Ah doh know where to start nuh. Every time ah siddong to write bout
de 2007 Pan Alive competition ah get a headache. Ah doh care who
vex, who please, ah sellin it as ah buy it, not a bloomin cent
profit!
Judges, oh gorme judges! Nah! Ah startin in all yuh skin firse
because is all yuh who allow some real disrespeck to take place. Yuh
din only let dong de players eh, yuh let dong de audience an de whole
pan community. Yuh take yuh job slight. I was dere before de show
start an ah leave after we empty out de corn soup man pot. So ah
know ah see every ting.
Show time is 7pm ent? Ah was hustlin to reach because ah get ketch
in Toronto jumbie traffic. Ah reach after seven an de show din start
yet. Pan Masters was de firse panside an accordin to what I see, de
players was dere waitin. So what was de delay? Is nearly 8pm yuh
start.
Den later Silhouettes had we waitin while players limin. When it was
time fuh dem to play, de pans sittin dey an not one blue shirt in
sight. Den ah see de arranger stroll forward lookin as doh is
somebody else we waitin on. Deduck marks fuh late start! Dat is
disrespeck to we an to you.
De Jamestown Youth Steel Orchestra had a minute or two delay because
one of de chirren tenor pan wire buss. Ah could understan dat. A man
run quick an fix dat in a wink of a eye but big men in season pan
sides had to spin arong doin gawd-knows-what while we waitin? Joke
is joke but damn joke ain’t no joke.
But dat wasn de bes part.
Afropan turn reach. Well papa, dat one had me so confuse ah pack up
meh equipment twice, unpack tree time, ah make 2 novena, ah went in
de dutty latrine, ah eat a chinky pack-ah $5 dollar salt nuts, ah
read de whole Letter to St. Paul from de Ephesians an still Afropan
en start yet.
Dis is not a fete in here dis is madness!
When Salah Steelpan Academy done play, ah take meh coutrements an
went to set up by Afropan to take snap. Ay ay. Ah see de pans
scatter all over de place like a jumble sale. Ah say to meh
macoomere ‘like Afropan have a new configuration girl? Look how de
pans set up vikey vi!” De two of we stan up wid we mout open. Den ah
see de players come an shift de whole orchestra over so to set up.
Afropan was de las ban to play so dat cah be intermission. Is over
twenty minutes Afropan had de audience waitin. We steupse, we blow
whistle, we clap in protess. Why dey do we dat? An de judges stannin up like
dey waitin on de las train to San Fernando. Disqualify de ban!
Shims! It wasn right. Ah doh care if is de people ban, ah doh care
if dey want to exante deyselves. Ah doh care if dem is de ole-est
ban in Toronto. To besides if dem is all dat, dey should know
better! What dey did was wrong!
An to add salt in de woun, dey din play dere bes. Ah doh even know
what it is dey play in troot. Now I hear Afropan plenty times eh? I
know dey know how to rock de casbah till people bawl. But dat night
dey din play competition quality at all. Doh argue meh!
No man judges. Yuh do we a injustice. Dem decisions yuh give we dat
night was like how Dasheen Bush win election twice - pure bobol.
Even de audience bawl out “NO!” when dey hear de results. How you
could tie tree whole bans fuh second place? Afropan who had we
waitin til fo'day mornin an play loose, New Dimension who play a
sweet medley – but is dat allow? - an Pan Fantasy. How you get dat do?
As much as ah like Salah Steelpan Academy, dey was not de winner. De
pans wasn blen togedda. Yuh en hear dat discord? As
much as ah like Afropan, dey shudda be disqualify or lorse plenty
marks fuh unnecessary delay. Well papa in case yuh din know, Pan Fantasy
was yuh winner eh? Dey play tight, dey had discipline, dey had
presence, de chune arrange nice. I wudda give Silhouettes more marks
fuh how dey play an take back some fuh delay, an ah wudda give Pan Masters more marks. Pan Masters sound better dis year dan
ever before.
Ah not done talkin yet.
Organizers!
