Originally Posted by captaind & Linston
Linston was a bit concerned but your humorous approach eased his concern.
Cap
Linston was a bit concerned but your humorous approach eased his concern.
Cap
linston@redplate-negril.com
While looking around, I saw Rob and Lisa coming into the eating area and after greeting each other they sat down with us at the table. I have known them for several years but I never had the opportunity to chat with Lisa for any length of time. Sometimes I find it a fault of mine that I talk with a couple I tend to focus one-on-one with one person and often exclude the other in my conversations. I kind of feel I did that with them talking almost always exclusively with Rob and not including Lisa. After an hour or so chatting with Lisa I began to realize that I enjoyed my time so much that I regret not doing so earlier. She is such a smart, witty and engaging person. Big Up Lisa.
Then, of course, up walked CaptD. I had never met him in person but we have chatted several times by phone and emailed each other a few times. I could best describe him as Hemmingway-ish without the beard. He obviously loves to have a good time and I think he did that night. I am sure he and I will be spending more time together in the future. He told me Linston was working and would arrive later and about that time Linston appeared.
To me, the whole atmosphere was both electric and a little surreal. Surrounded by so many good friends at a beautiful spot like 3-Dives and added to that good music. About when I thought it couldn’t get better, it did. A mini bus pulled in and nearly 30 of my friends and neighbors from Accompong Town joined the festivities. Now I really felt at home.
This group was the Maroon Cultural Group along with a few helpers and Garfield Rowe the Principal at the Accompong Basic School. The group consists mainly of students and recent graduates of the basic school as dancers and drummers. They came as guests of Mystic Bowie and although they were not hired to perform, they told Mystic that they wanted to perform anyways.
Sound check over; it was time for the show to begin. One after another, marquee stars like Mark Irie and others along with some of Mystic’s friends took the stage to perform but I came to see and hear Mystic Bowie so when it was time for him to take the stage, I was delighted.
I play Mystic Bowie’s albums like “Neva Kiss and Tell” all the time on my home stereo so what really amazed me was his vast repertoire of tunes made popular by artists such as Freddie McGreggor, Barrington Levy and Dennis Brown just to name a few. Hit after hit from other artists interspersed with some of his hits like “Itty Bitty House” and “Mama” all more than adequately backed by the 3-Dives Band.
The show had to finish by midnight in respect for the hotels in the area so they took a brief break before the final set. Mystic Bowie stayed at the microphone to address the crowd. He told the assembled that he was a Maroon by heritage and gave a brief history lesson on just who the Maroons were and what they did to gain a Peace Treaty with the English in 1739. He declared his pride on being a Maroon and then went on to introduce the Maroon Cultural Group.
He told the crowd that they wanted to play for them and that any donation to give the performers would be deeply appreciated. Some hats were passed around and some money was collected for the group as they put on a long drumming, singing and dancing exhibition. I was very proud of my friends and neighbors at that moment.
A full night of wonderful music was over as the clock struck midnight. We had our fish from Penny’s refrigerator and hit the road for Accompong Town. It was nearly 3:30am when I finally hit the pillow but I couldn’t go right to sleep as I was still smiling from my wonderful day and night in Negril.
Peace and Guidance
Free Opinions Offered. No tipping required. Hours: Open when I feel like it.
Posting Permissions
