Starlift Steel Orchestra takes Panorama with ‘Hairy Bank’

THE Hennessey Starlift Steel Orchestra’s rendition of “Hairy Bank” by ‘Poorsah’ has allowed them to keep the number one position at Panorama, Carnival 2022.

The band leader and arranger for the piece, Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts was enjoying a winning night as he also copped the second place in the Calypso segment of “PanKaiMas” held at Victoria Park on July 3, running into July 4.

Forty one players took to the stage for Starlift to deliver a melody that was timed to be approximately nine minutes and 50/52 seconds long in practice.

“…We did a lot of work and I am very proud for what those kids did tonight. Because as you can see at least 90% of persons who played with stage for Hennessey Starlift are kids,” Roberts explained shortly after the results were announced.

He said that they just crossed over from the juniors into the seniors.

“…The future of steel band is very bright I must say very, very bright. It is in good hands,” the proud Roberts stated.

“A lot of them- it’s their first time. First. And they look like if they are in the business for a long time. When you just start (you’re) shaky and you will expect this – no, no, no. Everybody came alive,” he revealed.

Indeed, the expressions of the pan players could be seen changing as they grooved to the flow of the melody they were creating.

Roberts suspected that the feeling spilled off from the more seasoned players, “they just blend in more or less. It was beautiful.”

The youngsters also had less time to work with this year.

“…At one time we were thinking there would not have been carnival and the other time we were hearing that it’s only persons who are vaccinated,” the panman noted.

Therefore it was possible that what would happen would be a showcase…rather than a competition.

However, the Government decided that they would have open carnival with no restrictions.

Therefore, “…we decide to go at it. The time wasn’t what we wanted, wasn’t what we are accustomed to but we worked with that time, worked very hard with the kids,” and were proud of the end result, Roberts disclosed.

“I’m very proud of the kids. I can’t stop saying that…I mean they are the ones who did it, I give them the music but they are the ones who executed the music and executed so neat, so clean, so unique. I’m so proud of them,” he reiterated. The various pieces of instruments harmonised to achieve the desired result- the excellent blend of the Tenor, Double Tenor, Double Second, Double Guitar, four Cellos, Treble Guitars, lower Bass and higher Bass.

Of seven competing bands the Starlift Steel Orchestra, which won in 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013, managed to keep their title of number one and overtake the Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra, who placed second. However, the Sion Hill Euphonium had a lot of supporters on the night and their 48 players very energetically played their rendition of the late Winston Soso’s “I don’t mind”.

The National Properties Ltd Epic Sounds Steel Orchestra took the third spot with “Loving can’t done” by ‘Touch’.

Asked how it felt to retain their top spot, Roberts reasoned, “We know if we ain get it this year we coming for it next year.”

“…because competition is a funny thing. Losing is bad, but losing is good sometimes because you know when you come the next time you’re not thinking lose, you’re rising above that. So it brings out the best out of everyone,” he concluded.