Review: Rise Reggae Showcases Stellar Performances by Tarrus Riley and Gramps Morgan

The inaugural Rise Reggae, hosted on Saturday night by Nouvelle Vie and billed as a show of headliners, proved to be a resounding success.

The artistes in the lineup proved that their live performances could easily rival their studio recordings, during the nearly five-hour-long production at Kensington Oval.

Tarrus Riley’s high-energy performance was top-class. His one challenge was which selections to choose from his vast catalogue of songs, but he seemed determined to include as many as humanly possible. He managed to successfully display his extensive discography for his enthusiastic and appreciative fans.

Mr Singy Singy, as he is also known, treated the audience to a fantastic showing that included favourites like Getty Getty No Wantee, Just the Way You Are, Superman, Stay with You, Sorry is a Sorry Word, Good Girl Gone Bad, Stay with You and Simple Blessings. He also incorporated newer material like Lighter, his collaboration with Shenseea. As the clock approached the scheduled 2 a.m. conclusion, Riley temporarily exited the stage, leaving attendees to believe the show had ended. However, he returned shortly after, donning a vibrant blue ensemble with a complementary yellow hat, reflecting the national colours of Barbados, and delivered another slew of top tracks.

During Riley’s set, renowned musician Dean Fraser took centre stage, along with other members of the Blak Soil Band, engaging in a spirited tune-for-tune battle. The face-off included chart-topping hits from Dexta Daps, Beres Hammond, Garnet Silk, Brian McKnight, Mario, and Usher highlighting the backing artistes’ musical capabilities.

Fraser demonstrated his prowess on the saxophone, performing Bob Marley’s Redemption Song. Gramps Morgan joined Riley on stage for She’s Royal and Riley did a playful impersonation of his fellow Jamaican’s singing style.

Gramps’ own set resonated with those in attendance. Gaining prominence as a member of Morgan Heritage, he demonstrated his ability to command the stage as an individual artiste. Backed by a solo keyboardist, he pleased fans with favourites Woman Like You, People Like You, She’s Still Loving Me and Psalm 23, his collaboration with Buju Banton. He displayed his versatility with his Runaway Bay, which has a distinct country music feel.

Biggie Irie added a nostalgic touch, providing a flashback moment by performing Ten Tons of Love and Slow Dance with You. His set included covers of Tracy Chapman’s Baby Can I Hold You, Beres Hammond’s Double Trouble, and Bob Marley’s Africa Unite. Concertgoers went wild as he sang Loveindeer‘s What Police Can Do.

The cast also featured Barrington Levy who thrilled the audience with hits like Be Strong, Too Experienced, Murderer, Prison Oval Rock, Work, Here I Come, and Black Roses. He was joined by Gramps Morgan for a rendition of Down by the River and offered a taste of his new release Money is the Drug. Levy’s son, Nerro, made an appearance during the set.

Throughout the production, tribute was paid to the late Warren Jon Doe Forte. The Renegade Squad, with whom Jon Doe played, dedicated their session to his memory. A video montage added an emotional touch to the presentation. The featured artistes sang songs in honour of the much-loved deejay who died suddenly in November 2021. Moved to tears, his wife Tracy Morgan-Forte expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support since his passing.

(STT)