Band Sound" of the nineteen sixties and seventies as arranged by the likes of Lennox "Bobby" Mohammed, Steve Achaiba and Milton "Wire" Austin..Back then the bands had regional sounds, before they started using the same arrangers and tuners, as they do today.I was recently informed from the source that the bass arrangements were done by Milton Wire Austin " himself , while Professor did the front line arrangements.That's where that "South band" sound came from , and no wonder since Wire is a veteran San Fernando panman and arranger from way back..This arrangement of Kitch's "Pan here to Stay" earned third place in the competition.

This sweet, bouncy arrangement of the 1986 Lord Kitchener classic remains one of my favorite arrangements by the Ken"Professor" Philmore and Fonclaire Steel Orchestra combine.

it also reminds me of the "South Band Sound" of the nineteen sixties and seventies as arranged by the likes of Lennox "Bobby" Mohammed, Steve Achaiba and "Wire" Austin.
.
Back then the bands had regional sounds, before they started using the same arrangers and tuners, as they do today.
I was recently informed from the source that the bass arrangements were done by Milton Wire Austin " himself , while Professor did the front line arrangements.
That's where that "South band" sound came from , and no wonder since Wire is a veteran San Fernando panman and arranger from way back..

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Comments

Glenroy R Joseph September 20, 2014 at 6:02pm

This sweet, bouncy arrangement of the 1986 Lord Kitchener classic remains one of my favorite arrangements by the Ken"Professor" Philmore and Fonclaire Steel Orchestra combine.

it also reminds me of the "South Band Sound" of the nineteen sixties and seventies as arranged by the likes of Lennox "Bobby" Mohammed, Steve Achaiba and "Wire" Austin.
.
Back then the bands had regional sounds, before they started using the same arrangers and tuners, as they do today.
I was recently informed from the source that the bass arrangements were done by Milton Wire Austin " himself , while Professor did the front line arrangements.
That's where that "South band" sound came from , and no wonder since Wire is a veteran San Fernando panman and arranger from way back..
Glenn Mahabir June 4, 2011 at 12:26pm

I WOUL LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE THE BOMB AND PANORAMA TUNES PLAYED BY FONCLAIRE IN 1972 "73. I THINK WE WON BOTH THE BOMB AND PANORAMA.. THE TUNES WE PLAYED WAS "LOW DOWN AND CATERPILLA ALSO THE PANORAMA TUNE I THINK WAS SUNG BY BLUE BOY IF YOU OR ANYONE HAVE THE VIDEO OR AUDIO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE OR HEAR THEM????
CURTIS WILLIAMS July 17, 2010 at 11:04am

I remember that song on the final night, when they finish playing the MC said that the horse had just ran out of the stable.
Ian Franklin July 12, 2010 at 9:24pm

Yes, Fonclare and Professor defeated both Desperadoes and Renegades. They went on to place 3 straight 2nd's in 1989, 1990 and 1991. In 1990 they would made history if they had won. Desperadoes and Robert made history the following year.
VALENTINE YOUNG July 11, 2010 at 5:11pm

This to me rivals anything that Professor has ever done. On that final night in 1986 I remembered that Fonclaire played in the number one position, and were winning until the two last bands played, which were Phase two [2] and All Stars who won the Finals by one point playing Hammer. that was the last Panorama All Stars until the year 2002, Fonclaire finished in third place. Great job by Professor.

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