Musical Enchantment fills the senses

Michael Reckord, Gleaner Writer

Several hundred men, women and children turned up at the Stella Maris church grounds last Sunday afternoon - scores of them apparently hungry. Which is why they partook of the pork, bammies, festivals, puddings, teas and pastries of various kinds, beer, soft drinks and other food and drink products on sale.

Other people, though, clearly came for the music, and even when the effervescent Fae Ellington, the emcee of the main event, a fund-raising musical concert, urged them to head to the refreshment tents, they remained in their seats, listening.

Both the hungry patrons and those more interested in music had a feast. Arguably, the latter got more than the former, for the musical banquet began at 5 p.m. and was going strong four hours later.

At that time, hitmaker Tarrus Riley, dressed in black and white, his baseball cap turned backwards, was onstage. He and his three female backup singers belted out songs like Wanti Wanti Nah Geti and De Street Nuh Safe Again, I will be there when you need me and Michael Jackson's Human Nature.

Saxophonist

Occasionally, saxophonist extraordinaire Dean Fraser contributed to the powerful set. Perhaps in tribute to Buju Banton - who, the emcee informed the audience, had just won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album - the two men entertained listeners with Banton's classic I'm Living.

Earlier, Fraser had teamed up with another big-name artiste, singer and trumpet player Dwight Richards, to perform their version of Paul Simon's Diamonds On The Soles of Her Shoes. Fraser sang the lyrics while Richards accompanied on his horn.

Minutes before, without Richards, Fraser had been playing, in his usual poignant style, If You Believe In Love and Dance With My Father. Backing him was Skool band comprising Desi Jones (drums) Chris MacDonald (keyboards) Dale Haslam (bass) and Kenroy Mullings (guitar).

Riley, Rchards and Fraser were three of the true heavyweights on the show. Others were Prilly Hamilton, Leroy Sibbles and Third World's Bunny Rugs.

There were a number of other newer artistes who showed much promise as entertainers and one of them, Lorna Gordon, was the concert's first singer. This Tastee Talent Contest winner has a strong, flexible voice and she used it to good effect in her delivery of two gentle songs, I Am Blessed and I'll Say It One Last Time.

Hamilton, who was up next, was much more energetic and he encouraged the audience's participation in his four songs. They included Just Enough and let her cry, for she's a lady.

Sibbles was even more dynamic as he ranged over decades of Jamaican music. His old favourites included The Sea of Love, You Trying to Conquer Me, Feel Like Jumpin', 54-46 that's my number and Book of Rules.

Marjorie Whylie made an unexpected guest appearance in order to accompany six-year-old Danyella Richards (Dwight's daughter) as the tiny girl played two brief tunes on her violin.

Ellington introduced Sherita Lewis as a versatile artiste who has written songs for a number of other singers, but who is now making a name as a performer herself. And Lewis showed that, with her strong voice and lively dancehall style, she could go far. The emcee commended Lewis' version of

I Shall Sing with "Yu soun' good, chile."

Totally entertaining

She was followed by Richards who, in his 20-minute set, was totally entertaining with both voice and trumpet. His instrumental folk medley included the tunes Peanut, Sly Mongoose, Coconut Woman and Hol' im Joe. Among other songs, he sang Carry Go Bring Come, If I Had the Wings of a Dove, It's You, and Amen.

As a Valentine tribute to the women in the audience, he said, he sang Picture Hanging on the Wall. His set was, in the emcee's words, "Absolutely splendid."

She might have said the same for the next singer, the representative of an ensemble that for 30 years has been delighting, not only Jamaicans, but reggae lovers the world over. Dressed in a grey suit, black tam and shades, Bunny Rugs showed with his selection of Third World's songs why they have endured.

The audience rocked and sang along to How could it be forbidden, Reggae ambassador, Committed, Now that we've found love and - as a plea for love everywhere - Love Train. In tribute to the late Gregory Isaacs, Rugs also sang two of 'The Cool Ruler's' hits, Rumours a Gwaan and Night Nurse.

It's unlikely that anyone left wanting more of either food or music.