TUESDAY, MAY 11, 1999

Drum orchestra full of 'Caribbean Extravaganza'

By Greg Hanson

On-Line Forty-Niner

The Cal State Long Beach Steel Drum Orchestra rocked the Carpenter Performing Arts Center Saturday afternoon with songs from various Caribbean islands.

Dr. Michael Carney, director of percussion studies at CSULB, directed "Caribbean Extravaganza VI."

The orchestra, which was formed in 1986, performed songs from the islands of Trinidad, Jamaica and Cuba, as well as Brazilian tunes. More than 30 members of the band danced as they played their steel drums or pans.

One of the most impressive tunes was a medley of Bob Marley songs. The orchestra flowed nicely from "Stir it Up" to "Three Little Birds" and then to "I Shot the Sheriff" - all Marley classics.

Another impressive song was "Soca Pan Tuner," which was arranged by Ross Harper, Carney's right-hand man who always stands to his left when they play.

The orchestra also played "Sugar Bum Bum" by Lord Kitchener, who is one of the most famous calypso musicians from Trinidad, as well as an impressive remake of the Beatles hit "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da," which was arranged by Harper.

Other songs played were "Hard Times," a Brazilian piece by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe; "Musical Wine," also by Sharpe; "Calypso Music" by David Rudder; "Pan Woman" by Ray Holman and "Soca Pressure" by Slinger "Mighty Sparrow" Francisco.

The show was definitely worth the $8 ticket. It is nice to see what the CSULB music department is up to, and this was one of its best concerts. The enormous amount of talent that exists in the music department was on full display at "Caribbean Extravaganza VI."