Heavy rains fail to dampen Pan on D’Avenue

From Taylor Street to Colville Street in Woodbrook, residents and pan aficionados came out in their thousands to line Ariapita Avenue and take in the “sweet” pan that rang out for some seven hours. The music was so “sweet” the people couldn’t contain themselves and so they danced merrily into the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Among the favourite bands on the night was the St Margarets Youth Steel Ensemble that had the crowd dancing and singing to their playing of “Ben Lion”, a composition of the late Andre Tanker. No doubt he too was probably dancing in his grave to the superb arrangement and playing of the song.

Also getting the crowd to join in the sheer revelry was eight times pan champs Massy All Stars that delivered “Disco Daddy”, “Curry Tabanca” and their signature song “Woman on the Bass”.

But it was the reigning Panorama champions Desperadoes that got couples stepping to “Bound to Dance” and their winning Panorama song “Different Me”.

Earlier Arima Angel harps started the ball rolling with “Ole Time Days”, followed by Pandemonium with “Bump and Wine”, “Take Over Town” and “Just the two of Us”.

Southern Marines represented the southland well with their rendition of “Carnival Time Again”, so too did Tropical Angel Harps with “I will Survive” and “Tell Me why”, and Pan Elders that played “Sugar Bum Bum”.

Not to be outdone were the bands from the east that made their presence felt.

Heading that list was Exodus doing “Mon Bon Ami”, Harmonites with “I Doh Mind”, Melodians – “Bees Melody” and “The Jammer”, and Supernovas with a medley of “67” and “Jerico” from the pen of the late grandmaster the Lord Kitchener (Aldwyn Roberts).

The street party continued with the St James Tripolinas that played “Are You Ready”, Harvard Harps – “Endless Vibrations”, Couva Joylanders – “Cheers to Life” and “This Melody Sweet”, Defence Force – “This Melody Sweet”, Playboys – “Ma Cherie Amour”, Western Stars – “The Lizard”, Starlift – “Music”, Silver Stars – “Gold” and Invaders – “Tell Me why”. Bp Renegades, Phase II Pan Groove and Brimblers also appeared.