Massy All Stars Steel Orchestra won its tenth Trinidadian Panorama title last month, beating defending champs Desperadoes Steel Orchestra by three points with a score of 286 points at the ‘Big Yard’ – Queen Park Savannah, Port of Spain – on Carnival Saturday night.
All Stars played Full Extreme, the original sung by MX Prime and the Ultimate Rejects, here arranged by Leon ‘Smooth’ Edwards. The orchestra snatched the title away from Desperadoes, who had played in first position and led the competition until All Stars delivered its winning presentation. Desperadoes played Good Morning, in a fantastic arrangement by Carlton ‘Zanda’ Alexander, but this was All Stars getting their revenge, after last year placing sixth in this battle for glory.
Renegades also played Good Morning, this time arranged by Duvone Stewart. The band placed third, with 280 points. Stewart has yet to win Panorama, and will no doubt continue with his fantastic music until he does.
Invaders and Exodus tied fourth, scoring 277 points. Invaders played a hot tempo Full Extreme, arranged by Arddin Herbert. Exodus played Good Morning arranged by Pelham Goddard and ‘BJ’ Marcelle – a good collaboration from both arrangers.
Defending champions in the Medium Steelbands category, Pan Elders Steel Orchestra retained its title for the fourth consecutive year. Ahead from the preliminary round, the group maintained its lead in front of the initial field of 28 steelbands. The San Fernando band played Roti and Talkarie, arranged by Tobagonian Duvone Stewart, and scored 282 points.
Placing second was Curepe Scherzando, who scored 275 points with Stranger. NLCB Buccooneers and arranger Sieon Gomez played Rhythm Run Ting, and placed third, scoring 272 points. It was a fiery start and a good arrangement from Gomez, but Pan Elders were just too far ahead.
Three bands tied fourth, with 270 points. Valley Harps played Total Disorder, arranged by Michelle Huggins-Watts; Katzenjammers played Good Morning, arranged by Terrence ‘BJ’ Marshall; Melodians played Um-Ba-Yao, arranged by Amrit Samaroo & Marlon White. It was an excellent start from BJ’s powerful arrangement by Katzenjammers, with a nice flowing run in the first key change.
Steel Xplosion played Wet Mih Down, arranged by Arddin Herbert, and placed eighth. They made a good start, but the band went into a speed overdrive in the first verse, and the tempo didn’t slow down until the end.
All in all, this was another fantastic celebration of sweet pan in the Big Yard.
