News

All Stars glitters in new collection
Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra
The Nostalgic Panyard
(Sanch)

I HAVE heard so many wonderful stories about the good old days back in the 1950s, that there are times when I wish I'd been born back then.

Of course, had I been around that long, I don't think I'd have been able to enjoy most of the things of my youth, since I would then have been too old. Fortunately, I can enjoy the best of both worlds since I have many elder friends who keep me supplied with stories of yore. One of my favourite old-time topics is that of the pan, and the characters who kept its company. Panyards today are so into the aesthetics that much of the rustic mystique has been lost.

Even the music was sweeter then because when a man played a tune, he was putting in blood, sweat and tears. Imagine standing over a pan, one ear tuned in on the melody and the other listening for the police. One leg keeping time, while the other on standby to run for cover if they raid the yard. "When a man go through all of that just to play a tune, yuh could bet your last dollar, he playing the most lovely chords you'll want to hear."

That's just what you'll get should you pick up the latest CD collection from the Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra, The Nostalgic Panyard.

Eleven tracks are featured on this collection, totalling a playtime of about 65 minutes. There is a mix of calypso, jazz, Latin, ballads and pop selections showcasing the skills of the likes of popular All Star players such as lead pannists, Clive Telemaque and Dane Gulston.

The collection opens with a truly avant garde interpretation of "Craw Fish," then unexpectedly shoots into high gear with a rendition of David Rudder's, "Adrenalin City." The mood gets reflective with the soft, mournful melody of Elton John's "Lion King," before lifting back up with "Samba De Orfeu."

There is also a tribute to the sweet soca man Baron, as the band performs its own version of his covers of some sentimental love songs titled "Baron Medley."

After a light, dusty performance of Kenny G's "Forever In Love," the Stars head down to Jamaica for a bit of Jimmy Cliff's "Harder They Come," mixed in with Louis Armstrong's "Wonderful World."

The band then takes you back to 1996 as they deliver a medley of some of the popular selections of that year's soca style. The CD ends with a rendition of Car Wash's lively ditty, "Me And Meh Lady."

By Wayne Bowman
Trinidad Guardian July 22 2000 Page 23