Thoughts and ideas relating to the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago , especially the steelpan and the steelband
This interview appeared on Alvin Daniell's Calypso Showcase , from the defunct Trinidad and Tobago Television station (TTT) in the early nineties. The five part interview is presented here as a single playlist. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL885E6C49B92AA4ED
THE MISSION (1968) BY DALTON NARINE All night long, her flaxen hair shimmying like disco lights in the full moon, the river showered its blessings on our predicament. In the pitch of the blackout, the candle on the bamboo table flickered wanly; the wick, ungraceful in the gluey wax, wasting away. How grateful … Continue reading Saga of a “Behind the Bridge Badjohn” in ‘NAM
This is how I understand it , and it seems kind of simple , really. A lot of the cheap stuff that people buy from places from Walmart are manufactured in China. When our government places an extra tariff (tax) on such goods , obviously the prices will increase. In theory , that should make … Continue reading Simplifying Trade and Tariffs
Growing up in Trinidad in the nineteen fifties and sixties, we were exposed to many musical genres, from classics to jazz to country, via the local radio stations Trinidad's music in the twentieth century had multiple influences, including North American Jazz, and local jazz musicians were featured weekly on Sunday morning radio shows like Sunday … Continue reading Rupert Clemendore , a forgotten Trinidadian jazz master
Fonclaire's performance of "Pan by Storm" at the 1990 Panorama finals was one for the ages. This remains the high point of Ken "Professor" Philmore's career on the Panorama stage, and is definitely Fonclaire's best Panorama outing. As a matter of fact I happen to think that the composition and arrangement were Professor's best Panorama … Continue reading Ken “Professor” Philmore and his masterpiece, “Pan by Storm”.
Monday May 21 , 2018 Neville Jules turned 91 this week. At the Duke Street panyard, even the young players call him Cap. They see him around Hell Yard, a shrine to pan, but can’t fully fathom his weight. Founder of Trinidad All Stars, Jules led the band and arranged its music for 25 years … Continue reading THE PANMAN WHO RELEASED THE “BOMB” TURNS 91 BY DALTON NARINE
Because of my job coming out of the army,I moved to New England in the mid seventies , in time to enjoy the entire Larry Bird career. I was working in the data area at the New Boston Satellite Tracking Station in New Hampshire , and most of what we did was highly classified, but … Continue reading Memories of Larry (Bird)
Pan pioneer Ellie Mannette has died. He was 90. Born Elliot Mannette in San Souci, Trinidad on November 5, 1927, Mannette passed away on Wednesday August 29 , 2018 at a hospital in West Virginia, USA. As long as the art-form related to the steel-pan endures , the name Ellie Mannette will not be forgotten. … Continue reading R.I.P Dr. Elliot “Ellie” Mannette
Thanks for joining me! Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
G R JOSEPH 