Tuesday, June 13, 2006  

Freddie McGregor
"Bobby Bobylon" [mp3]
Bobby Bobylon (buy)
(Studio One, 1980; Heartbeat reissue, 2006)
"Big Ship" [mp3]
Big Ship (buy)
(Greensleeves, 1982)

Ready for Freddie
Jamaican legend Freddie McGregor gives voice to reggae

Washington Post Express, Friday, June 9, 2006; Page 24

Freddie McGregor has one of the sweetest voices in reggae—a cool, clear tenor that could have come straight out of Motown rather than the Jamaican countryside. McGregor turns 50 this month and he still sounds like the lost protege of Barry Gordy. Actually, McGregor did have a Gordy-like mentor in Coxsone Dodd, whose Studio One label is often referred to as the Motown of Jamaica.

Little Freddie moved to Kingston as an adolescent, and by the time he turned 10 McGregor had released several singles on Studio One. He also sang harmony on numerous hits and played drums and other instruments, becoming one of the most valuable members of Dodd's amazing stable of talent. For some reason Studio One didn't release an LP by McGregor until 1980 when "Bobby Bobylon" came out, comprised of reworked classic riddims and previously released singles, but it was worth the wait: "The Rough Guide" named it one of the 100 essential reggae albums. The recording was recently reissued in deluxe CD form by Heartbeat/Studio One, featuring eight extra tracks and remastered sound, further cementing its crucial status.

McGregor has since released numerous albums and singles for various labels, including his own Big Ship, named after one of his most famous tunes. While he's best known for his lover's rock and Rastafarian anthems, McGregor has tackled disco, dancehall, R&B, oldies and more, but one thing has remained constant: his glorious voice. CHRISTOPHER PORTER

Crossroads, 4103 Baltimore Ave., Bladensburg, Md.; Sun., $25; 301-927-1056.

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Freddie McGregor Celebrates Reggae for the Ages at Crossroads

Washington Post, Tuesday, June 13, 2006; Page C08

"I feel more 28-ish," said a nearly 50-year-old Freddie McGregor on Sunday. The veteran Jamaican singer's birthday isn't until June 27, but Crossroads threw him an early party and McGregor responded with a 100-minute celebration masquerading as a concert.

Adding icing to McGregor's cake was fellow reggae-soul singer Richie Stephens, who mixed a rangy Luther Vandross-like voice with the skills of a Vegas showman -- a compliment. The way Stephens and the way-tight Millennium Band vibed during their 30-minute opening set was a joy, with the singer frequently directing the musicians to "wheel" and start the song over to tease the crowd or directing the audience to croon along.

Stephens was the perfect opener, but it was McGregor's night. He has sung professionally since he was 7, standing on an orange crate to reach the microphone while cutting singles at Studio One, but McGregor isn't content to rest on his laurels. Accompanied by the Millennium Band and three backup singers, a spirited McGregor sang 29 harmony-filled songs, mixing his own classics ("Bobby Bobylon," "Big Ship") with a virtual Jamaican jukebox of "big chunes" by Justin Hinds ("Carry Go Bring Come"), Stranger Cole and Lester Sterling ("Bangarang"), Derrick Harriott ("The Loser," redone as "I Was Born a Winner"), Bob Marley ("Redemption Song," "One Love") and Dennis Brown ("Revolution," "Love Has Found Its Way," "Here I Come").

After Marley, the late Brown is possibly the most beloved singer in Jamaica, and what McGregor shares with him -- besides a strong, soulful voice -- is the ability to shift smoothly between serious-themed roots reggae and more commercial lover's rock without losing his Rasta credibility or melodic appeal. But unlike Brown, who died at 42 due to drug-related problems, McGregor is healthy and singing as well as ever. Then again, he's only 28-ish. --Christopher Porter

Posted by CP | Link |

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