11^th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival

Michael Franti
By Diane ‘Livonn’ Adam © 2004

"Sierra Nevada World Music Festival is dedicated to nurturing a world family, peacefully united in celebration of the universal spirit of music. The Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year. A time representing fullness, ripeness and goals brought to fruition." –Epiphany Artists

The summer music festivals in Northern California kicked off royally with the 11^th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival held in Angels Camp, California on June 18, 19, 20, 2004. Once again Epiphany Artists gathered an impressive artist lineup that successfully presented a world-class showcase of the best in Reggae and World music. Headline performances came from Femi Kuti, Burning Spear, Ras Michael & Sons of Negus, Alton Ellis, Winston Jarrett, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Israel Vibration, Don Carlos, Brigadier Jerry and the Fully Fullwood Band. Beres Hammond’s For The Love of It Tour took center stage at this year’s show and highlighted performances by Maxi Priest and Marcia Griffiths along with new talent from the Harmony House family, including Iley Dread (Colin Levy), Red Foxx, Ginjah, Harmony House Singers and the Harmony House Band. Performing for the first time in the U.S. at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival was Germany’s answer to Sizzla, the young Gentleman. Also performing at this year’s show was Carlton Livingston, Clinton Fearon, Midnite, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Pepper, Hamsa Lila, O-maya, Fermin Muguruza, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Rocker-T and Poetz 4 Peace. Dancehall massives rocked to the sounds of Stone Love and the Bay Area’s own Jah Warrior Shelter Hi Fi with Sabbattical Ahdah.

Other performances on opening included Dubwize and Elijah Emanuel and the Revelations. The late night crowd could dance until daylight with Downbeat the Ruler and his special guest who heated up the turntables for the dancehall crowd.

Some Highlights from the Valley and Village Stage

Saturday, June 19 opening show began with a beautiful performance by the Fully Fullwood Band’s Tribute to Peter Tosh. Lacking the powerful voice of the son of the legend, Andrew Tosh (who sadly and for unknown reasons showed his wrath by later appearing on stage during Burning Spear’s performance to kick around some monitors and be roughly removed by security) soul singer Donovan Carless, previously from Soul Syndicate took the lead vocal position to perform a lackluster performance of Peter Tosh songs. It was when Carless moved to his own repertoire of soul standards that the show showed signs of life as he sang "Sweet Confusion", "Garden Party", "Be Thankful" and Bob Marley’s "Get Up Stand Up." Though the band could never be faulted for providing that sweet Reggae music it was nonetheless odd to have a tribute that contained more songs from other artists than from the man being honored.

Brigadier Jerry was an especially bright addition to the Saturday lineup and also appeared alongside Carlton Livingston who replaced the absent Mighty Diamonds who were originally scheduled to perform. Veteran singer, Carlton Livingston did a splendid job of giving the audience a sampling of his hits from the 70’s including "Confusion" (all over the world), "Mr. DJ", "Marie", "Rumors" and "100 Lb Collie Weed" with Briggy adding his fresh dancehall chat. Also appearing on stage was Bay Area band members Wadi Gad on drums and Ralston Grant (Twinkle Brothers) on guitar.

Don Carlos got a rallying cry from the audience when he appeared on stage to open his show with "Don’t Waste Time". It seems a standard that his fans cry out for their favorite songs and lovingly push the Rastaman to change his program to please. Carlos never stumbles or grumbles but gives the audience what they cry for. This time it was a dub style version of "Hot and Cold". When he performed "Young Little Girl" the crowd happily sang along and after the song Carlos gave them an a cappella croon of appreciation saying: "We love you my people, but Jah loves you more. I thank you, I thank you for everything, for supporting me all through the years. You’re my people, I love you, this Rasta love for you. It is more than words can say, I love you, I love you all. From the bottom of my heart, Jah know that is more than words can explain." He then moved into a dub wise version of "Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner" and "Roots Man Party". Don Carlos was a highlight to this year’s show.

A surprising and entertaining performance came from German performer, Gentleman who gave a conscious performance of dancehall songs from his well-received debut album, Trodin’ On and Journey To Jah. This was the first time that Gentleman has performed in the United States and from the audience’s response at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival, it will not be the last.

