Date:  09.02.03

 

SWEET STEEL AT
THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM

By NICOLE VANDERBROOK - Basement Press

 

The simple statement, “Now let the Panorama begin,” started cheers from the crowd in Brooklyn on Saturday, August 30th.  The group of people had been growing with irritation as the time had moved on; much anticipation for the steel orchestras to take the stage had been brewing since around 7:30 PM.

The sheer size of the bands was unmatched throughout the year.  The bands, which had during the year peeked at around 30, rose to upwards of 100 members for the Panorama.  Every band dressed and coordinated fully.  Amazingly this is the only time during the year the steel orchestras would be at their complete capacity.

The loud music had everyone moving.  However when Pantonic performed the excitement given by the crowd was incomparable.  The steel orchestra chose the tune, “Trini 2 D Bone,” arranged by Clive Bradley.  A crowd favorite, the people screamed and held up the colors of Trinidad and Tobago.  The audience became a sea of red and white.  The ovation for the music, which boasted the refrain, “Sweet, sweet, T and T,” became intensified as the crowd was reminded that today was Trinidad independence day.

The song of the night seemed to be “Music in We Blood,” which was performed five times.  CASYM, Marsicans, Pan Phonic, Pan Sonatas, and Moods Pan Groove all chose the song, but each played it with their own unique style.

Despite the factor of the Panorama being a competition, the sense of fun and playfulness among the bands was not lost.  At one point a member of ADLIB mounted the irons he was playing and continued his part from atop them.  Four members of D’Radoes jumped around and danced onstage each time switching instruments with the person next to them, never missing a note.  Dem Stars Steel Orchestra also employed a very unique stage presence.  A silver clad dancer emerged from a large mysterious box that was placed on stage next to the band.  The title of their piece, “Pandora” seemed to hint at the surprise.

Last year’s WIADCA Panorama winner, CASYM, put on an incredible show with their energy, dancing so hard atop a platform that it appeared ready to collapse.  However despite this, they took second place this year.  Second to last year's USSA Panorama champions Pantonic, who received the audience’s full approval in the form of a standing ovation.  Despite the end of the Panorama, which was not complete until 4 AM, Pantonic burst on the stage to accept their honor, with the same excitement and energy that they had incorporated in their performance.

 

PAN IN NEW YORK 2003!!   The CD - Available Now!

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©2003 Basement Recordings, Inc.
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Other PAN STORIES


ADLIB on stage...


Radoes Steel Orchestra
on Panorama night...


Members of Pantonic celebrate on stage
after their 2003 Panorama win

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