BBC Reggae The Story of Jamaican Music Programme 1 Forward

[Hortical]

BBC Reggae The Story of Jamaican Music Program 1 Forward

[Tilla]

Thanks for that. I just finished episodes 1&2. Will see if I can hit the final episode tomorrow.

[Historian]

Enjoyable Post

BBC Reggae The Story of Jamaican Music Program 1 Forward

Nice post, Hortical.

This excellent BBC documentary series is certainly comprehensive. It’s unfortunate, however, that a Jamaican performer of the caliber of Roy Shirley was not included in this documentary. Shirley’s contribution during the ska and rocksteady eras, in my opinion, has not been sufficiently appreciated by music historians. There is little doubt in my mind that he is among the top two or three most charismatic Jamaican performers ever, and also an outstanding singer and songwriter.

By the way (and forgive me for going a bit off-topic), his “Golden Festival” was the “winner that never was” of the 1968 Festival Song Competition. I strongly feel that, if not for that weird holdup robbery of the tape while Shirley was riding with it to the Festival office, he would have beaten Desmond Dekker’s “Intensified Festival (Music Like Dirt)”!

Also, not many people, I suspect, are aware that Roy Shirley created the Uniques (along with Slim Smith and Franklin White).

[TDowl]

Roy Shirley, he was special, sort of cutting edge in delivering the goods, the man had you transfixed with his performances, he was the show. I am trying to find a video where this woman was playing the keyboard, as I figure you may know her name, a friend of mine said he thinks she was from Mandeville.

[Historian]

I Remember the Video

Roy Shirley, he was special, sort of cutting edge in delivering the goods, the man had you transfixed with his performances, he was the show. I am trying to find a video where this woman was playing the keyboard, as I figure you may know her name, a friend of mine said he thinks she was from Mandeville.

TDowl, boss, I fully support your comment on Roy Shirley. His live performances were extraordinary, and he had some fine records as well (for example, “Hold Them”).

Regarding the “mystery” woman on keyboard, I believe you had once posted that video (several years ago) of Roy Shirley performing live somewhere in England (if my memory is correct). Try as I might, I could not begin to even guess at who that woman was, but she was really playing the keyboard with confidence and expertise, and in the process adding a welcome dimension to the performance!

But, although I admire her playing, I do not have even the slightest idea who she was.

[TDowl]

Whew I find the video again, I just notice that there were children in the audience.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNDXanDd8fg

I am gonna ask someone on FB

[Historian]

That Is The Man!

Whew I find the video again, I just notice that there were children in the audience.....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNDXanDd8fg

I am gonna ask someone on FB

Thanks for posting this gem once again, TDowl.

As I said in my earlier post, that lady exudes total confidence and experience on the organ! Unfortunately, I have no idea who she is.

In the case of Roy Shirley, this is vintage performance! The man puts his ALL into every live performance, and he makes me think of what a combination of James Brown and Solomon Burke would have provided!

He is truly one of Jamaica’s greats, and stands right up there with the likes of Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Prince Buster, the Blues Busters, and other great Jamaican performers.

If you get an identification in your Facebook post, please let me know who this lady is.

[Karl]

Thank you, Hortical