UB40 Live!
UB40
House Of Blues, Chicago
Friday, April 7, 2006
It would be easy to dismiss UB40 as an adult-lite version of true roots reggae, and their Friday performance at HOB wouldn’t have won over skeptics, as they performed nearly all their tried-and-true hits. Modern roots reggae in the U.S.A. still lives in the shadow of Bob Marley 25 years after his death, and though they’ve sold 10 million records in North America, UB40 don’t get the credibility they deserve. It’s their Time/Life infomercial hits (” I Can’t Help Falling In Love,” “Red Red Wine”) that folks remember. UB40’s criminally overlooked dub, roots, and dancehall records (Guns In The Ghetto, Cover Up) have received virtually no airplay in the States, indeed their last two records (Homegrown, Cover Up) were never released here.
With a setlist left virtually unchanged from their last U.S. tour, the band were as tight and energetic as they’ve been since their commercial heyday in the late ’80s, when they performed at Poplar Creek(!). Despite the absence of raspy-voiced percussionist Norman Hassan and MC Astro, Ali Campbell and company managed to pull it all together with bassist Earl Falconer (bass) and Jimmy Brown (drums) leading the way on 1981’s “Present Arms” and Labour Of Love II‘s “Homely Girl.” Brian Travers’ horn section occasionally toed the line between Studio One-style roots mastery and Las Vegas schmaltz, but it was hard to overlook their energy on the reworked ” Sing Our Own Song” — a mid-’80s tribute to Nelson Mandela — and their spot-on encore of “One In Ten.” Brothers Ali and Robin Campbell didn’t personally interact with each other much, but their crystalline harmonies from Promises And Lies‘ “Bring Me Your Cup” and the U-Roy/Paragons classic, “Wear You To The Ball,” make for some of the best minor-key harmonies in reggae. They also seemed energized by live versions from Who You Fighting For, their new CD.
The night’s oddity was Astro’s karaoke-style video appearances that created the false impression he was joining “Red Red Wine” and other songs via satellite (he couldn’t make the show because of visa problems), when he had actually recorded backing tracks for this leg of the tour. Given the choice, the band decided it was better to have Astro “on tape” than not at all.
For those who’ve seen UB40 live several times throughout their 25 years, Friday’s show was a bit of going through the motions, though they seemed energized by the Chicago crowd. That’s what happens when a band stays together for a quarter century (see Rolling Stones). Rumors on their message board have mentioned the band may return to the States in the late summer. What a kick it would be to have them sneak in a night at The Wild Hare and let us hear some of their rare back catalog.
— John Vernon
Category: Live Reviews, Weekly
well done for actually going and listening and then giving the ub’s a fair review. it’s a rare journalist that actually gets out there and gives them a chance! I think in the main, they give the gigs a miss and just write what their editor expects them to write! :)
you are welcome on the ub40 bulletin board at any time and will receive a warm welcome from us all. we really appreciate anyone who is prepared to listen and then comment. visit us at http://www.ub40.co.uk
see you there
tek care!
sting
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ooooooooooooooom nice review for a while but eh come on these guys do deliver good vibes thats what its all about loving the music 8 guys grown up 2 gether and still touring the world after 25yrs ???????
There’s no words to explain how great is UB40 in concert. Unfortunally, the press don’t give them the attention they deserve.
Not a bad review, have seen worse! At least you took the time out to actually go and see the concert which is more that most journalists do. I have to disagree with you though on the set list, I think it is the best ever set list they have done. We had lots of concerts at the start of the world tour back in November, here in Ireland and the UK and I loved the set list, it was fantasic to hear so many old songs being played live. They have to play the more commercial ones, ie Red Red Wine etc to keep the less die hard fans happy. But I really think they are spot on with their choice of set list for this tour. And their new CD is, without doubt, their best work ever.
Good on you too for visiting the bands website, not many journalists do as much research as you have. Its a great site and a few band members regularly join us and keep us updated and generally have the craic with us. They are such a good bunch of guys and they give alot of time to us ‘UBLoonies’!
Thanks for your review, its nice to hear positive comments. Thank you.
Take care of you and yours
Geraldine x