An evening with Stephen Marley

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

“The music is for everyone. It’s god’s music. We don’t own this music,” Stephen Marley once said of reggae, the sounds, flavors and rhythms of which have filled his life and spirit. Stephen “Ragga” Marley, the second son of the legendary Bob Marley and his wife Rita, returns to the House of Blues on Wednesday, February 27 for what is described as an intimate performance by the guitarist, vocalist, composer and producer. “An Evening with Stephen Marley” finds the eight-time Grammy winner close up at center stage for a show with a personal touch featuring him playing acoustic guitar – “unplugged” – and percussion backed by a relatively small band that includes bass, guitar, drums, keyboard, sax and percussion.

Marley has described the essence of the show, which he’s been touring, as playing the music in its “natural form.” The repertoire at previous acoustic appearances have primarily included “stripped down versions” of material from Stephen’s debut solo album, the Grammy-winning 2007 Mind Control and his father’s wonderfully memorable hits like “Three Little Birds” and “Could You Be Loved.”

“That’s a big part of me, the roots. I love doing those,” said the very amiable Stephen in a 2016 interview that was sprinkled with laughter. Though when he spoke about the value of reggae music’s one love, socially conscious and political messages, he became quite serious. “It’s most important,” he declared.

STEPHEN “RAGGA” MARLEY

Marley first visited New Orleans as a youngster while accompanying his mother, vocalist Rita Marley when she came here to perform. “It’s one of my favorite places to play because the people them just appreciate the music and the energy, the vibe and the love,” he offered adding that he is aware of the back-and-forth influences exchanged between New Orleans and Jamaica. “New Orleans is a big part in the history of music.” He further explained that this city’s influence was primarily passed down to him from his father and mother. “This generation don’t the history. I know some of it – enough to appreciate it.”

In keeping with the unplugged direction, Stephen’s new release, 2018’s One Take Acoustic Jams on the family’s Ghetto Youth International label, was recorded with minimal equipment in the living room of his home in Miami, Florida. As the title announces, the project was done in “one take.”

“The people will always love reggae music,” Marley has declared. “It’s just us who are representing this music (that) have to make sure we uphold its integrity. It’s a nice movement in Jamaica musically right now. You have a lot of young youths rising up and there are a lot of events and places where you can go and hear live reggae music – more than when I was growing up.”

Considering Marley’s past live performances and the outstanding reviews of the recent acoustic shows, “An Evening with Stephen Marley” promises to be a special, one love, night.

Got My Red Beans Cookin’…

A lot of people will be stirring pots of red beans on Monday preparing for either that night’s traditional red beans and rice dinner or for feeding hungry revelers on Mardi Gras Day. In either case, cooking the dish while listening to Professor Longhair’s rollicking tune, “Got My Red Beans Cookin” makes the often enjoyable task all the more satisfying.

Since 2008, the New Orleans staple has enjoyed new celebrity as the star of the Red Beans Parade that takes to the streets on Lundi Gras, the Monday – well, of course – before Carnival Day. Clever, imaginative, creative and artistic folks raise what some might consider meager beans to new heights by decorating everything from hats, coats, jackets and skirts to entire vehicles with the legumes in sometimes lovely and often humorous designs.

AL “CARNIVAL TIME” JOHNSON

The parade, which kicks off at 2 p.m. in the Marigny at the corner of Royal and Port streets, is led by the mighty Treme Brass Band and features the Mardi Gras essential, the always smiling, Al “Carnival Time” Johnson. (Ask him the time of day and he always comes up with the right answer, “Well, it’s Carnival time… everybody’s having fun.)

At this lively procession, there’s no need to stand and watch it go by as folks are encouraged to join in the second line as it heads up Royal Street to Esplanade Avenue, takes a right and makes a stop at Buffa’s bar at the corner of Esplanade and Burgundy Street. Refreshed, the parade continues on Esplanade to North Robertson Street, hangs a left and proceeds through the Treme to the Candle Light Lounge and the adjoining Tuba Fats Square for usually a rather long stop. Ready to go again, the band strikes up for the last leg of the parade that rolls down St. Philip Street to Henriette Delille Street, goes left to its final destination, the Backstreet Cultural Museum where it transforms from a procession to a block party.

This article originally published in the February 25, 2019 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.