THE RENOWNED Trinidad All Stars retained their large band title while two bands from sister isle Tobago finished in the top two places when the 2012 Carnival Panorama competition came to a grand climax at the Queen’s Park Savannah Saturday night.
All Stars, the first steelband to win TT$2 million after a prize money increase this season, had the crowd buzzing with its intricate arrangement of Play Yourself by Leon “Smooth” Edwards. All Stars edged out the Len “Boogsie” Sharpe-led Phase II Pan Groove, 279 points to 274, into second place, while Silver Stars, who covered Denyse Plumber’s Gih Dem Tempo, finished third of the ten Large Conventional band finalists. The order in that category was All Stars, Pan Groove, Silver Stars, Renegades, Exodus, Harmonites, Invaders, Redemption, Fonclaire and Angel Harps.
In the Medium Conventional category, Katzenjammers pocketed TT$750 000, placing first for the second straight year with 288 points, followed by Tobagonian rival Buccooneers, who scored 284 in a keen faceoff. Placing behind them were Sound Specialists of Laventille, Valley Harps, Melodians, Curepe Scherzando, Power Stars, West Side Symphony and Sangre Grande Cordettes.
The Small Conventional bands prize saw Arima Golden Symphony finishing first, Supernovas second and La Horqueta Pan Groove third.
The Panorama season was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Pat Bishop and Ralph McDonald, who both died last year. Exodus paid tribute to her with the song Auntie Pat penned by their arranger Pelham Goddard. (RJ)
