Spearhead | 11.21 | NYC

Words & Images by: JC McIlwaine

Michael Franti & Spearhead :: 11.21.08 :: Nokia Theatre :: New York, NY

Michael Franti :: 11.21 :: NYC

Many things can be taken away from a Michael Franti & Spearhead show: a newly defined and invigorated sense of purpose, buoyed by the band’s socially conscious and inspiring take on the world; a newfound feeling of community spurred on by sharing a night with thousands of other like-minded individuals jumping like grasshoppers and raking the air with their hands like they’re sweeping for clouds; a memory of a great time spent dancing to the bombing bass and soaring melodies of a band that has taken the time over the course of many years to nail it in their live show.

One lucky fan took away the memory of being pulled onstage out of the crowd to add his voice to the chorus of “All I Want Is You” as he danced with vocalist Cherine Anderson. Tentative at first, the fan was helped along by Michael Franti. “We’ll get him over his shyness,” Franti said as he steered the fan closer to her.

Anderson, who is featured on the band’s latest release, All Rebel Rockers, seems to have brought the Kingston sound with her. In its long arc of covering nodal points of rap, rock, pop and electronica, Spearhead seems most deeply ensconced in a new, vibrant reggae vibe. Sly & Robbie, producers of Spearhead’s last couple albums, and their stomping grounds of Jamaica, have done much to influence the current sound.

Dancehall-quality tunes like “A Little Bit Of Riddim,” “Soundsystem,” “Hey World (Remote Control Version)” and “Light Up Your Lighter” set the tone for the night, interspersed with gems like a faithful rendition of Peter Tosh‘s “Walk and Don’t Look Back” and a sampling of Damian Marley‘s “Welcome to Jamrock.” A roots reggae reworking of Chocolate Supa Highway’s “Ganja Babe” served as an answer to the fog wafting over the crowd from the time the band made its entrance.

The quieter moments of the night were some of the most precious, as found in “Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong,” a plea to forgoing judgment. Drummer Manas Itiene joined Franti at the front of the stage, adding his bongo to Franti’s acoustic guitar as the duo offered up a shiver-inducing version of “Is Love Enough?” In content, the song spoke to a much-needed move toward the increased communication, tolerance and open-mindedness needed to truly affect the change we so dearly need right now if we’re to survive. In form, the tune was simple, heartfelt, and organic.

A few songs later, long-time collaborator Jay Bowman stepped onstage with some guest vocalists for the encore. Anthony Ward joined the melee, arranging flowers in a silver vase as the band played behind him. Franti bounced back and forth across the stage in front of homemade banners displaying phrases like “Peacemaker Worldwide” and “Fear Destroyer.” The crowd sang along with Spearhead’s chanted chorus of “Barack Obama” as flower petals flew to and fro. It doesn’t get much more organic than that.

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