All Stars leads Panorama pack

February 13, 2001

AFTER the second round of preliminaries in the 2001 Panorama competition, Neal and Massy Trinidad All Stars still stands as the front-runner.

Not even defending national champion Witco Desperadoes' hypnotic rendition of Shadow's "Yuh Looking For Horn," under the direction of Clive Bradley, could surpass the 452 points earned by All Stars on Saturday.

Playing in position 16 at Sunday's preliminary at the Queen's Park Savannah, Desperadoes seemed to deliver the magic that many had anticipated as patrons listened intently during its performance, erupting into cheers at the end. The judges awarded the band only 449 points, however, three behind All Stars.

At the announcement of the results, the few patrons who had stayed behind did not seem surprised at the score given to Desperadoes.

On the other hand, almost everyone remaining in both the North and Grand Stands seemed to react with disappointment over the points awarded to Group TCL Skiffle Bunch.

The reigning World Music Festival champion's performance of Shadow's "Stranger" created much excitement in both the North and Grand Stands, as pan aficionados jumped and waved throughout the rendition. At the end of Skiffle Bunch's presentation, the crowd erupted into an ear-shattering roar of approval. The judges gave the band only 440 points, however, good for fourth place.

The day's competition ran as smoothly as Saturday's with most of the bands setting up, performing and clearing the stage within half an hour. The final band of the night, Staffire Flamingoes, finished its performance before 11 pm and the results were announced at 11.17 pm.

Unlike Saturday, the bands performing on Sunday played to a full house, as both the North and Grand Stands were filled.

Note: Desperadoes’ ranking not significant to semi-finals, as the band is seeded directly to the final, being the reigning champion. Rankings may change after tonight’s (13/02/01)Tobago leg of the preliminaries.

Tobago bands in order of appearance

Single Pan Bands

1 Panters
2 Hope Pan Groovers
3 Pan Fanatics
4 Dem Boys
5 Natural Mystics.

Conventional Orchestras:

1 T&TEC East Side
2 Buccooneers
3 Carib Dixieland
4 Our Boys
5 Redemption Sound Setters.

Full Results