Follow When Steel Talks
WST google search WST Forum WST facebook page WST on Twitter WST RSS feed WST Steelpan music videos on You Tube WST Newsletter Global Steelband listings

  Bookmark and Share

Starlift Steel Orchestra of St. Vincent & The Grenadines in historic New York visit

In Concert, on the road for J’Ouvert - Starlift came hard

Another When Steel Talks Review

Click for slideshow of Starlift Steel Orchestra images

New York, USA - With a cool breeze blowing on a warm Friday evening, it was exactly the right setting for a great steelband concert, showcasing the sounds of the contingent from Starlift Steel Orchestra of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a band which has won multiple steelband Panorama championships in its country. ‘Friends of Crown Heights’ on Prospect Place in Brooklyn, New York was the venue for the meeting of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the wider Caribbean Diaspora, as they gathered in anticipation of what turned out to be an unforgettable evening of music put on by one of their very own hometown orchestras.

Deputy Consul General Edson Augustus (l) and Consul General Selmon Walters (r)
Deputy Consul General Edson Augustus (l) and Consul General Selmon Walters (r)

Many of the seats in the hall were taken by the time the concert began with the national anthems of the United States of America and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Honored guests in attendance included St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General Selmon Walters and Deputy Consul General Edson Augustus. Vincentian notables were also present including the likes of calypsonian Alston “Becket” Cyrus and Travis Roberts, captain of New York’s CASYM Steel Orchestra - just two of many who made sure not to miss the show.

calypsonian Alston “Becket” Cyrus   Travis Roberts, captain of New York’s CASYM Steel Orchestra
Calypsonian Alston “Becket” Cyrus   Travis Roberts, captain of New York’s CASYM Steel Orchestra

Guest artistes who preceded Starlift included up-and-coming R&B vocalist Abena Amory-Powell and panist Calvin Seales. The Starlift stage side boasted thirteen musicians including panist, drummer and resident arranger Kingsley “Hero” Roberts and captain Roddy Dowers on “iron,” all sporting contrasting shirts, ties and vests in the colors of olive green and shades of yellow, red, burgundy and black finished off with black slacks.

Starlift Steel Orchestra of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Starlift Steel Orchestra of St. Vincent and the Grenadines

To say that Starlift’s performance in concert was fabulous, especially the first half, would be stating the obvious. Utilizing music instruments of the finest quality, perfectly crafted and tuned by master steelpan builder and noted panist himself Bertram “Birch” Kelman - as extensions of themselves, Starlift Steel Orchestra commanded the attention of the crowd which would swell to standing-room soon after. St. Vincent My Homeland set the stage for a grand first segment of contemporary classics which included Lovely Day, Love Theme from “Romeo and Juliet”, Breezing, Careless Whispers, Broken Wings, Summertime, Green Grass and a Gospel medley. Their voicings for steel orchestra bearing the stamp of arranger Kingsley Roberts were unique and impressive, and demonstrated a quite competent handling and interpretation of well-loved thematic pieces. When a steel orchestra tackles such known standards – sometimes larger than life, especially those associated with legendary movements like ‘Summertime’ from Porgy and Bess - you had better come good, or better – and Starlift did!!!  Repeated rounds of applause would punctuate the end of selections throughout the evening.  Of worthy mention too, was just how well Roberts—a panist himself—understood his roll at that point as a drummer, and succinctly and solidly accented the band as it moved through the repertoire, rather than overplaying and eclipsing the steelpan musicians - an affliction of so many drummers in stage side steel orchestras.

Crowd applauds Starlift Steel Orchestra’s performance in concert
Crowd applauds
Starlift Steel Orchestra’s performance in concert

After an intermission where attendees mingled while indulging in delicious refreshment, Verna Arthur, a pivotal figure in affairs of the country’s Diaspora in New York and PRO of Club St. Vincent, Inc. addressed all present, praising the band and thanking all who made the band’s trip to New York possible. The group then surrounded Ms. Arthur as she read out a Proclamation from Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, lauding their visit and declaring that day of their performance – September 7, 2012- “St. Vincent and the Grenadines Starlift Steel Orchestra, 45th Anniversary Celebration Day in Brooklyn, New York.”  The orchestra has been in existence for 45 years.

