Starlift - Natasha (Du Du Yemi) - National Steelband Panorama Finals 1978 - Enhanced Audio

National Steelband Panorama Finals Live - 1978 Champions
Band: Trinidad Tesoro Starlift (Band #10)
Tune: Natasha (Du Du Yemi) - The Mighty Sparrow
Arranger: Herschel Puckerin
Audio: from re-mastered 12" Vinyl
Dust by: The Band's Supporters
Uploaded by: The youngest player in the band - at that time

[@RemBunction]

Jeezanges, still laaavaaa! Who listening in 2024?!

[@yuris8684]

Championship quality nostalgic steelpan. Pleasant memories while growing up in T&T as a youth. 😊

[@socalover9348]

Here are 2 true stories about this brilliant performance. The first story is about the descending 'RUN' (from .38 seconds to .40 seconds). The 2nd story, which I will save for near the end, is about what happened to the arranger, the great Herschel Puckerin. My family was close friends to the arranger, the late great Hershel Puckerin, and the Puckerin family. Although I am a grown adult, to this day I still call him "Uncle Herschel." According to Uncle Hershel, he and his team came up with an excellent arrangement that was sure to challenge for the title of Panorama Champions 1978. Their tune of choice, Might Sparrow's 'Du Du Yemi' (a.k.a. Natasha), was a fan favourite and Starlift was clearly one of the bands in the lead for the title. But there was a problem. According to Uncle Herschel, the band could NOT get the opening descending 'RUN' correct. They practiced it countless times and the players could not descend together as a unit. As you may (or may not know) the pan players practice for many hours every night, especially leading up to finals night. Nothing is left to chance or 'hope.' There is no such thing as an 'imperfect' offering. Perfection is everything and the only thing. Of course, Carnival Friday night became Saturday morning, and then Saturday night a.k.a. Panorama Finals night. Uncle Hershel said he held his head in agony and panic as he wondered what would happen, because they were either horribly off or close, but never perfect. At best, Starlift was consistently imperfect, which as we know, is not good enough. Every band that is fortunate to have earned a much coveted place in the Finals, would practice as often as possible to ensure perfection has been achieved before they perform in front of the judges, the 100,000 plus audience/revellers, and the rest of the population who are watching it on television or listening on the radio in Trinidad & Tobago and around the world. According to Uncle Hershel, the band left the pan-yard and made its way to the Savannah. For those who don't know, Starlift's pan-yard is located a few kilometres from the Savannah and the stage where the Panorama Finals are held. As they pushed their pan-racks on their journey to the Savannah, they practiced the 'RUN' over and over, and each time they achieved varying degrees of imperfection. Like all steelbands, Starlift got to the Savannah, and from the entrance of the Savannah and all along the path (a.k.a. the Drag) they practiced their song and the 'RUN' over and over. They NEVER got it right. Only imperfection. Inevitably, the moment came for Starlift to take the stage. Uncle Hershel's heart must have gone cold, as there was absolutely nothing more he could have done. He was now a passenger on a ride to an historic crash or possible glory. I can only imagine what Uncle Herschel felt as he heard his band race towards the 'RUN'. Starlift got to the RUN, and some how, some way, they hit it and played it.... PERFECTLY!! They achieved perfection at the optimum moment. It was amazing!! Of all the times to get it right, they finally got it right at the most important moment of all. If you listen closely, you can hear the seamless transition, and I would add, the sound of a collective exhilaration and relief. After the RUN, Starlift took off and executed the rest of the arrangement perfectly. Their performance was thoroughly enjoyed and supported by the cheering crowd. You can clearly see the clouds of dust rising amongst the dancing and cheering spectators. Starlift lit the Savannah on fire and were crowned Panorama Champions 1978. Starlift's performance of 'Du Du Yemi' is a classic and is one of the most played Panorama arrangements. Now, as promised, the second story is about what happened to the legendary, Uncle Herschel. At this point I will admit that my story may be inaccurate, not intentionally, but because it happened so long ago. I will try to be as accurate a possible and I apologize in advance for any unintended inaccuracies. Uncle Herschel celebrated the Panorama victory and he went home. I believe he celebrated J'ouvert and may have participated in Carnival Monday mas. He then went to bed on Monday and slept from Monday straight through Carnival Tuesday and only woke up on Ash Wednesday. That's right. Uncle Herschel MISSED Carnival Tuesday 1978!! (My potential inaccuracy is that me have gone to sleep Monday morning and indeed slept through Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and woke up on Ash Wednesday). I do know that he was shocked that he had slept through Carnival. Of that, I am absolutely certain. Here is a bonus fact that is both true and funny. To this day, Starlift rarely gets the RUN perfect. There are actual subsequent recordings of Starlift playing 'Du Du Yemi' some 10 years, 20, 30 40 years later and they STILL don't always achieve perfection with the RUN. Thank sweet goodness that they achieved perfection when it really mattered. Otherwise, their moment of glory would never have happened and Uncle Herschel's beautiful arrangement would have disappeared from our minds and hearts. Thank you Uncle Herschel, for everything. Thank you to the players of Starlift and their supporting cast. Thank you to all the bands throughout the history of pan in Trinidad and Tobago and around the world. Your efforts and contributions means everything to our culture.

[@winsforddevine3092]

''NOTE'' THE PAN WORLD MUST FORGIVE ME IF I GIVE ''MYSELF A PAT ON THE BACK,, FOR COMPOSING'''DU-DU-YEMI,,BECAUSE I THINK PLAYED AS A PANORAMA PIECE,IT MAY HAVE BEEN ONE OFTHE BEST PERFORMANCE,, I EVER HEARD IN A PANORAMA,,=REAL TEMPO,,AND '''JAM'',,,NO STRAYING FROM THE ORIGINAL SONG,,WITH SILLY VARIATIONS,, ''CHROMATIC''RUNS AND UNRELATED OTHER SONGS MEDLEY PARTS,,TOMAKE UP TIME,,,JUST PURE SWEETNESS......

[@colmaz1]

My brother I remember this like yesterday. Well done. Starlift forever!

[@jeanelaine]

Pat yourself..bro..the best panorama arrangement ever!!

[@DrSleep-so9sh]

Listening this for the first time December 2023, OMG THIS TUNE SWEEEEEETTTTTTTT! What Obeah is this?😂 this is a sugar overload 😮‍💨.

[@jeanelaine]

The greatest panorama arrangement of all time....give me chills every time, i hear it..

[@benjaminlewis2554]

I fully agree

[@helenprescott8268]

Of all time. Could not have said it better. And I am age 60. They also did well last night, 2024 February 10. Came 4th. So proud that they came in top bands

[@winsforddevine3092]

pure-pure panorama arrangement of a lasso,, NO UNRELATED,,AD-LIBS AND OR '''VARIATIONS,,,POSING AS ARRANGEMENT,,, I JUST LOVE ITDIFFINITELYONE OF THE BEST TOP -3...

[@zabspencer48]

Well, just a tiny bit of the bridge in The Jacksons "Blame It On The Boogie" @2:55-3:01 & 3:15-3:21. Interestingly, The Jacksons performed on that same stage that year, 1978. Great times for music in Trinidad

[@camryn7171]

I remember my Daddy's reaction to this . . . sweet!!! He was a Starlift supporter to the end. Miss you lots Daddy!

[@anthonytenia3232]

One of the greatest " Panorama Arrangements " by a master Steel Band arranger " RAY HOLMAN " Truly one for the History Books ! Thanks to KZbin gone but definitely never forgotten !!! Those really were the days no gimmicks just fantastic arrangements for Sweet Pan ! Thanks Ray.....

[@anthonytenia3232]

I made a mistake with the arranger this was in fact " Puckerin " ! They were one and two in Star Lift... Still a really Fantastic arrangement for the History Books.... Sorry Mr Herschel........

[@andrewilliams9081]

This arrangement was by Hershel Puckering

[@donglenphillip8887]

This really was a boss arrangement by Holman.

[@AGB_HDV]

Sweetness fuh days.... ❤️🇹🇹🎼🎶🎶🎶

[@heatherwaldron7642]

Finals night and starlift lined up behind phase. Phase 2 finshed playing and I could see the flashing lights that Starlift had on top the rhythm section. Everyone knew this was the song to beat 1978.

[@zabspencer48]

Man, that memory gave me goosebumps. Seeing that Amber light bouncing in the middle of a steelband was the essence of unity in motion. Such a powerful and spiritual experience. Thank you for that memory

[@helenprescott8268]

Oh gosh, my pores are raising

[@leelapersadsingh8030]

Starlift was the steelband in my neighborhood and my cousin used to play for them. This was always my favorite steelband. Thanks so much for sharing. Sweet memories.

[@richardpatino6750]

I played with Starlift that year. That was kicking up n fetes, and on stage it was just jamming

[@zabspencer48]

Yep! I played that year too (small man - I was 13) Remember running the rhythm section alone with just a single tenor pan playing along? Every section had to play by themselves. Easy to spot the skaters and jockys 😂

[@decostaderoche8235]

wow i really enjoyed this ..was a winner all the way

[@simonecumberbatch1251]

That is the sweetest piece of arrangement on pan for that era .. beautiful

[@gaildenobriga5787]

sweet pan....that's my forever band ....still love them

[@cherisseclaxton8822]

Was in the audience, feeling totally high off sweet pan music.

[@thetruthnow443]

This was a boss performance this thing was so sweet could you imagine getting goose bumps in the north stand. from sweetness in pan

[@aijeonline8574]

What a recording - the music, the excitement from the audience and the clouds of dust above the racks. The essence of Panorama right here!

[@waynecampbell9035]

I was 9 yrs old and i remember my mom or dad covering my face with ah rag so i wont breathe in de dust starlift raise

[@simonecumberbatch1251]

@@waynecampbell9035 Omg you are so lucky to experience that..I was 7 years old..that is the sweetest arrangement

[@michaelallum1]

Sweet!!!

[@michaelallum1]

I remember jumping up to this on Carnival Monday with my now wife.

[@zabspencer48]

michaelallum1 if you remember a young fella on bass, that was me haha... I got inspired to play drums watching the drummer that same carnival Monday

[@garywarner6526]

tune

[@SteelasophicalSteelBand]

Dus' in Dey Face ... My fav Rama arrangement of all time .. amazing to see/hear this remastered version ✅

[@jeanelaine]

Hear that soca run....

[@waynecampbell9035]

one ah dem big bands need to redo dis wid dem pans dem make now oh Lawndale it go be chubble. de mecca of steel pan tnt.

[@waynecampbell9035]

lawd

[@kendallroache5058]

Funny thing, I think the paint on the pans and the type of steel is what makes this unique and sweet. It's just me

[@socarandy]

sweet

[@winsforddevine3092]

the pan fraternity keep,,doing the same thing''time after time,, de mighty sparrow meh. donkey,,Dr. Winsford De Vine's''DU-DUYEMI''... i