Sonatas Steel Orchestra drops the “Wow” factor on Panyard audience

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Sonatas drop the “Wow” factor
on Panyard audience

New York, USA - As the sun set on the Brooklyn skyline, another brilliant full moon once again rose over the New York panyards in these finals days of Summer, as they get themselves ready for the great panorama competition. In addition to it being panorama time, it was pan yard recording night for the mighty Sonatas. Always up for the challenge and looking to be innovative and new, Sonatas again surprised all present. Indeed, this one was special.

And as customary with almost everything Sonatas does - it is done with seriousness, precision and effectiveness. This night would be no different. Over the years Sonatas has dropped some awesome tracks at the yard recordings, and the orchestra is a New York favorite among fans looking to see the band at its height during panorama week.

It is a known fact that one of the best times to catch the bands is when they are getting ready and are being recorded by Basement Recordings. The appointed time was 9:00 p.m. but at 8:15 the yard was packed and buzzing. And by one minute to 9 the full complement of 100 players of Sonatas’ finest seemed to be in place and raring to go as their musical director and arranger Yohan Popwell ran them through some last minute updates.

Then at 9:00 p.m. the spotlights were thrown on and you heard the “wow” roll from the fans, visitors and players alike as all heads looked up. Yes, Sonatas is not just audio ready - almost every year they come video ready - and then with their own lights. And this year was special. Like Batman’s signature high beam spotlight call sign flashing over the city of Gotham - Sonatas’ logo beamed high atop on the back wall of the multi-story school building that serves as a backdrop in their yard. As one saw the massive logo emblazoned on the facade there was no doubt that Sonatas was letting it be known whose town it is. It was a serious visual statement.

Sonatas proceeded to drop a deft musical performance filled with choreographed moves that had the large audience “ah hah-ing” and shaking their heads in awe. Such was the concert put on by Sonatas - who had twice in quick succession played straight through their panorama selection Bandoleros - that even as Basement was packing up and preparing to head to their next assignment, the crowd on hand anxiously kept asking - “they done already, are they going to play again??!” Needless to say, the night was still young, and undoubtedly Sonatas more than slaked the pan thirst of the fans and supporters who stayed on for more fine music from the orchestra.