On Friday 11th Feb 2011 BBC 4 screens a special concert of the greats of reggae in Britain, showing reggae’s influence on the rest of British music. It was a great concert, if you weren’t there don’t miss the programme! My own highlights:
Jamaican Born Dave Barker with his hit ‘double barrel’ -one of the only tracks to be fresh in JA and in Britain at the same time.
The First Lady of two tone Pauline Black of the Selector bursting on stage with a direct challenge to the Prime Minister’s announcement earlier that day. “multiculturalism rules!” She got everyone going with on my radio and then one for all the rude girls ‘missing words’.
Ken Boothe, the first “Lady’s Man of Reggae” coming out to a standing ovation before a flawless rendition of his massive hit ‘Everything I own’ with crisp suit, shiny shoes and smart moves.
Veteran Biblical Rastafarian Big Youth dressed in a gold suit gyrated his way through his set with sexual metaphors and freeing out his dreadlocks to the music. I hear Big Youth was apparently great fun in rehearsals!
Dennis Bovell’s hosting (didn’t know he could do that) and his outfits, including one from Senegal where he’d just come from. Included in his banter through the evening was the story behind his song ‘man in me’ a collaborated with Bob Dylan explaining that Bob had ‘put in’ the melody and he had ‘put in’ the Reggae!
Dennis Bovell’s set – he was in great voice, as was Carroll Thompson.
Janet Kay wowing the crowd as she hit the high note delivering the song that got her in the Guinness Book of records ‘silly games’.
Ali Campbell was the last act on the bill and with his guitar he performed ‘Kingston town’, ‘many rivers to cross’ and ‘red red wine’ however it was with his back to the crowd most of the time?
The night came to an end with a remembrance of the reggae greats who have passed away over the last few years and then a final performance from all the acts of the night Singing Bob Marley’s One Love, including an amazing solo section by Brinsley Forde.
The Concert is part of the Reggae Britannia series for BBC 4 and will air at 9pm on Friday 11th February.
The documentary is directed by the terrific film-maker and music expert Jeremy Marre (who also programmed the music in the concert) about the story of reggae in Britain. It concentrates on the 70s and 80s.
