Burning Spear ADD

Concert Report: Burning Spear in Hamburg, Germany @ Fabrik - August 10, 2023

08/14/2023 by Gardy Stein

2023 has seen a gratifying amount of live shows of this living legend so far: Winston Rodney aka Burning Spear! After performing at Reggae Jam, Reggae Geel and Munich, he made a stop in Hamburg last Thursday, and here is a short recap of that memorable night.

From 7pm, people start to assemble in front of the Fabrik, enjoying the rare sunlight and chatting with friends. Although not sold out, there are a solid 1,100 visitors eager to see the veteran, and, like the singer himself, the majority of them is 40 or even 50+ - no wonder, given that the artist has been around and active since 1969! Back then, he recorded his first ever track Door Peep at Studio One, and it is with this song that he starts his show at 9pm after being announced by MC Zazan Zazan. 

Backed by the fantastic Burning Band (David Reichley on bass, Cecil Ordonez on lead guitar, Justin Martin on rhythm guitar, Jeremy Clemmons on drums, Vincent Hamilton on keys, Micah Robinson on trombone, Sam King on sax and James Smith on trumpet), the Spear calmly welcomes the audience, continuing the musical pace with We've Been There, The Youth and Man In The Hills. Already during the second track, he positions himself behind the bright red congas, accompanying his band and lifting the spirits of the people, who follow his every move attentively. They cheer a lot, clapping along with guitarist Cecil whenever he steps up front (he really enhances the show with his expressive gestures), and generally the vibe is more lively, more appreciative than at the Berlin concert last year.

"Talk to me, people, talk to me! Say something!" the Spear repeatedly says, and several times during his show he just stands there, looking into the crowd with a quiet smile on his face, looking left and right and at the upper ranks to take it all in. Then there are stretches of energetic movement, too, when he skips and dances across the stage - this man is incredibly fit, at 78 years of age! The people's forwards shower in during the well-known Jah Nuh Dead, Driver and Marcus Garvey, but despite the imminent release of his new, eagerly awaited album No Destroyer, the singer doesn't present any of the new songs. Keeping that suspense high!

Heartfelt appreciation is shown for the extensive dub interludes during which the brass section creates golden musical bubbles in which we can get lost. Next to Burning Spear's unique voice, this relaxed delivery, the whole band's ability to focus on the here and now, letting a song grow without rushing to the next track, is certainly one of the reasons that make their shows so special.

After an hour or so, the singer steps off stage, and immediately the crowd starts chanting "Burning Spear! Burning Spear!" to bring him back. He comes out again for an extensive encore that lasts almost half an hour, delivering Tumble Down, Red Green And Gold, Days Of Slavery and African Postman. During the latter, he connects with his fans again by a call-and-answer of "Woyooooo...", and everyone joins in, loudly. With the words "One love and peace!" he then waves his farewell, and the long applause expresses the awe and gratitude I'm feeling. Many of the visitors meet outside after the show, talking about how much they enjoyed this evening. Thank you, Burning Spear and the Burning Band, for spending the night with us and bringing your musical mission to town!