Morgan Heritage – Live in San Francisco (2b1)
Reviewed by Sadie O., 11/30/06
Roots rock reggae, live in SF, group of siblings. Nice combination of voices – one lead singer sounds like Peter Tosh, the other a strong tenor, and some backing harmonies. Group is much more appreciated in Jamaica and Europe than here – very much righteous Rasta vibe. There’s lots of chatting to audience, but not a lot of annoying applause.
No FCCs. I like 4 best – most of the later songs have a LOT of talking.
1. ***minimalist downtempo dancehall riddim with electronics and a hint of nyahbinghi, upful lyrics, multiple vocalists.
2. *Intro of band, slow nyahbinghi beat. Sweet singing, praise Jah lyrics.
3. ***Dramatic intro, midtempo roots skank, great combination of voices.
4. ****Slightly downtempo roots skank, revolution lyrics, cool.
5. ***slightly downtempo roots skank, lots of harmonies, righteousness lyrics. Changes tempo for last minute.
6. **Long Rasta blessing (almost a minute), then bouncy midtempo skank
7. ***somewhat uptempo bubble, children’s counting song with rasta message. Sweet, and cool riddim.
8. **midtempo bubble, Satta Massagana riddim, upful lyrics.
9. **midtempo bubble with electric guitar, lots of harmonies. Los of chantings about “what is this going on” in various locations. Talking at end.
10. *Talking to audience at start, somewhat uptempo skank starts almost a minute in. Song takes a long time to get rolling, lots of audience call and response in last half.
11. Talking to audience, noodling, praises for SF. No actual song.
12. **downtempo skank, liberation lyrics, shout outs to lots of Reggae artists. Some Rasta rap. Introduction of younger sibling band.
13. *Spoken intro, bit of song, mostly sermonizing about what it is to be dread. Midtempo skank after more than 2 minutes – nice once it gets started. Mostly instrumental for last 2 minutes.
14. *call out to audience at start, sweet midtempo rock steady skank. Lots of shout outs to various Reggae artists.