New York
- 2005 was a year marked by historic highs and tragic lows
for the Pan community. On panorama night, the late
great Clive Bradley made history by achieving a feat never
before accomplished. The bands for which he arranged
captured the championship title and second place honors,
respectively. Sadly, the joy would later turn to grief with the tragic news of his passing
less than three months later.
Basement Recordings Productions presents NY Panyards 2005 which includes the final panyard recordings of Master Arranger Clive Bradley. Also included on this
2-Disc DVD set are arrangements by
Pelham Goddard,
Yohan Popwell,
Arddin Herbert,
Brian "Bean" Griffith, and
Freddie Harris, III
&
Andy Akiho. The arrangements are performed by
Pantonic,
D'Radoes,
Sonatas,
CASYM,
Marsicans,
Crossfire
and
Sesame Flyers.
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Master
arranger Clive Bradley reviewing 2004 NY Panyards DVD at
the studios of Basement Recordings |
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As an added bonus, this double-DVD package includes on the
second disc, an exclusive one hour-long sit-down interview with Clive Bradley, Pelham
Goddard and Yohan Popwell, and provides insight into the minds of
these accomplished arrangers.
The interview is historical, prophetic, educational and at times
emotionally gut-wrenching, as we listen to and experience
the humor, knowledge and fascinating episodes in the life of
Clive Bradley that the master himself shares with us. That
it takes
place only a few weeks before Mr. Bradley pulls of one of his
career's greatest musical feats, make this interview all the
more remarkable. It takes place at Basement
Recordings studios where almost every prominent, notable -
or soon to be - steelband music figure has graced.
NY PANYARDS 2005 is part of the
continuing series of stellar video and audio recordings by
Basement Productions that provide a historical, educational
and cultural perspective - without diminishing the
entertainment value and musical integrity of the performers
and performances.
NY Panyards is ideally suited for music
educators, students, ethnomusicologists, music libraries, fine music collectors,
historians and steelpan enthusiasts who are looking to
experience authentic, passionate steelband performances
without compromise as endorsed, validated, created and
performed by the masters. NY Panyards 2005
captures the spirit, pressure, fire and joy, and creative genius
born out of the necessity of panorama competition, as can only
be experienced within the sacred refuge of the steelbands and
steelpan musicians - the "panyard". Basement
Recordings again captures the sonic and visual components of
the performances with unmatched clarity and fidelity,
bringing the
viewing and listening audience into the bowels of the New
York panyards in a manner that allows you the reality
of tasting and 'living' the panyard atmosphere and experience.
Indeed, it is a remarkable people who consistently overcome
outside despair
and hostility with the unique ability to conquer and
transform their environment into a musical oasis (the
panyard). The NY Panyard 2005 DVD again showcases a
true working cultural melting pot, as we view and listen to
the results of an open invitation that is extended to and
readily accepted by, people of all ages and
backgrounds, religions, nationalities and social status - to
join the New York Steelbands in their annual arduous journey
towards this (illogical, to some) musical summit called
panorama. That New York's Panyards can
continue to produce musical gems that are of equal value in
stature to the works of the Armstrongs, Bachs, Brahms,
Ellingtons, Chopins, Gordon Parks, Monets, Picassos,
Rembrandts and Beethovens (in terms that they can
transform such an unfriendly milieu) is a testament to the
timeless human spirit to engage, overcome and conquer,
and enrich their time and space - to make better the human
condition through the arts. This DVD is a must for anyone
looking for a deeper understanding of one of the greatest
social, cultural and musical phenomena of the 20th century,
in addition as to why the steelband artform is currently
sweeping the globe.
Click here to order
your copy of NY Panyards 2005.
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