Gregory Isaacs live!
Gregory Isaacs
African Caribbean Festival Of Life, Washington Park
Saturday, July 5, 2008
The Cool Ruler lives. In a characteristically laid-back performance, Gregory Isaacs, one of reggae’s most singular and prolific artists, proved that 40 years of pumping out hits has not made him obsolete, but essential to the genre’s contemporary canon.
On a chilly night that had a crowd of mostly Caribbean fans huddling under blankets, the scene was set for a heat-sparking show. Isaacs strolled onto the stage in a tan suit, buttercup yellow shirt, and trademark fedora. Although the 57-year-old singer didn’t quite generate enough fire to ignite the crowd, he did provide the necessary warmth for loyal lovers-rock enthusiasts.
Sliding into the gentle rhythms of “If You Want To Be My Number One” and not even pausing before he slipped into the jaunty, “I Like It Like That,” it was clear Isaacs wanted to touch on as many tunes from his reported 500 albums as possible. Shrugging off his jacket to dip into a slighting unsteady skank, as he let loose one of his requisite guttural moans. “How you feelin’?” he yelled. He didn’t stop for an answer but launched into the booming bass rhythms of “What A Feeling.” Isaacs jammed non-stop. The only hint of fatigue showed when he briefly took off his hat to wipe his glistening forehead.
An icon of Jamaican music, Isaacs has managed to smoothly cover every major reggae subcategory from roots, to dancehall, to lover’s rock, which he practically forged. Since the mid ’70s, his sinewy falsetto has graced classics such as “Mr. Brown,” “Can I Change My Mind,” and “Loving Pauper.” Cocaine addiction and jail time in the ’80s didn’t even slow him down (although it did affect the quality of his vocals, lessening its emotional nuances); he has produced multiple albums, compilations, and singles.
By the time he reached “All I Have Is Love” and “Turn Me On,” the fans were singing every lyric, creating an atmosphere of casual intimacy in the darkening park. The “la la la la/la la la” opening verse of the seminal lover’s rock classic “I’m Gonna Make You Sweat,” electrified the energy as Isaacs dove into his most popular material. He crooned the breezy “Mr. Brown” and flowed through the rocksteady beat of “Rumors Of War.” But it was the drowsy beat of “Night Nurse” that signaled the highlight of Isaac’s show. Swaying gently, he sang his best-known tune with sly phrasing as his fans took over and happily sang the entire 27-year-old song, drowning Isaacs out. He smiled and bowed as they clapped for an encore. It was a revealing demonstration of Isaacs’ permanent mark on reggae music and unbreakable connection to his fans.
— Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
Category: Live Reviews, Weekly
