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Offline Socapro

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On becoming Golden ...a time to celebrate
« on: August 24, 2012, 02:25:40 AM »
http://www.guardian.co.tt/entertainment/2012-08-23/becoming-golden

Pulse
On becoming Golden
...a time to celebrate

Published: Friday, August 24, 2012
Peter Ray Blood


It is one of the most amazing musical experiences I’ve ever had. Attending the recently held Boogsie in Concert event at Little Carib Theatre in Woodbrook left me pretty much challenged to find the most appropriate adjectives to describe the night. The venue was packed and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, affectionately dubbed “the Mozart of Pan,” was at his best. For the concert, Boogsie invited to guest with him, his mentor and friend Ray Holman; CAL Invaders poster girl Desiree Myers; and young members of his band, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove. He also handpicked some competent musicians to accompany him, including fellow Phase II pannist and bassist Douglas “Dougie” Redon; Clifford Charles (guitar); Chantal Esdelle (piano); Tamba Gwindi (percussion); and Richard Joseph (drums).

To open proceedings, Boogsie and his ensemble played the much loved Green Dolphin Street, as well as two of his original compositions—Crying and Baby Ashley. Boogsie then invited his pannists onstage and they performed on two four-pans, two seconds, three tenors and a PHI Electronic Pan. On four-pan as well was Myers while Boogsie played the other PHI Electronic Pan on stage. This pre-intermission set included Sparrow’s Royal Gaol; Boogsie’s Half A Yardie; God Bless Our Nation; and Magic Drum, the Panorama classic composed by Boogsie, Machel Montano and the late Franklyn Ollivierra.

The supporting band and pan ensemble then combined to accompany Boogsie after intermission, a segment that was as magical and mesmerising as the preceding. Opening the show’s second stanza with the late Andre Tanker’s Forward home, Sparrow’s Memories was the next selection played. Boogsie gave me pleasant memories of my days as a pannist in Phase II when he played another of his compositions, titled I See Aysha. Back in the day, Aysha was one of the band’s bassists but had a knack for constantly “coasting,” a habit which drove Boogsie batty. Even when being admonished by Boogsie, Aysha would find a way to coast. Boogsie would then say, “ah seeing yuh Aysha,” thus the name of this ditty.

Moon River, Summer Time, Rose and The Archbishop of Pan completed the programme but it was Summer Time which took Boogsie’s versatility to another level, leaving captive patrons breathless. Excusing all musicians off the stage, with the exception of Myers on four-pan, Boogsie showed off the infinite range of his skills on the PHI Electronic Pan and tenor, with Myers augmenting with counter harmonies her well-tuned instrument. Another thrill was Boogsie and Holman teaming up to execute Sparrow’s Rose. This was a fun item as these two exceptional musicians seemed to try to outdo each other while soloing, Boogsie being the aggressor and Holman cool and laid back.

Coasting: Playing the pan after the arranger/captain asks for silence during practice, or running notes during a break.

We’re celebrating
 
A group of television production industry professionals (Danielle Dieffenthaller, Walt Lovelace, ADL) has come together to produce a 50th Anniversary Music video using Rem Bunction's track We Are. The group approached several artistes who have all agreed and are very excited about the project. With some really beautiful lyrics, the video should embrace all that We Are here in Trinidad and Tobago. Artistes on board thus far include just-crowned 50th Anniversary of Independence Chutney Soca Monarch Rikki Jai, 2012 National Chutney Soca Monarch KI, Denyse Plummer, Johnny King, 3Canal, Richard Ramnarine, Ataklan, Carol and Caryl Jacobs, Lil Bits, Ravi B, and Ronnie Mc Intosh. Keep viewing local television channels for a taste of We Are.

Gimme de Bam Bam
 
One of the strengths of a successful soca artiste is “sticktoitiveness,” and one of those artistes is Cassi. This new artiste, who burst on the scene with a bang for C2K11 with Town Gal, didn’t have as successful a year in C2K12, but is back for next year’s Carnival with a single titled Gimme de Bam Bam. Calypsoes which celebrate the posteriors of women have been around for many years, the best loved being Sugar Bum Bum by the late Lord Kitchener, Sparrow’s Tobago Gal and Iwer George’s Bum Bum Time. It is left to be seen whether Cassi’s single could emulate the old classics on women’s derrieres.

Live pan music by Silver Stars
 
A few weeks ago I lamented the fact of tourists visiting our country and being unable to find live steelband music being played anywhere. Thanks to Julia Gomes, I got a heads-up that every week, for 52 weeks a year, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, live steelband music can be heard at the Tragarete Road panyard of PCS Silver Stars in Newtown. It’s all free as those are the band’s practice nights. The popular steel orchestra has dubbed these weekly sessions “theatre night,” and the public is invited to come and enjoy. On the topic of live pan, remember tomorrow’s 50th Independence anniversary with Steelpan Parade on the Avenue, being staged by The Woodbrook Community Association. The parade kicks of at 6.30 pm, at the corner of Taylor Street and ends at the corner of Colville Street. Bands will perform at four review points, including Adam Smith Square and in front of Sweet Lime Restaurant/De Nu Pub, at French Street corner.

Some of the popular steelbands billed to perform are Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, PCS Silver Stars, CAL Invaders, BP Renegades, Carib Woodbrook Playboyz, Woodbrook Modernaires, Brimblers, Hummingbird Pan Groove, Scrunters, St James Tripolians and more, plus Parade of Mas, Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook. Along the route, Phase II is expected to stop at Alfredo Street to perform a special piece for the late Pat Bishop. Desperadoes is supposed to do the same outside Veni Mange, to pay tribute to the late Allyson Hennessy, a stalwart supporter of the Laventille band.
 
There is even more live pan music on Sunday, from 4 pm, when City Sunvalley Steel Orchestra hosts Celebrating the Icons of Nelson Street, on Nelson Street, Port-of-Spain. Promising to be a feast of excellent pan music, bands named for this event are Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, BP Renegades, Witco Desperadoes, Carib Woodbrook Playboyz, Sapophonics, La Famile United, Freelancers and City Sun Valley.
De higher a monkey climbs is de less his ass is on de line, if he works for FIFA that is! ;-)

 

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