It was a muggy Magic
City night when the
Original Wailers brought their roots rock reggae to downtown. Wrapping up a series of South Florida shows
inside the open-air Finnegan’s on the [Miami]
River, the casual waterfront locale was filled with an eclectic mix of fans in
high spirits, eagerly waiting to greet the musical legends. The Original Wailers production was the debut
for Island Lounge, the Caribbean arm of the Miami-based event and promotion
company specializing in rock and urban Latin music.
Guitarists Junior Marvin and Al Anderson, from the late-70s
version of Bob Marley & The Wailers, joined forces and took to the road to
promote this latest adaptation of the Wailers configuration. Sadly, many who came to witness the genius of
Aston “Familyman” Barrett were disappointed to learn that the renowned bassist
and former bandleader was part of another ensemble called The Wailers Band.
Al Anderson gave a wicked solo!
The Original Wailers kicked off their 90-minute set with a
string of Bob Marley favorites, including “Stir it Up,” “I Shot the Sheriff,”
“Get Up, Stand Up,” “Could You Be Loved,” and the ever inspiring “Exodus.” Although the young crowd was up singing and
dancing, many in attendance were not even born when the era of Bob Marley &
the Wailers took the musical world by storm.
Rounding out the Original Wailers were Rohan Reid on bass,
Papa Nyarkoh on drums, with George Kouakou and Christian Cowlin on keyboards. The power background vocals of Erica Newell,
reminiscent of I Three member Marcia Griffiths, was joined by songstress
Rochelle Bradshaw.
The Wailers circa 1980
A surprising deflection to what could have been a
predictable show occurred when Junior Marvin’s three sons – Richard, Rory, and
David – came bounding on stage to add a fresh hip-hop flavor to the reggae
mix. Their youthful uncle, William
Whitty, joined them for their performance.
The young crowd responded favorably to the young quartet, who also
later returned to join the Original Wailers for a rousing encore.
The Original Wailers are touring throughout the remainder of
the year, and a new CD will be released this summer. It is reported that Wya Lindo, Seeco
Patterson, and Tyrone Downing, all former Wailers, will be joining the Original
Wailers line-up along the way.
(l-r) Richard, Rory, Uncle William, & David Marvin
News and Reviews 
