We had the great fortune of seeing Lee "Scratch" Perry this week. I am a new fan, J is one of the oldest. Lee is a righteous old dude, also reputed to be a crazy old dude, the man who created dub and sparked a generation of music including Air, Massive Attack and Zero 7 which are three of my favorite modern dub bands. The crowd was intimate, maybe a hundred people or so and everyone was mellow and raucous and smoking out in their seats. Lee came out rocking, singing songs about rainbows and ganja and pussy(cats) and his love for all three. Peace is an experiment and I love me some rainbows. Lee is the man.
The house was rocking. His legend preceded him and adoring crowds danced in the aisles. The dude is old yet wickedly spry, prancing his reggae self around resplendent in gold from his shiny hat to his shimmering shoes. I couldn't take my eyes off him.
I love nights like this when the air is warm and the crowd is happy. Good music and a few beers remind me of my youth when babysitters weren't on the clock and I could stay up as late as I want. Lee reminded me of all of that, freedom and free love, peace and children of the mountains.
I am a god man, I am a mad man, I am a rad man. Yes, old man, you certainly are.