Proffering a delicious taste of her forthcoming album, Throw Down Your Arms, due for release this autumn, Sinead O’Connor thrilled punters at the Prime Minister’s 2005 Independence Gala in Jamaica with her impassioned version of Bob Marley’s ‘War’, accompanied on drum and bass by famous riddim twins, Sly and Robbie.
The concert, held under the stars in blissful heat and surrounding jungle, jointly celebrated 43 years of Jamaican independence and the massive influence that this tiny country has had on global music.
The event, supported by the Jamaican government, was at once a roots-reggae showcase, a musical awards ceremony and a tribute to late reggae king Bob Marley.
Backstage, O’Connor was clearly thrilled to meet face-to-face the likes of Joseph Hill from the band Culture and Rita Marley – widow of Bob and one of the I-Threes, backing vocalists for The Wailers – and other musicians who profoundly influenced her own singing and songwriting from an early age.
Her new album, produced by Sly and Robbie at Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica, and featuring vintage Jamaican musicians, offers its own special tribute to roots-reggae.
Other highlights of the Independence Gala included concert pianist Orett Rhoden’s intricate reading of Marley’s ‘One Love’, followed by Chopin’s Waltz No 14 in E Minor.
There were also anecdotal stories about Bob from Neville Garrick, his former art director and confidante. Former I-Threes member Judy Mowatt’s dedicated ‘No Woman No Cry’ to Rita Marley, who was sitting in the front row. Sly and Robbie’s set included ‘Murder She Wrote’, ‘Worl’ A Reggae’ and ‘Unmetered Taxi’.
There was also a panorama of colourful dancers and gymnasts, a brief power-cut and a heart-stopping fireworks display to round-off this uplifting, national self-esteem boosting, show.
It was a joy seeing Sinead being so naturally a part of it.