Yuh see dat white tent all yuh had dey blockin people? Ah hear it
was coverin de VIP food. So hear what. I pay good money to come to
enjoy Toronto steelbands, ah sit in front to see an hear good an you
put a tall, big arse white tent in front meh to cover food? Use
greazy proof paper an foil paper nuh? Use a pot cover nuh? Move de
tent over so nuh?
Nex ting. Why we have to amplify steelbands? It does spoil de tase
of pan. We doh get de true feel when yuh amplify it. Dat is one ting
Fort York had over Lamport. Yuh cah mic a big steelban wid four mics!
Gorme!
Before ah done doh, leh meh shout out de volunteers dat night -
expressly two. A young lady in glasses an a nex young man wid a
American accent. Dem two was behine meh de whole night movin meh,
direckin meh an so on. But, unlike La Diabless gawdmudda on Saturday
who had she bottom lip pull right over she head, deze two volunteers
had broughtupsy. Dey akse meh please to mine de judges an stay back
lil bit. Dey even look back to make sure I awright. So who ever know
dem two people, make sure an tell dem Queen Macoomeh sen to say
tanks.
When de orders reach dat media cah stan up too close behine de
judges ah akse mehself why. Ah say it cah really matter if ah see
what dey writin, dat is not my business but now dat ah hear de
results, ah have to wonder who lead pencil break. Ah jes aksin eh?
But de night was disappointin on a whole doh. Ah hope dey review dem
marks fuh de pan an fix dat situation. No disrespeck to Salah, ah
like he ban but we have to give Jack he jacket, it doh fit nobody
else.
Afro didn't tell ya dey was on vacation? Nobody
from dey pan side didn't tell allyuh dat allyuh hadda sit dere and wait on dem?
Somebody should "straighten" out dey tail, because they could nah do dat on
nobody else stage. Hear nah, people was vex. And dey more dey Emcee bawl out on
dey mic dat time wasting and to hurry up, is dey more dem cock back in ah ole
talk. Yet dem come second? How dey neck dat happen??? 3 way tie ??? nah ah cyah
start on dat because is ah blessed Sunday morning.
Queen ah have meh favorite eh, dat pan side dat put down ah piece ah ole kaiso
medley. Ah watch ah group of women in dey stand, like dey wanted ah excuse to
throw waist. Dat pan side had dey crowd eating out dey hands. Only dem get ah
standing ovation... even doh dey say dat medleys are against dey rules, but if
it wasn't for dem, dey crowd would ah still be sitting down wondering what dey
jail is dis?
By dey way, dey fella did really water down ya soup wid he special brew
eh....and ah have St Paul as meh witness....naaah boy ROFL ah dying here..
Excellent piece again girl....(M)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yes! Tell dem haul dey *&^%$. We sit in the
stands bleaching while they play de &^%. No! Now they say they were asked to
move. I don't beleive that at all. They lie! Is gallery they wanted to gallery
and pure arrogance! I was waiting on you to see if you notice too. (TG)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No lie QM, yuh good and I find your review fair.
I couldn't see the bands on the north side at all, the tent was blocking me. Why
they didn't put the tent behind the VIPs? I am paying to see the bands and all I
see is tent half the time while those 'important' people's food was carefully
covered? And I love Afropan but they nearly make me cry. It look so bad. (HG)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Yuh harsh but yuh right though macomeh. Dey hurt
me dat night. I waited whole night to hear them. I brought some friends with me
and the confusion left me apologizing the rest of the weekend. (TI)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Queen Mac gurl, yuh sure to make big enemy now.
But yuh call it straight up. Meh fadder did tell me doh argue bout politics and
religion yuh cah win and meh mudder say add pan to dat.
I come back to de issue of entertainment value. How many ban play de same tune
dat night, cah be entertaining no matter how different de arrangement.
No wonder New Dimension get big standing ovation. De arrogant ban finally cross
de line and p*** off fans and all.
Did yuh review de kaiso? If yuh did ah miss it. If yuh didn't dat need a revu.
Keep up de great work. (FG)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hi Queen, I agree with your review. Although
Salaah played very well I thought they didn't have the impact that Pan Fantasy
had. In my books Pan Fantasy was first, New Dimensions second and Salaah third
or vice versa; and God alone knows where Afropan belongs for that night. If you
hear me say that about Afropan you must know I am being fair and unbiased here
because Afropan is my favourite band, but at this year's Pan Alive I couldn't
understand what on earth they were doing or playing. I had to console myself and
say maybe I don't know music and that must be some complex sophisticated
arrangement that I couldn't understand. And don't talk about the big show they
put on by being so late in arranging their pans. That deserved loss of marks for
sure. Concerning Pan Masters, I agree with you 100%. That was the best I have
ever heard them play. They were great. Small band but great. I didn't stay for
the results so heard the news next day from my brother about the first and
second places only. Can you tell me how the other bands placed? (TS)
I know you love your pan and know most of these
bands so I know you must have felt bad to see what happen. I fell like
apologizing to you for what you saw. I feel bad. I don't know which band to go
to now. Always some *&^% and all I want to do is play and teach my daughter.
This whole Caribana was distress. Stay up though eh? We need more like you.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ah na haffe be Trinie to feel like you. but dis
ting gone get real serious if nottin is done.all ya have to pick Judges with
integrity and competence.People who know aw dema do, Dis whole ting becoming a
farse ah wudda sah masquerade but dat is de intent.
Hopefully,next year judges are responsible & accountable for the decisions they
make and we get to awarding the right bands.
I believe the judges decision this year was clouded because of what went on last
year. all dam year back & forth to decide who is de winner.Look! nah get me goin.
ah gone (IJ)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DAMN! Girl, you brave. You take on tout monde in
truth! Nice! I want you to run for mayor of our fair city, the one we have too
busy kissing - alright you already warm me this is a family website. HAHA! But I
agree with you. (VS)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's a shame though QM. And the poor viewer
getting the short end of the stick over and over while the bands playing the
fool. All of the big bands need to stop the arrogance. (TC)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
All I have to say is this: New Dimensions played
a Blue Boy Medley for Panorama and that is not allowed...Afropan took too long
to set up and then played some nonsense - they should have lost points. Pan
Fantasy now, they played a full Panorama arrangement and sounded sweet!! They
also were going for a 3-peat!! How can there be a 3-way tie for second. But the
real "kicker" is this, Salah Steelpan Academy came with a 10 piece band and
won??? WOW!!!! Something wrong. (KG)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I certainly agree with the majority of your
comments. I have been comming to Toronto from Montreal since 1994, participating
in whatever Steelpan Competition Toronto had to offer from Monarch Park Stadium,
the Park, Old Fort George, Lamport Stadium. We never contested the decision of
the Judges, we accepted it as final even though on many occassions we certainly
dis-agreed with the results....but this was normal as in any competition
especially in Trinidad. I trust that the Authorities would put the best
adjudicators they could find. I remember before each Panorama I would present my
music score for the Panorama song to the Judges before the competition, although
this was not part of the criterior. I wanted to make a point.......in other
words if you as a judge cannot read my music score ...then you have absolutely
no right to judge me YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED. I have not presented my score for
the last three years only because in the excitement I keep forgetting. However
next year I will take back up this practice of presenting my music scores before
the competition... Question ..Is there any other band which professionally
prepares a complete music score for the Panorama?......This will be a criterior
for the future..........Salah's Steelpan Academy is already ahead of the pack in
this area.
On the Panorama in Toronto.......you mentioned that our Pans were not blended
properly...I am in total dis-agreement with that . The fact is that not only
were my Pans tuned -up before the competition. I now have a steelpan store "STEELPAN
PLUS" in Montreal and a Franchise in Toronto with the Pan Piper. I had just
imported some new pans from Trinidad for the Pan Stores and I used some of these
new quality Pans. So I cannot agree with you that ther was discordancy due to
the tone of the Pans.
Secondly when you check on the judges criterior ....there is only 10 points
alloted for tone of Pans. I know we could not have gotten zero for tone of Pans.
You see the judges had to go through all of the criterior....for instance...
arrangements, intro, dynamics, modulation, time, tone, ending.......etc..
The end result Macoomeh, is that even if my pans were not the best ( according
to you) The judges had to take everthing else in to consideration and not be
bothered with the big names and all the other antics that bands do and also they
must not be swayed by the crowd like if for instance a band had some sexy flag
wavers ( this had nothing to do with the music and was not part of the criterior.
That said and done....... .as a qualified musician I am in total agreement with
the decision that puts Salah's Steelpan Academy ahead of the pack by 5
points.... for the bands that tied for 2nd, place maybe some of the late starts
from some bands was enough to take away point from some of them.but in all there
were independent judges and it is all possible to come with individual marks
that Tied the second place.........BUT CLEARLY SALAH'S STEELPAN ACADEMY WAS OUT
FRONT BY 5 POINTS.THAT'S A LOT.
I normally do not respond to any criticism.but I took the time out because the
article affected me (not negatively) and I know you are an integral person ....nuff
respect, keep up the writing it is enjoyable.
Again I accept the adjudicators decision and I also accept your criticsm and
feed back. A music teacher once told me if you are brave enough to go on to the
band stand. Then you must be ready to face the music and the criticsm and
feedback, so I welcome all. thank you for paying attention and keep on doing
what you are doing. Best wishes (SW)
Editor's Note: Greetings and
all respect back to you. Your music teacher echoes the same thing I've been
taught. Like you, I too need to be available for critique once I put something
on paper. The trick is to maintain self respect and to respect others while
critiquing.
As far as I know, no other band submits its scores for the competition. It is an
excellent idea and one that should be adopted. All the extraneous things like
flag women and other gimmicks are for the audience not the judges and I hope
that does not impact their marking.
I maintain that the decision was skewered. I won't argue the blended tone with
you though. The mic'ing of the bands does not help but hurts the effort. I noted
a discord along the first pans. All due respect is given however. My intent here
is to record and give space to social commentary based on observation, not to
upset or undermine. As I said in the article, I enjoy the Academy but must say
what I think without bias or compromise. I am certain your pan store is
exceptional.
The decision that night
seems motivated by all sorts of things and unfair to you even though you won.
The decision to make you the winner should not be marred or clouded like this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A hornets nest yes QM. You are brave but honest
and that combination hard to find these days. (GD)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don't normally respond to these things but I
had to write you to say "YES", You damn right!! Who are they trying to fool now?
We were there and saw what you saw too. (HJ)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You continue to go girl. Each article has hit the
nail on the head and I agree, particularly with your statement on Pan Masters’
This is the best I have heard them play in all the years. I am a Panatics non
playing member—my hasband plays with them, but to be fair, they should not have
com ahead of Pan Masters.
Too bad you articles cannot be printed in their entirety in the community
newspapers – cause folks need to hear “strait talk” -- and you certainly tell it
like it is, and please continue to do so. We need a sane voice. (EO)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well yes, the responses longer than the article.
That tells me the community getting more vocal and more fed up. Good. We have
been accepting some major nonsense for too long. Queen do you think it will
help? (GG)
Editor's Note: I hope so. I
wouldn't like to see us all give up and walk away. We have too much (everything)
to lose.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A steel pan player in Toronto shared the link to
your story. Thank you for sharing your unbiased opions on the results of the
competition.
I have a few things to say on this subject...
I am really displeased with the decisions of the judges but I’m not a qualified
musician so I won’t even comment on the outcome of the overall scores that lead
to this years results. But in general the way it works needs an overhaul!
Bands should have to submit the name of the piece they will be playing ahead of
time. If it doesn’t meet the criteria don’t waste their time or the fans.
The arrangers/band leaders should be told in advance what categories and
criteria they will be scored against IN ADVANCE.
The song that is being judged should be played FIRST then the scoring cards
collected. This way the judges are marking only that song and not the whole
presentation (calypso song and the bomb).
The judges should go thru some screening process to determine QUALIFICATIONS.
NO switching of playing order among the bands (eg you draw #1 you play first no
exceptions, that’s the luck of the draw and the whole purpose behind it… why is
there not a rule against this?)
5 minutes you're full band is not ready to play, disqualified or points
deduction for late start
You go over the allotted time, disqualify or points deduction (but clearly state
this in the rules).
BIGGEST pet peeve of all… why is there not 2 categories… why in Toronto do we
have large bands competing against smaller bands. Does that seem fair? I know
there are only 12 bands in total that take part in Pan Alive but is it not
possible to break them up into 2 categories depending on # of players (large
bands vs small bands)? Isn’t that the way it works in Panorama and other steel
band competitions around the world?
Seems it was more like a concert this year than a competition. And why on earth
did it take so long for the judges to compile their results and scores??? Simple
addition should not take so long while the crowds are left hanging.
And the tents or other equipment should not obstruct the viewing of the paying
patrons. I agree with the comments regarding the sound system and microphones…
could barely hear some of the large bands.
And if they don’t want patrons crowding the judging area or the bands during
their performances … for damn sake rope it off or use the security that are
being paid to get the crowd to comply. Every year when its time for the larger
bands (like Fantasy or Afropan) to play I hear the same thing from the MC…
“please clear the stage”.
Can the organizers not see a pattern in their operation and work at improving
where things are failing to please the performers and spectators year after
year?
Well that’s just my two cents and I wont even reveal which band I am loyal to…
they played well and they are the winner in my opinion based on the arrangement
and the way it was played and sound.
Thank you and lets look forward to a new improved pan alive for 2008. (MT)
Editor's note: I took the
liberty of putting one of your VERY good points in bold. After many years, it
still seems we're learning the ropes and the event takes us by surprise
annually.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I feel 10 minutes after the show was supposed to
start the organizers went in de crowd and bawl out "ANYBODY WANT TO JUDGE?" (JH)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As always an excellent piece and the comments are
in keeping with the general grass roots opinion of the thing.. I heard some
people on Saturday laughing bout the results on Jameson Avenue. (PG)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wasn't there...but I'm sure that's how it went
down...I'm not at all surprised...Ah see one of yuh reader want yuh to do a
review of de Kaiso Monarch Finals...interesting...I did a post-mortem and I
should have e-mailed my comments to the organizers. I must say though that the
producer did a good enough job as producer moving the show along and Rhoma was
excellent as Emcee...the truth be told, I found the entire Caribana production
lacking...I had the opportunity to speak with one of the key organizers for
Caribana this year and opined on the weekend...as usual, the response being that
we are learning from our mistakes and we didn't anticipate this, that and the
other...I gave my chupid stare and said that I was sick and tired of the
constant excuses year after year for lack of professionalism and lack of
organization...when will we, as black people, raise our standards and start
producing quality work and stop making excuses?!!! (GSS)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As I'm stuffing the net I just came across your
article No Slack on Tornot's Steelband Panorama and as a proud 10years player of
Afropan Steelband I have a comment to make. There was alot of things going on
between Afropan and the band before us. Ms. Jones from Pan Fantasy Stalled her
band from moving off then went to the judges and said I hope your taking off
points from Afropan...Then we were told to move over from one the people that
was working..Myself, Arranger, and five others saw and heard what Ms. Jones
did...Minutes later she signaled a man and the rest of the band moved...Before
people Talk people should get de whole truth...We was ready to play right were
we was den dey tell we tuh move cause we were in front some white tent..so IT
WASN'T WE FALUT..Also when were finished playing once again we was told to wait
until the bands in front of us left the stadium to move and we truck to load de
pans was outside so whuh yuh expect we tuh do..nah put de pans on de ground and
wait???. Next year when people don't see we deer...don't complain..There's alot
of things that people is doing to dis band dat people don't know about...so
before people ah talk get yuh story stright ..seen (TP)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
QM, please forgive me for the length of my
commentary, but I need to get a couple of things off my chest.
I simply want to address the Afropan player who has decided to call people out
of their mout'. You mentioned that people should get all the facts before they
make their comments; I challenge you to do the same. I also, encourage you to
obtain a copy of the rules (as I did) before you start throwing accusations. Per
the rules, bands were to play in their assigned positions and be ready to play
when they were called. I don't doubt that you were permitted to move from your
original assigned position which should have been to the left of Band #11 (where
Band #6 moved from), because there wasn't enough room. What I would like to
know, however, is why you couldn't play in front of the tent (where, from what I
understand, you were told to move to)? Band #8 and #9 did so without argument.
Why was it so important for Pan Fantasy to have to move out of position (while
another band was playing)? If the tent was such a problem, why didn't you notice
it before and request to have it taken down or better yet, why did you not
simply move to the other side of the tent where bands #7 & #8 had already
vacated?
Also, I was there and you weren't ready to play at your originally assigned
position - to the left of band #11 (Salah), nor were you completely assembled to
play in the new position assigned - to the right of band #10 (PF). You make
comments about PF not wanting to move, when would you have expected them to
move? While Salah was playing? PF's
position should have nothing to do with your band being too big to fit in their
original position or the secondary assigned position. Dig a little deeper.
It's a shame that you having been such a long standing member of Afropan would
call out other band members by name. Don't make this about PF, any other band or
persons trying to bad talk Afropan. My advice is not to make this a war between
bands/ band members but focus on Pan Alive's governing body.
With regards to your comments on what Ms Jones did let me clarify some things
because the chronological account of actions is incorrect. The only time Ms.
Jones indicated PF not move was immediately after they played until they were
signaled to do so by the judges. It was a sign of respect and consideration that
was extended to the judges. Also, let me point out to you yet again, that you
need to read the rules thoroughly and realize that Ms Jones was simply making a
statement of fact and nothing more when she made her comments to the OSA
representative. Afropan and Silhouettes both broke the rules with regards to
being ready to play when signaled. Afropan also broke rule of playing in
position
assigned (told to move to 9th spot NOT the 10th spot), *in both cases the
penalty for breaking said rules were clearly stated - DISQUALIFICATION!!!!!*
Take responsibility for the unforgivably long delay that was created when
Afropan had/ wanted to move.
I done.
P.S. I took the liberty of sharing your comments with Ms. Jones and she
respectfully asks that you call her directly to discuss your concerns about her
perceived actions. (MA)
EDITOR'S NOTE: I thank you for your measured
response. I welcome any and all responses, there is no need to apologize for the
length. My only request is that folks keep replies mindful of my PG13 website.
No rude or obscene comments will be posted. . Our community will always have
disagreements. That is a healthy thing. I am happy to provide a place for
discourse on this passionate topic.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hello – I read your report on Pan Alive – I've
been playing double-seconds with Afropan for thelast 3 years. I’m not writing to
defend the band’s playing – you sound like you’ve been aroundenough to have a
valid opinion. What I want you to know is the reason for our delay in playing.
It was totally *not* our fault. When we arrived at the stadium, we were asked to
set up in the last position (furthest right) ofthe back row, since we were
playing last (12th). We wondered how we were going to move forward toplay when
our turn came, since there was a large stage set up for the following night, and
it wasright in front of us. Anyway, when it came close to our turn, we still had
not been told where and how we would get intoposition. It wasn’t until Salah
(the second-last band) *finished* that we were informed that wehad to move over
to the middle where Pan Fantasy (who played 9th I think) was set up, They
wereequally uninformed about this plan, and had barely started to move their
pans. So by the time wemanaged to get everything over there and get ready to
play, about 45 minutes had passed afterSalah had finished. The audience was
rightly *pissed*. Too bad the audience did not know who was to blame for this
fiasco – the Ontario SteelpanAssociation, the people who run this show, but who
in my opinion cannot organize their way out ofa *paper bag*. I’d appreciate it
if you could spread this word. I have to say I agree that *a steelband should
not be amplified*! You’re right that Fort York wasmuch better in this regard. Do
they use amplification at Panorama? (I have yet to attend that.) I would also
submit for your consideration that the fiasco that led up to our playing, and
themood that this had put the audience in, had a considerable effect on our
playing. I don't know ifyou came to one of our blockos, but I can assure you
that we *rocked the house* big time!! Sincerely (JF)
PS – I like your website. Looks like a great
place to increase my knowledge of all ting T&T!
