GREGORY ISAACS REVIEW - 3.01.06

JAHRICH.COM REVIEW
EVENT: Gregory Isaacs & Pressure Cooker
VENUE: The Paradise Rock Club, 969 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA
DATE: 3.01.06
ADMISSION: $20
SHOW RATING: $ $ $ $ (4 out of 4 - finally!)

My anticipation for this show was running high as I stepped through the Paradise doors at the early hour of 9:20 pm. I was anxious for the night to unfold as I've heard so many rumors about Mr. Isaac's performances, mostly negative, and I didn't go to his last Boston event at the Middle East four years ago. As soon as my ticket was electronically scanned, I walked into the club itself and all my worries were put to rest. The Dice' was packed (sold out) and one could feel the excitement in the air! I sensed that Gregory would come through, but there was no sign of him yet.

However, his backing band Live Wire was on stage warming up and selector JunyaKool and his omnipresent Evalast Movements were playing their last tune before show time. (I missed the opening act Pressure Cooker, a talented Ska and Studio One band that have three albums to the name.) Moments later the drummy hit the opening roll and the main event was on! Live Wire was tight and they were full of energy - bouncing and jumping together on stage - and this dynamic helped get the predominantly young, white crowd into a party mood!! Live Wire's lead singer then belted out one wicked cover tune after the next such as Bob's War, Tosh's "Legalize It," Third World's "Now That We Found Love," and a tough rendition of Jr. Gong's "Welcome to Jamrock." Live Wire succeeded in paving the way for the Cool Ruler, Mr. Gregory Isaacs, a living legend in the world of reggae music.

Just after 10 pm Live Wire wrapped it up and legendary Peter Tosh manager Copland Forbes took the stage to announce the main event in his classic smooth voice. The band played their intro and then to my great thrill, the Cool Ruler himself strutted out on stage, donning his famous white hat. Gregory was all smiles and he darted back and forth on stage before dropping into his first track, "Number One," to the delight of the crowd. Before long the band transitioned to a new riddim and Gregory announced in his unique, mellow, reedy, voice, "Meet me at the corner...." The hits fell like rain and Mr. Isaacs got a huge forward when he harmonized, "Love me in morning, love in the evening too..." Other anthems included "Private Beach Party," "Oh What a Feeling," and a wicked cover of "Tempted to Touch." The Paradise was going nuts and everyone was having a grand time taking in Gregory who sounded strong, not aged.

With so many hits in his deep catalog of tunes, Gregory Isaacs did sing a couple of melodies like Rumors into People Are You Ready into Mr. Brown and then into Hang on, which killed it. Just before 11 pm Gregory dropped his number one hit tune "Night Nurse" and then darted back stage. What was he up to back there? Who really knows but word on the street is that the infamous coke head is cleaner than ever before. At this point Copland Forbes and two WERS DJs gave away three CDs and passed the mic back over to Gregory.

Gregory kicked off the second round with his recent hit, "Hard Drugs." He then performed "Raggamuffin" with a guest deejay, Tosh1 of Boston. He performed his father's classic "Vampire" during his combination with GI. Tosh was okay only; he really just spit a few lyrics, hyped up Gregory and left the stage. To my surprise, Gregory performed only one more tune, "The Boarder," but trust me it was big and everyone from college kids, to Rastas, to old hippies, to gangstas belted out this number alongside the Cool Ruler. The show ended at 11:10 and Gregory performed for a solid hour. The after party in the Paradise Lounge with Most High Sound was fun, but too crowded and hectic. By midnight I was bracing the cold and heading back to my car with a feeling exhaustion mixed with euphoria from the show. Gregory Isaacs is a seminal figure in the business and it was a blessing to take in his performance last night.