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"Pan Down Fifth Avenue" by Pan Am Jet North Stars (1965)

Posted by Glenroy R Joseph on June 13, 2011 at 11:55am

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tony, williams, Anthony, stars, am

From the 1965 album Souvenirs in Steel here is "Pan Down Fifth Avenue".This tune was composed and arranged by the legendary pan pioneer, band leader, pan innovator,tuner , arranger Mr Anthony "Tony" WilliamsIt is believed that Mr Williams may have been the first steelband arranger to compose his "own tune" for his band, Pan Am Jet North Stars..

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Comments

wayne walcott June 15, 2011 at 9:15pm

Tony Williams an North Stars , sponsored by Pan-Am Airlines . . T.N.T.. still de bes Steelban . . evah . . maybe dis was de 1st "own-tune " by a steelban . . an is still ah Classic . . from de good ole days wen de bans in de wes was de Bes . . . . jes check Valentino Kaiso . . anybody have any Crossfire . . West Side or Synphonettes . . please say yes an put dem up dey fuh we . . tanks in advance . .
Alicia Caesar June 15, 2011 at 5:23pm

I chipped to this on Saturday night at We Beat in St James. O what a joy. I could hear my dec. brother in the yard

humming the tune after practice.
Anthony C. Gittens June 15, 2011 at 7:46am

This tune put joy in my heart and reminds me of my boyhood days ....sweet, can't stop hearing it.

thanks Mr. Glenroy R. Joseph.
kathleen Holder June 14, 2011 at 8:16pm

Fantastic I have always this arrangement, it is soft and sweet.Thank you Glenroy

From Kathy
Andre-Roger Dellevi June 14, 2011 at 8:46am

Still have that Record Album, but lost the "woody" toned steelpan in my back-yard!!!
terry June 13, 2011 at 7:20pm

Thanks, Glen, for sharing another pan jewel by a legendary pan orchestra and arranger/composer.
kerwin burke June 13, 2011 at 2:14pm

Thanks this is the first time i've heard this song in it's entirety.
Glenroy R Joseph June 13, 2011 at 1:09pm

I try to be as careful as possible with language. Please note that I said "It is BELIEVED that he MAY have been the first.
I suppose I could have added " to formally" compose a tune for his band, meaning that his composition was recognizable as such.
Skip Poole June 13, 2011 at 1:01pm

Whether Mr. Williams was or wasn't the first, he certainly was one of the most important contributors to the world of pans.

I had the great honor to meet Mr. Williams many, many years ago...he was a joy to speak with. His understanding and knowledge of all things 'pan' was legendary.

...and for what it's worth, I really enjoyed 'Pan Down fifith Avenue.'
Kim Johnson June 13, 2011 at 12:51pm

as much as I think Tony Williams is the greatest panman, he can't get the accolade of being the first to compose his own tune. Panmen have been doing that since ping pongs could manage four tones, with "Alan Ladd, thus gun for hire." One of my favourite pantunes was compossed for Casablanca by Art DeCouteau, "Shades of Steel" around 1952. You can hear it in the closing credits of my movie: http://vimeo.com/24940814