A night of 'sweet nostalgic outpourings'

Justin Whyte, Entertainment Editor

WHAT IS it that makes MKB promotions' Heineken Startime so different and appealing?

Perhaps it's something to do with the fact that they have paid attention to the elements of a good show, ensuring that it is well formatted, that lighting and decor grab the imagination of the audience, sound quality enhances the production and there is easy access to affordably priced food and drink.

The new venue for the series, the Mas Camp, at Oxford Road, Kingston, is comfortable and gives patrons more space to move around. The stage is constructed at a height which enables easy viewing.

Lovers of vintage reggae music littered the entire enclosure Saturday night and immersed themselves in the 'sweet nostalgic outpourings' of music of yesteryear, dished out by artistes who have survived the test of time.

The crowd danced, rocked and gyrated in instances to the teasing and harmonious rhythms of backing band, We The People, which has now become synonymous with the Heineken series and 'oldies' sessions.

According to the conceptualisers of Heineken Startime the current series promises to be one of the most exciting, with various themes and vintage artistes being brought back to Jamaica to perform from around the world.

MKB Promotions has also expanded on the presentations of shows and has taken the concept to Versalles Hotel, May Pen, Clarendon.

If the first show in the series on Saturday is an indication of what is to come, then show-goers are in for a big treat this time around. In fact, one of the largest crowds to attend the show, came out to see vintage stars perform.

Among them were Johnny Clarke, Jackie Parris and the Sensations, Larry Marshall, Carl Malcolm, Lorna Bennett, Carl Dawkins, The Cables, special guest 'Trinity', Dwight Pinkney and Brushy One String ­ a star of tomorrow.

A useless exercise

The line-up was awesome, but why so many artistes on one show? The audience could be spared seeing some of them. Also people are getting tired of this 'Wheel and Come Again' syndrome, which is such a useless exercise. It also lengthens the show and slows down its momentum.

Each of the acts would have pulled a large crowd in his or her own right.

The show, although it was well organised and flowed satisfactorily, was too long. In addition the intermission was too long.

Lloyd Parkes and We The People Band was fantastic, the instrumentation of the band sounded fresh and was presented in a new format. The night began with a bang with Brushy One String, a humorous artiste, who is also an impersonator and dramatist.

He made way for Lorna Bennett, whose Breakfast In Bed single propelled her to fame. She appeared fresh and appealing. Her performance style was so professional and she entertained with poise. She had the audience "eating out of her hands."

And continuing the 'Reggae Magic' theme for the night was Larry Marshall, known for the hit Nanny Goat. He remained on stage for too long.a

The Cables have thrilled thousands of fans in the past and from all indication will continue to be so for a long time. The middle-aged trio demonstrated Saturday night the importance of teamwork and good harmony. Since the group's first recording, it has continued to pile up hits. The audience loved them and reluctantly let them leave the stage.

Then it was time for the indefatigable, enigmatic Carl Dawkins of Satisfaction and Baby I Love You fame. He has designed his own showmanship to hold his audience. He is not only a superb singer, but he uses performance gimmicks to heighten interest in his set.

Not to be out-done, Jackie Parris and The Sensations tried incessantly to garner crowd support and to demonstrate a polished set. There was no magic about them.

Johnny Clarke, whose Move Outa Babylon Rastaman is well known and who needs no flair or stage gimmicks, used his expertise to create a stir in the place. Successive hits swept patrons off their feet.

Dwight Pinkney's stint was interesting, but he does better at arranging and composing music.

Emcee was Don Topping, who needs to be more sensitive and attentive to audience appeal. In fact when the audience shouts "No" in response to a request for an encore, this should not be misinterpreted to mean that artiste should be brought back on stage.

There is no need for this at a show like Heineken Startime, where the line-up is usually attractive.

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