Soca ,Music videos and the steelband panorama

I still maintain that modern soca music, while quite enjoyable as party music is not quite suited to bring out the real sweetness of the pan , leaving it up to the arrangers to almost perform musical miracles to create a pleasing panorama performance. Having said that, I must compliment the soca artists of today … Continue reading Soca ,Music videos and the steelband panorama →

On the subject of “pan tunes”

On the subject of "pan tunes", one should be aware of some cultural history. In the days when steelbands were on the streets and determined the road march, most calypsonians composed pan friendly calypsos - "pan tunes" - to vie for the road march prize. The modern (post World War II ) calypso era came … Continue reading On the subject of “pan tunes” →

Its All About the Music !

It began in the 1950's, when a foreign tune called "The Happy Wanderer " won the road march in Trinidad.Instead of using the opportunity to inspire our artists to work harder at being competitive, in response we banned foreign competition for the Road March.Over the years , whenever our artists were challenged by foreigners , … Continue reading Its All About the Music ! →

Steelband coming down !

It may be difficult to convey to those not of that era the special connection we had with our local steel-bands , back in the days before electronic noise overpowered the sweet sounds of steel-bands at carnival. Before big trucks and DJs , the sweetest sound at carnival was the sound of a steel-band "coming … Continue reading Steelband coming down ! →

Trinidad’s Carnival culture and the role of the Steelband.

Whenever we discuss the future of the steelband, we keep hearing these tired old arguments about "changing times" and "old school", and "pushing pans" which have nothing to do with my ideas when I speak of modern steelbands participation in carnival beyond panorama My entire argument is simple. The steelband , even after all these … Continue reading Trinidad’s Carnival culture and the role of the Steelband. →

Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago , Pan Trinbago , and money

The inescapable fact is that the steelbands of T&T and its representative organization Pan Trinbago have no choice but to find alternative sources of income besides dependence on government subsidies. Looking objectively at Pan Trinbago's main event the Panorama , we can see that there is no way it can be cost-effective , when we … Continue reading Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago , Pan Trinbago , and money →

Memories of Christmas, growing up in Trinidad

Christmas is rapidly approaching , and in the Spirit of Christmas , let's reminisce a bit about Christmas in our past , growing up in the fifties , sixties and seventies.in Trinidad Simpler times. I would like to share my Christmas experiences growing up in Trinidad , to which I'm sure many can relate, so I wrote this story. In my blog , I included a couple musical selections you may have not heard in the recent past , and which are sure to bring back memories of Christmas , back in our youth.

Andrew Marcano, The Lord Superior .

The Lord Superior was another of our calypso legends. Hailing from Rio Claro in Trinidad , he was a two time winner of the South Calypso crown , and a finalist ( forth place ) in the National competition. Dr. Andrew Marcano, The Lord Superior was one of our most beloved calypsonians , fondly … Continue reading Andrew Marcano, The Lord Superior . →

A gathering of Calypso Kings

A once in a lifetime gathering of Calypso Kings of the past occurred at Dimanche Gras , Carnival 1988, when they gathered together to honor the first calypso Monarch, the Growling Tiger , the Calypso King of 1939. Among the artists featured were The Mght Duke (Kelvin Pope) , The Mighty Sparrow ( Slinger Francisco … Continue reading A gathering of Calypso Kings →