Calypso and Steelband. Dedicated to exposing the The culture of Trinidad and Tobago to the world.
My hope is to preserve classic steelband performances of the past so that they may not be forgotten.
Lets keep the Culture alive!


Glenroy Joseph

Ebony Steelband of London

In case anyone had questions about the quality of panorama steelbands around the world, this winning performance by Ebony Steelband at the UK Panorama gives us the answer .
Ebony , one of the top steelbands in Europe, was founded in 1969 and has a great history and a successful track record in Panorama competition.

This scintillating arrangement of Olatunji’s “Engine Room “ by Duvone Stewart at the UK Panorama 2023 definitely caught my attention and the great performance
is in my opinion as fine panorama performance as seen and heard anywhere, at any time!

1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Glenroy Joseph

Watty Watkins

The Watty Watkins Band was a popular dance band that hailed from San Fernando in the late fifties-early sixties.
The Hanging Tree which was the hit title song from a western movie was their biggest (and only) hit, and the story goes like this:

I believe the incident occurred at The Palms Club which in those days, was probably the most popular dance venue in San Fernando.
On this particular night The Watty Watkins Band was on stage and apparently the music wasn’t satisfactory to the audience, so an irate Sando badjohn went on the stage and insisted that the band play “The Hanging Tree “ repeatedly, which they did.

For the rest of the night!

1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Glenroy Joseph

This version of Reggae Sunsplash from 1982 features classic performances by some of the best reggae artists of that era!

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Glenroy Joseph

Black Uhuru

In my opinion this is the quintessential Black Uhuru performance on YouTube featuring the classic lineup of lead vocalist Michael Rose, with backing vocals by Duckie Simpson and the beautiful and stylish Sandra “Puma” Jones , the American born singer who passed way too early at age thirty six.

They were solidly backed by a fine reggae band anchored by the famous rhythm duo of Sly Dunbar ( drums) and Robbie Shakespeare (bass).

This video isn’t the best quality but the stereo sound is more than adequate and deserves a listen from fans of Black Uhuru and /or roots reggae!

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Glenroy Joseph

The late Bandleader/ Arranger Edgar “Junior” Pouchet led the Silver Stars Steel Band with a style and sound that made them one of the most popular of the earlier steelbands and created music that were some of the defining steelband sounds of the sixties.

Their powerful sound dominated the streets at carnival and was always a presence at panorama and at the bomb competition.

This medley of two of their popular tunes are examples of their music that was much appreciated and impactful on the streets and at the bomb competitions!

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Glenroy Joseph

The fine documentary “ Fire in Babylon” tells the story of the West Indian cricket team tour of England in 1976.
South African born English batsman Tony Grieg promised on television to make the West Indians “grovel”.
Whether or not he meant it, the West Indians took it as demeaning and racist, and showed their anger in such a dominant manner on the playing field (the cricket pitch) that it was later referred to in a documentary as a “Fire in Babylon”

2 years ago | [YT] | 1

Glenroy Joseph

Peter Tosh in Concert

As far as I’m concerned, Peter Tosh is a reggae star second in acclaim only to the great Bob Marley.
I was privileged to see Peter Tosh on this concert tour when he visited Boston in 1983 and it remains one of my most memorable experiences.

This is a video of a classic concert performance during that tour, is probably one of the best examples of classic reggae music available on YouTube, and IMHO one of the best roots reggae concerts ever.

Any music fan, particularly fans of the best of reggae music would appreciate this!

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Glenroy Joseph

This popular Desperados arrangement of Lord Kitchener’s 1964 hit “Mama dis is Mas” was done by Beverly Griffith who also did a similar arrangement for the Clarence Curvan Orchestra.

Incidentally this was one of the rare instances where an arranger did similar arrangements of the same tune for both steelband and dance band and both became local hits!

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Glenroy Joseph

This album is a tribute to the great calypsonian Fitzroy Alexander aka Lord Melody and brings back childhood calypso memories.
Some of my favorite calypsos from the past like “Janet” about the fifties devastating hurricane, and “Gloria”.
Thank you for sharing this great album!

2 years ago | [YT] | 0

Glenroy Joseph

I found this classic calypso on YouTube, and was pleasantly surprised because it’s a calypso I remember hearing my father singing when I was a child.
Would you believe l’ve never heard it before today?
The calypso is “Glory , Mama Glory“ sung by all time calypso legend Lord Melody.
Here it is!🎶

2 years ago | [YT] | 1