Jazz Jamaica

There was a lot of reggae in this year's festival, which is no bad thing if you love it. Which I do. Jimmy Cliff may have been mopping up the plaudits for his deservedly praised greatest hits set, the Skatalites may have been cranking out the good stuff to much applause elsewhere, but this promised a slightly different version. With the words 'Jazz' & 'Jamaica' standing next to each other in such close proximity you would have been forgiven for expecting a slightly odder take on the reggae theme. What we actually received was a stonking Ska & Bluebeat style set that had almost everyone up on their feet & skanking away like dancehall veterans, with the only headnod towards 'Jazz' being a few extended, very good, brass section solos.

I say 'almost' everyone because some people were still chilling out a bit, swilling down the pear cider, queuing at the Brothers Bar etc.

Then a guest singer came on (to my shame I can't remember her name). They started a version of Little Eva's 'My Boy Lollypop'.

NOW they had the whole field dancing, singing & grinning like loons.

It made the sunshine just a little bit brighter for a few minutes as it reflected off the crowds teeth, & the only shame about the gig is that more people weren't there to see it.

review by "mighty upsetter"

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