By Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer 
The band Third World performs live at a concert dubbed 'Committed' in celebration of their 31st anniversary, held at King's House lawn on Monday, December 27. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
AND IT came to pass that in the land called Jamaica, in the city of Kingston, a band called Third World celebrated its 31st anniversary with a concert dubbed 'Committed'. Throngs of Jamaicans poured on to the lawns of the King's House to
listen to this band, and various friends deliver a slew of hits from a lifetime of making music.
The crisp December air was
particularly chilly. However, fires of enjoyment were lit in the
audience with the first notes of Reggae Ambassador. Then the quiet nodding along, which had greeted the first three tunes changed to yells of appreciation, and some patrons got to their feet.
ENJOYMENT BLAZES
Forbidden Love stoked the fire just a little higher and enjoyment blazed even brighter with Try Jah Love. "Oonu gwine siddung for this one?" asked lead vocalist Bunny Ruggs, when the audience remained seated for the song's introduction. They obediently stood and by the time Stephen Coore played his ripping guitar solo, it was well worth standing for. "Dah guy ya bad yuh know," said one man in admiration of Coore's skills.
The night was filled with the combination of love songs and socially poignant pieces that have assured the band its place in music history as a group with heart, purpose and more than enough talent to support both. So, love ballads like Sense of Purpose wafted through the air, along with the stirring words of Sattamassagana. Sattamassagana also featured the L'Acadco dancers with a piece of their work 'Satta', one of the dances in the company's repertoire. Two drummers from the troupe also delivered a rousing set, which included a tattoo played out on Coore's guitar.
The second half of the night's performance rose leagues ahead of the first, and that was in no small part due to the addition of the guest performers. Not all those who were originally billed made it, and Marcia Griffiths was one of those absent. However, those who arrived gave a great taste of their own repertoire.
"There's no words to express what this man has done for Jamaica and Jamaican music," said Ruggs in introducing Toots Hibbert. The audience's very vocal appreciation suggested they were aware of his iconic status. Armed with his distinctive vocals and looking as though time had completely ignored him, Hibbert had the audience eating out of his hands. When he wailed, "So sing it out mister," the yells of appreciation suggested that 54/46 was what the audience was waiting for.
UNSCHEDULED ADDITION
The unscheduled addition of Steel Pulse's David Hines to the night's roster was another enjoyable moment. His call to 'rally round the flag, rally round the red, gold, black and green' was quickly taken up by the audience who sang along lustily. Hines' appearance marked a change in the nature of the night.
For most of the event, the
audience remained seated,
getting up when moved by a song only to quickly retake their seat when it ended. With Hines' departure, the audience
realised that the time for
sitting was over, as the night's adrenaline heightened.
For the next guest, Ruggs declared, "Ah not even gwine call him name." But as the 'cool ruler' cruised his way on to the stage and skanked into Night Nurse, it was clear that no name was necessary. The yells for 'more' from Hines were quickly abandoned as the audience found another source of pleasure.
LIMITED TIME
"Sir Howard Cooke gave us a limited time," said Ruggs at the end of the song. "Oonu cyaa stay inna di man yard and mek so much nize." The audience, however, was determined to be unruly as Issacs gave in to their requests for more and they sang along as he crooned 'I don't wanna be lonely tonight.'
As with Issacs, when it was time for Beres Hammond to hit the stage, there was no need for name calling. Hammond was the last guest and came when only a few minutes were left of the show. It was a good thing because for the short period that he was on the stage, the night belonged to him.
First Hammond delivered Rock Away, but it was clear more was demanded from him and neither Ruggs nor the audience would let him leave. Pieces of hits, such as Love Means Never To Say You're Sorry and What One Dance Can Do were thrown into the bargain.
And so it was that just before the end of Boxing Day 2004, a mass of Jamaicans traipsed across the lawns of one of the symbols of rule to the tune of their main source of resistance and strength when Third World played 'Committed'. It was a celebration of not just their great music, but all the great reggae that has rocked the world in their 31 years.
