Aug 13, 2004 Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino

Las Vegas, Nevada

Reviewed for The Reggae Movement by Larry Leiber

At first glance, a combination of the deep roots style of reggae of Burning Spear and the glitz and glamour of the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas may seem like a strange match.  However, a spectacular setting at the Mandalay Bay, and a world class performance that is Burning Spear provided a pot for the two to come together to bring forth smiles and pleasure to the thousands in attendance.

When it comes to the reggae genre, one can not find a better performance than Burning Spear, aka Winston Rodney, and the Burning Band.  Undoubtedly one of the top reggae artists of his era, which spans over 30 years, Burning Spear has been spreading his message to the people with a quality hardly seen in any genre of music.

The Mandalay Bay is an oasis in the Las Vegas desert which exudes luxury beyond what should be commonly expected.  A city unto its own, it features more restaurants than one can count, nearly limitless shopping, numerous world famous nightclubs, a shark tank, gaming opportunities in their casino and, of course, the Mandalay Bay pool.

Easily one of the most remarkable features of this beautifully designed resort, the pool sprawls along a large area and features a large wading and wave pool bordered by a sandy "beach".  Surrounded by tropical palm trees speckled by burning torches, the pool provided a great setting for a live reggae show and gave a scene one might find amongst the most tropical of venues. 

Backed by a powerful sound system which shook the sand underneath one's feet, Burning Speer and his Burning Band took to a stage set high on a peninsula in the middle of the pool itself.   With the skyline of the Mandalay Bay in behind them, fans were able to surround the stage while wading in knee high water, quickly turning the wade pool into a dance floor.. 

Starting off slowly, Burning Spear started to take to the surroundings and the growing energy of the crowd,  and his own energy and passion grew with each song.  After the first of his branded "Talk to me people, Talk to me" call and response, the mood changed and Burning Spear seemed to be more energetic than seen in the past.

The world class power of the Burning Band was on full display under the splendor of the Mandalay Bay skyline as Burning Spear started his set with regular fashion of Pick Up the Pieces, Jah Driver, Days of Slavery, and Man in the Hills (where Burning Spear does his own bird calls)

Jah No Dead provided the first of many examples of the variety of styles that Burning Spear offers.  Featuring a more militant beat with a sense of emphasis, Burning Spear continues to redefine this tune every time he performs it and explicitly details how "they try to fool the black population, by telling us that Jah Jah Dead."   A reference to the fact that Rastafarian spirit continues to live on despite the death of Hale Selassie I, considered Lord and Savior of the Rastafarian faith, in 1975.

During a rare live performance of his classic tune "Christopher Columbus", Burning Spear energetically questioned the legitimacy of claims that Christopher Columbus was the the first to discover Jamaica.  Was calling Christopher Columbus a damn blasted liar a deliberate slight at the sheer materialism that is Las Vegas?  Who knows, but the passion behind his convictions was apparent in his energy and animations.

It was a dancing mood on an irie night at The Mandalay Bay, and everyone from fans in the pool to stagehands to lifeguards cold be seen dancing throughout the night. The highlight of the evening came as Burning Spear performed one of his better songs live "Niya Keith". A splendid tune, with a playful horn section, it creates the perfect melody for a warm night on the beach, procuring a sense of emotional well being and pleasure throughout the body and giving the crowd a wonderful taste of the power of Burning Spear.

Burning Spear seemed to elevate his performance under the grandeur and exotic setting at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.  Dancing in the water, palm trees, torches, a world class band and a world class resort provided a recipe for one great night in Las Vegas.  This writer didn't even worry about dropping some hard earned income on the craps table later that evening.

Keep the Spear Burning!  PEACE!

Reviewed by Larry Leiber, Reggae Movement