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Pan Sonatas Roar!! Missing in action no more

Harmony Steel Orchestra’s Yard Opening - Recap

Another When Steel Talks Concert Review

In Pictures

Brooklyn, New York, USA - As fate would have it, or simply scheduling - to this point in the New York steel orchestras’ Summer performing series of launches and panyard openings, When Steel Talks (WST) has not seen or heard the mighty Sonatas Steel Orchestra. Clearly going into the third of week of live performances and fielding a litany of the obligatory off-season rumors, facts  and fabrications - not seeing the vaunted black and gold colors of the all-time NY steelband music panorama champions was of concern. Not to worry. Sonatas came, they performed and they roared!! In fact the orchestra gave a series of what we call “Just Listen” and “Can You Hear Me Now” moments that thrilled the listeners and earned the respect of the other steelpan musicians present. More on Sonatas later.

CASYM Steel Orchestra at Harmony’s 2013 Yard Opening
CASYM Steel Orchestra at Harmony’s 2013 Yard Opening

The bands were there. The music was there. The fans - not so there. It could be that the New York Steelpan music community doesn’t like Saturday night launches anymore. Or the 90-plus degree weather for the last couple of days had simply been too much to handle. Or they don’t like KC’s ‘Hideaway’ - which is now just that - a dark, unlit, uninviting gravel stone hidden area. Yuk! Who turned off the lights? Some sort of spotlight should always be on the performing artist at minimum.  Or, could it be simply steelpan music lovers’ frustration with that chronic lack of time management which plagues most New York pan events year after year - the issue of hearing the first steel orchestra, hours after the advertised start time?

For what ever reason the turnout was not what one would expect for a July steelband-related opening in New York. While a good people ‘turnout’ is critical to the financial coffers of the host orchestra and overall fraternity morale, the occasion provided another opportunity for the performing steelpan artists to dust off, hone and polish their craft. Present this night was CASYM, Despers USA, Pan Sonatas, Metro and the host Harmony. In addition to Sonatas this was WST’s first time hearing Harmony and Metro for the season.


Pan Sonatas Steel Orchestra performs at Harmony’s 2013 Yard Opening

What we experienced was a clearer understanding of the musical order of the New York performing steelbands. After all it is July and it was the third week of Pan yard openings. This is when the ‘rolls’ become true and ‘intros,’ ‘stops’ and ‘starts’ become precise. And at this stage, no more faking, no more skating, no more excuses, no more echoing, no more doubling, only the sweet chorusing and flanging effects of a tight and well-rehearsed steel orchestra are acceptable.

At this stage one would expect all the orchestras to deliver a ‘ready for prime time’ performance. An uncharacteristic sloppiness for New York steel orchestras was displayed by some of the bands. However that did not distract from the overall nature of the night’s presentations. WST expects the necessary ‘bolts and screws’ will be tightened before the next series of launches and respective bands’ appearances.

Harmony Steel Orchestra at their 2013 Yard Opening
Harmony Steel Orchestra at their 2013 Yard Opening

Sonatas unveiled a major new wrinkle to their always potent music arsenal (some of New York’s finest musical individuals are members of this group). Always a formidable powerhouse, the new collaborative efforts of Sonatas and arranger Leon “Foster” Thomas were on full display much to the delight of audience. “Foster” -  a gifted and progressive artistic mind, combined with the already extremely talented and disciplined Sonatas Steel Orchestra is indeed intriguing.  And yes, they surely delivered the obligatory “Just Listen” moments.  The expected bar just got raised significantly higher. Effortless and sensible dynamics, seamless transitions, aesthetic harmonic spreads across the orchestra with a keen attention to detail - performed on excellently manufactured and well-tuned instruments - Sonatas’ showcase conjured up memories of Earth Wind and Fire in concert. Meaning you can watch, dance, sing or listen. Regardless of which way you lean, a serious musical statement is always being made in conjunction with a high entertainment value.

Sonatas Steel Orchestra with arranger Leon "Foster" Thomas at right
Sonatas Steel Orchestra with arranger Leon “Foster” Thomas at right

CASYM Steel Orchestra was again first out of the gates at the event - in what has become their customary position for the Summer events that we have attended thus far. They were followed by Despers USA. Both groups continued their worthy presentations. They were followed by Metro Steel Orchestra and the host Harmony Steel Orchestra. Metro ran into some turbulence, but it was great to at least see one of the founding blocks of New York pan out for the 2013 season. Harmony closed off the evening with a spirited performance.

