Egad, I haven't been here in a while.
I've tried so hard to come back katz, you just don't understand. I have comprised most of this post on my day off today. With workload starting to increase, season premieres to catch, amongst other items on the to-do list, I have struggled to put my thoughts on computer, despite the relative ease of doing so. My neglect is never on purpose.
But, at least it was for good reason.
Last Friday marked 15 months since I first started at GreenPoint. And finally, finally, I am enjoying its benefits. Took a visit to the doctor, and issued me a clean bill of health, after of course recommending to me to shed a few pounds...
I've also been signing up for tax courses so I can actually do people's taxes. Though my primary focus should be the CPA exam, I feel that if I treat this exam like the SAT's, then with that mind set, and the studying techniques that got me through college, I should be just fine.
What else was I supposed to talk about? Oh yeah...
Irie Jamboree
Yup, the event that New York is still talking about. From Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, it was my first dancehall concert in a long while. I got there around 1 or 2PM, and already Foxy Sorry Brown was performing. A lot of famous acts were there, including Mikey Jared, Ed Robinson, Wayne Under Mi Sleng Teng Smith, Sammy Dread, Mr. Easy, Major Mackrel, Plunky Ranks, and my two favorites from the old days, Half Pint and Frankie Paul. I enjoyed myself a lot when they performed. My only vex: Paul didn't perform Stuck On You.
Later, Richie Stephens, along with General Degree, performed. One thing I learned and appreciated that day: Ladies Love Richie Stephens. We move on to Red Rat, who had issues with R. Kelly and Mario Winans' I Don't Want To Know. I must admit, he was one of the most entertaining and colorful performers there. He did a reggae take of Eamon's Fuck It, which was downright hilarious. He was just cool. Next, Ward 21 came on. They had their dancers, their dances, and their wild behaviour. Very animated performance.
Jabba, of Hot '97's Massive B fame, delighted us by bringing Anthony Cruz, Mikey and Richie Spice. Mad Cobra came next, and was also very entertaining, from the old skool stuff, to Don't Waste Mi Time. Tanya Stephens followed, and had more appeal with the females. Not that I'm complaining, but at least she could have came with some of her old school stuff, Goggle, among others. My friend didn't even recognise her until It's A Pity played.
Now, for the heavyweights. Luciano brought some children to the stage, and brought some more from the audience, to remind us all that the pickney are the future, and keep them strong in Jah. Now I said Red Rat's performance was eye catching; but Luciano was climbing up the stage and what not, jumping across the area in what had to be the most entertaining performance yet. His song arsenal was much more varied, which might explain the extra time he got. I mean, whoa. That dude is off the chain!
Freddie McGregor was next, with my favorite, Push Come To Shove. We had a nice groovy time. His songs are more melodically driven, and I was extremely grateful at this point, considering Barrington Levy, Bounty Killer, and Shabba Ranks, had yet to perform. My mind wasn't too much on the performance at this point, because after taking several pictures, both my batteries were dying. I had about two shots left...
T'was about 9PM, and Shabba Ranks got on the stage; and the audience nearly erupted. He truly proved that he can still hold his own on the stage. However, time was running out; and next thing we knew, police was on stage. It kind of hinted to us that the end was here, even though Bounty didn't perform. Shabba decided to heat things up, and called for a Shabba/Bounty collaboration. But that fell on deaf ears, as the police insisted that they wrap things up. So Shabba came back and pretty much wrapped up the night, and out of pure respect for the man, got a standing ovation. But, when the organizers at Irie 93.5FM came on the stage, they got a much different reaction. I remember starting a Warlord! chant before they said that it was time to go. Next thing I knew, plastic bottles were being thrown on the stage, and I, along with the party I was with at the time, fled the park.
Had this not have been an abrupt and disappointing ending, I would have fully enjoyed Irie Jamboree '04. Amazingly however, despite the controversy, I actually had a fantastic time. Am I not upset that Bounty didn't perform? Of course. Am I pissed off that Barrington Levy wasn't there? Oh hell yes! But despite that, I had a great time. It wasn't Jazz Fest '04, but it was nonetheless.
So what happened with Barrington and Bounty, their main attractions?! Well, Bounty's sound crew would've had to make a makeshift switch with Shabba's crew, which wouldn't have given Bounty enough time to perform. Upset by this, he decides not to perform. I can't blame him. Barrington? Rumor-mill has circulated that he took the money he was offered to perform, and ran, because he deserved more. Needless to say, I was highly pissed off.
But aside from those antics, and the new faces, and a whole bunch of other stuff, it was a great experience.
