Bob Marley International All Star Tribute,
4.12.1999, James Bond Beach, Oracabessa, St. Mary

It was a highly publicised and heavily advertised International show, and of course, every Jamaican who could afford to, wanted to attend the Bob Marley All Star Tribute on saturday, December 4, 1999, at the James Bond Beach, Oracabessa, St. Mary. But it was perhaps the highest price that one could pay to be an extra on a tv show, because that is exactly what they were. The show started on time, and it was obvious from the very beginning that it was a well organised event, but it was also very obvious that the emphasis was on filming the event ( TNT aired ) than the actual paying audience.
 

There was no mcee or official host to direct the nights' proceedings and many persons were of the impression that the artists would have been performing their own songs, and not just one or two of Bob Marley's hits. At the end there were very angry persons who had paid J$2.000 and J$2.500 for tickets to see a four hour show. To make matters worse when the event ended after midnight, there were people at the gate with tickets, waiting to get in the venue.

Nonetheless, there were many stars that most Jamaicans had never seen perform before, including Lauryn Hill, Eve, Queen Latifah, Tracy Chapman, Busta Rhymes and Erykah Badu. The concert started with the beating of the Congo Drums, which was very interesting. Yami Bolo, Lady G., Chaka Demus and Pliers handled themselves well and got very good responses from the crowd.

White female rocker Chrissie Hynde danced out of tune, and at times persons asked what she was doing and why she was even there, but she managed to pull off the job. Toots Hibbert wore very lively colours and sang Lively Up Yourself, which he performed at the right moment as the crowd vibes was dying.
 

Jimmy Cliff's performance again was breathtaking, he delighted the crowd with his exploits on the congo drums. He appeared several times throughout the show and also teamed up with Chrissie Hynde and Erykah Badu.
Busta Rhymes, Eve, Erykah Badu and Queen Latifah all had the audience screaming for more (Eve and Busta Rhymes infused a bit of rap and hip-hop into Marley's music).

Tracy Chapman was smooth in her efforts - a solo version of Three Little Birds and a combination of Trench Town Rock with Stephen and Ziggy Marley.

But the night really belonged to Lauryn Hill, she thrilled the audience with Turn Your Lights Down Low (during the performance Rohan Marley, the father of her child, joined her on stage) and also performed with Ziggy Marley. She had the crowd screaming and chanting her name, begging more.

Most persons could not understand what Dr. John was doing, he performed I Shot The Sheriff, but personally I thought the song went well with his voice and southern dance styles.

Darius Rucker's performance drew a lot of comments from the crowd, including "wah da batty boy deh a do, cum offa de stage batty boy and fire bun fi di batty boy dem". Chris Robinson's rendition of Kinky Reggae was excellent, Bob Marley would have been proud.
 

Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers was their usual picture of perfection. The other Marleys, Kymani, Julian and Damian also performed. Stephen seemed to be the Marley in charge as he marshalled things on stage all night, taking turns at strumming the guitar and assisting with vocals. Several of the local artistes, like Luciano and Buju Banton, did not turn up and international singer Sarah McLachlan, was absent and no explanation was given.

The band was first class, comprising Melody Makers' and Wailers' musicians; it was good to see the original players Aston 'Family Man' Barrett, Al Anderson, Tyrone Downie and Earl 'Chinna' Smith. The set had slides of the Reggae King popping up at the appropriate times to suit various moods and songs being sung. There were two long pauses during the show and no explanation was given and what some people viewed as disorganisation, was rather disregard for their patrons. The organisers knew what their programme was going to be and they stuck to the mandate of filming their event within the specified time.

The complete playlist of the Tribute:

Yami Bolo Zion Train
Yami Bolo and Lady G. Nice Time
Chaka Demus and Pliers Hypocrites
Melody Makers Natural Mystic
Melody Makers Africa Unite
Kymani Marley Sun Is Shining
Damian and Julian Marley Kaya
Melody Makers Stir It Up
Melody Makers High Tide, Low Tide
Chrissie Hynde Waiting In Vain
Chrissie Hynde and Jimmy Cliff Jamming
Jimmy Cliff Babylon System
Erykah Badu No More Trouble
Erykah Badu and Jimmy Cliff No Woman No Cry
Queen Latifah Who The Cap Fit
Darius Rucker War
Tracy Chapman Three Little Birds
Dr.John I Shot The Sheriff
Chris Robinson and Damian Marley Kinky Reggae
Busta Rhymes and Stephen Marley Rastaman Chant
Ben Harper Get Up Stand Up
Toots Hibbert and The Wailers Lively Up Yourself
Toots Hibbert, The Wailers and Jimmy Cliff Positive Vibrations
Stephen and Ziggy Marley with Tracy Chapman Trenchtown Rock
Eve and Stephen Marley Rat Race
Lauryn Hill Turn Your Lights Down Low
Lauryn Hill and Ziggy Marley Redemption Song
Marley Family Band and The Wailers Is This Love
Marley Family Band and The Wailers Could You Be Loved/Pass It On
All artists One Love

Nadine Reid, G.O. Crew, JA