Bunny Wailer at Club Amazura, Jamaica, Queens, New York City - October 12, 1997

by Carlos Culture

The evening's proceedings got under way with Muta introducing Freddie McGregor who was backed by Gumption. He came out on stage gleaming with love in a crisp silk purple suit doing all wicked roots with songs like "Africa (Here I Come)" , "Big Ship", "Push Comes to Shove", "Let Him Try", "All in the Same Boat", "Stop Lovin You" and more. He also supported his new album entitled "Masterpiece" with two tunes which were soulful and very smooth. Mutabaruka brought back "Everyready" Freddie on for more action. Freddie said he would keep up with the roots theme and begged for requests. He obliged and ripped-up "Bobby Babylon" and one other. It was a full Freddie one hour set. A comedian came after him for about 20 minutes.

Muta was soon back on stage directing traffic and providing some early laughs, but got serious later. He informed people about where Rasta came from which was the poorest part of Kingston - "Back-o-Wall". He went on and told the legend of the blackheart man who was said to steal children and take them into the hills to raise them as Rastafarians and what not. After a few more minutes show time was upon us again.

The hour was 2:00 am Monday morning. The Solomonic Reggaestra took the stage belting out hot rub-a-dub which they would play the through the eventful night. Muta came back on to introduce Bunny's backing vocal trio known as the "Psalms". They were known as the "Gaylads" back in the day of Ska and Rocksteady. They were very good and sang the original of one of this years greatest riddims "Satta Massa Gana", a definite crowd pleaser. All three took turns on lead vocal, but the best tune they did had to be "Little Red Rose". They did their twenty minute set before giving it up to Bunny Wailer.

Now, Show time had become Star time! Muta once again graced the stage to bring on the Living Legend - 3-Time Grammy Award Winner - The Only Living Wailer - Jah B. The NYC roots massive seemed to spark-up the sensi all at once as he trod on stage wearing silver boots and a finely crafted white flowing garment adorned with ites, gold and green. The high priest also wore an ites, gold and green scarf hanging down and a headband which had a medallion of a lion's face squarely in the middle of his forehead. He was ready to tear down the place.

He pulled up a seat grabbed his thunder bass drum and mallet striking into the Nyabinghi anthem "Fly Away Home". The stage was set for what would be a three hour jam session. The sound system mixed by Dennis Thompson was fat, full, and round rocking the giant hall and the kings and queens gathered. He got up set things back and went into "Bald Head Jesus" a wicked jam with all players and instruments in full swing. It was great! He worked the stage elegantly and solidly. They did a few more right in a row " I Stand Predominate", "Fig Tree", and "Bide Up" and kept coming with more solo originals like "Blackheart Man" , "Dance Rock" and "Liberation". Every few or so songs he would hail up the massive and reason. After "Blackheart Man" he talked about what Muta had started talking about the origins of Rasta, Reggae Music and the time when Rasta couldn't walk the street inna yard - those days were the days of the blackheart man.

(The rest of this review may not all be in perfect order, but I will do my best)

He went into a Bob Marley tribute set and sang the classic "Natural Mystic" which drew from that huge source of soul vibrations the Wailers made famous and parked the massive in awe and appreciation. Bunny then upped the ante and brought on none other the son of the late great Peter Tosh , Andrew "Original Man" Tosh. Bunny gave tribute to Peter and props to Andrew. "Legalize It" was the tune and the place was lovin' it bad, bad, bad. They really tore this one up as two Nike clad dancers came on stage with huge spliffs even the back of the club could see. "Crazy Baldheads" kept things bubblin' hot.Then Jah B went on and livicated "No Woman No Cry" to all the empress in the house.

The Living Wailer returned to his original hits keeping the Jamaica Queens massive skanking. Boom shots like "Dreamland", "Rootsman Skankin", "Rock & Groove", and "Ballroom Floor". He continued his assault flowing with the unforgettable "Ram Dancehall" on the PT 109 riddim. He briefly stepped backstage while the band kept jammin' fat as hell. Jah B quickly came back on stage without the gown, but now outfitted as a top ranking' soldier in Jah Army returning to toast on the extended "Ram Dancehall".

Ras Bunny alerted everyone to light-up their spliffs for "Collie Man". "Rise and Shine" and "Armageddon" were phenomenal - I couldn't believe I was really there. The bass lines kept bumping loud and clear to these favorites. Ras Bunny stepped back in time and sang a couple of ska tunes "Simmer Down" and a Toots and The Maytals hit which was accompanied by the Nike dancers. Later, the massive rocked to "Hypocrites", "Battering Down", and "Heathen". He closed the show with "Keep on Moving" when it was 5:00 am

There was no encore, but Gregory Isaacs' father presented Jah B with a "Reggae Boys" T-shirt which represented the Jamaican soccer team. Jah B said he was a big supporter of soccer and also said those who know him in soccer circles know him as "Fittie Fittie". He went on to comment that they should change their name from "Reggae Boys" to "Reggae Lions".

This was wicked show and anyone who was there will never forget why Bunny Wailer is one of the greatest living legends. He gave a positive message of how people should work together and get to know themselves. Because from that foundation anything is possible. He suggested all Africans should save their dollars for repatriation and not trust in material gain. He told everyone to do what is right and protect yourself from the dangers of Babylon by refusing to get drunk on the wine of fornication.

Do not miss Bunny Wailer and Solomonic Reggaestra if you ever get the chance!!!