Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

Cecil Cooper (right) hands over a citation written by Rex Nettleford to David Reid, the person who inspired Cooper, at the launch of the CD 'Journey', held at the Devonshire, Devon House, on Wednesday. - photos by Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

It has taken some time for artist and singer Cecil Cooper to put out his first album and even at the final moment the elements conspired to make the final step a bit longer than planned for.

However, while the rain caused the launch of the tenor Cooper's Journey, tagged "a CD of sacred and inspirational songs and arias" to be launched inside the Devonshire Restaurant and not on Devon House's East Lawn, as originally planned, that final step was not to be denied on Wednesday evening.

And, it was not a step which Cooper took alone, as not only was the first song Morning Has Broken slated to be performed with Paulette Bellamy (violin), Yekengele (keyboard) and Emily Elliott (cello), but the launch was also dedicated to fellow singer David Reid.

In a citation written by Professor Rex Nettleford and read by actress Leonie Forbes, Reid was commended for his "sustained commitment to excellence" and it was noted that he has maintained artistic integrity and the respect of his peers. "His name is firmly etched in the gallery of Jamaican 20th century performers and artists," the citation read.

Standing ovation

There was a standing ovation for Reid at the end he said he was "practically speechless," Reid managed to say a great deal, including "all I have done is try to be decent, try to sing good and love my music." And there was delighted laughter when he said "singing brought me my wife Carmeta ... I know it was Unchained Melody that I sang at camp ..."

Cooper stood between two major influences as he shared his memories of a performance he saw in 1960 saying "I too went to the theatre and fell in love" with Mercedes, the central figure in that theatrical love affair, smiling at Cooper's right and Reid beaming on his left.

Cooper also acknowledged Leonie Forbes' influence, saying that he had seen her perform in Old Story Time during the early 1970s. "It was the most magnificent thing," Cooper said.

Guest speaker Barbara Gloudon emphasised that persons should not be restricted by the expectations of others. "People need to understand that we need to be more than we are," she said. "We have capacity to be more than we are," she said, speaking about the habit of labelling people by one ability and in one capacity only.

Life journey

Cecil Cooper (right) gives Leonie Forbes a hug at the launch of his CD 'Journey' at the Devonshire, Devon House, on Wednesday.

On an evening when Cooper thanked many who had helped him on the journey, Cooper handed a copy of the CD to Burchell Duhaney, principal of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts. "I am so grateful for the college. I came from country and kind of knew what I wanted to do," Cooper said. He ended up at the School of Art by chance and, in the beginning, "I did not have any form, shape, direction."

"It has been my life, my soul, my joy. I will always be a part of that institution," Cooper said of the Edna Manley College.

In the end, the launch was a sharing of voices, as Cooper and soprano Lucette Cargill sang Down From His Glory, the two starting out by blending voices and then taking lines individually. The final song was left to Reid and Cooper, the mentor slapping the student on the shoulder and instructing 'sing!' when Cooper was signalling that he could not hear the music.

The two worked through sound problems and Cooper introduced the final, uptempo song as "Everytime I Feel the Spirit. I am really feeling the spirit".

The full house at the Devonshire did as well, rhythmic handclaps starting the seeking time as Cooper sang the chorus.

And Fae Ellington, who hosted the launch, summed up Cooper's Journey as she proposed a title - 'Whe No Dead No Dash Whey'.