All Stars’ ‘Thunder’ with a vengeance

All Stars gave an exciting performance of “Thunder Coming,” arranged by Leon “Smooth” Edwards that had the crowd thoroughly entertained throughout its performance.

When Phase II arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe gave the count to start the performance of “Musical Vengeance,” his players gave a polished and almost flawless rendition.

The combination of Sharpe and Ray Holman, the band’s drill master, appeared to be unbeatable until All Stars played.

Placing third was Sagicor Exodus who once again played with its canopies off and gave a concert — style performance of “Puncernelly”, arranged by Pelham Goddard. They received 455 points, one more than newcomer to the large band category, Silver Stars, who played an Edwin Pouchet arrangement of “Thunder Coming”. The crowd was of the general view that this band had the best thunder-roll of the competition.

WITCO Desperadoes was musically sweet with an excellent execution of Robbie Greenidge’s arrangement of “The Ten Commandments of Pan.” But the ten-time Panorama champions had to settle for fifth position with 450 points, while nine-time champions bp Renegades could only muster 445.5 points for sixth place.

The other two bands which will be going into Saturday’s final in Skinner Park, San Fernando in the large band category are RBTT Redemption Sound Setters (444.5 points) from Tobago and from the South/Central region, Tropical Angel Harps (442 points).

As in the preliminaries, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille once again gave arranger Ken “Professor” Philmore exactly what he wanted from them, resulting in the band’s first place in the medium band category. Their playing of “Hooked” sung by Destra earned them 444.5 points.

Placing second was one of three Tobago bands going into the finals, Steel Xplosion (443 points). They played arranger Brian “Bean” Griffith’s “Get Down”. The other two Tobago bands which will be moving on to the finals are Carib Dixieland (419.5 points) and NLCB Bucooneers (414 points).

Putting huge smiles on the faces of the crowd was conductor of the Sangre Grande Cordettes, Anders Koppel. It was funny to see the Danish citizen’s effort at Latin dancing while the band played “Latin On De Court,” arranged by Dennis Noel. They placed fifth with 427 points.

Large Band finalists

1. Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars - 468

2. Phase II Pan Groove - 459.5

3. Sagicor Exodus - 455

4. Silver Stars - 451

5. WITCO Desperadoes - 450

6. bp Renegades - 445.5

7. RBTT Redemption Sound Setters - 444.5

8. Tropical Angel Harps - 442

Medium Band finalists

1. Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille - 444.5

2. Steel Xplosion - 443

3. HCL Valley Harps - 435

4. CLICO Sforzata - 433

5. Sangre Grande Cordettes - 427

6. Carib Dixieland - 419.5

7. Arima Angel Harps - 414.5

8. NLCB Buccaneers - 414

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"All Stars’ ‘Thunder’ with a vengeance"

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