Post by messenger on Jul 23, 2004 6:43:51 GMT -5
Audience appreciation gives Burning Spear the drive to continue
Kevin Jackson, Observer writer
Friday, July 23, 2004
Reggae ambassador Burning Spear is celebrating currently 35 years in the music industry this year. The 59 year-old Spear, whose real name is Winston Rodney, says he has achieved a lot in his career. "I have covered a lot of direction and I have travelled to a lot of places. For me the highlight is getting on stage and doing what I love to do: entertain the people,' Spear said in an interview with the Observer earlier this week.
Spear, who is currently on a major tour stretching across North America and which ends in September, has remained true to his beliefs of Pan Africanism and the works of National Hero Marcus Garvey. But his music is not exclusively based on the teachings of Garvey. Through his music, Spear has consistently been able to educate, inform and uplift people in the world with positive messages.
Originally from St Ann, Burning Spear made his recording debut in 1969, with Door Peep for Studio One. In fact, it was another St Ann native, Bob Marley, who referred Rodney to Studio One. Shortly before the release of Door Peep, he chose to release the recording under the name Burning Spear, a reference to Jomo Kenyatta, a political activist who championed for a free and democratic Kenya and who went on to become the country's first president after being charged and jailed for the Mau Mau uprising.
"The way the whole thing came about is that I found myself moving along up in the hills of St Ann's and I ran into Bob [Marley] at the same time. And Bob was going to his farm. The man was moving with a donkey and some buckets and a fork, and cutlass and plants. We just reason man-to-man and I-man say wherein I would like to get involved in the music business. And Bob say, 'All right, just check Studio One," Spear recalls.
While at Studio One, Burning Spear recorded his first two classic albums, Burning Spear and Rocking Time. Building on this solid foundation, he went on to record for Island Records in the 1970s, releasing three albums (Marcus Garvey, Man In The Hills, and Garvey's Ghost) that not only reshaped the face of reggae music, but also saw the emergence of Burning Spear as an international artiste. He then followed with the release of Hail H I M for EMI, which set the stage for a prolific string of releases through the 1980s and 1990s, including the Grammy - winning Calling Rastafari, as well as Rasta Business, The World Should Know, and Fittest Of The Fittest.
Spear says it's the energy from the audience that gives him the push to go on. "They are appreciative once they are there for you, and that motivates you," he said.
Most recording artistes these days tour on the basis of a hit single or the release of a new album. But Spear has been touring for years without any of the aforementioned.
"I don't have to have a hit single or a new album to tour. I don't think that many artistes can do that. I have been paving the way for many years now and what I have come to realise is that what you put out there is what makes you in demand," Spear added.
Asked what about his music has allowed him to cross barriers and relate to a new generation of fans, Spear explained that "the music has something wherein everybody can like. Many people don't understand what the music is saying but once they can identify with it, they form a picture and as a result they will always feel something for the music once you give them something that they can relate to."
Of the albums that he has released, Spears says that Free Man is his personal favourite. That album was nominated for a Grammy award in the Best Reggae Album category.
In 2002, Burning Spear, along with his wife and partner Sonia Rodney, embarked on a new journey with the launch of Burning Spear Records. The label has released Live At Montreaux Jazz Festival 2001 and the studio release Free Man.
In commemoration of his 35th year in the music business, Burning Spear Records is gearing up for its next phase. With the recent announcement of a deal with MRI/Ryko Distribution, a series of newly re-mastered classics are being reissued this summer, including a special edition of Free Man, the double CD Burning Spear Live In Paris/Zenith '88, plus People Of The World, Resistance, Living Dub Vol 2 and the DVD Home To My Roots/Live In Paris.
Spear is set to release a new studio album in early 2005.
"On the upcoming album, the people won't expect less, but they can expect more of Burning Spear. Apart from that, I have a portion of unreleased material coming out, including audio visuals which will be used to form part of a three hour DVD package. Once I am off the road, I will be heading back to the studios to start working on the new album," Spear said.
Pic: www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20040722T220000-0500_63265_OBS_AUDIENCE_APPRECIATION_GIVES_BURNING_SPEAR_THE_DRIVE_TO_CONTINUE.asp
