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Silver Stars put fans in a frenzy
By Michelle Loubon,
Trinidad Guardian, January 16, 2005
"Oohs" and"Yeahs" erupted as Excellent Stores Silver
Stars Steel Orchestra, 2004 champs in the conventional
medium band category, played its last "frenzied" note at
the Tragarete Road, Woodbrook, panyard on Friday. Pan
lovers and supporters who had pressed into the compact
yard, partied on the makeshift stage, waved their blue
bandannas near the bar, and swayed under the laden
breadfruit tree. Replacing her red Revue costume with a
yellow T-shirt, former Calypso Monarch Denyse Plummer
danced and pranced in the rhythm section, as they
rendered her popular selection Frenzy, written by Mark
Loquan. Earlier on, Plummer said: "I am honoured that so
many bands have chosen my song. I try to wave for all of
them. Thanks to all of the bands that chose Frenzy."
Though pleased at the crowd response, arranger Edwin
Pouchet said: "It's difficult being defending champions.
I prefer to be competing. "Anyway, I introduced an
African, Latin and pan frenzy part. Then I introduced a
frenzied pass. I am optimistic." A few hours earlier,
female arranger Avis Bruce had been polishing the
performance, in preparation for the judges at
Casablanca, 31 Belmont Circular Road, Belmont.
Bruce, 30, who had arranged for San Juan Eastside, said:
"I did not choose an old song. I chose something new.
New song...new arranger and I like the aspect of Frenzy.
It is challenging. The music will tell for itself."
Further along at Belmont Fifth Dimension, Serraneau
Road, St Francois Valley Road, Belmont, harmonious notes
of My Fantasy, by Clive Sealey, lured the community to
the pan theatre under the direction of arranger Brian
"Bean" Griffith. It wasn't by coincidence that scores of
children were among the audience. Member of the rhythm
section/PRO FitzRoy Cambridge said: "We are especially
trying to get the children involved. We are trying to
make ourselves a special community, by encouraging the
children not to have babies in their teens. "We are
trying to get YTEPP in the panyard. We are working with
three groups of young people, including the St Francois
College Junior Band." |
