FRANKIE PAUL @ WILD HARE 2/13/02

By Steve Serpiente

CHICAGO - While most of the genre's present day practicioners were either in diapers or not yet born, Frankie Paul was among a generation of singers and deejays including Barrington Levy, Sugar Minott, Half Pint, Little John, Yellowman, Charlie Chaplin, Josey Wales, Eek-a-Mouse and others who were nurturing a new sound as dancehall music entered its infancy in the early 1980's. 

So it was no surprise that FP's show at the Wild Hare provided revellers a privileged glimpse at dancehall's beginnings. But, with novice and veteran patrons enjoying themselves equally, Frankie's performance also demonstrated that old school dancehall is as vibrant a music now as it ever was. As FP rode the vintage riddims, the nearly blind singer vividly illustrated that some 20 years plus after the advent of the style, the first dancehall artists and their works are collectively an essential link in reggae's colorful evolution from the Studio One canon and the golden era (mid to late 1970's) of roots reggae to digital ragga up through today's dancehall scene.

Setting the pace for his one hour 40 minute set, Frankie came onstage about 12:10 a.m. and lit straight into a medley of "War Is in the Dance" / Dennis Brown's "Have You Ever" / "War Is in the Dance" / the toker's plea to share "Pass the Tu-Sheng-Peng" / Bob Marley's "Slave Driver"/ "Tidal Wave."

Medleys made up the entire concert as Frankie pumped out a plethora of songs from his own vast catalog - FP has more than 30 albums to his credit - as well as numerous covers. (That each song was within the medley format was a drawback at times in that fans would just warm up to an old favorite when Frankie would switch gears into another tune.)

Although the opening acts began on Feb. 13, Frankie - aka the "Stevie Wonder of Jamaica" - was technically working on Valentine's Day, and his crooning was certainly in keeping with the occasion on this Motown flavored medley: his own hit "Cassanova" / a verse from Barry Manilow's "I Write the Songs" ("I write the songs that make the young girls cry, I write the songs, I write the songs") / Donna Summer's "Last Dance" / a verse from the Commodores' "Three Times a Lady" / FP's own "I Know the Score."

Other covers included Michael Prophet's 1980 anthem "Gunman," "One in a Million" (brought to the reggae massive via Sanchez' version), Quincy Jones' "Just Once" (a song also given a sweet treatment by the late Garnett Silk on his "Nothing Can Divide Us" release), Marley's "One Drop," and a particularly heartfelt version of Marley's "Redemption Song."

Called back for an encore ("Stay FP stay, stay FP stay"), Frankie's final medley began with the title track of his Prince Jammy produced LP "Sara," then turned spiritual with covers of the Melodians' "Rivers of Babylon," the traditional gospel "Down By the Riverside" and Marley's "Rastaman Chant."

Chicago's own Dub Dis, who appear regularly at Exedus II and the Wild Hare, superbly laid down the backing riddims for FP. Featuring only the bare essentials - bass, drums and keyboards, Dub Dis flawlessly kept up with the visiting singer throughout the entire set. As many fans know, this is not always the case when a local band backs a touring artist.

Fronted by lead singer Devon, Dub Dis also opened the show, covering the usual array of Marley songs plus a spirited version of Tony Rebel's "If Jah Is on My Side."

Sandwiched between Dub Dis' vocal set and FP was New York based SunShade. The duo showcased their rapping skills in their short two song stint.

Although Frankie Paul stage appearances are rare in Chicago, he has done some recording in the windy city. Promoters said FP has a Dennis Brown tribute CD ready to drop soon which was produced and recorded in Chi-town.

Contact reggae addict Steve Serpiente @ serpiente97@yahoo.com.