Coral Cliff lounge reopens

Richie Stephens (second right) is flanked by Cuban dancers 'Caribbean Flavour' at the opening of the Coral Cliff Gaming Lounge. - Contributed

WESTERN BUREAU:

RICHIE STEPHENS reopened the Coral Cliff Gaming Lounge in fine style.

He took control with a mixture of his gems and equally impressive tracks from some of Jamaica's greatest entertainers.

Stephens had been the scheduled as the star attraction at the 'old' lounge on New Year's Eve, but the place went up in fire, four hours before his performance.

Last Friday night, he officially reopened the first class gaming lounge. This time Stephens 'burnt down' the place musically. Like the live wire he is known as, he electrified the hundreds of patrons who had waited anxiously for this night.

His performance helped to affirm general manager of the gaming lounge, Lucille 'Ma Lou' Lue's speech earlier in the evening. She told the selected 'movers and shakers' of the city; "This place is one of a kind in Jamaica and possibly in the Caribbean".

Stephens' set was accompanied by the Carlos Cafe's Cuban dancers, the Caribbean Flavour, dressed in the sexiest costumes imaginable.

The singer also paid his respect to the late Garnett Silk, doing their combination hit, Fight Back, then after a number of 'lovers rock tunes', it was time for the dancehall rhythms.

This segment commenced with the combination Maniac which he made with 'The Warlord', Bounty Killer. The Killer wasn't there but the audience filled in for him as they chanted his lines and seemed set to take over the show.

A musical tribute to his mother was also a part of Stephen's presentation. He belted Pot of Gold, a tribute to her for bringing him up without a father.

The members of the audience were like his backing vocalists until he drew Dennis Brown's Love and Hate, then they exercised no control -- they went wild.

Within 45 minutes of his entrance on stage he made his exit with a line of Beres Hammond's Step A Side Now, but the audience would not allow him to go, so he returned for an encore.

Five minutes after his return it was opera style for Richie and fun and laughter for the crowd. He showed his prowess in vocals and dancing capabilities.

Reaching a comfort level he took to the piano and played Wild Flower before exiting again. Alas - he again had to return when he was called back a second time.

After a while on stage Stephens exited with Tom Jones' Fall In Love.

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