'Ray Charles' in Skiffle Bunch victoryBy JOAN RAMPERSAD Friday, April 17 2009
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Silver Stars...
WITH THEIR supporters cheering them on throughout their performance, the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch delivered a most entertaining performance of “Georgia On My Mind”. On stage with the band was actor Errol Fabien portraying the composer of the song, Ray Charles, as the band achieved victory at the Pan in the 21st Century finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Wednesday night.
The San Fernando-based steelband amassed 284 points with the Keith Salceido arrangement to take away the $65,000 first prize, beating two crowd favourites, Katzenjammers and Silver Stars, both two-time previous winners.
The Tobago band Katzenjammers played an Edwin Pouchet arrangement of Celine Dion’s “To Love You More”. The clarity of the pans and their tonal quality, was well appreciated by the patrons who cheered when the tenor pannists danced while the bass players soloed.
It was an excellent performance by the 2008 winners.
Similarly, Silver Stars scored big with another Pouchet arrangement, this time of the classic rock song, “Bohemian Rhapsody” originally performed by the band Queen. The reigning National Panorama champions were a favourite of the crowd even before they played a note and were applauded several times during their performance.
When they were done, the crowd went wild. The band won the $55,000 second prize with 283 points, while Katzenjammers received $45,000 for placing third with 278 points.
NLCB Fonclaire, who played Evelyn “Champagne’ King’s “Shame” arranged by Ken “Professor” Philmore, and Our Boys with Ne-Yo’s “Closer” arranged by Roger Sardinha placed fourth and fifth with 277 and 276 points respectively.
Fonclaire produced a spirited performance while Our Boys members, all dressed as Ne-Yo pleased patrons with co-ordinated dance moves by the tenor pannists.
The show was attended by President George Maxwell Richards and his wife Dr. Jean Ramjohn- Richards, NCC Chairman Howard Chin Le and former Culture Minister Joan Yuille-Williams. Arriving late were current Culture Minister Marlene Mc Donald and her Parliamentary Secretary, Junia Regrello.
Judges for the competition were Damian Phillip, Louis Nurse, Merle Albino de Coteau and Richard Pierre.
The pan action continues throughout this weekend with “Summit Sensations”, a special edition of the popular Panyard Sensations series, which is being staged by the Tourism Development Company (TDC) in conjunction with Pan Trinbago. The three night concerts are being staged for delegates and other persons to the Fifth Summit of the Americas in mind.
The first event is tonight at the bp Renegades Pan Theatre, Charlotte Street, Port-of-Spain.The action shifts to the Trinidad All Stars panyard, Duke Street, Port-of-Spain, tomorrow. On the final night, Sunday, performances will at the Queen’s Park Oval, Tragarete Road.
The full results are:
1. TCL Group Skiffle Bunch - Georgia on My Mind - 284
2. Silver Stars - Bohemian Rhapsody - 283
3. Katzenjammers - To Love You More - 278
4. NLCB Fonclaire - Shame - 277
5. Our Boys - Closer 276
6. Courts Sound Specialists Of Laventille -
Can We Talk - 274
7. Harmonites - Love Theme From St. Elmo’s Fire - 272
8. Solo Pan Knights - Rise - 269
8. Pamberi - Can’t Be My Lover - 269
10. Parry’s Pan School - Fantasy - 267
10. Curepe Scherzando - Theme From Love Story - 267
12. Tropical Angel Harps - Conga - 265
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