SOUNDTRACK: DAMIAN ‘JR. GONG’ MARLEY: Tiny Desk Concert #889 (September 8, 2019).
I’m not sure if everyone with the last name Marley becomes a singer, but it sure seems like it.
I had not heard of Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley before, but of all of the Marleys, I think I like his music best (he is Bob’s son). I had no idea where the “Jr. Gong” came from, but the blurb helpfully says “Jr. Gong” is after his father’s nickname of “Tuff Gong.”
Even though the blurb describes the music as reggae, this set is pretty far from what I consider reggae. Some components of reggae are there, but it’s mostly in his delivery (and accent) and the backing female vocals–from Roselyn Williams and Sherieta Lewis.
But the main element of reggae–the beat/rhythm/staccato guitar–is completely absent.
“Slave Mill” starts with delicate keys from Sean “Pow” Diedrick. The song is catchy with great lyrics. I really like the percussion from Courtney “Bam” Diedrick. I assume those are brothers known as Bam and Pow, which is great.
I like that the blurb addresses the issue of Bob Marley and yet I feel like Damian is his own musician, with a distinct (if slightly familiar) voice.
Damian’s father cast a giant, magnificent shadow on the world and it can’t be easy to follow in those footsteps as a songwriter and musician. Damian seems to be undaunted by that legacy and instead draws on it for inspiration and guidance. Not to mention there is more than a hint of his father’s unmistakable singing voice that so often preached the same messages of self-identity and self-determination that his youngest son is now doing so successfully.
He says the second song “So A Child May Follow” is one of his favorite tracks on the album. He thinks about his nephews and nieces who are young adults now. The song:
addresses the troubles youth confront around the globe and how to persevere to succeed.
It’s an acoustic ballad. I like watching Bam play, because after each piano melody, he stops and pounds his fists in the air as the song pauses and resumes. The main verses features a gentle acoustic guitar from Elton “Elly B” Brown. It’s a lovely song of optimism in the face of trouble.
They end the set with “Speak Life” which “sums up the message of his music: live a life that will enable us to survive life’s slings and arrows with dignity and love.”
speak life and lead a humble and meek life.
All three songs feature great bass work by Shiah Coore. I also really love the backing “woah ohs” in the song.
Damian says that they made a video of this song which was shot in Ethiopia and is subtitled in Amharic. He says that as Rastas, Ethiopia is very close to their hearts.
The end of the blurb makes me wonder if I would enjoy the recorded versions less, since that what I enjoyed so much:
But what makes his music stand out on this session is the prominence of the acoustic guitar and piano in the arrangements, which makes the familiar sound somewhat new.
But he is very charming and funny and he ends the set talking about boxing Babylon vs Natty Dreadlocks. Then he shouts, “We did it boys. In the big leagues baby!”
[READ: July 21, 2019] This Was Our Pact
I really enjoyed this graphic novel. S. had told me about it and told me I’d really like it. She was right!
The pact of the title is simple. There are two rules: No one turns for home and No one looks back.
The narrator is Ben. He is one of five young boys who have made this pact. The pact revolves around the Equinox Festival, in which the townsfolk send hundreds of lanterns down the river. Every year a group of kids hopped on their bikes to follow the lanterns. Usually everyone petered out. But this year they were going to go all the way. The wondered, “Did they really journey far into the stars, like the old song sang?”
The boys set out following the lanterns. As soon as they head out, they are followed by, “nerd alert!” Nathaniel. None of the boys (except Ben) is friendly with him. Even when Nathaniel says his mom made Rice Krispie treats, they don’t turn around and let him join.
The imagery of the book is beautiful. It’s largely in blues because the story takes place at night. The lanterns are little white spots in the blue and black rivers.
The first boy stops pretty early because his stomach rumbles. They yell at him for giving up the pact, “but…it’s taco night!” This of course made them all want tacos and realize how hungry they were. But they turn against Nathaniel instead–yelling at him to go home. They comment that his nerd germs are contagious.
Elliot turned around when they passed the old baptist church. And then the three made it to the bridge that their parents told them never to cross. The threat of punishment made Adam and Sammy turn around. But Ben is steadfast. And he promises to go alone. Until Nathaniel pulls up and says he’ll go with him. He says he made the pact that day too, even if no one heard him.
They head off across the bridge and that’s when they see the Fisher Bear. It seemed a bad idea to have a conversation with a bear, even one wearing a scarf. But Nathaniel didn’t hesitate. He introduces himself. I was sure that this was a man who looked like a bear, but no. It’s an actual bear and suddenly this very real story becomes magical.
Nathaniel asks him what’s in the basket and the bear says, “is it not obvious?” Ben fears it is children, but Nathaniel replies, “No. It isn’t obvious at all.” The bear apologizes and says it is for fish. He points to the river and the lanterns and says those fish right there. The bear says they are not lanterns, they are fish. The boys agree to go with the bear to follow the lantern-fish. The bear rides on the back of Nathaniel’s bike and Ben has a hard time keeping up.
They get lost (the bear’s map isn’t very good) and they separate. Ben is furious at Nathaniel and says some mean things to him. But Nathaniel isn’t that upset by it. He is more interested in their pact. And as they move along, they find a mountain with a staircase. The staircase leads to a telephone. The telephone leads to Madam Majestic and her Avian Cartographer.
Madam Majestic agrees to help the boys with her magic. But magic always has a consequence.
They are able to return to their pact and en route they meet an unexpected old friend (and use more than a little of that magic.
The end of the book reveals just what happens to those lanterns.
It’s a wonderful ending to a wonderful book and the artwork is just beautiful.
I Just Read About That... 
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