Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Percy Sledge and wife Rosa exchanged verses on 'Bring it On Home To Me' at a concert held at the Cable & Wireless Golf Academy, Park Boulevard, New Kingston, on Sunday. - WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Before singing When Man Loves A Woman, his closing song of a near one-hour performance at the Cable and Wireless Golf Academy, New Kingston, on Sunday night, Percy Sledge gave thanks for his repeat trips to Jamaica.
"I will never forget way back in 1966 when I came to one of the most beautiful places on earth, Jamaica. And here I am, 40 years later, singing my songs ... I want to take one minute and thank God for being so good to me," he said.
Lloyd Parkes and We The People, which supported all of Sunday night's performers, played and Sledge delivered the lover's classic.
VOCAL ABILITY
But on the first line the 40 years showed in Sledge's voice, as it had throughout his performance, losing substantial power whenever he tried to take high notes.
The lack of power was highlighted when Sledge introduced his wife Rosa for an extended exchange of verses on Sam Cooke's Bring It On Home To Me, Mrs. Sledge's enthusiasm outweighing her vocal ability.
Still, the audience cheered as Percy went on his knees to pledge "I'll always be your slave."
They cheered wildly at the first sight of Sledge when he opened with Cover Me, preceded on stage by a heavily muscled, dark-clad duo from Knightsman security which stood guard at the flanks of the stage and were patient going down the stretch as Sledge conferred with Lloyd Parkes between songs, chuckling at the insistent yelps of a sole female screamer.
It Tears Me Up and Dark End of the Street were among the numbers which got a strong response, although all the songs were appreciated, quite a few couples getting up to sway together on the grass.
When Sledge sang an extended 'bye, bye, bye', many headed towards the exit, although quite a few remained standing and facing the stage for a final send-off. And there were no chuckles as Sledge hailed the "ladies and gentlemen."
The substantial audience had stood to skank at George Nooks' insistence, as he was recalled to the stage after exiting with Dennis Brown's Money In My Pocket.
"Nobody cyaan tell me nutten. Me know oonu love me," Nooks said, moving into the rockers of Your Love's Got a Hold On Me.
STIRRING SHOW
It was the anchor of a stirring showing that had seen Nooks doff his black felt and loosen his cream jacket as he delivered the gospel of How Great Thou Art, the R&B of Hero and the pop classic Bridge Over Troubled Waters all in roots reggae fashion.
At times, the band seemed less than totally comfortable with Frankie Paul's dancehall Alicia and Kushumpeng, but the singer hit the spot with the undiluted R&B of One In A Million and Just Once, fully utilising his rich deep voice.
Stellar performances also came from Boris Gardener who flipped the vocal script briefly on Commanding Wife and Judi Emmanuel with My Boy Lollipop.
