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‘Regeneration Now’ being
accompanied by Merrytones Steel
Orchestra |
On September 13th, steelband music lovers and
some foreign guests gathered for an advertised
Merrytones Steel Orchestra concert in Diego
Martin. Pan Trinbago, governing body of the
world steelband movement and Tourism Development
Company (TDC) had collaborated to stage the
event slated as one of a series of ‘Panyard
Sensation’ concerts which would feature “A
little bit ah dis ….. ah little bit ah dat.”
Although it was not taking place at a panyard;
the venue being the Diego Martin Boys R.C.
School, that did not deter from the “sensation”
aspect of things. The first quiet sensation was
that the series was being done in tribute to
deceased journalist and cultural activist Terry
Joseph who conceptualized the ‘Panyard
Sensation’ model. Unfortunately, very often,
serious contributors and achievers are forgotten
in Trinidad & Tobago once they have passed on.
Some are even left in oblivion while they are
still alive. So, for their thoughtfulness in
celebrating good old “Teejay” who went off to
the great beyond in January 2007, the two
entities that collaborated to put the 2008
‘Panyard Sensation’ series in his honour,
deserve great commendation.
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Ice Water Ensemble on
stage with vocalist Bro. Ato |
Among the night’s sensations of pan music were
tasteful deliveries first from the Diego Martin
Boys R.C. School, followed by the Ice Water
Ensemble (a subsidiary of the Merrytones Steel
Orchestra), and of course “Merrytones” the pride
of Diego Martin and steelband stalwarts of the
West for more than 50 years.
In their turn on stage “Ice Water” unveiled some
balanced orchestrations of pieces including
Amor, Crazy’s Suck Meh Socouyant and
Kitch’s Rainorama. “Merrytones,” a larger
unit, presented standard perennial favourites
like What Now My Love, Sparrow’s
Education and Brigo’s Limbo Break.
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Merrytones
Steel Orchestra delighting the audience |
In the singing category there was ah little bit
ah dis. Currently celebrating half a century as
practitioners of the entertainment fraternity,
the ‘Regeneration Now’ twosome offered some
old-time calypso hits. They performed a few
memorable Kitchener chart-riders as well as a
delectable medley of old-time calypso
favourites. For their final selection,
Merrytones provided accompaniment with Musical
Director Eric Mc Allister marshalling his charges
to take the volume down while ‘Regeneration Now’
did the verses of the calypso. During the
band-choruses, Mc Allister was (from
stage-right), steering the young pannists to
elevate the volume of the accompaniment. The
discipline was wonderful to view and even better
to hear.
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Mr. Ernest Littles CEO of the TDC and his
wife standing nearing the end of the show in
response to a request from M.C. Black Sage |
Three vocal renditions by songstress Cindy
Crawford midway during the show, were
spectacular in addition to being sensational.
The disappointment with Ms. Crawford’s
presentations was that they were done to tracks.
Steelband accompaniment to those vocally sound
and ideally in-key performances would have put
the proverbial icing on her “cake.”
In area of dancing there was a little bit ah dat
as well from the Footprints Dancers who produced
exotic folk choreography much to the delight of
all, but especially so for the visitors present.
Using the art of extempo-singing in the key of
Eb, MC Black Sage knitted the evening’s
performances as he presented one act after the
other. The singing M.C. also had the distinction
of doing a special extempo session during which
Merrytones supported him by providing the
traditional Sans Humanite musical backdrop. Over
the course of the night, Black Sage won himself
justly due applause for his skillful artistic
executions; some of which were humorous.
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Pan Trinbago boss Patrick
Arnold enjoys a moment |
In the audience were former Pan Trinbago
president Owen Serrette, current president
Patrick Arnold, TDC’s Marketing Manager Jason
Baptiste and Mr. Ernest Littles, CEO of the TDC
along with his charming wife.