Starlift listens while Proclamation in their honor is read by Ms. Verna Arthur
Starlift listens while Proclamation in their honor is read by Ms. Verna Arthur

The orchestra returned for their second and closing set, dispensing with the formality of their vests thus indicating that a scintillating, steamy session was in the offing. Together with the toe-tapping audience and others who danced in their seats, band members themselves stepped with vigor as they dropped an even more impassioned set on steel with Feel So Good, In The Mood, Just a Little Bit Longer, Rockaway, Africa, St. Thomas, Lies ’n Excuses, Perseverance and Bailamos. They also swung out with soca hits from Calypso legends Lord Nelson - La La – and son of the soil Alston “Becket” Cyrus – Teaser. The only obvious issue of the show appeared to be the acoustics, or lack thereof, given that this was not a ‘concert’ venue - and the unrelenting starkness of nearby cement walls was not friendly to the resounding vitality of the band, especially for their more ‘energetically’ delivered pieces.

Starlift gets into their second set for the evening
Starlift gets into their second set for the evening

The concert was only one of several events the ace steel orchestra engaged in while in New York, where mesmerizing music meet-ups included performances for New York J’Ouvert, and prior to that at the Flatbush Caton Vendors Market, and Standard Shippers. That the latter was responsible in large part for the orchestra’s historic maiden voyage to New York, was clearly evidenced by the tumultuous applause coming from the musicians when Standard Shippers’ input was highlighted during the evening’s official acknowledgements by Verna Arthur. She also spoke of the reason for the band’s absence when they were expected two weeks earlier to be marquis performers during celebrations of the culture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Visa-related matters, flight delays and more all factored into the stage side not being able to depart their mandated layover point - Barbados – for the United States, and as a result not being present to deliver previously-scheduled performances such as the one originally carded for August 25th at the Mahalia Jackson High School in Brooklyn, New York.

St. Vincent & the Grenadines nationals dance to the sounds of Starlift Steel Orchestra for New York J’Ouvert along Empire Boulevard
St. Vincent & the Grenadines nationals dance to the sounds of Starlift Steel Orchestra for New York J’Ouvert along Empire Boulevard

When Starlift proudly played ‘on the road’—joining New York bands such as D’Radoes, Boston Metro, ADLIB and Pantonic steel orchestras in the annual J’Ouvert celebrations on the morning of September 3—the St. Vincent & the Grenadines posse was most visible. Dressed in white and complete with Vincy flags, members of Club St. Vincent including Ms. Arthur and other proud nationals paraded proudly, ecstatic for the opportunity of taking to the streets of New York and chipping to the music of their very own steel orchestra. The band had filled their path with sweet and oh, so melodious steelband sounds as they made their way along Empire Boulevard.

Starlift Steel Orchestra on the road for 2012 New York J’Ouvert
Starlift Steel Orchestra on the road for 2012 New York J’Ouvert

For those who caught up with Starlift Steel Orchestra’s stage side while they were in New York, they undoubtedly found their performances a musical treat. For those who missed them, it is a given that they will remedy that situation, if they have the opportunity to catch them “States side” in the future.

----------------------

Starlift Steel Orchestra performers
Tenor:  Stefano Billingy (vice captain), Janine Sandy, Shontell Nichols, Nicholas Lynch, Garcia Johnson; Double Second:  Timron Guy, Akeem Hannaway; Cello: Kemol Mars, Kennedy Taylor; Bass: Franklyn Phillips, Ynold Roberts; Drummer: Kingsley “Hero” Roberts; Tumba/iron: Roddy Dowers (captain)

Starlift Steel Orchestra of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Starlift Steel Orchestra of St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Starlift Steel Orchestra of St. Vincent & The Grenadines - in Pictures
Mouse over (above) and click the ‘i’ for info on images
Find more photos like this on When Steel Talks

See all 2012 New York J’Ouvert pictures here

More on Steelpan in St. Vincent & The Grenadines

Leave a comment in the WST forum


 
©2012 When Steel Talks. All rights reserved