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Celebration time for Courts Sound Specialists
T&T Newsday, by FELICIA RAMPERSAD Monday, February 4
2008
COURTS SOUND Specialists of Laventille “Hooked” the
stage at Skinner Park, emerging victorious in the medium
bands category of the Panorama Finals for the second
consecutive year, walking away with the grand prize of
$600,000.
The band’s leader, Wayne Scipio, said that it is now
celebration time.
Scipio said: “We feel just great to be the champions and
would continue to celebrate. We were confident that we
would win.”
“I know we were outstanding from outsiders’ comments but
we came out of the semifinals close and just stepped up
our game. But I do not think there was much competition,”
he continued. Scipio added that the band will work
toward winning a hat trick next year. He said: “We are
accustomed doing it and will go for the title again next
year. We have been playing since 1975.”
Last year, the band played “Johnny,” arranged by Ken
“Professor” Philmore, who also arranged this year’s
composition.
Meanwhile, Tobago-based Steel Xplosion told Newsday that
they were not too disappointed with their second place
victory, with their rendition of “Get Down.” The band’s
manager, Ian Anthony, said: “We are not really
disappointed. All the while the writing was on the wall,
and the players felt that we were the champions. But, at
the end of the day, we played a good play and the judges’
decision is final.”
“We are a new band. Last year, we missed the finals by
one point so this year it is great that we at least came
second,” he continued.
Anthony noted that the band’s placing had to do with its
talented members, adding: “We have good managers,
players, tuners and arrangers. We would do well because
we do the work and are good.”
Anthony added that one of their drummers, at 10 years
old, was the youngest ever to play at Panorama Finals.
Anthony also noted that because of the band’s age, they
would remain in the medium conventional bands category
for the next two years. “We are relatively new and we
are now establishing ourselves as a worthy competitor,”
he noted.
Anthony said that the band would always have a
disadvantage in the competition and like any other, had
their ups and downs. “We are a Tobagonian band. We have
to catch the boat, come to Trinidad and then travel to
San Fernando.”
“We were accommodated in Chaguaramas and had to travel
to San Fernando yesterday for the competition. It is
difficult for us. Right now we are on our way to catch
the boat to go back home and we have been in traffic for
the last two hours. These kinds of circumstances
certainly add to the disadvantage but at the end of it,
we emerged second place and next year may be even first.”
Anthony added that the competition costs are very high
for the Tobago band. He said: “Some of the players
demand a high rate, with some even asking for a weekly
rate. Overall, it cost us $450,000 to prepare the band
for last night and our winnings were $550,000, so you do
the math.”
“But, we get some help from the Tobago House of Assembly,
Petrotrin and other places. We try to manage with what
we have and do our best,” he added. Steel Xplosion lost
the first place position by a mere ten points.
Due to the inclement weather the show faced some
challenges. The medium bands that performed early, such
as NLCB Buccooneers and CLICO Sforzata, were forced to
play in front of a somewhat rowdy crowd as people were
busy wiping water off their seats. It was not until
after 8 pm that the crowd finally settled down. But,
despite the weather, patrons danced to the music and had
a good time.
The large crowd, stretched from west to east and north
to south of the park, with some patrons standing where
the bands needed to pass to get off stage – but the
police were on hand and patrolled the park in large
numbers.
Also making an impact on the night were Sangre Grande
Cordettes, who brought on stage a couple dancing to the
clear sounds of “Latin on de Court.” The Cordettes tied
for fifth place with Arima Angel Harps.
“Latin on de Court,” “Hooked,” “Puncernelly,” and
“Thunder Coming” were popular tunes for the bands in
both the medium and large categories.
The results for the medium bands are as follows:
1. Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille - 469.5
2. Steel Xplosion - 459.5
3. CLICO Sforzata - 444.5
4. NLCB Buccooneers - 441
5. Arima Angel Harps - 437
5. Sangre Grande Cordettes - 437
7. HCL Valley Harps - 436
8.Carib Dixieland - 433.5 |
