Leon Smooth Edwards’ arrangement of It’s Showtime helped the Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars to their sixth Panorama win and the TT$2 million first prize for large bands early this morning.
Katzenjammers were smiling all the way back to neighbouring Tobago, after tying on 275 for first place with Valley Harps of Petit Valley in the medium bands final. Katzenjammers won with the Edwin Pouchet-arranged Wake Up, while Do Something For Pan, which was arranged by Michelle Huggins-Watts, did it for Valley Harps.
All Stars opened the finals of the large band category on a flourish with the Anslem Douglas track, and made a big enough impression on the judges that was evidently not erased by the nine other bands that followed. They scored 278 points to the top the standings.
Winning large band song It’s Showtime was one of the more popular ones on the night, with four of the 20 bands playing it for their finals bid. Destra’s Calling Meh had a similar number of plays. Destra, who took third place in the Pla Whe Groovy Soca competition as the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday night, was actually on stage as the flag person with the fourth placed medium band Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, as they played the Ken Professor Philmore arrangement. Sagicor Exodus was two points behind with 276 to take the second spot with Destra’s Calling Meh. The runner-up piece was arranged by Pelham Goddard.
Defending champs PCS Silver Stars was denied the chance of scoring hattrick and had to settle for third with It’s Showtime, which was arranged by Pelham Goddard. Based on the scores, they were not disgraced. The 275 points amassed was just three points behind that of the winning All Stars. Indeed it was a close competition throughout. Last-placed RBC/RBTT Redemption Sound Setters finished with 268, 10 behind the winners.
There was more excitement for the Tobago crew, as the NLCB Buccooneers took third in medium bands with the Seion Gomez arrangement of Calling Meh. They scored 269.
Winning large band song It’s Showtime was one of the more popular ones on the night, with four of the 20 bands playing it for their finals bid. Destra’s Calling Meh had a similar number of plays. Destra, who took third place in the Pla Whe Groovy Soca competition as the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday night, was actually on stage as the flag person with the fourth placed medium band Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, as they played the Ken Professor Philmore arrangement.
Meanwhile, a number of steel bands and sound trucks will are expected to play accompanying music as thousands, including a large Barbadian contingent, take to the Trinidad Streets today and tomorrow for the two-day masquerade for the bands.
Speaking at the prize-giving of the bMobile Soca Monarch on Saturday morning, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she expected this year’s Carnival to be massive. She said reports to her indicated all hotel rooms were booked and that the bands, costumes and fetes had been sold out. Police and other security forces are expected to be out in full force to ensure the safety of Trinidadians and visitors alike as they go out to the finals events for Carnival 2011.
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