Veterans sparkle in the rain

By Adrian Frater, Staff Reporter

WESTERN BUREAU:

DESPITE THE intermittent showers, which forced some of the acts to shorten their sets, Saturday night's 'Veterans Live On' showcase staged at the Caribbean Beach Park in Montego Bay prove to be a musical masterpiece.

From the moment the Lloyd Parks & The We The People Band took the stand at 12:35 a.m. until Sugar Minnott closed the show just over five hours later, it was vintage Jamaican music in a myriad of genres, including reggae, rocksteady and ballads. It was all joy as the likes of Marcia Griffiths, Courtney Melody, Ken Boothe and Little John and Tristan Palmer, who worked in combination, sizzled. Showing remarkable agility and stage presence, Marcia Griffiths was at her delightful best, floating merrily through the vast collection of hits that has made her a household name in 'reggaedom' for well over three decades.

Clad in an eye-catching multi-coloured outfit and regularly flashing her trademark smile, the dancing Griffiths had the fans totally captivated as she unleashed songs such as Dreamland, I Shall Sing and Closer To You, which drew some couples into each other's arms as they danced lovingly on the rain-drenched lawn.

As the tempo of her magic rose, Griffiths intensified her performance, offering complete satisfaction with Fire Burning and Truly. She ended with a blazing encore, which included Mellow Mood, Bend Down Low and a serene rendition of Peaceful Woman.

Anyone who thought, Courtney Melody was a spent force they had better re-evaluate their thoughts after his Sunday morning performance. With his shoulder-length dreadlocks bouncing all over his face, the veteran singer waxed sweet into the consciousness of the fans as they look-on in awe as he wreaked musical havoc.

Dangerous, Modern Girls and Key To Your Heart sounded as crisp and clear as in the era when singers were the real kings of the Jamaican dancehall. When he hit songs such as Cross the Border, Ninja Mi Ninja and his encore selections, Earth Angel and Call Me Anytime, it was all dancing in front of the stage.

In combination, Little John and Tristan Palmer were simply awesome. Trading song for song in a non-confrontational manner, it was like a hit-parade session as they cut loose. Roots Girl, Mona Lisa, True Confession and Gun Shot had the fans jumping and screaming in delight. Their encore was equally explosive, as Little John and Tristan Palmer reminded fans of the days when songs like Entertainment, Mud Up, All Over Me, Love Don't Come Easy and Blood Inna Me Eye ruled the dancehall.

As is now customary, elder statesmen John Holt and Ken Boothe both worked relatively short sets. However, as is also customary, they both proved quite entertaining, digging up enough hits to excite the loyal fans of vintage music.

In his stint, the dapper Ken Boothe was right on the money with songs such as, Say You, Don't You Know, The Train is Coming, Puppet On a String and Yesterday. Later, the less flashy John Holt was also bang on target, belting out Ali Baba, Stick By Me, Tonight and Wear You To the Ball. The DJs, Satta Ranks, Admiral Bailey and Josie Wales, all worked well, although the Admiral and Josie worked while the rain was at heaviest. The bulky Admiral, who was clearly disappointed at not been able to play a full set, gave a taste of what he had planned to deliver with Bull Inna Pen, One Scotch and No Weh No Betta Nuh Betta Dan Yard.

In closing the show, the sprinter/stayer Sugar Minnott did not stay long, as the rains kept pouring down. However, he make sure he did enough to please with Herbman Hustling and Reggae.

Back to Entertainment