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Track Listing:
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Starlift
Steel Orchestra
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STARLIFT STEEL ORCHESTRA
HISTORY
The Starlift Steel Orchestra was formed in late 1956 under the guidance of Jene Peters, the first captain. From its inception, Starlift established itself as a group of pan players whose ambition was to participate in all areas involving the steelband movement and to positively pursue specific aims and objectives in an effort to build and maintain a properly constituted and viable organization.
Over the years Starlift has acquired a quality repertoire compiled by a cadre of high-calibre arrangers such as Ray Holman, Clive Bradley, Carlysle Oliver, Eastlyn Hinds, Annise Hadeed, Herschel Puckrin and Aldon Moore. The band has been a finalist at the National Panorama nineteen times since the competition was inaugurated in 1963 and has won the coveted trophy in 1969, 1971 and 1978. Starlift has traveled to Costa Rica, North America and Venezuela.
CARNIVAL MAS’ PRESENTATIONS
Starlift has an impressive record in relation to its participation in mas’. In 1957 its portrayal Undersea Kingdom placed 5th in the Band of the Year Competition and the following year the band placed 4th with Nursery Rhymes. Starlift placed in the top ten of the Band of the Year Competition between 1968 and 1971. In the seventies the band enjoyed much success with Alva Maund’s memorable presentations of Shindig, Ceremony of the Red Men, Splendour among the Himalayas, Of Fest and Festivals, Feather Fantasy, and Teenage Millionaires. In 1994, Friends of Starlift was formed. This is a New York based group which has since organised successful Carnival Monday and Tuesday mas’ presentations.
SPONSORS
Starlift acknowledges the financial and other contributions made by the following corporate citizens:
PATROCINADORES
Starlift agradece entre otras las contribuciones financieras de los siguientes ciudadanos corporativos:
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1964 – 1969 |
Angostura |
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1969 – 1977 |
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce |
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1977 – 1983 |
Trinidad Tesoro |
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1983 – 1992 |
Trintopec |
| 1997 – Present | PCS Nitrogen Trinidad Ltd. |
THE RECORDING
The recording was done live to two track at the panyard, Roxy Roundabout, Woodbrook Trinidad. Tracks 1 – 7 were done on June 12 1999 with 23 players. Tracks 8 and 9 were recorded on February 12 1999 and February 20 1998, respectively with a full compliment of 100 musicians.
©1999 Simeon L. Sandiford
STARLIFT STEEL ORCHESTRA
HISTORIA
La banda Starlift Steel Orchestra fue fundada a fines del año 1956 bajo la dirección de Jene Peters, el primer capitán. Desde los comienzos, Starlift se estableció como un grupo de tocadores del steelpan cuya ambición fue participar en todas las áreas que incluyeron al movimiento del steelband y perseguir con energía propósitos y objetivos específicos con motivo de construir y mantener una organización apropiadamente constituida y viable.
Durante los años, Starlift ha adquirido un repertorio de calidad compilado por un cuadro de arregladores de alta aptitud tales como Ray Holman, Clive Bradley, Carlysle Oliver, Eastlyn Hinds, Annise Hadeed, Herschel Puckrin y Aldon Moore. La banda ha sido finalista en el concurso National Panorama 19 veces desde la inauguración de la competencia en 1963 y ha ganado el trofeo codiciado en 1969, 1971 y 1978. Starlift ha viajado a Costa Rica, Norteamérica y Venezuela.
PRESENTACIONES DE CARNAVAL
Starlift tiene un récord impresionante respecto a su participación en carnaval. En el año 1957, su representación Undersea Kingdom fue colocada en el 5 lugar en la Competencia Banda del Año y en el año siguiente fue colocada en 4 lugar con Nursery Rhymes. Starlift fue colocada en los 10 principales de la Competencia Banda del Año entre 1968 y 1971. En los años 70, la banda gozó de mucho éxito con las presentaciones memorables de Alva Maud de Shindig, Ceremony of the Red Men, Splendour among the Himalayas, Of Fest and Festivals, Feather and Fantasy and Teenage Millionaires. En 1994, se fundó Friends of Starlift. Este grupo tiene su base en Nueva York y desde entonces ha organizado presentaciones de carnaval exitosas los lunes y martes de carnaval.
LA GRABACION
La grabación fue hecha en vivo a dos canales en la casa de la banda, Roxy Roundabout, Woodbrook, Trinidad. Los canales 1- 7 se grabaron el 12 de junio 1999 con 23 tocadores. Los canales 8 y 9 se grabaron el 12 y el 20 de febrero 1999, con el complemento entero de 100 músicos.
© 1999 Simeon L. Sandiford
Review
Ray Holman's arrangement of The Beatles' Penny Lane for the Starlift Steel Orchestra has to be one of the most successful interpretations ever of a pop hit by a steel ensemble. It realized the potential of both instrument and song, revealing a musical robustness and vibrancy. Penny Lane remained on radio playlists for years and in this recording as fresh sounds as when we first heard it. And it is, for me at least, the highlight of this new CD by the three-time Panorama winners who celebrate their 44th anniversary this year.
This is not to detract from the value of the energetic new recordings of Starlift's Panorama pieces (Du Du Yemi, Sweet and Sexy, O' Trinidad and In My House.) and the title track. On the other pop selections, however (Mi Tierra, 100 Ways, Hold Me in Your Arms), the group slides into that languid hotel-poolside mode which seems to assume that while tourists do "wanna hear some pan", they hear it in slow motion. But that too has its virtue: one better hears all the pans at the slower pace. (GP/eC)
