Rising Lion: Family Gathering, by Issa Kelly

Chicago - April 20, 2002 

When I look at the inside cover of Rising Lion’s current release ‘Don’t Lose Yourself’ (Ruff Stuff/RPH Productions 2001) I come to a deeper overstanding of founder Danny Dread’s words to me, “We play a little of everything, because we play for everyone.”  The picture is of the Rising Lion family and spans every shade of the human spectrum and reminds me of my family.  Their faces are full of happiness, love, acceptance and self-confidence (a core character trait deemed necessary for a happy life by Danny Dread). 

On the cover Danny Dread is standing in the middle of high-tech Babylon with his acoustic guitar, which could be a metaphor for their music.  Rising Lion’s signature is a blending of different styles and a deep love of all music that results in an explosion of sound that is anchored in the complex simplicity of reggae.   

Papa Danny Dread, lead vocals and guitar, is at the head of the Rising Lion table for tonight’s family gathering at The Wild Hare.  To his right is Jack Stein on Keyboards.  Jack ably fills the shoes of MC, backing vocals and, at times, lead vocals.  To his left is mellow and smooth moving bassist John Meadows.   Covering his back and making my skirt flap from the breeze created by the bass drum speaker at my knees is Gil Whylly.

During the second half the band struggled through engineering problems, like reoccurring feedback that could have loosened some fillings. The lead vocals could have been pulled up more, as well. Songs from ‘Don’t Lose Yourself’ were featured.  ‘Landmine’ (first released on R.A.W. 2000 Compilation) was one of my favorites.  It’s compelling lyrics: “What’s this I see?  Another military atrocity.  Another Babylon political philosophy.  Their landmine a military strategy.  I say murder in the first degree.....A silent soldier in the sand......It’s another hypocrisy.......30,000 die.....Africa, Bosnia and South East Asia just to name a few.”  ‘House of Dread’ with John’s slick bass line and Gil’s riding high hat made it into my top five for the night.   With the crowd dwindling and the clock hitting three the Nyabingi influenced ‘Jah Keep Us’ closed the show.  

I stayed to speak with the band and was greeted with happy hearts and tired eyes.  When I asked where they were playing tomorrow they said with big smiles, “The pool.  We have a day off!”  The band broke into a sweat and a reasoning session while loading the van and gave me the opportunity to see the respect they have for each other, their love for the message and the much needed humor that can make a long road tour seem short.“You don’t have to love this, but please respect it.  A fraction of the truth, so you can’t reject it.”   are the lyrics from the title track ‘Don’t Lose Yourself.’   Yes Idren, big respect.  One love.

This article is livicated to Pam ‘Motby’ Meadows (no relation to John).  Pam was a livicated reggae supporter from Austin, Texas.   As the photographer and one of the webmasters for www.flamingocantina.com and webmaster for www.chindog.com she shared herself, her vision and love with the world. She passed on to Zion, with her two children Lacy and Brady, in an automobile accident in Austin the night of this show.  She was a fine wordsmith, who I can only hope to emulate.  Her wit, humor, photographer’s eye and love for nature and humanity will be missed on this earth.  Respect and peace Motby, thank you for your inspiration. 

Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! - Luke 10:23