By Claude Wilson, Freelance Writer 
Barrington Levy
Western Bureau:
BARRINGTON LEVY never really shook the timbered structure of the Brewer but his Saturday night live performance on the Montego Bay Hip-Strip entranced his adoring fans, who waited for more than four hours to see the reggae star.
Billed as 'The Climax', a title of which MC 'Movie Star' made quite much, the final event of a three-night holiday entertainment package, the show missed the approximately 10.30 p.m. start time by well more than two hours. Still, it was not a night when time really mattered for there were no catcalls, no gentle handclaps, and no tempers flaring. It was all 'level vibes' inside the Brewery in anticipation of the dancehall music of Barrington Levy. With Blaze band on the stage and a colourful video montage forming the backdrop of the small stage, Levy walked on to the stage at exactly 2.30 a.m. to the strains of Teach The Youth, and amid the roar of just over 200 fans, he proceeded to belt out perennial crowd favourites for well over two hours.
Levy could do no wrong on Easter weekend night as he had the crowd in an uproar at the introduction of each new song and singing along if he asked them to. His effortlessly buoyant voice swept through the intimate setting of the Gloucester Avenue venue, reeling off hit after hit. Among them were Under Mi Sensi, Too Experienced, She's Mine, Mine Yu Mout, My Woman, 21 Girl Salute, and Prison Oval Rock.
The Gleaner left the venue at 3.45 a.m. but the dwindling crowd was still asking for more and Levy, the man with the operatic voice, obliged with more of the hits that made him well known in his early days.
Point Five, a new group on the music scene, had gotten the show started minutes after 11.00 o'clock. The group opened with Dennis Brown's Here I Come, but it was clear that butterflies were fluttering in the stomach of band members as nerves ruined what might have been a dream opening opportunity.
They got better towards the final song, End Of The Road, and one member of the band even got off the stage to hug and serenade a young woman in the audience.
"It was our first time on a live stage show", the lead vocalist later admitted.
Okonko, another performer and one of western Jamaica's up and coming artistes, never struck a chord with the Barrington Levy-expectant crowd. However, the dreadlocked Fire Lion, the penultimate of four acts, ignited the Brewery crowd with a witty and entertaining set. He had a strong rapport with the crowd as he belted out rap style songs on contemporary American dance rhythms.
Except for Levy, who was backed by a part of his regular band Blaze, other acts were supported by a Montego Bay pick-up band called 979.
Brewery manager Jemmy Johnson noted that the Brewery was well ahead in its programme to feature at least one of the leading lights in reggae on a monthly basis. Barrington Levy was the second in the series which kicked off with Freddie McGregor and Benjy Myaz.
