{"id":1118,"date":"2013-06-25T16:03:52","date_gmt":"2013-06-25T16:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.quiliby.com\/all\/?p=1118"},"modified":"2013-06-25T16:03:52","modified_gmt":"2013-06-25T16:03:52","slug":"at-75-more-still-to-come-from-rodney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.quiliby.com\/all\/at-75-more-still-to-come-from-rodney.html","title":{"rendered":"At 75, more still to come from Rodney"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following, which pays homage to steelpan great Earl Rodney, was written by Zahra Gordon and published in The Trinidad Guardian Newspaper<\/em>, June 25th, 2013.<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the peak of his solo career, musician and arranger Earl Rodney was travelling frequently between the UK, the US and Trinidad performing at various events. Since 2008, he\u2019s been based in Trinidad and has remained largely out of the public eye.<\/p>\n

According to Rodney, travelling was rough and a well-deserved break was needed. The 75-year-old Point Fortin-native has spent a lot of time working on his garden, finishing his home, and generally relaxing.<\/p>\n

This does not mean, however, that he\u2019s given up music. During an interview with the T&T Guardian last week at his home in Point Fortin, Rodney said he is still learning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI keep playing all the time. I\u2019m improving. Everyday I go on my pan and find out things I didn\u2019t know before. It\u2019s like you\u2019ve never seen the pan before. I haven\u2019t reached a bottleneck yet. It\u2019s like out there (pointing to the sky), there\u2019s no end.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few more \u201coutings\u201d are turning up for Rodney this year, however. During Carnival he performed at a Trinbago Unified Calpysonians Organisation (TUCO) event and in May was featured in the Point Jazz concert as part of Borough Day celebrations. Last weekend he was also the featured artist at the birdsong Benefit Concert held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA). Working with birdsong, Rodney has been introduced to young musicians whom he can envision future work with. Making a connection with real musicians, who have both talent and dedication is a rare occasion, according to Rodney.<\/p>\n

Although Rodney said he\u2019s able to bridge generational gaps, he doesn\u2019t see himself fitting in with today\u2019s local music industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll over the world there\u2019s a downgrade in music. You go to England you\u2019ll hear the same complaints. In between there\u2019s some good ones that could last a few years,\u201d he said. \u201cBut these people who are into the Carnival thing, I wonder if they can remember the Road March or the Soca Monarch from last year. I hate to say that and I wish I didn\u2019t have to say it. People used to sit down to write and arrange music for people to dance. It\u2019s a different time and these people are enjoying their time, but for me, the music isn\u2019t going anywhere.\u201d
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