It was brought
to my attention that some of my
posts could be viewed
negatively, or as criticisms of
the people and culture here.
Re-reading my updates, I think I
need to apologies for writing
responses that may have been
carelessly worded and driven by
over-reacting, in-the-moment
emotions. I want to take some
time and qualify some of my past
remarks, as well as add some new
ones!
Though
I wrote about feeling some
unpleasant vibes in some areas,
let me say that there has not
been a single person I've met in
Trinidad who I have not liked or
been accepted by. Looking back,
these vibes are no different
than vibes people give back in
the states. Especially in the
panyards, I have felt
comfortable, accepted, and
welcome.
Though there is
not a way to pretty up my
comment of "Driving is a scary
ordeal..." I think I need to
again admit that I over reacted
a bit. No matter where you go,
there are crazy drivers. I think
my mind still has trouble with
the right-side steering cars
going down the left side of the
road...
My discussions
with pan people and the talks
I've had, particularly with
respect to Boogsie's reputation
also were voiced with a level of
surprise and emotion that could
be offensive. I want to say
again, I have a huge amount of
respect for Boogsie. The man has
done some incredible
compositions and arrangements,
and is one of the greatest pan
players to ever live. I was
simply taken aback by
writing-off of some figures in
pan which I have tons of respect
for. I meant no disrespect to
either Boogsie or the gentleman
with whom I was discussing the
topic.
The comment
about Jamaican culture should be
qualified by saying that in
Indiana I constantly am fighting
the misconception that all the
Caribbean islands are the same,
and pan is a Jamaican invention.
Reggae and Dancehall are loved
all over the globe, and Trinidad
is no exception.
I'm really sorry
if I behaved like an Ugly
American, and want everyone know
that I mean no disrespect to the
people or culture of Trinidad.
This is a beautiful country,
with beautiful people, and the
most beautiful musical
instrument in the world! The
research I've done in the past
gave me some assumptions about
how certain things would be. We
all know what happens when you
assume things... In any case, if
anyone takes offense at
something I say here, I'm asking
that you please talk to me about
it. In the mean time I will be
more careful with my words!
I'm still
holding out hope that I can
visit panyards or SOMETHING to
escape where I'm staying before
rehearsal. I want to advise
future first-time travelers:
having people to go places with
and well organized
transportation is a great idea!
Like I said
before, I respect Boogsie, and
ESPECIALLY his musical mind.
What I was trying to comment on
was my surprise at how quickly
other figures in pan (many of
which are those that I respect
most) are written off or slammed
in many conversations I have
had, while Boogsie is not.
In response to Andy, and many of
the others who have given me
similar advice, I will be
careful to get back to
objectivity and will be keeping
personal opinions to myself. WST
asked me to report on my
feelings, surprises,
experiences, thoughts, etc. I
was perhaps too open with my
statements in yesterday's post.
I don't want this to turn into a
negative thing for anyone...
One last thing for today (I
promise): I am amazed at the
capabilities of Trini panists in
terms of their ear and their
TREMENDOUS ability to remember
passages. A friend of mine was
talking about going into a
panyard during the day and
learning almost half the
piece... I see new players come
in, listen to parts, maybe tap
it out once or twice, and they
have it! This might be old news,
and it's not the first time I've
noticed it since being down
here, but it continually blows
me away how man panists have
this incredibly gifted ear!
Anyway, I will keep personal
opinions to myself, as that's
not really the point of this
blog. Again, my apologies if
I've offended anyone... Tomorrow
have some awesome plans, with
many "firsts" to report about
afterwards!