Claudine Housen, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
IT IS not often that Beres Hammond
performs but when he does, you can expect it to be mind-blowing.
The consummate performer, internationally acclaimed artiste Beresford 'Beres' Hammond gave delegates who attended the Insurance Association of the Caribbean's (IAC) 26th Annual Conference, in Montego Bay, a taste of why he is known as 'Mr. Double Trouble', last Tuesday night.
Dubbed the 'Caribbean Rock Away Party', the IAC's closing ceremony/dinner saw over 200 delegates squeezing into Rose Hall Resort and Country Club's Hanover Ballroom just to get a glimpse of the reggae icon as a matter of fact the hotel had not planned for such a large number of guests and had to pull out extra tables to seat everyone.
After dining buffet style, the guests were treated to the sounds of The Harmony House Singers and Band, before Beres took the stage shortly before 10: 00 p.m.
When the opening bars of One Dance started, the room erupted in cheers, which only grew louder when the legend strutted onto the stage dressed in a white shirt, grey jacket and his signature Kangol cap.
SOULFUL AND ENERGETIC
A soulful, yet energetic performer, Hammond, who backed off his jacket moments after taking the stage, had patrons on their feet rocking and dancing for his more than an hour-long performance each song bringing a new burst of excitement, captivating the audience.
Songs such as She Loves Me Now, Come Back Home, Double Trouble, Tempted to Touch and Fallen in Love All Over Again, held the audience captive all through the performance the only distractions were the flash of point and shoot cameras and high-end camera phones.
After giving in to shouts for an encore, Hammond, who left the stage shortly after 11: 00 p.m., was then flocked by fans who grabbed anything from business cards to notebook paper in a bid to get his autograph.
A splendid performance that will definitely be something to talk about for IAC conferences to come.
Some get close as they groove to the lovers' rock of Hammond.
