Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Kimberly Dowe, daughter of the of the late Brent Dowe, is flanked by the Melodians' James McNaughton (left) and Tony Brevette as they deliver a musical tribute on Sunday.
AS PASTOR Ricardo Johnson warmed to his message at the Oakton Park complex, Half-Way Tree, St. Andrew, on Saturday afternoon, he came off the stage to stand just beside Brent Dowe's coffin.
He went back into his secular past and away from Standard English as he began to speak to those seated under tents, as well as standing on the perimeter, all of whom had come for the final send-off of The Melodians' lead singer, who died on January 29.
He was born on June 29, 1946.
"I am from the school where I love the bling bling and the party and the ray ray," Johnson said. "Me used to party 10 days a week. Me fin' days to put into it. Weh all dem deh did deh when we deh a Sting? We deh a Sting 1984 big time, when Sting
jus' bus, with Admiral Bailey, Lt. Stitchie."
TRIBUTES
However, like an entertainer who had missed his slot on the programme, Johnson was told it was not yet his time, as the open tributes were scheduled to follow the eulogy, done by Dr. Mariana Scarlett.
There was a sole spoken tribute, but the rest of the open tributes were all musical, beginning with the two other members of The Melodians and Dowe's daughter, Kimberly. And while there were the expected readings during the service, Dwight Pinkney on guitar, along with a scaled-down version of Lloyd Parkes and We The People Band, had already delivered the Melodians' signature song, Rivers of Babylon.
The audience stood when Kimberly Dowe sang lead to the harmony of her father's singing partners, Tony Brevette and James 'Trevor Melodian' McNaughton, after the pair had delivered Little Nut Tree. She got to only one line in Sweet Sensation before the persons in attendance cheered and stood, funeral service becoming concert.
MUSICAL HOMAGE
Against a banner declaring the Studio One family's sadness at the loss of Brent Dowe, a slew of performers then paid musical homage to their comrade. Bongo Herman invited all to do rocksteady, à la Alton Ellis and the Silvertones urged dance this reggae music. Bunny Brown did an extended version of Amazing Grace and Derrick Harriott sang of The Wisdom of Solomon.
Dean Fraser played Sweet Sensation, Ruddy Thomas delivered Loving Pauper and Trinity came up for his deejay part of the combination. Pat Kelly sang of Sentimental Reasons and Derrick Morgan sang In My Heart.
The music, the songs, the dancing and celebration of Brent Dowe's life continued with Dennis Walks, Earl Morgan from the Heptones, Tappazukie, Scully, Peter Clarendonian, Pam Hall, Desmond Irie, Phillip Frazer and more, as the sun shone on the burnished brown of The Melodians' lead singer's coffin at Oakton Park.
Brent Dowe's body will be cremated.
