Tonight, reggae fans gather to celebrate one of the most aptly named ‘best of’ albums ever, Bob Marley’s Legend.
With bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett the only surviving member, a few eyebrows may have been raised before the show about the legitimacy of this ‘Wailers’ concert, however, any doubts evaporate when the band play a note-perfect rendition of the album’s first track ‘Is This Love?’ after a prolonged reggae intro jam.
The ABC crowd sing back every word to the band, who seem to be genuinely blessed to be able to be on stage singing Marley’s songs.
With huge singalongs in ‘No Woman, No Cry’, ‘Three Little Birds’ and ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ there is a real party atmosphere, which is only increased by the lead vocalist’s call and response chants of Bob Marley’s name.
Such great enjoyment from dancing at gigs is often unseen these days, however, by the time ‘Jammin’’ comes on, there doesn’t seem to be a person in the venue who isn’t bobbing around having an excellent time.
The real highlight of the night, however, comes in the encore with an acoustic rendition of ‘Redemption Song’, with the crowd and the two Wailers on stage sing the lyrics with the meaning and power with which they were written, and it really does feel special.
Although cynics would say that nowadays the Wailers couldn’t really be regarded as much more than a tribute act, but a crowd diverse in age and backgrounds come together in a night celebrating the work of a Legend.
Words: Neil Hayton
Photos: Stewart Fullerton
