Global - The following are excerpts from an extensive blog by Jacob Edgar on Pan in Trinidad & Tobago. Depending on the perspective, even beginning with the very title “Panned in Trinidad” can be cause for pause – after all, ‘panned’ itself is a word which is oftentimes associated with unflattering critique. Jacob Edgar’s blog paints a far less than positive picture of the steelpan instrument, the culture of pan and steelpan musicians of Trinidad & Tobago themselves, from our perspective. While Jacob Edgar is entitled to his opinion, it is troubling that he promotes himself as the eyes and ears for countless others – see his self-description in part: “….I travel the globe in search of the best music the world has to offer...and I suffer through some of the worst - so you don't have to!” Jacob Edgar’s content and opinions are world-read and accessed not only via his blog, but as host of his own music and travel series Music Voyager - www.musicvoyager.com/
Maybe Jacob Edgar is not qualified for the task he has
undertaken – at the very least when it comes to the steelpan art
form. Maybe someone from Trinidad & Tobago who is qualified
(other than his ‘old friend’) –- ought to have educated Jacob
Edgar on the eclectic capabilities and showcases of steelpan in
Trinidad & Tobago year-round – outside of “Panorama” - and while
they were at it, have a chat with him of his stereotypical view
of a ‘Panyard’ re: “Much beer is imbibed, fights break out….”
Sadly, Jacob Edgar reminds us of some of the old National
Geographic reporters who made us cringe.
PanTimes
HearingGlobally.com - Jacob Edgar
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Given the choice between Chinese water torture and being forced to listen to a recording of steel drums I might lean towards the former. The steel drum, or steel pan or just “pan” as most Trinidadians call it, is one of the instruments that just doesn’t translate very well to recordings and it is best appreciated it in its natural setting: performed by an orchestra of hundreds on a hot, sweaty night in Trinidad, ideally during the annual Panorama competition and with a belly full of local rum.
....I was a guest at a film shoot for a new movie docu-drama that tells the story of the development of the steel drum, from its humble beginnings in the poor neighborhoods of Port of Spain to the awesome Panorama competitions that attract an audience of thousands from all over the world. The film is to be called Pan! A Modern Odyssey and its producer is Jean Michel Gibert, an old friend who has been at the forefront of the Trinidadian music industry for years.
....I also walked by the steel yard of the Renegades, an orchestra that competes every year in the Panorama competition. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to make it back to the yard later that night to attend their evening rehearsal, which I’ve heard is more of a social club. Much beer is imbibed, fights break out, and occasionally, the groups strikes up the metallic cacophony that is a true steel drum orchestra. Sounds just like my kind of scene! read full article
Leave a comment in the WST forum