Archive for December, 2010
December 1st, 2010 | Author: admin
It seemed preordained that the time would prove too short- No doubt the consensus of those in attendance on Sunday, November 28, inside the iconic Club Eclipse in Newark, New Jersey.
 
The weather, outside the venue, was a seasonable cool thirty-eight degrees; but you could hardly have deduced this from the “warm & fuzzy” vibes inside. The Atmosphere was reflective of the concert promotional banner, “Thanks Giving.”
 Though the Tronic 2 sponsored event failed to generate the massive audience that’s befitting the appearance/performance of an artist of Everton Blender’s pedigree (a disappointment), it did succeed in presenting a show with a sense of family and “oneness!”
 The night did, as was expected, belong to the veterans. Ever the consummate crowd pleaser, veteran reggae crooner Teddy Brown literally worked up a sweat. The “Mr. Brown: Bad Man Wagon,” artist left the audience wanting- Wanting more that is. Performing a medley of his mentor’s (Dennis Brown) memorable hits, as well as his own “self-penned” hit song, “I Wish I Knew,” he further electrified the audience with his rendition of popular hits by Lionel Richie and Teddy Pendergrass, before departing the stage to well deserved adulations. His set lasted little more than thirty minutes.
 At about 1:30 AM, the stage was more than set for the emergence of the night’s featured artist. And with his customary entrance- an off stage “reverential tribute to his divinity,” one of Jamaica’s preeminent roots-reggae artist ascended the stage and like the time test and internationally affirmed field general (musically speaking) that he is, Everton Blender launched a musical assault upon the ears of his audience.
 Showing the professionalism garnered over twenty-five years in the music business, Mr. Blender showed great humility and patience with his “assembled for the occasion” Fresh Attitude band, as he poured through his extensive catalogue. Most memorable were timeless hits such as “Family Man,” “Lift Up Your Head,” Blend Dem,” which sparked a nostalgic sing along, and the ever popular, mega hit and universal anthem, “Ghetto People Song,” which had everyone standing and shouting. Initially, he left the stage after only completing the first verse, as closing time for the venue had arrived and passed; however, prompted by the crowd’s pleading, he returned to complete the song.
 What I took from Sunday’s show, besides being treated to a wonderful performance, was how wonderful an ambassador for reggae music artist like Everton Blender is and has been; and all this I ascertained from a statement that he made to his audience: “The crowd small, but I can feel the energy out there.” I got the sense that if there was only one person in the audience, he would have performed with the same powerful energy; while most other artist would have taken short cuts and complain.
 While the attendance was sparse, the energy was nevertheless lively and upbeat. The line up included performances by an eclectic mix of talent. But, “late start,” a nemesis of Jamaican shows/concert, reared its head at Club Eclipse, with the first act getting on the stage at a little past midnight; this would inevitably impact the depth of the show, in the end.
 The show got started with the legendary horns man, Derick Hinds doing several cuts from his “Music In The Key Of Life” album. Emerging singer, Sherine Morgan, aka Sherry- a product St Anne, delivered a sultry three song set. Manchester born and New Jersey based female Dee jay, the ever provocative, Kim Peterson, aka Amaze-N performed a brisk, albeit heated medley which included her debut single, One Man Fi One Girl, taken from A-Town records’ “Big Heist Riddim: Various Artists CD”- Distributed by CD Baby, available on iTunes, Amazon, Zuni and reggae mall. Late arriving, Waterhouse product, Dee Jay Ice Truck also did a good job in his short stint on stage. Tronic 1 recording artist, Jennifer Khan, made brief cameo, delivery a tribute to her mother.
 The night was summed up admirably by the show’s promoter, Johnny Bull- Tronic 2’s management- in response to the absence of several acts slated for the night, “The show must go on” he said. That it did, most entertainingly.
 By GN (for Reggae Endz November 30, 2010)
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