Jimmy Cliff ADD

Review & Photos: Jimmy Cliff in Santa Monica, CA 9/12/2013

09/15/2013 by MaryJane Irie Femind

➜ PHOTO GALLERY HERE

Santa Monica California’s 29th Annual Summer Twilight Concert at the pier had a fantastic line up of talented artist but lets just say they saved the best for last. Putting on stage Jimmy Cliff, a remarkable iconic reggae figure to end the series was right on point. Jimmy Cliff has been producing albums for over 45 years. He is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and 2013 Grammy winner for Best Reggae Album of the year. Life inspires him and it truly is heard through his music. With universal lyrics’ that stand for a cause. From the Vietnam era till now, he has been writing music to bring awareness and strength to our world.


Now that the sun had set more people began to gather and when I say more, I mean thousands. Jimmy Cliff's crowd could have filled a stadium. The moment is here and the speakers begin to rumble with the sound of Bongo drums traveling through the summer ocean breeze, vibrating through everyone with peace and love. Jimmy’s first words brought attention to everyone “Mount Zion I” he declares and begins singing a biblical chant that pertains to the most highs place of the righteous. Jimmy Cliff walks on stage and everyone begins to cheer and now a bond that he created fills the air as he sings and drums The Bongo Man nyabinghi Song. It was a great way to start the show and even better to see his presence stand out, glowing in his yellow snakeskin outfit that the lights reflected on and creating an ambiance of adoration.


Jimmy Cliff is ready to show his fans his true spirit even more as he grabs his guitar and prepares for his next song. Hard Road to Travel he begins to sing with an echo of fans singing along as well. A choice of song that actually was one of his first hits on his first recorded album Hard Road to Travel in 1968. Each song he performed had a story. Hearing him share his most memorable moments as a reggae artist and giving us a bit of history throughout his show was very much appreciated.


Jimmy Cliff had a big smile across his face as he began to talk about how women are necessary for every man. Praising the existence of woman and his appreciation for them. He calls out and says "women are the feminine that the masculine must cling too in a positive and loving nature". Can you guess the song he was about to perform? Yes Roots Woman the catchy melody had everyone dancing.


As the show goes on Jimmy Cliff performs more iconic songs like Cat Steven's “Wild World”, Desmond Dekker’s Puppet on a String, which Cliff declares an artist he help put on the map. Desmond Dekker was thrilled that Jimmy Cliff had a great ear for great music so he decided to introduce Jimmy to a very special and honorable man that we all know and love so much Bob Marley. Jimmy Cliff goes on telling his story on how Bob Marley first walked into the studio; knowing he was a blessed artist just by his presence and admiration for a song Jimmy was singing at that moment. Jimmy Cliff then began to pay tribute to The Great Bob Marley and starts to sing the most memorable track Bob Marley sang to Jimmy in the studio the first time they met Judge Not.


Jimmy Cliff’s performance ended with songs from his most recent album Rebirth. One More did it for the crowd, as that was the last song he performed. The crowd kept on chanting it even after Jimmy Cliff walked off the stage. The words “One More” lingered through the ocean air. Even though there was no more Jimmy Cliff to dance along with, the fans walked off the pier with a sincere reflection of his timeless music he has been performing for many years across the states and over the seven seas. Jimmy Cliff will keep trotting stages and blessing others with his inspiring and motivating music, helping many out of the world of depression. His magic moments are at his peak and if you get a chance to have him perform in your city go with an open heart and know Jimmy Cliff is a Jamaican Born Reggae Star. He believes in a world of Peace and No War but we can only make that happen if we all stand together and bring more awareness to others in an influential and positive manner. This day and age we need more leaders that can help stop injustice and bring more freedom and peace. Jimmy Cliff walks the walk, and talks the talk with action and song.

➜ PHOTO GALLERY HERE