At this stage in the season it’s about the music, it’s about the sound, it’s about technique, it’s about the message, it’s about connecting and of course making that statement.  The performance and entertainment value of these community concerts ring true as the upper bands continue to demonstrate their extended musical vocabulary and musicianship.

Up next - Despers USA Steel Orchestra, Inc. hosts their R&B and Reggae Night and D’Radoes Steel Orchestra invite everyone to their Band opening - both this Sunday July 14th!

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Contact Harmony:   1 (347) 528-3560

Contact Pan Sonatas:   1 (718) 496-5133

Contact Despers USA: 

Contact Metro: 

Contact CASYM:  1 (718) 735-6708    casymsteelband@gmail.com

CASYM Steel Orchestra members
Tenor - Travis Roberts, Lance, Isa, Madison, Kiara, Diellan; Double Second - Sophronia Williams, Orrin; Guitar - Sheianne Danglade; Cello - Johnathon; Bass - Lakiesha Danglade; Juquan; Drums - Jahlani Roberts; Percussion - Michelle Williams

CASYM Steel Orchestra at Harmony’s 2013 Yard Opening
CASYM Steel Orchestra performs
Despers USA Steel Orchestra members
Odie Franklin, Natasha Rebeiro, Justyne Simon, Sharon Samuels, Niyatta Tyson, Kern Simon, Samuel Andrews, Alyssa Cain, D.J. Patterson, Tiara Cadet, Elizabeth F., Jerry Guy, Edgar Gamory, Wilfred Kieal, Jr.
Despers USA Steel Orchestra performs
Despers USA Steel Orchestra performs
Pan Sonatas Steel Orchestra members
Tenor - Kazz Martin, Darrel Spence, Imari Bactowal, Raimi Bactowal, Sadé Constantine, Jerome Cummings; Double Second - Mark Garceran, Trevonne Samuel; Double Guitar - Andrea Parks; Cello - Natasha Issac; Bass - Edward Clarke, Tristan Samuel, Dashawn Wallace; Drums & Riddim Section - Kayode Wiltshire, Kadeem McShine, AJ Forteau
Pan Sonatas Steel Orchestra
Pan Sonatas Steel Orchestra
Metro Steel Orchestra members
Metro Steel Orchestra
Metro Steel Orchestra
Harmony Steel Orchestra members
Hosts Harmony Steel Orchestra performing at their 2013 Yard opening
Hosts Harmony Steel Orchestra performing at their 2013 Yard opening

Repertoire

CASYM Steel Orchestra

1st -  The People’s Champion - (Benjai)
2nd -  September - (Earth, Wind & Fire)
3rd -  Gold - (C. Hulme, M. Montano, Rikki Jai, K. Asche, D. O’ Connor)
4th -  Thief Ah Wine - (Kes The Band)
5
th -  *Mix*:
   ~  Feter - (Benjai)
   ~  Wining Queen - (Denise Belfon)
6th -  A Little Wine - (Patrice Roberts)
7th -  The Fog - (Machel Montano)
8th -  Fantastic Friday - (Superblue)

 
Despers USA Steel Orchestra

1st The Legend of the Glass Mountain - (Nino Rota)
2nd Feelin’ Single - (R. Kelly)
3rd He Reigns - (Kirk Franklin)
4th
Wine Back - (K. Rich)
5th Call My Name - (Destra)
6th The Fog - (Machel Montano)

 
Pan Sonatas Steel Orchestra

1st -  Ganges Meet the Nile - (David Rudder)
2nd -  Calypso Music - (David Rudder)
3rd -  Let It Be Me/Always on my Mind - (Everly Brothers/Willie Nelson)
4thPump Me Up - (Krosfyah)
5th Boogie Nights/All Night Long - (Heatwave/Mary Jane Girls)
6th Carnival Tabanca
7th No Getaway - (Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx)
8
th This Melody Sweet- (Baron)
9th -  Indian Gyal - (Drupatee & Machel Montano)

Harmony’s ‘2013 Yard Opening’
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