Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer
Louise Bennett
Gordon Town looked very different on Saturday, than it did a few weeks ago. Not only was the debris that made a damp riverbed of the road gone, but there was a large, jolly gathering before an open-air stage.
So the rural St Andrew community was not past the worst physical effects of Tropical Storm Gustav, but it was ready to celebrate the life of its most-famous resident, present or past. The 'tenky' for Miss Lou's early September birthday had been postponed due to the 'breeze blow', but it was a case of late but great in more ways than one.
Tents lined both sides of the square, the Jamaica Library Service, Excelsior, Cedar Valley CDC and Gordon Town Police Youth Club among the many organisations with a strong presence. And, as evening turned night, although the bounce-about still shook and swayed with the seemingly limitless energy of the young 'uns, the stage was the focal point.
MC Amina Blackwood-Meeks marshalled the proceedings for the concert, Dwayne Green and Justine Rookwood delivering the gospel in song, with Donique Davis and a team from Victory Gospel Hall doing the same in sign language, using glowing gloves on a darkened stage.
It was the soul-stirring voice of Joan Fleming, though, which really moved the audience. The music was, as it was for all who used live musicians, basic, as there was only a drum set and a keyboard. But Fleming's powerful voice was a host of instruments all in itself, as she went through He's Alright and a slow version of Bam Bam, the audience a chorale on the "ah ah" refrain.
Fleming stepped to the beat as she sang triumphantly that "when the devil say no, Jesus say yes" and left the stage but was recalled to once again move the audience, giving it to them "one time" and more.
Digicel Rising Stars
There was many a Digicel Rising Stars almnus in the house, Natel telling the screaming ladies Hello and Tashina McKenzie declaring that We Nah Lef, on behalf of all the women facing opposition to their relationship.
There was pandemonium for Nickeisha Barnes who stood tall and smiling on multicoloured shoes, opened with Amazing Grace, demanded "call my name over and over again" and dramatised being a shy girl. Turn Your Lights Down Low came before No One and the women agreed wholeheartedly that "what goes round comes around".
History Man, with a small dancer boy in tow, had to restart his instructions to do the 'Beijing', which combined moves by many of the Jamaican athletes, several times, as the audience exploded. However, ironically, on his final piece, a history of Miss Lou, some members of the audience grew impatient.
One Rastafarian's invitation to "let's get physical" went over well, Mr Myers dismissed those who "call up me name inna yu song" and then there was pandemonium again for Christopher Martin. He adjusted his tribute to "my Jamaican girl" to "my Gordon Town girls", duly gave it to them right, and did an Otis Redding double to squeals of delight. Those doubled when he took off his shirt to leave a merino hugging a toned body.
He paid attention to all sides of the stage and the audience, the men supporting "nah go change" and he teased with a line from his Gallis song before leaving.
Naturally, Martin was recalled to finish it, again to extremely good effect.
The women hollered for Voicemail and the trio gave them dance songs and moves, instructed Bring Yu Body Come "talk bout yu pickney" before bringing a Dancing Fever to Gordon Town Square.
