An Obeah Wedding?

November 6, 2008 on 2:13 am | In Music etc., Steel Pan |

A long time ago, long before I was conceived I am sure, the Mighty Sparrow released a hit song “Obeah Wedding.” This calypso narrated a story about “Melda gyal.” “Melda” was an individual who was seeking out the services of “obeah personas” to assist her in marriage. Regardless of the whole point of the story, the music in its own right is very entertaining and refreshing. It was for this reason that HighLite Vibes decided to arrange this calypso for steelband - AND - symphonic orchestra. It is an interesting match, the steelband and the orchestra, but in this arrangement we had quite a bit of fun exploring all the possibilities, and believe you me, they are endless. A clip of this arrangement is posted here.

We invite you to listen to it and provide us with some feedback. We will be writing/arranging additional pieces in this genre (Orchestra/Steelband) and maybe one day soon, we will actually be able to hear similar pieces performed live by symphonic orchestras and steel orchestras.
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Visit us at http://www.highlitevibes.com


9 Comments »

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  1. Fabulous! Do some more!!!

    Comment by harry best — November 6, 2008 #

  2. Greatness! Simply marvelous! May God continue to enrich and bless you all!

    Comment by Janet Longsworth — November 8, 2008 #

  3. I like the pretty arrangement but i REALLY REALLY dislike the ‘canned’ synthesized sound……. can’t come close to the sound of the real thing. Not even on the scale - in fact not even in the same ROOM with the scale, of acoustic pan.

    Comment by CSKK — November 10, 2008 #

  4. “maybe one day soon, we will actually be able to hear similar pieces performed live by symphonic orchestras and steel orchestras.”

    I don’t understand this sentence….”similar pieces”, as well as many many others, many with even greater complexity of arrangement - have been being performd live for the past 40 years, by live steel orchestras - ( ???? )

    Comment by CSKK — November 10, 2008 #

  5. I agree with CSKK. The “canned” synthesized sound can not compare with the real authentic sound of a steel orchestra. However, the purpose of the .wav file is to give an idea of the arrangement and sound. Maybe we can hear this arrangement live one day…

    Secondly, with reference to CSKK’s second response - I really had no idea that symphonic orchestras and steel orchestras have been performing together. When I say together I mean the steelband is part of the symphonic orchestra just as there are strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion…

    Comment by HighLiteVibes — November 10, 2008 #

  6. ah, OK, i see now, HighLiteVibes u are right. I was referring to steelbands having performed complex classical works arranged for pan. I only know of one or two instances where pan has actually been combined on stage with symphonic instruments in actual performance.

    Comment by CSKK — November 11, 2008 #

  7. It all sounds good. I would like to hear more compositions with the orchestra and the full steel band. So more complex. I know that you can do it.

    Comment by Davgy — November 25, 2008 #

  8. I love the arrangement but however if you were to perform this live would you use a pan section (rather than individual players) on each part? I think some of the balance between the orchestral instruments and the pans might be tricky if you just have single pan lines. I’d love to know more about the competition you mention. I am researching a PhD in pan repertoire, so any information you can give me would be most useful, and of course you will be fully credited in the final thesis! Thanks for your help - Rachel

    Comment by lady raygun — February 13, 2009 #

  9. In a live performance, I would definitely use sections, as a matter of fact, I never even imagined using single instruments for each pan line - I am thinking a combo of at least 15 players…2 bass, 2 cellos, 2 guitars, 4 singles, 2 doubles, 3 DTs for example…
    -Kurleigh

    Comment by HighLiteVibes — February 13, 2009 #

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