Burning
Spear 59th Earthday Tour
Aug 9
,
2004
Fox Theatre, Boulder, Co
Reviewed for The
Reggae Movement by Larry Leiber
Burning
Spear, aka Winston Rodney and the undisputed living legend of Reggae
Music, came through Boulder to the Fox Theatre this past Monday night to
deliver the message he has been giving for over 30 years. Celebrating
his 59th Earthday (Birthday), Mr.
Rodney has never failed in inspiring a sense of awe and wonderment at what
he has accomplished throughout his productive musical life and how this
reflects upon his live show.
Often described as St. Ann, Jamaica’s, ambassador to the
world, Mr. Rodney has given a body of work which has given both quantity
and quality to the reggae world and fans. While growing up, Mr. Rodney had
encouragement and support in his career choice by reggae legend Bob
Marley, as both he and Mr. Marley shared their birthplace and roots from
St. Ann with Marcus
Garvey, the legendary activist.
Immediately after taking the stage, the Burning Band, which
continues to set the bar for the live reggae experience, gave a
medley of familiar Burning Spear rhythms. Providing a world class performance and
setting the stage for Mr. Rodney’s arrival, The Burning Band gives no
doubts that they are the cream of the crop in reggae bands.
Mr. Rodney quietly emerged a few minutes after the warm up
and the appropriate introductions by the emcee. Mr. Rodney’s stage
mannerisms have not changed throughout the years, and his stoic,
methodical delivery has purpose and motivation.
Whereas
Bob Marley may inspire one to “Stand Up for your Rights” and
Peter Tosh will motivate to rebel against authority, Mr. Rodney provides a
different message. Mr. Rodney’s message is one about awareness and
preservation of memory.
Providing a slightly downtrodden and mournful message with a mellow
mood, Mr. Rodney reminds us about the inequities in the world, and urges
the world to remember the past. The music of Mr. Rodney
delivers the sobering reality of the necessity of remembering the past before looking
to the future.
|
Marcus
Garvey 1887-1940
American
proponent of black nationalism, b. Jamaica. At the age of 14, Garvey
went to work as a printer's apprentice. After leading (1907) an
unsuccessful printers' strike in Jamaica, he edited several
newspapers in Costa Rica and Panama. During a period in London he
became interested in African history and black nationalism. His
concern for the problems of blacks led him to found (1914) the
Universal Negro Improvement Association and in 1916 he moved to New
York City and opened a branch in Harlem. The UNIA was an
organization designed “to promote the spirit of race pride.”
Broadly, its goals were to foster worldwide unity among all blacks
and to establish the greatness of the African heritage. Garvey
addressed himself to the lowest classes of blacks and rejected any
notion of integration. Convinced that blacks could not secure their
rights in countries where they were a minority race, he urged a
“back to Africa” movement. In Africa, an autonomous black state
could be established, possessing its own culture and civilization,
free from the domination of whites. Garvey was the most influential
black leader of the early 1920s. His brilliant oratory and his
newspaper, Negro World, brought him millions of followers.
His importance declined, however, when his misuse of funds intended
to establish a steamship company, the Black Star Line, resulted in a
mail fraud conviction. He entered jail in 1925 and was deported to
Jamaica two years later. From this time on his influence decreased,
and he died in relative obscurity. |
No One Remember
Marcus Garvey! Mr.
Rodney may be the last musical artist carrying the torch for the great
accomplishments and preservation of memory for
Marcus Garvey.
Marcus Garvey, a
man before his time in the early 1900’s, was a pioneer in civil rights and
African activism. In his hour and a half set,
Marcus Garvey is
remembered in at least 2 songs by Mr. Rodney, and, for his part, Mr.
Rodney does what he can to keep the memory of
Marcus Garvey alive
today.
(See inset right)
The real treat to watching
Burning Spear is
the majestic sight of Burning Spear combined with the unparalleled quality of the Burning Band. Knowing that
he’s celebrating his 59th Earthday this year, it’s even more
impressive to see that the Spear keeps on burning with such a strong
flame. His message is unwavering, his entertainment silently playful and
his dynamic talents range from birdcalls (in Man in the Hills) to
bongo and percussion playing all night long.
It’s almost as if Mr. Rodney is aware that he is the last
torch bearer for a reggae era both appreciated for its greatness but also
struggling to go forward with time. Mr. Rodney’s deep message seems to
have trouble reaching the fans who, always pack in every show, are only there for a ‘good time’ and
are unable to appreciate the message that
Burning Spear
gave.
For these fans who may not be there for his message, The
music from the Burning Band gives a world class performance in which any
fan can lose themselves.
Whether it's for the music, the message, or the legendary
sight of Burning Spear, Mr Rodney continues to draw fans from young to
old, and from every corner of the globe as he continues to set the bar for
other which other reggae acts will be measured.
Keep the Spear Burning!
