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The Man is Simply “Crazy”
Vocalist and Performer Edwin Ayoung Speaks
on Pan and Steelband Panorama
Music |
A
WST Exclusive with the Musician, Composer, Producer and Performing Steelpan
Music Artist |
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When Steel Talks on
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Crazy |
Global
- Veteran recording artist, composer and performer Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung is one
of
the most versatile and respected practitioners of the art of singing and
composing songs, several for the renowned steelband panorama competition of Trinidad and
Tobago. These songs can also be adopted for the New York, England and Canada
steelband panorama competitions. For the upcoming competition in 2010 - Mr.
Ayoung is set to rewrite the history books for having participated in more songs
for panorama in a single season than anyone before.
In the interview, below, with When Steel Talks, Ayoung reveals where his passion
for the steelband movement comes from, and his dreams for the “pan tune” singer. He goes on further to explain why he thinks he is a chosen favorite among the
writers of panorama music to add voice to their creations.
click
to see the list of tunes for
Panorama 2010
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WST
- The name Crazy and Pan have
been synonymous for years now. When did you first develop
this affinity for the steelpan instrument and music?
Crazy
- I played pan in ‘Highlanders’ pan yard in the 60’s
with Bertie Marshall before he was a tuner - he was like how
Boogsie is today - a great pan player - but nobody never
mention it till now.
-
WST
- You have become the de facto voice of many songs
for panorama. What is it that makes steelpan music
songwriters gravitate towards the artist known as
Crazy?
Crazy
- Most of the pan writers like [Leon] “Smooth” Edwards; Boogsie
[Sharpe]; Amrit [Samaroo]; Robbie [Greenidge]; Ray
[Holman], etc. - do not sing. So
they look for a voice that could interpret their
messages; and they always mention to me, that I have
the best diction and conviction in the business.
Another reason they come to me, is that they
recognize my heart and soul are in pan for over 50
years, and I never charge a panman for singing his
song. I do it free, for the love of Pan, hoping that
one day, Pan Trinbago will give me a big fat pay
check, for my contribution to pan music for over
forty years - 10 million for Crazy.
-
WST
- The writers that
contract you to voice their songwriting endeavors are
quite varied - from Amrit Samaroo, Phil Hawkins,
Jeff Narell, to Winston Scarborough, to Leon “Smooth”
Edwards. What is it they see in Crazy?
Crazy
- I could handle or tackle any melody and also fit
words into it to form a pan classic. I work with the
best - Boogsie (Sharing
Licks) Robbie Greenidge (Ramona) Ray Holman (Rocketman),
Amrit Samaroo (Band
from Space); also Americans like
Jeff Narell and Phil Hawkins and many more too
numerous to mention.
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WST
- 2010 is a big year. You are involved in no less
than six pan tunes for the year. Are you happy with
the way things have been going thus far?
Crazy
- Actually it’s eleven (11) pan songs I did this
year -- which I think will never be done again by me
or anybody else. Panmen and arrangers here in
Trinbago say I am crazy to do such a thing, but I
cannot help but work to build pan music which is my
first love after God. So far “Large
is Large”, “When
Steel Talks”, “Scratch
Attack” and “Ah
Love Meh Pan” are getting some airplay.
-
WST
- What exactly is a ‘Pan Tune?’
Crazy
- A pan tune is a song composed specifically for
panorama, with lyrics that says something to uplift
the instrument and melody. A steelpan could play any
melody for panorama, but not every song a band plays
is pan song. You got to have the knack to compose a
pan song.
-
WST - What
is next for Crazy?
Crazy - I am going to help pan singers in the
future. I will be the president of a organization
call (TTPSA) that means ‘Trinidad and Tobago Pan
Singers Association.’ Where Pan Trinbago will pay
every pan singer that is involved in this
organization. Pan men don’t have $6,000.00 to pay an
arranger in these times per song and also pay the
singer $5,000.00. So I will meet with my president
of Pan Trinbago Mr. [Keith] Diaz to discuss money for pan
singers. Eunice [Peters], Anselm [Douglas], “Designer,” De Fosto, I and many others - sing our tails off for pan
and get
nothing for it. That’s happening years now. The pan
singer is most important in these times; without us
no [there is] sweetness in pan. Blessing to When Steel Talks.
More on Crazy
-
Contact Crazy
Leave a comment on the WST Network
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