Adrian Frater, Staff Reporter
Charlie Chaplain (left) and Josey Wales belting out lyrics on Rockers Night at Reggae Sumfest 2005. - ADRIAN FRATER PHOTO
WESTERN BUREAU:
ALTON ELLIS turned in a command performance on Wednesday 'Rockers Night' of Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest 2005, narrowly eclipsing a rampaging performance by DJs Charlie Chaplain and Josey Wales.
Taking centrestage at 2:10 a.m. the dapper Ellis, exquisitely clad in black and white, only scratched the surface of his awesome reservoir of hits, but his velvet, smooth voice on songs such as Willow Tree, Breaking Up and Muriel had the fans at Pier 1 in Montego Bay screaming and begging for more.
The only disappointment was that when Ellis exited their pleas for more were ignored in the interest of time.
Charlie Chaplain and Josey Wales evoked memories of their heydays on King Stur Gav sound system. They showed versatility and spontaneity, as they had the fans dancing joyfully to songs such as Gimme Jah Jah, Cross the Border and Nah Lef' Yah.
In his individual stint Charlie Chaplin clearly had a ball as he poked fun at today's DJ stars, reeling off witty counteraction to songs from Elephant Man, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer. In between stamping his class on Chalice Haffe Bun, Babylon Throne, Everybody Bawling and Cry Blood, he briefly shared the stage with medical doctor/singer Michael Godfrey, who held his own.
PICTURE OF COMPOSURE
The clean-cut Josey Wales, who regularly called on Haile Selassie's name during his performance, was a picture of composure, as after starting off with Bushwhacked, he settled into a nice grove, lifting the excitement level with masterful renditions of Kingston Hot, Shut Eye Country and Ganja Haffe Bun, before summoning Charlie Chaplin a musical onslaught, combination style.
The show, which started 40 minutes late, opened with drummer Bongo Herman belting out throaty rendition of reggae classics Silhouette and Dreamland. He added pulsating beats from his kette drums and a range of percussion instruments, including a badly chipped chamber pot, which he carried on stage in a large bag.
Bongo Herman made way for General Trees and the tempo was lifted to another level as the DJ not only rode the 'riddim' like a seasoned microphone chanter, but also dazzled with crisp dance steps. He delighted with Gimme De Vibes, Eye Nuh See and Ivan Come and Gone.
ENCORE
Called back for an encore, the lyrical master dished out the occult-sounding Bible and Key and Gone a Negril.
Pinchers had the crowd going wild when he came out in red Indian-style headgear. He was in complete command and quite energetic in unleashing, Siddung Pon It, Agony and Lift it Up Again. Brent Dowe battled to keep the band with him as he rolled through By The Rivers of Babylon, Nut Tree and Feel Good All Over.
TESTIMONY
Judy Mowatt, who gave testimony to her Christian conversion, showed nimble feet as she danced through Thank You Lord, Black Woman, Unconditional Love and Many Are Called.
Jimmy Riley's vocals waxed strong on My Woman's Love, Conversation and Love and Devotion and The Mighty Diamonds impressed in their delivery of Have Mercy, Heads of Government, Pass The Kutchie and Juvenile. They should have been followed by Gregory Isaacs but he was a 'no show'.
John Holt, who was asked to close the show, kept up the rich vibrations as while some patrons began to leave with the first signs of morning traffic appearing on the streets of Montego Bay, others remained behind to soak up Ali Baba, Love I Can Feel, Carpenter and Tonight.
