30 November 2015 (gig)
02 December 2015
Legendary reggae band The Wailers arrived in Bournemouth at the end of their 12 date UK Tour performing iconic album Legend in its entirety.
Formed in the 1960’s with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Aston and Carly Barrett, The Wailers have sold in excess of 250 million albums worldwide. Unarguably the greatest living exponents of Jamaica’s reggae tradition, The Wailers have performed to an estimated 24 million people and from last night’s performance it’s clear to see they aren’t done yet.
The Wailers recently toured the US and kicked the year off celebrating the anniversary of Bob Marley’s 70th birthday. Repeatedly selling out venues, 34 years after the reggae superstar’s death The Wailers music clearly still has the power to move an audience.
Only one original band member, 68 year old Aston “Family Man” Barrett remains, supposedly so called because he has fathered 41 children. Stood to the side at the back of the stage, dread locks gently swaying, rasta headwear and bass guitar in hand you could be forgiven for thinking Family Man was on stage purely for continuity, as a nod to Wailers of old. But on closer inspection Barrett is clearly the driving force within the band. Responsible for the songs arrangements on the original material and largely credited with the musical direction of the original Wailers this current reformation is clearly his baby. His relationship on stage with Drummer and son Aston Barret Junior holding the band together and driving the Wailers synonymous reggae rock sound.
Marley’s sizable shoes are filled by Jamaican Dwayne ‘Danglin’ Anglin. Trademark dread locks and a ratafarian skank he has the look of Bob Marley. After a couple of beers, if you close your eyes he even sounds like Marley. To Anglins credit he makes it is own, a huge task when you consider how well known the songs are, whilst staying true to the original sound and avoiding any lapses into tribute band territory. It’s a fine line but one he manages to avoid.
A gig of bona-fide uplifting charisma The Wailers engaged with an audience made up of all ages and backgrounds in way beyond that of traditional gigs. There were rousing singalongs to ‘No Woman, No Cry’ and ‘I shot the Sheriff’ but there was also a strong political message, Anglin paying homage to victimised Syrians, Africans, Parisians and even people here in the UK. His proclamation that “You are the solution to this Confusion” adding resonance to the modern day relevance of ‘Exodus’, ‘One Love’ and ‘Get up Stand Up’
The encore starts with Anglin, an acoustic guitar and a beautiful rendition of ‘Redemption Song’ before the rest of The Wailers join him on stage for an extended and poignant version of ‘Exodus’ which ends their UK tour with trademark soul, verve and style.
