By Mel Cooke, Freelance Writer
Mile High gives an electrifiyng performance at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival. - Contributed
WESTERN BUREAU:
WHEN THE music from the main stage of the 'Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival' stopped on Friday as Stew wrapped up, there was a thumping over the hill and in the valley.
The Gleaner followed the throbbing beat down the steps, past the humming generator, into the food court, past the booths, ignored the jerked chicken smell, whistled along with the peanut cart and joined a gaggle of persons watching Mile High perform.
The four-person outfit, with Lydia Bennett's blooming vocals coming clear and strong over the bass, guitar and drums the 'maccas' played, was in extremely good nick. In contrast to Stew, Ernie Ranglin, Roy Ayers and Smokey Robinson their music was generally up-tempo and contemporary.
As well as rocking, and loud.
Mile High's obvious enthusiasm for their craft, as they played under the Tent City set-up, seeped into the audience, as more persons gathered to see them. There were several cups and plates in evidence, as many onlookers chewed and rocked.
"You ever see anybody yet and they don't see you? This one is about that," Ms. Bennett said, the band moving into You Are Everywhere.
Applause and sporadic calls of hooray met the ending of the song.
"Now this is something that my band calls me every day," Ms. Bennett said, smiling, as Mile High moved easily into their next number and she sang:
I'm a b....
I'm a lover
I'm a mother
I'm a sinner
So take me as I am
This again went down well with the audience, but the following song, Crimson and Clover, was a smash from the start. As the band put some grit into the familiar chords yells rose from the audience, over which the lead singer's vocals rose. There was big applause for Mile High at the end of Crimson and Clover and thumping from the other side of the hill.
Ernie Ranglin was on and Mile High took a rest.
When the guitarist finished, Mile High picked up as smoothly as a Camperdown High 4x100m final leg baton change and when The Gleaner had made the trek back they were well into Turn Off The Light. Either more hungry people had visited the booths and been drawn to the music or word had spread, as there was a larger audience on hand in front of Tent City.
Another major difference between the main stage performers and Mile High was Ms. Bennett's dancing, enjoyable and natural, and... shall we say, it showed femininity. One man walked to the stage, stood less than six feet front of the lead singer, pointed at her as she performed and walked away.
This is how you remind me of who I really am, she sang, using her hands expressively.
"Are you having fun yet," she asked twice, getting a stronger response the second time around.
Bassist Jason Morris asked a question about the distance that the people watching were from the band. "Is there an imaginary wall?" he asked, indicating the space between the band and the audience. You can come closer," he said and nobody moved. "Oh, that is where the food and drink stop," he quipped and there was laughter.
On the following number, though, a few people (read females) did move closer to the stage. Whether it was the music, the invitation or deejay Royale's appearance which did the trick is anybody's guess, but Mile High kept them close with their own track For You. With Bennett singing and Royale deejaying, the band rocked the house.
For You ended on a great drum roll which seemed to impress Royale. "Damn! This band is versatile," he remarked.
"This is a rock band that plays anything you want. So ah jus' want yu dancehall a vibe for me," Royale said, going into a song which included the line dis gal have a wine that is advertisable.
At this point Bennett, who was not involved in the song, became a semi-private dancer, dropping moves to the rear of the stage without intruding on Royale's performance.
As Royale set the scene for another piece he said: 'I was dating this girl and she called me early in the morning...'
The remembered conversation was interrupted by a thumping from the other side of the hill, as Roy Ayers got going on the main stage.
"To be continued," Royale said, to hoots of laughter and good applause.
