A Song of Praise-The Anthem Planetshakers

Hi there Music Friends,
My desire is to travel to the nations and share songs of praise using this wonderful instrument. Praise God!

Best,
MInsky

In the spirit of Christmas......

Hi There music friends.
While there is "Nothing new under the sun", there are new interpretations of old songs. Here is my version of "O Come All Ye Faithful". I had a good vibe about it while recording it and I hope you get a good vibe while listening to it.

Best,
Minsky

Hello Music Friends,

Be sure to visit and "like" the page of the Steel Spartans and Steel Dragons. They are a band of youngster who have exceeded challenges through the joy of playing steel drums and are learning the discipline required to play a musical instrument. Their energy is infectious and they sound darn good too!
Click on the link below to "like" and share!

https://www.facebook.com/SteelSpartansandSteelDragons

 

Best

Minsky

Ashley Renee-Fight for Love

By far one of the most touching videos that addresses a real issue.
-Minsky

Now playing on Soundcloud.....

Hi Music Friends,

I recently shared some new music on Soundcloud. Its cool to see that people have been listening to it. I hope that you get a chance to listen as well. Click on the link for some tuneage:
 https://soundcloud.com/hear-steel-drums-play

Best,
Minsky

"Fan of The Week" Criteria

Hello Music Friends,

I have a tab on my Facebook fan page called "Fan of The Week". Its a n application that automatically chooses a new fan and recognizes them for a week. So, how does one become a "Fan Of The Week? Well, its very easy. Fan of the week stats are compiled by visitors' interaction with the my page. Visitors get points awarded for their visits, comments, posting pictures, "likes" etc. More interaction increases your chances for getting picked. Another way of getting selected is by "becoming a candidate". Clicking on the "Fan Of The Week" icon (which is located on the top right portion of my timeline) will take you to the candidate sign up page. At the moment the chances of being picked are in your favor as I don't really have heavy traffic to my page. Its essentially a ground floor opportunity to interact with me and be able to say "Hey I knew him when". Head on over to my fan page and get involved! I'll be waitin' for ya.
www.facebook.com/hearsteeldrumsplay

Best,

Minsky

Pictures from The World

Hello Music Friends,

Steel Drum music can take us all over the world...here is a gallery of my past travels http://bit.ly/XGIq2E

Best

Minsky

A 120 piece Steel Drum Band!

Hello Music Friends,

While attending my cousin's wedding in Trinidad I was able to visit NLCB Fonclaire's Panyard in San Fernando, Trinidad. Here is an excerpt of their tune of choice for Panorama 2013.

Best,
MInsky

Poly Rhythms. In other words....Serious Iron Section

Hello Music Friends
Carnival season is underway in Trinidad and Tobago. There will be lots of music, color, and many aspects of visual and performing arts will be represented. I stumbled across a video of a group of musicians belting out a percussive groove. This groove is what drives the rhythm of the steel band and is called a "Rhythm Section" or an " Engine Room".  You will hear them playing without an accompanying steel band. I'd describe the rhythms as "Infectious" Enjoy.


Best,
Minsky

An insider's view of Soca Music

 

 

 

Hi Music Friends, Happy New Year
I found a cool article that writes about the origins of Soca music. It is written in laymans term by soca artist Mantius Cazaboun. I choose this article as steel drum repertoires are loaded with Soca tunes. They are happily married so to speak.
Best,
Minsky

 

Soca

A nice essay on soca, with more detail than I ever knew:

•What Is Soca Music


What is soca music?


This material is geared primarily towards folks who are new to this genre of music called soca...

As an artist who has been recording soca songs for the last eight years, and who has won Caribbean wide soca competitions, I shall humbly attempt to present a comprehensive introduction to soca music.



Soca music originated in the Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago. It is widely accepted to have been created by Lord Shorty (born Garfield Blackman). He noticed that Calypso music was threatened by the more popular reggae music and dying out and attempted to create a new hybrid that was more appealing to the masses.

Click below to read the rest

http://folksongstuff.blogspot.com/2008/10/soca.html