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The 2005
PanMasters Steelband Jamboree, May 30, Maryland, USA.
It’s all good to play two and three chord wine
and jam party songs at a jamboree, but when 90% of the repertoire is
two chords songs; your band has a problem.
Positive Vibrations Youth Steel Orchestra was the first
to play. What they displayed was not very positive, their
choice of songs was not good and most of the arrangement was
fundamental, except for “In the Mood” - well - that’s another
story.
Pantonic Steel Orchestra was next.
They represented New York, and they sure did. The songs they
chose were carefully selected, e.g. Time after Time
(Cyndi Lauper), Still in love (Sean Paul),
Imagine (John Lennon), and Disco Daddy (Lord
Nelson), the arrangement was great, well put- together….. Go New
York.
CASYM, also from New York, a band
comprised of mostly 18 and under youths, was very energetic and a
fun-to-look-at band. Choice of songs was reasonable, and the
arrangement was satisfactory. From what I observe, the kids
need a bigger challenge, but they had fun.
Michael George, the
phenomenal One-man-band plays a cow bell with one foot
and a tambourine on the other, plays chords on a three cello, and a
double second, and plays the melody on a mouth organ - all at the
same time. Hard to believe but he did, I was there.
DC Pan Jammers
from Washington did a good job. Choice of songs was good
and the arrangement was great. For a band that is less than 5
years, they have great potential to be #1 in D.C.
St.
Veronica’s Youth Steel Orchestra was perfect. This band
represented Baltimore and this is what a band should sound like in
the year 2005. They had the look, the vibe, and the sound.
Their choice of songs was excellent, their pans were well tuned, and
the arrangement was outstanding. They played difficult pieces
and made it look simple. This band surpasses the standard of
the other bands at the jamboree.
Pan
Masters was the final band for the night. Choice of
songs was tolerable. For a band who is hosting a jamboree,
they should have been the talk of the night. The arrangement
was passable, and the performance was too laid back.
We are in the year 2005 when pan music is on an
international level. Bands should not come to a jamboree if
they’re not prepared. The average pan supporters know what to
look [and listen] for. Some bands just need to come as
spectators. |
