Post Description

GrindsMan presents:

Skatalites - Live at Lokerse Feesten.(2008)-GrINdsmaN

type. music
formaat. DVD5 NTSC
bron. DVD
taal. engels
ondertitels.    
duur. 179 min 
beeldformaat. 4:3 

________
Enjoy it!
--------
* Interessant, eigenaardig, goed, slecht of idioot..dat post ik.
* Negeer mijn posts als ze je storen. 
* Reacties worden gewaardeerd.
* Vragen? > Zie Google!

Chair fall dung, bench get up. [X]Grindsman]

Info:

Skatalites are the epitome of roots music. The group is the genesis of an entire
genre, not to mention the influence the band has had on ska, reggae and almost
every other kind of popular music for more than 60 years now. The Lokerse
Feesten is a mammoth ten day Belgium music festival. The Skatalites played the
festival twice, and Skatalites: Live at Lokerse Feesten 1997 & 2002 does an
outstanding job of documenting both of these unparalleled performances.

Hailed as the originators of ska, Tommy McCook, Rolando Alphonso, Johnny Moore,
Lester Sterling, Don Drummond, Lloyd Knibb, Lloyd Brevett, Jerry Haynes, and
Jackie Mittoo began working together in Kingston, Jamaica in 1963 and they
formed the Ska-talites 1964. They recorded with all of the top producers,
including Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd, Arthur 'Duke' Reid and Cecil 'Prince
Buster' Campbell. The Skatalites helped to launch the careers of such legends as
Delroy Wilson, Desmond Dekker, The Wailers and Lee "Scratch" Perry. On the
strength of, among many things, trombonist Drummond'scompositions, the
Skatalites chart in the UK, begin touring and start to become known worldwide.
In August, 1965 The Skatalites play their last show. Original members reunite a
few times over the years, and are nominated for Grammys in both 1996 and 1997.

It's during the 1997 world tour that the first of the two concerts presented on
Skatalites: Live at Lokerse Feesten was filmed. It features many original
members, including Tommy McCook and Rolando Alphonso who both passed away in
1998. An excellent selection of hits and energetic performances are just two of
the reasons this show is so great. Right from the opening salvo of "Freedom
Sound", it's apparent that this not only going to be an amazing performance, but
also an above average production. The video is crisp and clear, despite the
simple stage and lighting, and the sound, available ineither 5.1 or stereo, is
absolutely flawless!

Intimate, but unobtrusive, close ups of individual players and instruments
abound in both shows, however each close up unfortunately isn't always on
whoever happens to be highlighted at that moment musically. Piano parts are
often accompanied by lingering shots of the bass, guitar solos are, as often as
not, represented by pans over the brass players. They are obvious, if minor,
visual time lags. It's not too distracting, though, because the audio is what
carries the attention and the camera usually does manage to catch up to the
right musician before his spotlight shifts.

One of the subtle but much appreciated details about both of these shows,
especially the 1997 set, is the unwavering focus on the stage. There aren't
random, unnecessary cuts to the audience. The cheers and the band members'
acknowledgments between songs make it clear that the crowd is large and
enthusiastically into the show, but the focus is wisely, tightly and exclusively
maintained on the Skatalites. It adds to the intimacy and to the feeling of
actually being in the audience.

I know that when I'm at a performance, I'm locked on the performance. I'm not
constantly looking around to see what everyone else is doing because it's not
what is of importance, and the filmmakers here seem to feel the same. The main
exception is "Guns of Navarone" where a few shots of skanking in the first rows
are interspersed with the trumpet and sax solos. It's a nice complement to the
high energy of what is surely the Skatalites signature song.

The biggest bonus of the first concert is the inclusion of several tunes
featuring original female vocalist Doreen Shaffer, dubbed "The Queen of Ska".
She is beyond brilliant in mid-set singing "Can't See Your Love", perennial
favorite "You're Wondering Now" and "Simmer Down". She returns later in the set
for another highlight with "The Vow".

The 2002 concert is marked by the addition of Cedric 'Im Brooks to the group,
taking over McCook and Alphonso 's roles. Also, by 2002, trumpet player Johnny
'Dizzy' Moore had joined the band, and it's interesting to notice this and
compare performances of the same songs between the 1997 and 2002 concerts.  One
of the other things to interesting things to watchùin both concerts, but
particularly the secondùis what a fabulous player and consummate performer the
Skatalites have in Lester Sterling on sax and trumpet. They don't call him Mr.
Versatile for nothing!

Though it's obviously presented in different order, the setlist for the second
show consists of largely the same numbers as the first, but the arrangements are
so intricate, the musicians so involved and the energy so incredible, you'll be
able to find something new no matter how many times you listen.  Doreen Shaffer
graces the stage again to lay some rock steady on us with "Sugar Sugar", and
Marley's "Nice Time", neither of which appear in the other concert, before going
into another version of "Simmer Down" with "Turn Your Lamp Down Low". There's
more crowd interaction shown for this show, and it's no secret the audience, and
the rest of the band, loves Shaffer. The crowd also goes wild for Johnny Moore's
"Rockfort Rock (EL Cumbanchero)", another track not featured elsewhere on the
DVD.

Both of the concerts close with "Freedom Sound û Reprise" and its introductory
countdown (to "àbring you back down to the earth and put you back in
yourselfà"). When it begins in the 2002 performance, there's a moment of
disappointment, not because it isn't fantasticùit isùbut because it means the
show is over. However, the DVD isn't.

The "Specials" section has even more Skatalites, just in case you can't get
enough.  First, there is a 17-minute documentary feature entitled, On Tour with
the Skatalites, which follows the group on its 2002 worldwide trek. Interviews
with various members, old and newer, are intercut with backstage and rehearsal
footage, and it's a treat to hear the opinions on the style and the history of
the Skatalites straight from the source. Next up is a "History", which is an
indepth timeline with year-by-year explanations of the group's musical
milestones. There's also an extensive "Discography" listing albums, boxed sets
and compilations, and a "Slideshow" of stills from the 2002 tour.

Skatalites: Live at Lokerse Feesten is a must have for any Skatalites fan, for
any ska or reggae fan, or indeed for any music fan. Not only does it feature
some of the most talented musicians in the world playing some of the most
irresistible songs, it's a lesson in musical history, it's an example of stellar
showmanship, and it's a perfect presentation of one of the most influential and
enduring forces in music.