The Jamaica Star :: Entertainment :: 'Crown Prince' tributes at Stars R Us

Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer

'Mr Rocksteady' Alton Ellis returned with a bang at Stars R Us, held at Mas Camp, on Tuesday. - Colin Hamilton

When the singing began at Mas Camp, New Kingston, on Tuesday night, there was a pair of Dennis Brown songs. And when it closed at 3:30 a.m. on Independence Day 2008, Wednesday, there were also two tribute songs to the late Crown Prince of Reggae to close the 'Return of Mr. Rocksteady' version of Stars R Us.

There was, however, a world of difference between the delivery of and reaction to the musical honours, as relative youngster Daro's version of Money In My Pocket and Should I fell short of the mark before a large audience. However Freddie McGreggor's nod to his contemporary with Here I Come and Revolution, before a reduced but still large and very enthusiastic audience, was good.

Lots of music

In between the 'D. Browns' there was a lot of music from a harmonising One Third; a cool, 'Bouncing' Cornel Campbell; a jolly hit machine, Johnny Clarke with True Believer in Love and a slick-moving Jah Youth before intermission.

However, it was not a night when the mature, but young at heart, were appreciative of the 'now generation' music, as One Third's snippet of Anthony B's Tease Her got many impatient.

Deejay music of the older generation, though, was a different matter, Jah Youth's opening, I Pray Thee, taking the house down, every cry of "Jah" sending hands skyward in delight.

After the break, Gregory Isaacs rocked with extended renditions of Tune In, Storm and Night Nurse after the break, but just when it seemed that he was working up to a lengthy enough performance he cut it short and was back to quick encore ways.

Rocksteady

A sound glitch interrupted Alton Ellis' return as he invited all to Come Do Rocksteady. After the unscheduled 10-minute break, during which the audience remained in place he was back in excellent nick, Lord Deliver Us and Dancecrasher among the songs that hit home.

John Holt dipped into his deep catalogue and served up Stick By Me, Stealing, Sweetie Come Brush Me and Tribal War, among many others, to a very grateful audience. Freddie McGreggor's voice was strong and clear as he rocked the house with Prophecy, Push Come to Shove and Let Him Try.

Most of the performers for the night were afforded encores, some more genuine than others. And a small piece of The Gleaner's archives left 7 North Street and came to 1C Oxford Road, large black and white pictures of Johnny Clarke from 1974, Big Youth from 1973, Alton Ellis from 1982 and Gregory Isaacs from 1983 among those that held the interest of many. Pictorial homage was also paid to Independence.