06-28-2007, 11:21 AM
6/22-24/007
It wasn't 110 this year. In fact, it barely got into the 90's and the nights were quite chilly. We only worked hard on Sunday morn, but that sounds like a bad joke "a parrot, a seal and a cutter/biter walk in SNWMF and..."
So DM got to hear a lot of music - almost entire sets. Here's some reviews.
Clinton Fearon: Surprisingly good. Roots chanting. A lot of people were really into when he stripped down to acoustic solo guitar, but I didn't think his voice was that great and couldn't hold it. But the rest of the set was solid and groovy.
Toots & the Maytals: I'm is a huge Toots fan having seen him dozens of times over the past two decades. He's still got it, although he didn't blow me away this round. Opened with Do the Reggay - the song that first coined the term. In the first six songs, Toots nailed the three I wanted to hear: Time Tough, Bam Bam and...oh man, there was another, but it escapes me now. Anyway, I decided to man medical instead of wait out the set, knowing that many other volunteers really wanted to see Toots and for them, this would be a first time.
Downbeat the Ruler: A dancehall sound system. The mix was dissonant and there were too many pull-ups, especially with a Marley jam in the middle. If they just let Marley play, that would have been great - everyone would have loved that. Sugar Minott toasted in for a few tunes - that was the highlight.
Turbulence: Been wanted to see him since Notorious has been such a huge hit. He's good, like a young Anthony B, blending dancehall and roots rasta messages. Nice tune about vegetarianism. He closed with Notorious - great bass line on that song.
Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars: A show stealer. They blend traditional reggae and African music, but with an authentic soulful sound. Great dancers. Great music. Now a band to watch for me. They were the subject of a highly regarded documentary. I'll have to check that out.
Bunny Wailer: He came out in this outrageous mylar rainbow suit, with a RG&G scarf and went straight for the jugular, calling down the gospel of Bob, as well as his own. He turned 60 this year - looks (and skanks) better than ever. Great show close for me. He got me with almost every tune.
Stone Love: Good solid dancehall, as always. Totally redeemed Downbeat's Friday night dancehall. I love my dancehall, when done properly.
Got a good sleep cycle in on Friday night and was hoping for the same on Saturday, but then the calls came Sunday morn. I had to 'hit and run' because I was flying solo and had to go home to pick up my kid from my folk's house - a long drive on little sleep, but very pleasant.
All in all, SNWMF was very satisfying, and a good warm up for Reggae Rising...
It wasn't 110 this year. In fact, it barely got into the 90's and the nights were quite chilly. We only worked hard on Sunday morn, but that sounds like a bad joke "a parrot, a seal and a cutter/biter walk in SNWMF and..."
So DM got to hear a lot of music - almost entire sets. Here's some reviews.
Clinton Fearon: Surprisingly good. Roots chanting. A lot of people were really into when he stripped down to acoustic solo guitar, but I didn't think his voice was that great and couldn't hold it. But the rest of the set was solid and groovy.
Toots & the Maytals: I'm is a huge Toots fan having seen him dozens of times over the past two decades. He's still got it, although he didn't blow me away this round. Opened with Do the Reggay - the song that first coined the term. In the first six songs, Toots nailed the three I wanted to hear: Time Tough, Bam Bam and...oh man, there was another, but it escapes me now. Anyway, I decided to man medical instead of wait out the set, knowing that many other volunteers really wanted to see Toots and for them, this would be a first time.
Downbeat the Ruler: A dancehall sound system. The mix was dissonant and there were too many pull-ups, especially with a Marley jam in the middle. If they just let Marley play, that would have been great - everyone would have loved that. Sugar Minott toasted in for a few tunes - that was the highlight.
Turbulence: Been wanted to see him since Notorious has been such a huge hit. He's good, like a young Anthony B, blending dancehall and roots rasta messages. Nice tune about vegetarianism. He closed with Notorious - great bass line on that song.
Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars: A show stealer. They blend traditional reggae and African music, but with an authentic soulful sound. Great dancers. Great music. Now a band to watch for me. They were the subject of a highly regarded documentary. I'll have to check that out.
Bunny Wailer: He came out in this outrageous mylar rainbow suit, with a RG&G scarf and went straight for the jugular, calling down the gospel of Bob, as well as his own. He turned 60 this year - looks (and skanks) better than ever. Great show close for me. He got me with almost every tune.
Stone Love: Good solid dancehall, as always. Totally redeemed Downbeat's Friday night dancehall. I love my dancehall, when done properly.
Got a good sleep cycle in on Friday night and was hoping for the same on Saturday, but then the calls came Sunday morn. I had to 'hit and run' because I was flying solo and had to go home to pick up my kid from my folk's house - a long drive on little sleep, but very pleasant.
All in all, SNWMF was very satisfying, and a good warm up for Reggae Rising...
Shadow boxing the apocalypse