Customer Reviews

Steel Drums Of Trinidad

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

steel drums produce the most soul searching sound. if you are unable to go on vacation this is one way to feel like you're in some far away tropical place. Can't wait to play this c.d at my pool party while i serve margaritias and find some time to sit in the jacuzzi and forget my troubles.

Saying that Pan has come a long way and this shouldn't be heard and enjoyed is like saying rock music has come a long way so we shouldn't listen to those bad old Buddy Holly records !

Yes, steel drums and players have changed greatly in the last 30 years and make a much clearer,"prettier" sound now than in the 50's and 60's. But there are precious few hi-fi recordings of the early steel bands and players out there, and they are fascinating and fun.

If you are buying this CD as a historical souveneir, great! Otherwise, don't waste your time. The "steel drums" or "pans" sound horrible and are very out of tune! Just listening to the clips on Amazon made me cringe! It also sounds like it was made in 1950. Pan has come a VERY VERY long way since then and this cd doesn't even come CLOSE to portraying what pan actually IS. I am dissapointed that this cd is on the tops sellers list because that means so many people are buying that which is a horrible representation of a wonderful (and my favorite) artform! And a few notes to those who don't know a whole lot about pan:

1. Pan does not come from Jamaica. The birthplace of the steelpan is Trinidad and Tobago. Period.

2. There is more to this instrument than 5 guys wearing hawaiian shirts while playing yellowbird on a cruise ship.

3. If you want to hear real pan music go to ecaroh.com Pick something by Exodus, Phase II, All Stars, Desperadoes, etc.

I purchased 3 Steel Drum CD's at the same time. This one is the most authentic of the ones I bought. Steel drums were originally made from the ends of 55 gallon drums. The "artist" pounded out the end in various spots to the thickness needed to get the "right" tone, so each was somewhat unique. Later, manufacturers standardized the methods and materials to get a crisper, more reproducible sound. This CD sounds like the "real" thing made by island craftsman. It features a variety of local artists and provides a sense of the islands.

The reviewer who called this album "bad, bad, bad" is wrong, wrong, wrong!

I own it and find it absolutely delightful. Why does he say: "Pan is not from Jamaica, but from Trinidad"? The album is entitled: Steel Drums of TRINIDAD! Not Jamaica. HELLO!!!!! And he wants people to go to another website and order steel band music that he recommends. Why bother? This recording may not be as new or as "trendy" as he would like, but who cares? This is an older album, recorded before digital sound, but the music is great. No background noise, great playing, lots of spirit. And it's certainly not out of tune. I sure don't hear any clinkers or off notes on this cd. Just good traditional steel band music at a reasonable price.

Some of these tracks are mislabeled eg. Amazing Grace and others. This will be input on your MP3 as is stated.