{"id":6021,"date":"2016-08-16T20:34:49","date_gmt":"2016-08-16T20:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=6021"},"modified":"2016-08-16T21:00:21","modified_gmt":"2016-08-16T21:00:21","slug":"a-bit-of-steel-band-music-in-blue-hill-maine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/?p=6021","title":{"rendered":"A bit of the Caribbean in Blue Hill Maine"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I was on the Corinthians Cruise in Maine a few weeks ago the fleet visited Blue Hill Maine and were treated to a concert by a steel drum band called Flash in the Pans<\/em><\/a>. \u00a0It seems that the band’s founder and current leader, Carl Chase did some sailing in the Eastern Caribbean back in the early 70s and was entranced by the sound of the steel drum music that he heard. \u00a0Interestingly, steel drum instruments were first developed in Trinidad in the 40s, shortly after WWII. Who knew?<\/p>\n

Legend has it that Carl was given a copy of a book written by Pete Seeger, the folk singer, Steel Drums: How to Make Them and Play Them<\/em>, published in the mid 50s. \u00a0 Some credit Seeger with popularizing the instrument in the U.S. \u00a0 Amazingly, the book, long out of print, is still available from Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Don’t worry Brenda, I have enough on my plate right now so I’ll hold off on ordering a copy.<\/p>\n

Carl, was inspired to learn how to make these instruments, made one and well, that lead to another and another.<\/p>\n

And, here they are, the Flash in The Pans, performing on a beautiful evening in Blue Hill. \u00a0It seems that they are an institution in those parts and steel drums have become a vital part of the local school band program. While the band was on break, I had a nice chat with Diane, the lady in pink playing to the far right hand side of the frame, not to put too fine a point on it. \u00a0It was clear from her enthusiasm that she, like many others, get quite a kick out of being in the band. The band has some 40 people who play regularly, ranging in age from teens to well, older folks like me. This short on minute video I took that night will give you an idea of what a great group they are. \u00a0