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Listen to Stephen Marley on Rhapsody...
Words by: Martin Halo :: Images by: Rod Snyder
Stephen Marley feat. Jr. Gong :: 05.11.07 :: Nokia Theatre :: New York, NY
Stephen Marley :: 05.11 :: New York |
With stenciled road cases bearing the name "Tuff Gong" littering the stage and transcendent African rhythms blaring over the house speakers, there is only one plausible conclusion about who is hiding deep in the belly of Manhattan.
Coming off a stellar co-bill performance at Coachella and each with critically acclaimed new albums, the Marley brothers have made their way back east in a big way, stuffing the Nokia Theatre Times Square with Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley remaining on the bill with his brother Stephen Marley who is touring in support of his highly-anticipated solo debut, Mind Control.
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley :: 05.11 :: New York |
As the house light dropped, the haze of smoke was so pungent that it literally singed one's nostrils and sent your lungs into an uncontrollable frenzy for a taste. With his dreads swaying from side to side, Stephen Marley stepped into the awaiting spotlight. As his face appeared a chill came over the audience before erupting in raucous jubilation.
A powerful "Rastafari" rang out over the crowd as Stephen's rasp channeled the spirit of his father. While every member of the Marley clan echoes aspects of Bob, it's Stephen's style and delivery that are most closely tied to his father.
Stephen Marley :: 05.11 :: New York |
"Reggae on Broadway" kicked it off and was quickly followed by "Chase Them" and "Slave Driver." With his hand touching his face, Stephen dove into tracks off his debut including "Mind Control" and "Hey Baby" with his small son at his side peering up at him. Mind Control (released 3/20 on Republic), features contributions from Mos Def, Jr. Gong and Ben Harper, and is Stephen's first solo studio effort and has already earned him five Grammy Awards.
Featured Marley family classics included renditions of "Buffalo Solider," "No Woman No Cry," and "Iron Lion Zion." Jr. Gong joined his brother about halfway through the set, jolting the already electric performance to explosive levels. With the audience glowing by handheld flames, Damian captured and hypnotized fans by melodically singing, "Jamaica, Jamaica. Jamaica, Jamaica." Once he had the New York crowd firmly in the palm of his hand, the PA barked, "Out in the streets they call it murder!" The house now ablaze, the Marley brothers launched into the title track off Damian's 2005 juggernaut Welcome to Jamrock.
05.11 :: New York |
NYC showed the Rastas serious love, and the smile on Damian's face was priceless. By the time we heard "All Night" and "Pimper's Paradise" the beat was so thick that the music seemed to permeate the air as the venue grooved with Marley's concoction of mystic, floating delights. The set closed with "Could You Be Loved." Now well past midnight, Stephen returned to a sea of praise for his encore of "One Love," "Jammin'," and "Exodus," the composition that solidified this performance as brilliant and managed to enrich my very soul.
Carrying the legacy of Bob Marley is no easy task. His music and life have taken him far beyond the accolades of an artist; he is a hero, a legend, a king amongst men. No one person, not even a son, could shoulder the weight alone, but with Stephen and Damian sharing the duties, the results are transcendent.
Stephen Marley :: 05.11 :: New York |
Stephen Marley :: 05.11 :: New York |
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