02-08-2015, 05:40 PM
It's been 20 years since I've been in the Catalyst dancehall. I saw so many shows there when I lived in the Cruz before. It was a joy to return and made me forget my worries, if only for a few hours.
The show was promoted as a Global Call to Love by a really annoying MC and his cute but almost as annoying daughter. They kept talking about how great Bob's message was. Yea, yea, right, right, right. We know, that's why we came. Now pass the mike to someone who can sing us some Bob tunes. Here's the band-by-band review.
I-Kronik was back-up for the first half. They were serviceable.
Reggae Angels made me remember the old days of when I saw them at a small cafe in Svale or Tino - can't really remember which. They've improved with age but haven't really excelled past an opening act.
Indubious was a no-show. It ain't a reggae if everyone advertised shows. This was disappointing as I was looking forward to them.
Kenyatta Hill channels his dad, the mighty Joe Hill. He sand some song about Bob that called out many of his major hits, but didn't sing any Bob songs.
Admiral Tibet - didn't recognize him, forget he was on the card, spent the whole set wonder who he was because we didn't hear his name announced.
Sister Carol has 30+ years in the biz. I've never been that fond of her, nor have I any disdain for her. She's very consistent, and showed marked improvement from the last time I heard her, whenever that was, or at least I paid more attention.
At set break, my partner in crime and I secured the best spot in the house - hanging off the rail, front and center. That was fun. Ran into the mom of one of T's classmates - I always knew we'd cross paths front-of-stage at some reggae.
Prezident Brown played a long excellent set. He's an old fav, seen him many times and even hung out with his bass player as SNWMF once, but I keep hoping he'll play my fav tune of his, Soap Opera. He never does. I was hoping he would do his take on Bob's The Heathen, which is excellent, but he didn't. Some dude paid for a round of our beers randomly. We got him back later but still came out way ahead as he was drinking one coors light (bottle) and we were drinking Guinness and lagunitas IPA pints. It was odd but he was friendly enough and a huge fan of the Prez. He saddled up next to us on the rail for Prez's set, along with his wife and a female friend. The three of them sang every Prez song loudly and off-key, but that wasn't too annoying as the bass was pummeling us so hard that it didn't really matter what they did.
Harrison Stafford of Groundation - never liked him. He has a voice that sounds like he's sucked down too many nitrous balloons. He's like what would happen if you got a leprechaun stoned. He mangled Concrete Jungle.
Luciano was in excellent voice. He actually delivered some Bob songs - finally - a rocking Jah Live, a poignant Redemption Song - that's what we cam for. Of course, by then, it was nearly 1AM and we were pretty spent.
All and all, it was an irie Saturday night, a great escape for the ominous week looming ahead. I was proud to have been able to still hold the rail at my age. And Rasta Cruzians can really skank. JAH LOVE. Thanks and praises, Mr. Marley.
The show was promoted as a Global Call to Love by a really annoying MC and his cute but almost as annoying daughter. They kept talking about how great Bob's message was. Yea, yea, right, right, right. We know, that's why we came. Now pass the mike to someone who can sing us some Bob tunes. Here's the band-by-band review.
I-Kronik was back-up for the first half. They were serviceable.
Reggae Angels made me remember the old days of when I saw them at a small cafe in Svale or Tino - can't really remember which. They've improved with age but haven't really excelled past an opening act.
Indubious was a no-show. It ain't a reggae if everyone advertised shows. This was disappointing as I was looking forward to them.
Kenyatta Hill channels his dad, the mighty Joe Hill. He sand some song about Bob that called out many of his major hits, but didn't sing any Bob songs.
Admiral Tibet - didn't recognize him, forget he was on the card, spent the whole set wonder who he was because we didn't hear his name announced.
Sister Carol has 30+ years in the biz. I've never been that fond of her, nor have I any disdain for her. She's very consistent, and showed marked improvement from the last time I heard her, whenever that was, or at least I paid more attention.
At set break, my partner in crime and I secured the best spot in the house - hanging off the rail, front and center. That was fun. Ran into the mom of one of T's classmates - I always knew we'd cross paths front-of-stage at some reggae.
Prezident Brown played a long excellent set. He's an old fav, seen him many times and even hung out with his bass player as SNWMF once, but I keep hoping he'll play my fav tune of his, Soap Opera. He never does. I was hoping he would do his take on Bob's The Heathen, which is excellent, but he didn't. Some dude paid for a round of our beers randomly. We got him back later but still came out way ahead as he was drinking one coors light (bottle) and we were drinking Guinness and lagunitas IPA pints. It was odd but he was friendly enough and a huge fan of the Prez. He saddled up next to us on the rail for Prez's set, along with his wife and a female friend. The three of them sang every Prez song loudly and off-key, but that wasn't too annoying as the bass was pummeling us so hard that it didn't really matter what they did.
Harrison Stafford of Groundation - never liked him. He has a voice that sounds like he's sucked down too many nitrous balloons. He's like what would happen if you got a leprechaun stoned. He mangled Concrete Jungle.
Luciano was in excellent voice. He actually delivered some Bob songs - finally - a rocking Jah Live, a poignant Redemption Song - that's what we cam for. Of course, by then, it was nearly 1AM and we were pretty spent.
All and all, it was an irie Saturday night, a great escape for the ominous week looming ahead. I was proud to have been able to still hold the rail at my age. And Rasta Cruzians can really skank. JAH LOVE. Thanks and praises, Mr. Marley.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse
