by Micah 'Prof.' Robinson
Unpredictable weather greets us as we arrive at the venue for tonight's show. There's a little something strange in terms of energy. Maybe, it's just people being tired, or just a little too relaxed. This work requires a certain amount of intensity and that intensity needs to be sustained for several months. It's largely a mental thing, similar to what professional athletes go through. There will be weeks of consecutive shows and each is the one and only chance the people here will get to see the Burning Spear show in their town. Sometimes an opening band can motivate the competitive instinct in a musician to show the world that that trombone player can't hold a candle to what I can do. There are others who don't see this as a competitive endeavor, and they're right when you look at the big picture, but if it motivates a musician to give his or her best on a given night, that's what's required and there's no shame in being competitively motivated. Anyway the ultimate result is that there's much work to be done in order to present the proper standard of performance night after night. That's the definition of professionalism. Do the necessary homework and practice as if it were show time and things ought to come in to place properly.
Sometimes, no matter how many or how few times you may have played a certain venue, there are familiar faces who remember shows from several years ago or people who have waited several years to have the experience of seeing Burning Spear in concert. The people at Rockhouse are long time Spear fans and they come with high expectations. It's a big responsibility and we're motivated to live up to those expectations.
Today the band is working some new material to be incorporated in future shows... some great tunes from the new album Freeman, on the Burning Spear label. You need to go out and get a copy. The work is filled with subtle challenges that can bring out the best in each of us.
We have a home cooked meal, Austria-style. The attention given to us is gracious and the food prepared with love and care. This also provided a break for Tedo and Dave from the duties of cooks as well as their primary jobs. Although I must admit, that we have gotten spoiled by being able to eat good Jamaican style meals in places so far from home.
(The show started sluggishly, but after some prodding from the boss, the band kicked into high gear and gave the collected audience their money's worth.)
