Celebrating World Steelpan Day 2024

Knolly Moses

There was no shortage of groups celebrating World Steelpan Day! Thursday night we caught some of Silver Stars at Desperadoes’ Pan Yard Jam, which was a nice idea to get the jamming started. Silver Stars’ youths brought their usual high energy and surprised us with an inventive version of Phantom of the Opera.

Desperadoes came out swinging with In My House, one of Clive Bradley’s masterpieces. Then they gave us an old standard, El Relicaro, also arranged by Clive. Sadly, Trinbago Vibes, the YouTube channel we tuned into left early and ended the livestream.

We also joined the live stream of the Woodford Square jam. We listened to Invaders, All Stars Pan Elders, and Renegades, which played an appreciative medley of Black Stalin’s tunes, and Panosic Connection. Others that entertained a massive and grateful Woodford Square crowd include the National Steel Symphony Orchestra, Republic Bank Exodus, and Desperadoes. During a band break, we saw the Lauderhill Steel Ensemble perform at River Landing in Miami.
Large screens showed other steel bands around the world celebrating World Steelpan Day.

Below we share the playlist we listened to as a way of enjoying this auspicious day! Below are some fine Panorama arrangements from Bradly, Ray Holman, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe, Jit Samaroo, Andy Narell, Annise ‘Haffers’ Hadeed, Godwin Bowen, Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore, Rudy ‘Twoleft’ Smith, Pelham Goddard and Beverley Griffith. We also included slow versions of Starlift’s In My House and Desperadoes’ Pan Redemption. We also added Gayelle’s lively music video of Steel On Wheels to Pamberi’s Panorama piece.

Open YouTube and enjoy!

 

Woman On The Bass (1980) All Stars
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=djbrpaikBqM

Pan Woman (1987) Exodus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlI7FTjMduw

This Feeling Nice (1987) Phase II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRNW8rvPKiI

Pan In A Minor (1987) Renegades
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBm4IoqVWfw

Party Tonight (1988) Desperadoes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yYg9dRMh1E

Iron Man (1988) Pandemonium
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp5f1AwF7Uw

Pan By Storm (1990) Fonclaire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKFH2jM8qe0

Special Brew (1991) Carib Tokyo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LULiCqgqQBA

Dust in dey face (1993) Exodus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ksvhb0r_Vw

High Mas (1998) Nu Tones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msAreGls0Vs

Coffee Street (1999) Skiffle Bunch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0nDSfDFFs8

In My House  (1999) Starlift
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peTvrVm4hTs&t=621s

Steel on Wheels (2007) Pamberi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qSp0WGo5tw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SmLEs5miN0

Pan Redemption (2009) Desperadoes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5_NtzVicB8&t=65s

I Love The Pan (2001) Birdsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DGr35zN4Do