The Wailers Jan 2017

Been hearing for years about the wailers getting back together with the original members of "The Wailers" from some of my hard core Reggae Friends. My friends said the wailers are very good though if they ever reunite it would be something special. It finally happened. They went on a 5 day tour through CO. From Co Springs, Denver, Creste Butte, Boulder and Greely CO. At least the first 4 shows sold out on tour. Did not hear if the Moxi in Greeley sold out or not. Attended the Fox Theater show in Boulder CO.

Members of original wailers on this show were Junior Marvin, Donald Kinsey, Tyrone Downie, Earl Lindo. There were 4 guitars on stage with only one keyboard player very different then normal wailers format. Backup singer is Shema McGregor who is daughter of Judy Mowatt (I-Three backup singer) and Freddie McGregor. Junior and Donald are both lead guitar players and have the original Bob Marley and the wailers sound. Ashton Barrett Jr is the drummer and Josh Barrett takes the lead vocals. So lots of distortion on guitar and many guitar solos. Tyrone has the BM keys down...

That is the good news. Bad news is Ashton Barrett had a cane in one hand and had to be assisted by someone holding his arm to get to his chair on stage. When he sat down he had to balance on the chair for support. So he did not look good at all. Actually did not come back on stage after he encore of 5 songs and think it was Earl on a different bass. Like this was set up before the show started. Not sure how much longer he will tour if he continues to look like this.

This whole show was Special Night due to the line up. Arrived early and was first inline and took Dead center on the rail. Show was sold out. Local group Selasee opened and played a strong show. Selasee and many members of his band are from Ghana Africa and play reggae Reggae/African Music. So this was a African then Jamaican show that even made it more special and I know Selasee and many in his band personally. The whole night was special, though  "Get Up Stand Up - War - No More" Trouble segue took it to some different level.  This song was firing on all cylinders. The band has this pulse going and the singers are all locked into it and then the crowd is feeding the energy back to the band. Not sure I am witnessed this type of feeling from a Reggae show before. Usually Reggae has short songs and not that many leads and no jamming. This song felt to me like Reggae Jam music not just Reggae Music.

This was a very special night and performance and why we all go and see bands over and over again.

Selasee and the FaFa band video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UWZDHZ-mXM

Wailers: Get Up Stand Up - War - No More" Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHz7XL3NJNY

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Did anyone else see them recently with this line up?

What was your experience?