The Greatest Show on Earth ended in Trinidad and Tobago on Carnival Saturday
night when Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove from Hamilton Street in Woodbrook took
revenge and National Panorama glory from Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars by
one point. Thousands of pan lovers enjoyed the decisions of the judges in both the Medium
and Large band categories at the 2008 National Panorama Finals at Skinner Park,
San Fernando. It was sweet revenge and a $1 million prize for the Woodbrook-based steel
orchestra. Playing “Musical Vengeance” composed by Gregory “GB” Ballantyne and arranged by
Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Phase II emerged as the "band to beat" having tied with
All Stars for first place in the preliminary round.
Playing in position No.6 Phase II got an excellent count from "Boogsie". The
sharpness and sound of the orchestra must be noted. Excellent piece of music.
All Stars pulled ahead in the semi-final round by eight points playing “Thunder
Coming”, composed and sung by Winston Scarborough, the 'D Original De Fosto',
and arranged by Leon “Smooth” Edwards. The big band from "behind the bridge" playing in position No.2, had to settle
for second place with a total of 480 points and $700,000. Playing to a heavy roll of the drums "Smooth" really pulled out all the stops
but Phase II's music was just amazing with their free flow of runs and crescendos.
Third in the Large Band category and earning $650,000 with 474 points, was
Sagicor Exodus from Eastern Main Road, Tunapuna.
Playing “Puncernelly”, composed and sung by D Original De Fosto and arranged by
Pelham Goddard, the orchestra really had a different look this year. One of the
sharpest on final night.
Ten-time National Panorama champs WITCO Desperadoes playing a Robert Greenidge’s
arrangement of “Ten Commandments of Pan” executed from start to finish as they
did in the semi-finals. Despers scored 471.5 collecting $600,000. Another year
awaits Robbie for more sweet music.
Defending champs in the Medium Band category, Courts Sound Specialists of
Laventille held the trophy high for a second consecutive year after amassing
465.5 points playing “Hooked”, which was composed by Mark Loquan, Destra Garcia
and arranger Ken “Professor” Philmore. Sound Specialists received $600,000.
The "Professor" has really worked hard and must be commended for winning the
title back to back with some top class arrangements. Go for the hat-trick
“Professor”.
In second scoring 459.5 points and awarded $550,000 was Tobago House of Assembly
Panorama champs Steel Xplosion of Tobago, with their rendition of “Get Down”
composed by Alvin Daniell and Brian “Bean” Griffith. "Bean" playing a
masterpiece of arrangement in this song, got total execution from his players in
the final. Excellent try "Bean".
Curepe-based Clico Sforzata Steel Orchestra placed third for the second year
running with 444.5 points and collected $500,000.
Sforzata played the Edwin Pouchet and Alvin Daniel composition “Thunder Coming”,
which was sung by Roderick “Chucky” Gordon and arranged by Yohan Popwell.
The players had good coordination playing their music.
Placing fourth was NLCB Buccooneers of Tobago scoring 441 and taking home
$450,000.
Another year of sweet pan has ended and lovers hope by 2009 their will be a home
for the National Museum for Creative Arts and Pan at the Queen's Park Savannah,
Port of Spain.
2008 National Panorama results
Medium Bands
1. Courts Sound Specialists (465.5) - $600,000
2. Steel Xplosion (459.5) - $550,000
3. Clico Sforzata (444.5) - $500,000
4. NLCB Buccooneers (441) - $450,000
5. Arima Angel Harps/Sangre Grande Cordettes (437) $400,000 + $350,000
7. HCL Valley Harps (436) $300,000
8. Carib Dixieland (433.5) $250,000
Large Bands
1. Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove (481) - $1,000,000
2. Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars (480) - $700,000
3. Sagicor Exodus (474) - $650,000
4. Witco Desperadoes (471.5) - $600,000
5. Silver Stars (463) - $550,000
6. BP Renegades (460) - $500,000
7. RBTT Redemption Sound Setters (459) - $450,000
8. Tropical Angel Harps (454) - $400,000
By PAPARAZZI