The Irie Report

Marley Zion Bus Tour Join us on the Marley Zion Bus Tour! As we...

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:12:00 -0500

Marley Zion Bus Tour

Join us on the Marley Zion Bus Tour!

As we travel by bus through the Blue Mountains, you’ll see the natural beauty of a country and some of its people. You’ll see Nine Mile and Mount Zion, childhood home and final resting place of Bob Marley. You’ll see a man in a hole offering everyone who passes by a variety of items. You’ll also see the baby goat Dave Vann appropriately deemed, “so friggin’ cute.” “Thanks, Dave!”

As we wound up and down the mountain roads, the constant air horn our driver would employ to let the rest of the island know we were coming around the bend was both reassuring and, at times, scary as hell. But it could not distract from the fact that, as we headed into the heart of the real Jamaica, the disparity between rich and poor in this country was becoming more and more obvious.

Once we arrived at Nine Mile, we split up into two groups and, interestingly, both tour guides were named “Captain Crazy.” Go figure. I’m pretty sure the one you’ll see here has perfected the “crazy.”

Video isn’t exactly allowed on Mount Zion. I did my best to bring you a few key moments, but there was no way I was messing with the karma of filming Bob’s mausoleum - which seemed even more off limits than the rest, as this was the one area to also forbid still photography. Though you will see the building’s exterior.

As the video pans across the top of Mount Zion, you’ll see the three buildings we toured. The Bob Marley mausoleum is the second, taller, white building with a few folks waiting to go inside. Bob’s childhood home, who’s interior you do see in the video, is the smaller, stone house. The final resting place of Bob’s mother, Cedella Marley Booker, is the third building you’ll see off to the left of the shot. If you have the chance to visit Jamaica, you’ve got to go to Nine Mile for yourself. It’s truly spiritual.

There’s another stop you can make while up in the mountains of Jamaica, and Marc Brownstein was kind enough to bargain, and pay for, passage to “the fields” for our entire group. You’ll see everyone begin to ascend the hills that would take us there, and that’s where we leave you.

The various Bob Marley songs you’ll hear were coming through the stereo on the bus and were recorded along with the video. Our guide would point out scenery that served as inspiration for a given song, or tell us the stories behind the tunes as he DJ’d. And, at times, he seemed almost compelled to provide a little vocal support (though Bob Marley may be the last one who needs it).

The Disco Biscuits - Naeba The Disco Biscuits took to the stage...

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 15:52:00 -0500

The Disco Biscuits - Naeba

The Disco Biscuits took to the stage on 12/12 for their last performance at Caribbean Holidaze 2009.

Recently penned by bassist Marc Brownstein, Naeba is a really fun, happy Disco Biscuits song that’s just coming into its own. New song or not, the jam in this video is really impressive. Check it out. There are some shots of the Biscuits’ lyric sheet appearing through the video as well.

In addition to all of your other Biscuits’ favorites, you’re likely to catch Naeba, as well as songs from the forthcoming album Planet Anthem (February 2010), during the band’s 5-night New Years run at New York City’s Nokia Theatre, in the heart of Times Square, December 26, 27, 29, 30 & 31.

Cloud 9 Leaving a Positive Legacy Program It’s such a...

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 11:37:43 -0500

Cloud 9 Leaving a Positive Legacy Program

It’s such a privilege to be able to attend great events like Caribbean Holidaze. At the same time, it’s important to remember that we are fortunate enough to be in a position to give back to the communities that make these great events possible.

Cloud 9’s Leaving a Positive Legacy Program hopes to do just that. I sat down with Ann Kenworthy, Cloud 9’s Positive Legacy coordinator, and Julie Van Amerongen to get a better understanding of how the program helps events like Caribbean Holidaze and Jam Cruise to give back.

Establishing a non-profit organization is one important step Cloud 9 is taking to ensure its events will continue to help the host communities. On January 1, the Leaving a Positive Legacy Program will file as a 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of the non-profit arm will be to use the power of music to inspire fans to take action to minimize the environmental impact of events they attend and to make a positive impact on the communities visited.

The Positive Legacy Program at Caribbean Holidaze was made up of two parts - first, festival goers were asked to bring along some personal care items to donate to Windsor Girls Home in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica. Together, festival goers supplied 8 boxes of items that went directly to Windsor Girls Home.

