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May 13, 2007
Stephen Marley - Traffic Jam in Times Square
By S. Sharpe
Powerful, energetic, inspired and nostalgic are just a few words that come to mind when describing Stephen Marley's performance at New York's Nokia Theatre in Times Square on May 11, 2007. The Grammy Award winning artist performed to a sold out audience of 2,000+ adrenaline filled fans.
Songs from Stephen's highly acclaimed solo album Mind Control, which dropped back in March 2007, kept the audience energized and in-tuned. The title track, Lonely Avenue, Hey Baby, Chase Dem, Iron Bars featuring New York native Mr. Cheeks and The Traffic Jam, supported by Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley, were definite crowd pleasers.
Soul satisfying renditions of tunes from his father's catalogue were met with pumped fists and amplified movement as the audience harmonized with the words of Slave Driver, Chant Down Babylon, No Woman No Cry and Buffalo Soldier among others.
Damian joined his brother on stage for a highly-charged session of musical rhapsody, culminated by the beloved Welcome To Jamrock. From Pimpers Paradise to It Was Written and Could You Be Loved the Marley boys delivered a rare dose of rhythmic genius true to their lineage and individual talents.
The show closed with a spirited rendering of the Bob Marley classic Exodus, during which Damian and Stephen were joined by K'Naan, a young Somalian-Canadian emcee with a truly authentic sound.
The crowd was hype, the performance was explosive and with the words "Rastafari Live!" Stephen Marley left the message of Mind Control fixed in the consciousness of all in attendance.
The Mind Control US Tour 2007 runs through late May.