Crossfire during recording of Pan in New York

New York - In an understanding and appreciation of their talent, dedication and historical meaning, more New York steel orchestras than ever before have committed their organizations to capturing their panorama selections on CD and DVD when possible.

For the past couple of years Sesame Flyers has raised the bar by coming to the recording dates video ready.  Dressed in  a cool uniformed look, the group has been committed to a great visual presence on the DVD portion of the recordings as well.  The level of professionalism among the groups has risen greatly.  All the groups come to the panyards that evening ready to record.  All the recordings are done in just two takes - one slow ,and one at tempo.

Harmony during recording of Pan in New York

For many of the NY steelbands a competent professional recording of their panorama selection is an essential part of their annual panorama experience.  Indeed, for many young pan players this is part of the norm of being a steelpan panorama performing musician.  Pretty much gone are the days when steelbands would invest tremendous financing, time and talent into finishing and performing these great works of art - only to have no evidence of its existence.  Many of the arrangers are now fully completing  their arrangements to be ready for their appointed Wednesday or Thursday recording dates.

Sesame during recording of Pan in New York

This year Basement Recordings captured six steel orchestras over a two-day period (always on the Wednesday and Thursday before panorama).  These recordings can be heard as part of the 2007 Pan in New York - Panyard Recordings Series.  Groups like Sonatas, Pantonic, Sesame Flyers, Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation and D'Radoes - just to name a few who have consistently pushed to record their panorama selections - are actually now perched  in positions to release their 'greatest panorama hits' selections.

An interesting by-product of the recordings was that, as fans have become aware of Basement Recordings' band-recording schedule, they also travel to the panyards in groups,  shadowing Basement Recordings' movements - as they knew they were guaranteed to get a full performance of panorama selections during these sessions.

In addition to the players and arrangers looking forward to the recordings, to complete the artistic process (create, perform and record) NY steel orchestra management have come to realize that they can make their music work for them long after panorama is done.

---

2007 Pan in New York Pan Yard Recordings in Pictures

Sonatas - Pantonic - Crossfire - Sesame Flyers - D'Radoes - Harmony

---

Panorama 2007 in full review - pictures, stories, audio, music - click here: