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Ebony’s 18 not out |
Written by : Natasha Ofosu
Location : United Kingdom
Photograph By : Big Truck
Posted : Sep 3, 2009 : 8:18:56 AM |
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Ebony Steelband romped home to victory in the 2009 UK National Panorama finals on 29 August, consolidating its position of dominance in the UK pan scene.
Playing Anise Hadeed’s arrangement of Pan Redemption, composed by Jason Isaacs and Ingrid de Peiza, the west London band scored 273 points and in the process secured its 18th Panorama title. The victory was particularly sweet as it coincided with Ebony’s 40th anniversary celebrations. Speaking the day after the band’s success, engineer Derek Davidson, who is responsible for maintaining the clarity of the pans, said: “We just went out to do what we do best - entertain people and give over the clarity of our music.” Davidson also praised Hadeed, crediting him with a musical Midas touch. “Anise Hadeed is brilliant,” he said.
A ripple of excitement went through the crowd at London’s Hyde Park as the band prepared to play. Many of the band’s 65 members flitted and fidgeted with enthusiasm; their body language and banter revealing they had come to win.
From start to finish, they performed with such energy that they blew away the competition with sheer power. It was difficult to hear the intricacies of the arrangement and one was left with the impression of finely tuned pans ringing in one’s ears.
Ebony was followed on stage and in results by arch rivals Mangrove who closed the competition performing in 8th position.
Their rendition of Magic Drum composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Machel Montano and arranged by Andre White, was full of interesting interplay between the tenor and mid-range pans and emphasised the melodiousness of Boogsie’s composition. Midway through the arrangement, it sounded as if the tenors were singing.
By the time Mangrove’s 70 players had struck their final notes, it was clear that Panorama had become a two band race. With a score of 261 points, however, Mangrove was unable to dethrone Ebony. Panorama 2009 will be remembered as one full of top quality performances enjoyed by a highly appreciative crowd, who encouraged by the warm weather and family-friendly atmosphere, came in their hundreds.
Aided by a large display screen relaying live images of the performances and an excellent sound system, patrons were able to experience every crescendo and diminuendo first hand.
CSI Steelband Trust and Real Steel from Plymouth, jointly took third place. CSI executed Brent Holder’s chutney-injected arrangement of Magic Drum with gusto while Real Steel, had a flourishing intro and lots of flair early on in their performance of First In de Line composed by Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniell, arranged by Leroy Clarke. But they were guilty of beating their pans rather than playing them. Both bands scored 258 points.
After a slow start, Metronomes Steel Orchestra found their mojo and gave a near-perfect performance which belied their fifth place. Playing the Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Alvin Daniell composition Hostile, arranged by Kyron Akal, the band of 55 players were awarded 254 points.
Sixth place went to the first band to perform in the competition, Southside Harmonics. They opened proceedings with Bandoleros, arranged by Eustace Benjamin and composed by Miguel Reyes and Tunapuna Scanty.
Bringing up the rear in seventh and eighth positions respectively were Croydon Steel Orchestra (CS0), one of the youngest bands in the competition, and London All Stars.
CSO gave a very strong performance of Arddin Herbert’s chutney-injected arrangement of Pan Redemption, but were hindered by inconsistent timing. They scored 227 points.
After an absence of six years from the contest, London All Stars returned to give a good account of itself playing Ken “Professor” Philmore and Mark Loquan’s Dangerous. Arranged by Princess Rollock, this family band of 30 players demonstrated the sweet soulfulness of the song. With a fresh injection of energy in their playing and finer tuning of their pans, the band has the potential to recapture some of its former glory and gain more than the 222 points it received this year.
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