Reggae legend Barrington Levy performs many of his greatest hits
TriniView.com Reporters
Event Date: July 31, 2007
The Emancipation Support Committee, in collaboration with Tri Star Promotions, held their concert on August 31st, 2007. Titled "Living Legends in Concert", the show featured David Rudder, Everton Blender, Barrington Levi, as well as King David and Prophet Benjamin. Jamaican reggae singer Cocoa Tea, who was billed to perform and whom many local reggae fans were looking forward to hearing, was a no show.
Local reggae singer Prophet Benjamin kicked off the show, singing his popular song "Pretty Boy Fella". He thoroughly entertained the audience with his lyrics. In his witty song about boneless meat, he asked the audience what kind of chicken has no bones. He informed the audience that although he was born in Trinidad, he is an Ethiopian and remains such since "a leopard cannot change his spots." Talking to the audience he told them that the youths are being blamed for societal problems, but that elders made a lot of mistakes. Speaking about his personal experiences he said that a lot of discouragement came his way, but he soldiered on.
Local Reggae artiste Prophet Benjamin performs at Legends in Concert
Prophet Benjamin treated the audience to other popular songs in his repertoire including "Delilah", "Children Need Guidance" and "Pastor ah Lie". Right before he launched into his final song "Pastor Ah Lie", he was critical of the inconsistency of Black people worshipping the white Jesus. Saying that although some say God has no colour, Benjamin highlighted how the depiction of God by different peoples reflected them and advocated to the audience that one can't look for God other than in blackness.
Calypso icon David Rudder performs a medley of hits
Following Prophet Benjamin's exciting performance, Calypso icon David Rudder belted out his hit songs to a receptive audience. He had them eating out of his hand as he came down from the stage and walked through the audience singing. He sang many of his hits including "Ganges Meets the Nile", "Bahia Girl", "Trini to d Bone", "High Mas", "Haiti", "Calypso Music", "Hosay" and "The Hammer" as the audience sang along with him. Rudder closed his set "High Mas" to thundering applause and cheers from the audience. He was called back on stage to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him on behalf of Tri Star Promotions.
King David and Prestan perform
Local reggae artiste, King David, started his performance by paying tribute to David Rudder referring to him as the original 'King David'. Accompanied by Prestan, a fellow vocalist, he performed several songs which have been heating up the local reggae scene. His songs "Candle in the Wind", "Beg No Friend", Holding Back" and "Life" were warmly received by the audience.
Reggae icon Everton Blender performs many of his chart-breaking hits
Jamaican reggae singer, Everton Blender, graced the stage and proceeded to treat the audience to the hits that made him famous. Performing for about an hour, and doing his unique dance, Blender gave the crowd "Lift Up Yuh Head", "Defender of the Faith", "Blend Them, Run Come", "We Nuh Far", "Hard Times", "World Corruption", "The Man" and "Falsehoods." With the crowd screaming for more, Blender closed by performing his hit of hits "Ghetto People's Song", as many in the audience sang along to the words: "It's a ghetto people song, only them can sing this one. It's a song for the poor who's facing sufferation..."
Reggae legend Barrington Levy
After midnight, Barrington Levy, known as the "mellow canary" for his immense singing abilities, came to the stage. Levy, no stranger to Trinidad, launched into "Murderer" and immediately had the audience dancing and singing. With his inimitable style Barrington Levy belted out hit after hit; songs that the audience seemed very familiar with, such as "Under Mi Sensi", "Living Dangerously", "Too Experienced", "Every Posse Must Work", "Broader Than Broadway", "Black Roses" and "Vice Versa Love". Levy crooned and chanted for over and hour and a half to the delight of the audience.
Living Legends in Concert in pictures:
www.triniview.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=191888
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