Review of the Wailers jammin' out!

Review By: Andrew Pressley

I arrived at the Alys Robinson Stevens Center out of breath, having borne the strain of running to get to the door early. I got my ticket for a show I have been waiting months for, and the enthusiasm sparked inside of me. I was about to witness one of the greatest bands of all time.

Noted for their infamous collaboration with Bob Marley, The Wailers make a noise wherever they perform. The past few weeks, Birmingham has been abuzz about their arrival. Now that they are finally here, the mood has changed none.

The thorough and kindly nature of the Alys Stephens Center staff started the night off right. The crowd poured in, and the scene instantly gained immaculacy, just a subtle example of the ability The Wailers had to reach people. This reach was also illustrated in The Wailers’ efforts to assist the World Food Programme in feeding needy children. They sold wristbands for $2 at the entrance, and from what I saw, quite a number were sold.

The stage was decorated in a Jamaican green-and-yellow aura, and the band’s equipment stood as a monument that the crowd eyed with conviction.

Their anticipation was building.

The “Regals of Reggae” entered with a bang, with Aston “Family Man” Barrett on bass, Keith Sterling on keyboards, Chino Chin on trumpet, Nambo Robinson on trombone, Al Anderson on lead guitar, Anthony Watson on drums, Brady Walters and Cegee Victory on backup vocals, and Elan Attias on lead vocals. It became clear very quickly that the numbers on everyone’s ticket would not matter. Assisted by Elan’s encouragement, nobody in the Jemison Concert Hall would be sitting down. Elan’s remarkable vocals, as well as the band’s classic following, sent a wave through the crowd, and it became impossible to even consider taking a seat, especially with Elan’s constant chants of, “Birmingham, Alabama, say yeah!”

The Wailers played their “Exodus” album, with hits such as “Exodus,” “Jammin’,” “Three Little Birds,” and of course, “One Love.” The crowd became more and more mesmerized as Elan’s Bob Marley-esque voice radiated through the room. The Wailers then left the stage, and an uproar of “Encore! Encore!” followed immediately. I was dancing like a madman in front, screaming alongside the crowd, and it was obvious by now that we were loving the show.

Naturally, The Wailers returned to the stage and played even more hits. Elan announced, “Hold up your fire, Birmingham!” as The Wailers began playing one of their finest songs, “No Woman, No Cry,” to the crowd’s obvious delight. “Redemption Song,” “Is This Love?” and “Stir it Up” followed, and the band ended on a high note, with Elan addressing each member of the band by name and with solo accompaniment, then The Wailers rounded out the show with “Get Up, Stand Up.” The room was filled with exhaustion from the rigorous dancing, but also with an air of peace, harmony, happiness, and togetherness, trademarks of The Wailers’, as well as Bob Marley’s, message. The night was spectacular, and the atmosphere was electric. It was truly my most cherished concert experience. The songs were perfect, the mood was uplifting, and the all the darkness that entered the room instantly became illuminated. Bob would have been proud.