Funded and operated by the Jamaican Government, Windsor is home to abused, orphaned, and homeless girls aged 12-18. The girls come from all over the island and most have no other place to go. While living at the school, they not only learn basic subjects like math and English, but they are also prepared for life after Windsor. The home has programs for cosmetology, dressmaking/sewing, computer skills, and home economics. Funding from the government is limited and donations such as ours help to make ends meet. Needs include books, school supplies, clothing and shoes, toiletries and personal hygiene items, games, radios and CD players, sewing supplies, used computers, and other supplies. In addition, the girls enjoy receiving make-up kits, purses, hair bows and barrettes, inexpensive jewelry, and other items.

In addition, the Positive Legacy Program staged a silent auction to raise money for a local community center. The money raised was able to purchase a high quality weed whacker so that the community center’s football (soccer) fields can be used at any time. While we might take something such as a cleared sports field for granted in the United States, having a means to clear a playing field is certainly not a given in many parts of the world.

When Jam Cruise sets sail, January 3-8, 2010, one of the stops will bring passengers to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Through the Leaving a Positive Legacy Program, and funds raised in the silent auction, 100 passengers will disembark to provide the local community center with soccer equipment, school supplies, laptop computers, instruments for a marching band, and more.

Umphrey’s McGee - Mantis Umphrey’s kicked off their...

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 09:03:53 -0500

Umphrey’s McGee - Mantis

Umphrey’s kicked off their last set of Holidaze with Mantis, the title track from their 2009 studio release.

This video features a nice groove and a breakdown as UM gets set to rock one last set on the Holidaze beach stage.

Before the album’s release, the band hadn’t performed much of the Mantis material in a live setting. However, with Holidaze setlists featuring songs like Spires, 1348, Turn & Run, Cemetery Walk I & II, and the title track, Mantis, it looks like the songs have taken hold over the course of 2009.

You can catch some songs from Mantis, and the rest of the UM catalog, during the band’s 3-night New Year’s run in their hometown Chicago, or out on the road this winter. The band has already announced extensive winter touring plans set to kick off in mid-January.

The Disco Biscuits - Grass is Green Join tDB in the Caribbean...

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:56:29 -0500

The Disco Biscuits - Grass is Green

Join tDB in the Caribbean Holidaze practice room, as they jam out on Grass is Green, moments before their 12/11 performance.

One of the band’s older songs, the slightly reworked Grass is Green jam has truly become a monster of late, and was a major heavy hitter during the Biscuits’ 2009 fall tour. Stay tuned as the video transitions to that night’s stage performance of GIG.

Umphrey’s McGee - Mulche’s Odyssey Mulche’s...

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 17:21:40 -0500

Umphrey’s McGee - Mulche’s Odyssey

Mulche’s has long been a staple of the live Umphrey’s show, and this rendition did not disappoint.

Umphrey’s McGee - Cemetery Walk II On the final night of...

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:21:00 -0500

Umphrey’s McGee - Cemetery Walk II

On the final night of Caribbean Holidaze, Umphrey’s followed up Cemetery Walk I, which the band had performed during the festival’s opening night, with a version of Cemetery Walk II.

Both Cemetery Walks appear on UM’s latest studio album, Mantis.

It’s always great to see your favorite artists enjoying...

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:09:00 -0500

It’s always great to see your favorite artists enjoying themselves on stage just as much as you are, and The Disco Biscuits’ Marc Brownstein (bass) and Jon Gutwillig (guitar) sure can enjoy themselves.

Here’s a quick “dance off” between the two from 12/12, the Biscuits’ last show of Caribbean Holidaze.

The Disco Biscuits - Above the Waves The Disco Biscuits provided...

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:04:00 -0500

The Disco Biscuits - Above the Waves

The Disco Biscuits provided a rendition of fan favorite Above the Waves during their 2nd of 3 performances at Caribbean Holidaze 2009, and some Holidazers could be seen making a beeline for the water at our Hedonism III beach stage. How appropriate!

Umphrey’s McGee - Barracuda (feat. Jennifer Hartswick) UM...

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:21:00 -0500

Umphrey’s McGee - Barracuda (feat. Jennifer Hartswick)

UM teamed up with Jen Hartswick on the last day of Caribbean Holidaze to deliver a version of Heart’s hard rock favorite Barracuda (no relation :P).

Sorry to say, I only caught the tail end of the song, which was one of the highlights of the band’s final set. Hartswick and UM really nail it.

Umphrey’s McGee - Baba O’Riley Umphrey’s...

Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:47:58 -0500

Umphrey’s McGee - Baba O’Riley

Umphrey’s returned to the stage on 12/13 with a Baba O’Riley encore. The Who song is no stranger to UM’s rotation, and the guys showed us how they rock it as they closed out their final set of Caribbean Holidaze 2009.

The Disco Biscuits - Fish Out of Water The Disco Biscuits opened...

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 10:32:14 -0500

The Disco Biscuits - Fish Out of Water

The Disco Biscuits opened their final set of Caribbean Holidaze with Fish Out of Water, a track from the forthcoming album Planet Anthem (Feb. 2, 2010), which also appears on the Widgets EP (now available on iTunes and elsewhere).

I have seen the song 3 out of the 4 times it has been performed to date, and this was the first time I have seen the band add a jam to the song. I like how it is developing. Once the band gets totally comfortable with the song on stage, Fish Out of Water is going to be a monster “Disco Biscuits song.”

Enjoy!

Umphrey’s McGee - Spires-> Utopian Fir UM kicked off a...

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 09:38:00 -0500

Umphrey’s McGee - Spires-> Utopian Fir

UM kicked off a huge first set segment on 12/11 with Spires, a track from 2009’s Mantis that can carry some pretty hefty intensity, and went right into Utopian Fir. After setting the bar pretty high for themselves, Umphrey’s delivered for the rest of the night.

Shuttle Ride to Hedonism III One of the best parts about...

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:22:00 -0500

Shuttle Ride to Hedonism III

One of the best parts about Holidaze was getting to enjoy the vibe at two different Runaway Bay resorts - Breezes and Hedonism III. The easiest way to do it, was to use the free, 24-hour shuttle service provided by the festival. The resorts were less than 5 minutes away on the shuttle, though normally you’d have to pay a local driver to make the trip.

Here’s a quick video from a shuttle ride from Breezes to Hedonism. You’ll see a local football (soccer) field, a Holidaze artist, and, if you have quick eyes, you might spot Flavours, one of the local restaurants boasting a tasty lobster dish. OK, this is starting to feel like “I spy”…

Yacht Rock - Lady (Little River Band) What could be better than...

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:04:00 -0500

Yacht Rock - Lady (Little River Band)

What could be better than a beach-side Jamaican sunset? To find out, add some Yacht Rock.

Holidazers got the chance to do just that on Saturday. It was a sunset to remember as Jake Cinninger (guitar), Joel Cummins (keys), Kris Myers (drums), and Ryan Stasik (bass) of Umphrey’s McGee joined The New Deal’s Jamie Shields (keys) and Darren Shearer (percussion) to bring the beach stage some of the best smooth rock the 70s and 80s has to offer. Party time!

The Holidaze collaborations made for some great music in Jamaica, and Yacht Rock did not disappoint.

One of the first Australian bands to enjoy lasting success in the U.S., Little River Band is still touring today, though none of the original members remain. Um, what? We recommend you just see Yacht Rock instead. Here’s their cover of Little River Band’s “Lady.”

Marc Brownstein's Bob Marley Zion Bus Tour

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:21:00 -0500

Marc Brownstein's Bob Marley Zion Bus Tour:

We’ve got video highlights of the very, very special Marley Zion Bus Tour with Marc Brownstein coming your way ASAP.

In the meantime, our good friend Benjy Eisen was able to talk to Marc about the experience that can’t quite be put into words.

Check out this link from Spinner/AOL Music, and we’ll have the video headed your way in a Jamaican minute.

Breezes Here’s a look around Breezes - one half of the...

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:31:00 -0500

Breezes

Here’s a look around Breezes - one half of the Holidaze resorts.

A great place to relax by day, Breezes provided Holidazers with a variety of activities. Snorkeling through a lively reef just off shore, catamaraning or windsurfing around the Caribbean, and beach volleyball are just a few of the many things in store at Breezes. Of course, if you’d prefer to lay on the beach or lounge in one of the numerous poolside cabanas all day, that’s just fine too.

Breezes is a great place to call home for a few days!

The video also features some clips from the Yacht Rock DJ set and the Caribbean Holidaze artist autograph session.

Dave Vann Photos - Umphrey’s McGee, 2009-12-13

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:12:00 -0500

Dave Vann Photos - Umphrey’s McGee, 2009-12-13

Dave Vann Photos - The New Deal, 2009-12-13

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:09:00 -0500

Dave Vann Photos - The New Deal, 2009-12-13

Dave Vann Photos - Perpetual Groove, 2009-12-13

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:06:00 -0500

Dave Vann Photos - Perpetual Groove, 2009-12-13