Beres Hammond For The Love Of It Tour

It was a special Fathers Day for all in attendance when the Beres Hammond For The Love Of It artists lit up the stage on Sunday, July 20 with the Harmony House Band blazing the trail for the artists to come. Opening the show was a soulful performance by Ginjah who sang his song "Responsibilities" and a wicked rendition of "I Need A Roof" (over my head) popularized by the Mighty Diamonds. Everyone in the tour got a turn to shine including backup vocalists the Harmony House Singers. Maylissa performed "Tears On My Pillow", Wisdom sang "Tiger Claw" and a gospel session ensued when Nikki delivered a song written by Beres Hammond, "You Gave Me Love" and also performed "One Life To Live."

Next on stage from the King of Kings Label, was Iley Dread (aka Colin Levy) who opened his show with the Rastafarian song, "Picture On The Wall" (In my house, there’s a picture on the wall Rastafari sit up on his throne) and from his album Unite The People, he performed the song "Praise Him.

Marcia Griffiths graced the stage to perform "Dreamland", "I Shall Sing", "I Wanna Be Closer" and her windup stylee on "Keep The Fire Burning". Marcia’s son Ike joined her on stage to lend his soft and sweet harmony with mother on the song "All My Life". Marcia changed the mood on the cool and deadly rub a dub style of the Dawn Penn song, "No, No, No". Marcia talked to the dancing crowd saying, "Brother Bob Marley said, ‘one good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain’ so we are planning to prove it with Reggae music! Sierra Nevada everytime we come together through the positive vibe of Reggae music, we can only give thanks to the Almighty God that we are privileged to share some wonderful brothers that God has given to us to communicate through the medium of Reggae Music. We’re talking about people like brother Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Luciano, Freddie McGreggor and that’s just to name a few. But how can we forget the brother that took the music to the four corners of the earth spreading the gospel of Reggae music. We speak of none other than Brother Bob Marley. I can say to you truthfully, I am so thankful that I was a part of that experience. So, with your permission Sierra Nevada, help me bring the spirit of Bob Marley." She then moved into the Bob Marley and The Wailers song "Three Little Birds" and conducted a beautiful sing-a-long with the audience. Marcia continued her tribute to The King Of Reggae Music with his songs, "Lion In Zion", "Songs Of Freedom" and "Redemption Song". In a strictly dancehall style, Marcia Griffiths performed the original Studio One hit "My Love For You" (will never die). She closed her show to a thunderous round of cheers and applause with "Steppin Outta Babylon". Marcia Griffiths gave a splendid performance and was an especially loved performer at this year's festival.

A joyous Maxi Priest appeared on stage and showered the crowd with his loving vibration as he performed "Man With The Fun" from the album of the same name. He also got raves from the crowd when he performed "Just A Little Bit Longer" and the Cat Stevens song "Wild World". DJ Red Foxx joined Maxi on stage and the adrenaline rushed as he added his dancehall style to the mix and powered Maxi’s performance to higher highs. Maxi slowed it down to perform songs from his album Bonafide including "Close To You". On the song "Body Don’t Lie To You" Red Foxx shocked out with his windup his waist display and "roughrider" style. The ladies got so heated up during the performance that they started throwing their brassieres on stage. Maxi Priest continued his show with a tribute to the recently departed Ray Charles and changed the mood by admonishing the Bush administration for the constant B.S. they keep up and offered a "Prayer For The World".

The Harmony House Band geared up for the next performer with a short selection of songs known by every Reggae music lover. Then, the man himself, Beres Hammond’s heavenly voice drifted in the air above and lightly fell on the hearts and ears of everyone in range to bring ear splitting cheers and applause from the crowd who pushed closer to the front of the Valley Stage. Beres opened his show with a medley of his most cherished songs including the 1985 dancehall standard "One Dance" then "She Loves Me Now" and the lover’s rock songs "Can't Stop A Man" and "Falling In Love" (all over again) as he bigged up Buju Banton with a rough and edgy imitation of the artist. If you want to experience Beres in all his glory, make sure you make it an outdoor event where this artist excels. Beres' show was a jammed packed gift of songs performed in his usual rare style including "Come Back Home", "Tempted To Touch" and "Putting Up Resistance" which Beres and the Harmony House Band added a Latin touch and a Salsa mood. He cooled up the vibes on his splendid performance of "Pull It Up" and by this time everyone in the area was dancing and the elation on their faces proved that his family and friends truly love Beres Hammond. He never let go of the Reggae vibe as he laughed and smiled at the enthusiasm from the crowd and moved into more of his treasury with "Sweetness", "Queen and Lady", "I Wish You Would Stay Longer", "They Gonna Talk" and "Rockaway". Like me, my colleagues in the photo pit and the crowd, I wished this show would never end. But all good things must come to an end. This one went out without "no shot nah bust and no one nah fuss" as Beres closed his show with "Good To Know" as he sang to the crowd, "Ain’t it good to know that some old time enemies just cease fire and let the beauty start to flow." Extreme pleas, though in vain, came from the crowd in hopes of calling Beres Hammond back on stage. No words can describe this show, you had to be there to experience the awesome Beres Hammond touch.

