Panorama Finals t

RENEGADES Steel Orchestra of 135 Renegades Way, Port of Spain, won its 12th National Panorama title at the “Big Yard”, Queen’s Park Savannah on Carnival Saturday night. Dubbed “The Greatest Show on Earth,” champion arranger Duvone Stewart, with his arrangement of Black Stalin’s “Black Man Feeling To Party,” won over every pan lover in the North and Grand Stands with deceased Stalin’s wife, Patsy, coming on stage. The band now ties Desperadoes Steel Orchestra with 12 titles. Despers was defending its title but placed ninth. Renegades led from the preliminaries, into the semi-finals, scoring 283 points in the final.

The precise acceleration from the introduction to the first change key helped Renegades front line players to ramajay, some “really sweet music.”

Exodus, led by Ainsworth Mohammed and playing Antiguan, King Short Shirt’s “Tourist Leggo” finished three points behind, scoring 280 points. Another fantastic piece of music from Terrence “BJ” Marcelle. “BJ” is getting closer.

The respected Silver Stars of Tragarete Road, led by Christine Pouchet and playing Olatunji Yearword’s “Engine Room” arranged by Ojay Richards and Kersh Ramsey, placed third, scoring 276 points. From start to finish, the Silver Stars players worked in accordance of drills while playing. According to one pan lover, ”that engine really sound fabulous.”

Shell Invaders’ led by Michael Dinchong, playing Black Stalin’s “Bun Dem,” placed fourth’ scoring 275 points. Arddin Herbert is also getting closer. His arrangement of “Bun Dem” grew from prelims to the finals. Renegades was awarded TT$1,000,000 for its victory. Second-placed Exodus with ‘covering’ canopies and Silver Stars, snagged thr second and third place prize purses of TT$700,000 and TT$650,000, respectively.

First band up, Starlift, cast its musical spell from the get-go, playing the Mighty Sparrow’s “Witch Doctor,” arranged by Danté Pantin. The passion for pan was in full effect. The band scored 267 points and placed 12th.