Live in San Francisco [CD/DVD]

• Artist: Don Carlos
• Rating:
• Release Date: September 24, 2002
• Type: Live
• Genre: Reggae

Review

Recorded live at San Francisco's Maritime Hall for a birthday bash commemorating Bob Marley, Don Carlos is in a festive mood and is determined to spread that irie feeling to the audience. With Carlos offering up a crowd-pleasing set of 13 numbers drawn from his own vast canon as well as the music of other artists, this was a night to remember. Special mention must be made of the Freedom Fighters, who accompanied the singer with obvious delight. The Freedom Fighters know how to mix it, deftly delivering rough-and-tumble rhythms, deep roots, light dancehall styles, bouncy reggae, and rich melody-driven backings across the nearly hourlong set. Intriguingly, the set list itself seems to run backwards, cooling down as the night progresses. Kicking off with the groove-heavy "Cool Johnny Cool," the band soon takes it up a notch into the dancehall delights of "Lazer Beam" before dropping out entirely for an a cappella version of "Young Girl." A burst into a clutch of breezy numbers follows, including an incredibly chirpy version of the Abyssinians' classic "Satta Massa Gana," while the Sensations' gorgeous "Everyday's a Holiday" is delivered up in insistent roots reggae fashion. The Freedom Fighters conjure up all the noise and chaos of urban life in the intro of "Living in the City," one of the set's highlights, fueled by drummer Wadi Gad and bassist Amlak Tafari's thumping rhythm, and seared by guitarist Fazel Prendergast's fiery guitar licks. "Passing Glance" and "Excitement," which close the set, are showcases for trumpeter Gavin Distassi and saxophonist Joshi Marshall, who shine throughout the entire album and send both these effervescent numbers soaring, abetted by pianist David Lodge's incandescent riffs that provide the perfect backdrop for Carlos' sweetest vocals. A stellar band, a fabulous set, and the former Black Uhuru member having a whale of a time ensure that everyone within listening distance will share in the experience. [This edition of the album comes packaged with an additional DVD of bonus material.] ~ Jo-Ann Greene, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Cool Jonny Cool [DVD]		Don Carlos	(5:03)
Ababa Jon I [DVD]		Don Carlos	(4:10)
Lazer Beam [DVD]		Don Carlos	(2:49)
Young Girl [DVD]		Don Carlos	(1:22)
Just Can't Stop [DVD]		Don Carlos	(3:52)
Front Line [DVD]		Don Carlos	(1:11)
Zion Train [DVD]		Don Carlos	(4:12)
Satta Masagana [DVD]		Don Carlos	(5:09)
Holiday [DVD]		Don Carlos	(4:26)
Living in the City [DVD]		Don Carlos	(5:15)
Passing Glance [DVD]		Don Carlos	(7:15)
Excitement [DVD]		Don Carlos	(5:57)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Cool Jonny Cool		Don Carlos	(5:03)
Ababa Jon I		Don Carlos	(4:10)
Lazer Beam		Don Carlos	(2:49)
Young Girl		Don Carlos	(1:22)
Just Can't Stop		Don Carlos	(3:52)
Front Line		Don Carlos	(1:11)
Zion Train		Don Carlos	(4:12)
Satta Masagana		Don Carlos	(5:09)
Holiday		Don Carlos	(4:26)
Living in the City		Don Carlos	(5:15)
Passing Glance		Don Carlos	(7:15)
Excitement		Don Carlos	(5:57)
[Untitled Track]		Don Carlos	(2:32)

Credits

Don Carlos (Liner Notes), Dusty Hughston (Producer), Dusty Hughston (Layout Design), Boots Hughston (Editing), Dusty Hughston (Art Direction), Wadi Gad (Drums), Boots Hughston (Producer), Amlak Tafari (Bass), Boots Hughston (Mixing), Greg Coiner (Graphic Design), Julian Schmidt (Photography), Joshi Marshall (Saxophone)