D’Radoes Steel
Orchestra
at
practice
-
Arranger
Al
Foster
is in
yellow
New York,
USA -
This is indeed the year of change.
Moreover, it
is a year
when many of
the
participating
New York
steel
orchestras introduced new arrangers to the
steelband
music panorama
landscape. In fact,
there were
five
‘arranger
changes’ made
this season. This year
D’Radoes
Steel
Orchestra
has the
talented Al
“Allos” Foster at
the
arranging
helm. This is Mr. Foster’s maiden voyage into the New York panorama scene. The tune of
choice for
D’Radoes is
“Pan
Army”
sung by
Kernel
Roberts -
composed by
Len
“Boogsie”
Sharpe;
lyrics by
Franklyn Olliviera.
D’Radoes Steel
Orchestra
at
practice
It is well known - arranging for New York panorama is not for the faint of heart. Many have tried but few have left any significant or memorable mark on the New York panorama music arranging circuit. The arranger
bar in New
York has
been set
long ago by
the great
ones.
D’Radoes Steel
Orchestra
at
practice
Al Foster is
vying to be
the first
arranger since the late master arranger Clive Bradley to have a significant impact on D’Radoes’
panorama
fortunes. 2010 is
clearly a
different
approach for
the
orchestra.
As WST (When
Steel Talks)
observed
Foster
as he guided
D’Radoes
Steel
Orchestra through its
practice at
their pan yard,
the changes
in the
atmosphere
were
conspicuous.
The group
appeared
smaller than
in past
years - but
there was a
connection
between the
players and
the arranger
which was missing
these last
couple of
years. In
addition,
D’Radoes has
gotten
younger -
something
all groups
do ensure
their
future.
D’Radoes Steel
Orchestra
at
practice
D’Radoes is
still for
the most
part a
veteran
orchestra.
Present at
practice
were many of
D’Radoes’
seasoned pan
men and
women.
Foster’s low
key approach
blends well
with the
character of
D’Radoes. Over the
years
D’Radoes’
panorama
appearance
performances
have been
eclectic and
unpredictable.
One was
never really
sure which
D’Radoes was
going to
show up.
Playing in
position
five on
Panorama
night, look
for D’Radoes
to make a
statement
with a
strong
performance.
All eyes
will be on
Mr. Foster
to deliver
the goods.
In
Pictures
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