Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Third World's lead singer, William 'Bunny Rugs' Clarke (left) and Marcia Griffiths, sing 'Dreamland' at 'Committed, Third World and Friends Live in Concert', held at King's House Lawns, Hope Road, St. Andrew, on Tuesday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THERE WERE handclaps for showtime an hour after the slated 8:00 p.m. start, and protests when 90 minutes, Jah Glory, Richie Stephens and Gregory Isaacs later, MC Francois St. Juste announced intermission. And when Third World delivered Now That We've Found Love and Lagos Jump to anchor Junior Gong's Jamrock and end 'Committed' at King's House on Tuesday night, there was an insistent "Whe Beres deh," from the front row of the non-VIP seating.
Some groans came for the call to stand for the National Anthem shortly after the handclaps and there were cheers as Third World's lead singer Bunny Rugs stepped out for Forbidden. The sound started to sound clearer on Magnet and Steel, with some snap to Tony 'Ruption' Williams' snare and rumble to Richie Daley's bass.
Herbie Harris and Robbie Lyn on keyboards and Rupert Bent II on guitar completed the Third World line-up, original Third World member Carrot Jarrett playing percussions.
Third World played second fiddle, sometimes literally, with Stephen 'Cat' Coore's cello supporting "'til Shiloh I'll not forsake thee" on Jr. Gong's There For You, to their many guests, who provided the night's more explosive moments. And at times the different segments of the concert seemed to need the equivalent of an articulated bus' accordion joint, small pauses causing it to lose momentum
The large audience stood as asked for the uptempo Sense of Purpose, Cat Coore playing the first of many guitar solos, sitting for the quieter Jah Glory, Jarrett waving his cowboy hat over his drum after an extended run.
Rugs and Hamilton stood shoulder to shoulder at parts of Satta Massagana, the Amharic refrain echoed by the audience, Hamilton doing Stevie Wonder's Living For The City by himself.
A foreign language refrain was again mouthed by the audience, after Clarke led off with I Met A Girl From Hiroshima.
CHEERS
There were also cheers for the night's first 'non-Worlian' guest, Richie Stephens, who sang lead on Try Jah Love, requesting and getting waving hands on the chorus.
'Committed' took a gospel turn with Thrillers Unlimited. Can't Even Walk, dedicated to Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who sat in the front row, pulled many out of their seats and sent hands reaching to the sky.
Gregory Isaacs' first nasal "ahh" from off-stage sparked cheers, which grew into screams at and the first words of Love Overdue from a brown suited, swaying Cool Ruler. The screams graduated to howls for Night Nurse, Isaacs leaving with 'she was seeking for some vacancy'.
There was a clamour for more and Issacs, his jacket off, duly delivered Don't Wanna Be Lonely Tonight, asking Third World to play 'a little bit softer, a little bit softer' and then intoning 'ahhh' rhythmically.
Cat Coore on cello led off the instrumental Rastaman Chant after the half-hour intermission, cheers going up as the drums thundered in. Reggae Ambassadors featured a little of Crazy Baldheads and Tony Rebel was the first guest after the break. The audience swayed and sang along to Sweet Jamaica, but it was his lyrical questions that got them howling.
PROTESTS
Cocoa Tea's strong, clear voice carried Tune In to the lips of the audience, but he soon sang "I was only passing through to give out fliers for Jam Jam. I never come to sing tonight, so I have to leave you now." There were protests and Cocoa Tea called for the Real Rock rhythm to sing She Loves Me Now, which again ignited the audience.
Cat Coore and then Herbie Harris sang the first verse of 96 Degrees In The Shade, which put a simmering heat under the audience, Bunny Rugs picking up on the second verse. He hugged Marcia Griffiths as they sang Dreamland together.
SCREAMING GUITAR SOLO
Always Around featured a screaming guitar solo and Williams stepped from behind the trap set to play drums after Reggae Party, at points alternating with Jarrett in the extended, intense drumming session.
See additional report in the STAR today.
