Few takers for rescheduled Stars 'R' Us concert
By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Despite a formidable line-up of stars, the rescheduled Stars 'R' Us showcase held on Saturday at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy did not enjoy its usual strong crowd support. Billed as a tribute to the late Alton Ellis, one anticipated a stellar musical experience in homage to the godfather of rock steady, but that was not to be.
HAll... made a major dent taking the show to another level (Photo: Jermaine Barnaby)
A slow start and below par sound quality added to the low key mood of the less than colourful affair. After a few welcoming numbers from the repertoire of Lloyd Parks and We The People band, and a short, pleasing opening stint by Nicky Dillon and Christopher Ellis, the second of two of Alton Ellis' sons, was like a breath of fresh air.
Whereas his dreadlocks brother, Noel, never impacted on the audience - singing only one song, Willow Tree - Christopher, armed with an empty album jacket bearing his father's image, connected with patrons singing a slew of his dad's hit songs. So much so, a member of the audience at one stage to the amusement of everyone, offered him a cap, looking pretty much like those Alton Ellis was fond of wearing.
Clearly talented, Christopher demonstrated the ability to fairly approximate his father's style of singing, and he did impress with his treatment of songs such as I'm Still In Love With You Girl, Never Love Again, Breaking Up, Lord Deliver Us and Dance Crasher. However, a word of caution is in order. With an iconic father, he may be sitting on a goldmine, but he have to bear in mind that he have some huge shoes to fill. On this occasion also, for every line he sang, he kept turning his back to the audience which to this writer, if for no one else, was most annoying.
Female vocalist Pam Hall made a major dent taking the show to another level. She began by thrilling the audience with her big hit I was Born A Woman. Then in keeping alive the memory of two of her departed colleagues, she performed the late songbird Phylis Dillon's Don't Stay Away, Perfidia, among others before Ain't That Loving You in tribute to the legend in whose memory the show was dedicated.
Ernie Smith kept the groove going with his well-loved catalogue of hit tunes like Bend Down, Sammy, Pitta Patta and more before passing the baton to another veteran crooner, Ken Boothe, who further enlivened the show with his vintage recordings and delightful showmanship. He even managed at times, to get the audience to provide him with background vocals to favourites like The Girl I left Behind Me, Just Another Girl, Speak Softly, Puppet On A String, Silver Words and Moving Away.
Old school deejay Jah Thomas held his own and ska giant Derrick Morgan was entertaining, especially with Forward March, Under The Coconut Tree, Blackhead Chiney Man, but like Glen Washington did not perform enough of the hits with which the audience was familiar. Even though pleasing in spots with Love You Till The Day I Die and Can't Let You Go, Washington, who was performing locally for the first in four years, left some people disgruntled for delivering a slew of new stuff instead of his popular Studio One hits.
However, notwithstanding Washington's less than satisfying performance, it surprisingly turned out to be a hard act for Jimmy Riley to follow. Maybe Riley came at the wrong spot in the running order. Even though performing his best known tunes Love and Devotion, Sweet Sensation, Take Time to Know Her, the fans refused to budge. With the night far spent, they were so impatient of anyone else and were only hanging around for Leroy Sibbles put the lid on things. While not creating a disruption, the well-behaved audience just stood still, for only Sibbles at that stage could get them moving.
And he did not disappoint. He had them rocking in a way no one else did on this event. For his loyal fans he could do no wrong, it was as if the show had just began. Leroy Sibbles had the place in a frenzy, one outside of the venue would have thought that the place was jammed pack. When the Observer decided to call it a day in the wee hours of Sunday morning after having performed hits like Partytime which indeed it was, Sweet Talking to name a few, they were still jamming, possibly till the break of day.
|
Home
Contact Us
Pam Hall Albums Pam Hall Albums
Testament Testament
Songs in the Key of Dancehall SONGS IN THE KEY OF DANCEHALL PAM HALL 1.Moonlight Lover (U Roy stylee) All instruments: Pam Hall Background vocals: Pam Hall Produced and a
Missing you baby Missing you baby
Magic Magic
bet you dont know Bet you don't know.
R&B Hits Reggae Style R&B Hits Reggae Style You Heart Run Free Urge Music Downloads 02 . Someday We Will Be Together 03 . Love Make a Woman
Always Love You SONGS IN THE KEY OF DANCEHALL PAM HALL 1.Moonlight Lover (U Roy stylee) All instruments: Pam Hall Background vocals: Pam
Time for Love Time for Love Release date: 12.18.01 Label: VP Shouldn't Vex 02 . I Wish 03 . Time for Love 04 . Trouble in My L
