Reggae festivals have a mystique. They are more than just a musical gathering. The events are a celebration of a life style. Expectations were high for the 25th annual Raggamuffins (formerly the Bob Marley) festival and even with the prima donna Lee “Scratch” Perry copping out for no good reason, lived up to the lofty hopes wonderfully.
The first few hours of most festivals are the same: A local band (Chapter 11) putting on a solid if non-spectacular show and a handful of people mulling around waiting for the day to really take off. I linked up with Matt after Chapter 11 and started doing the ice cream bit. We found some security people to hook up before being accosted by some raging C yelling about how “we do not take pictures of our employees” and a lot of other bad noise. It was a bummer and set the tone for the next few hours. I really did not feel comfortable shooting photos and people were getting all righteous about not eating lard in the ice cream or some BS of the sort. It would be nice if people were actually half as righteous as they were self-righteous. Self-indulgent puts’.
So after the bad effects of that wore off it was all gravy. Everton Blender performed and was pretty good. Admiral Bailey, Alton Ellis and Luciano all played high energy sets. Horace Andy put his incredible voice to good work also. The festival was going pretty well until Michael Franti and Spearhead took the stage. It was the turning point from a nice way to spend the day to “whoa momma.” Everybody finally got into the mood and the good smell was in the air. It was the first set that the show mania set into the mass and everyone was holding hands and healing the world. Gentleman, the German white reggae star played a great set that kept people rolling. I think this was one of Matt’s favorite acts. (ed. yes indeedee) The Cool Ruler himself, Gregory Isaacs also did a number on the place by dropping one of the most famous Reggae songs “Night Nurse.”
Day two things really took a great turn. It was mid afternoon and the hysteria that Michael Franti started was still in the air. There were a few sets that really knocked my on my behind. I had never heard of the female vocalist Dezarie before but never will I forget her. People just do not dance and act like that at 3pm on a Sunday. Her band had an infectious charisma to go along with her charged vocals. If the photographers pit is dancing you know the rest of the place is live as hell and let it be known, we was shaken. When she performed her song “Slew Dem An Done” I had a moment of Deja Vouos realizing I had heard the song before. I think she had made a name for herself in the early nineties. I related a little more to the song when I thought it was called “Screw This I am Done.”
The biggest draw to the festival, Matisyahu played an inspired set and brought the loudest response of the two days. I was actually surprised by the guy. He had some more pizzazz than one would expect from any kind of strictly religious person.
The Wailers took the stage second to last. The Wailers are such a cornerstone of reggae history it kind of hurts to watch them act like a Bob Marley cover band. The new front man is a great showmen but walking in Bob’s shoes is like trying to bum Jesus’ sandals for the weekend to go walk on water. It just aint gonna be the same thing. It also makes it extra frustrating when Junior Murvin does not step to the mic. The man wrote “Police and Thieves” and has the most unique voice in reggae. Why not use some of that as a draw. Tons of reggae heads would go to see a Junior Murvin show, why not double it up with the Wailers? To further the problem they only played the cliche Marley jams. Just what you would expect “Get up Stand Up” and no real surprises. Regardless, they still rocked. The music sounded great and the new Nesta still does one hell of a job. It takes a performer and a half to even be able to take on Bob’s role so respect to him.
I have seen the Rolling Stones four times; Fishbone twice and can say Anthony B. is one of the absolute best front men in the world. His music is meant to be played live and if videotaped could be used as a exercise video. The guy high stepped all over the stage, jumped and yelled his bloody nuts off. I could not believe it. Richie Spice took to the stage for the third time of the festival and helped keep the energy going.
So after it was all said and done I wished it wasn’t done. The festival was a people watchers and reggae heads dream. I cannot wait for next year. Big ups to my security guard buds and photographers hit me with an email.