Winston Jarrett (originally from Alton & The Flames) made a rare performance on the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival’s Village Stage on Sunday, June 20. Jarrett gave a pure Jamaican hard core Reggae show performing songs "Breaking Up", "Suffer", "Come Down" and the 1968 song Jarrett dedicated to the ladies, "Born To Be Loved By You". It was truly a rare privilege to be among the audience to experience a legendary performer live, up close and personal. Winston Jarrett educated the crowd with every song, providing a historical link to the songs he sang like "Come Mr Collie" from his album, Solution Time. He also performed his songs "So Much Love" and in memory of the life and times in Kingston 12, Trenchtown, he rocked the crowd with strictly original songs, no do overs like the wicked "Born and Raised In The Ghetto".

Alton Ellis appeared on the Village Stage next and though he suffered from a raspy voice due to over rehearsing, the love coming from his devoted fans must have given him the extra stamina to continue unfettered by his strained vocal cords. Alton was backed by the great Fully Fullwood Band and opened his show with the song, "Cry Tough". He moved into a brilliant repertoire of Rock Steady classics from the 60’s like "Get Ready, Rock Steady", "Free" (as the birds in the tree), "Really, Really" and "Fall All Over Again". Never giving up, Alton found his voice on "I’m Still In Love" (with you girl), "Breaking Up" and his closing selection "Never Gonna Give Jah Up."

Sunday night was ablaze with the powerful Nyabinghi specialist, Ras Michael and The Sons of Negus who include his brother, MC Rocky Allan Bailey. This show was, for me, a powerful highlight of the 11^th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival. Ras Michael says that the meaning of the word Nyabinghi is "Righteous vibrations stretching all the way back to the Motherland." If you were in attendance, you can appreci-love this sentiment as Ras Michael set the Village Stage on fire with the potent Rasta vibrations he invoked on stage as he shouted to the heavens, "Hear the Congo Man say, hear the Nyah Man say, Hear what the Rastaman say" and launched into a spirit ride that set fire to the soul. At times, it was hard to concentrate on photographing the artist as his words and the powerful Nyabinghi drum stirred in my brain and settled in the deepest part of my spirit, pushing me to let go of my present reality and join the rallying cry of the Nyah Man. Ras Michael performed many of his songs like "Truth and Rights" from his album Rastafari. Always providing an educational balance to his music, Ras Michael told the crowd that "this here music is a conscious music, this here music is a loving music, this here music don’t have no color, no class no creed, this here music is everyone’s music." He then jammed on the devotional song, "Jah Givith Life" and preempting his next song, he spoke in Amaric before moving into "All Nations" He also gave his respect to Jamaica on his song "Sweet Jamaica". Ras Michael gave praises to the life giver and provided a spiritually intoxicating Nyahbinghi session on "Conquering Lion Of Judah" (shall break every chain). It was a magnificent performance of long versions of songs that many of us have heard before. But this night afforded Ras Michael the opportunity to showcase his incredible talents of singing and drumming without interruption. His performance at Sierra Nevada World Music Festival was a rare vision realized and a humbling experience to partake as he rocked the night sky with his songs "Ethiopians" and "Right Thing". Ras Michael and The Sons Of Negus closed their show on the song "Thanks and Praises" and as the sound of the Nyahbinghi drum saturated the night and the voice of Ras Michael imparted his wisdom, the atmosphere replied with a whispering breeze that seemed to say, this is truly Roots Rock Reggae. Though the show continued on at the Valley Stage below, for me, this was the epoch of the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival and hearing anything else would have spoiled the Rasta rapture I felt during and after the performance of Ras Michael and The Sons of Negus.

Give Thanks to all the Singers and Players of Instruments, The Staff and Volunteers for making the 11^th Annual Sierra Nevada World Music Festival an event that will remain in the heart and mind for years and years to come.

Blessed Love

Hail to the King, Haile Selassie I – His Imperial Majesty