Web Posted - August-September, 2010
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - New York Panorama 2010 - arrangers, order of appearance, tunes and information.
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Web Posted - August-September, 2010
When Steel Talks

Web Posted - Thursday September 2, 2010
The Moscow News

Moscow, Russia - One of the most recently invented musical instruments, the steel pan is a metal drum that appeared in Trinidad in the early 20th century, and was originally made of old oil barrels.

Next week Moscow is treated to a performance by renowned Trinidad-born jazz panist Leon “Foster” Thomas, who is teaming up with Oleg Butman’s trio for what is sure to be a memorable show at Art Cafe Durov.

Thomas started learning to drum at the age of three, and by 14 he was already a local celebrity.
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Web Posted - Monday August 30, 2010
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - This is indeed the year of change. Moreover, it is a year when many of the participating New York steel orchestras introduced new arrangers to the steelband music panorama landscape. In fact, there were five ‘arranger changes’ made this season. This year D’Radoes Steel Orchestra has the talented Al “Allos” Foster at the arranging helm. This is Mr. Foster’s maiden voyage into the New York panorama scene.
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Web Posted - Saturday August 28, 2010
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - For many years Basement Recordings, Inc. - parent company of PanOnTheNet and When Steel Talks - has visited the pan yards of some of New York’s finest steel orchestras, to capture the phenomenal results of the work put in by the bands as they prepare for New York’s annual steelband panorama competition. It is critical that bands have the foresight to be chronicled and documented, especially after the euphoria of panorama has come and gone.
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Web Posted - Saturday August 28, 2010
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - Pantonic Steel Orchestra will enter the “Battle Zone” known as Panorama as a lean, mean, fighting machine. Their tune of choice is “Battle Zone” sung by Anslem Douglas - music by Edwin Pouchet; lyrics by Alvin Daniell.

‘Underdog’ is not a word that is commonly associated with Pantonic Steel Orchestra. And yet undeniably Pantonic finds itself in just that inalienable position.

There is a saying that goes ‘you never know who your real friends and supporters are’ until you’re down, or, are in a real dog fight. Pantonic has begun to find that out.  Internal strife has caused many to abandon ship.
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Web Posted - Friday August 27, 2010
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - Little people, big people, young people, mature people and lots of parents dot CASYM’s pan yard on Church Avenue. Not even the constant off and on drizzle of rain can zap the energy and commitment of these young CASYMites.  It is now after 12:00 a.m.  Well past the normal bedtime of these young people as the section leaders guide them through another round of the newly added music.

On one night, some of the younger children jumped rope, played tag, and in fact engaged in any activity that took up their attention - it was like a kiddie “night” care (instead of kiddie daycare) in other parts of the large pan yard, and it was taking place under the aegis of the elders and in the safety of the pan community.
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Web Posted - Wednesday August 25, 2010
When Steel Talks

New York, USA - From two blocks away we can hear tenors whistling, double seconds singing, guitar pans humming and basses grumbling. As we move in closer to this sonic epicenter, that unmistakable distinct sound of a great steel orchestra overtakes you. The clarity of the situation overwhelms your musical senses, as your legs and other body parts - without permission - systematically begin to fall into perfect cadence with the music. The players skillfully romance their instruments, producing notes sounding like sweet chocolate raindrops falling from the leaves of a tree. No doubt we are in the domain of Despers USA Steel Orchestra.
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