On the very hot Saturday night of August first I headed to the Nectar Lounge for some mighty fine ska/reggae music. The evening was headlined by the legendary Ernest Ranglin Ernest Ranglin is the godfather of ska/reggae and a guitar playing master. Without him there would be no Two Tone. At the ripe age of 83 (and he wears it very well), he proved he can play and perform with as much prowess as any of the artists half his age. Although a chair was on stage for him he barely used it. He instead hammed it up with other band members, particularly bass player Angeline Saris (from the cover band Zepperella). The two of them together flooded the room with their infectious charisma.
His band included a wicked four-piece horn section who often performed choreographed moves, The band totaled eleven but became twelve when Lynval Golding joined them. By the time they hit the stage, the previously sparsely filled club was packed in like proverbial sardines. Barely a still body was on that dance floor. Often Erin Wallace of the Sentiments joined them onstage for vocals.
This was an audience that was having such a great time, they didn’t want the band to leave the stage, thus the show lasted until past one. If bars didn’t have to close by two in Washington, I think we’d still be there. The sound was impeccable as it always is at the Nectar.
Preceding Ernest Ranglin was Seattle’s own ska masters Gigantor starring Linval Golding (of the Specials). The band opened with Guns of Navarone and the dancing immediately commenced. The three-piece horn section also performed many choreographed moves while Lyndal strutted about the stage almost non-stop while beguiling the audience with his undoubting charm. One song they performed, called Rats In the Bush included the chant, Rat Bush, Jeb Bush. The song was introduced as a song about “the other Bush.” He also gave a shout out to the champion women’s soccer team who recently won the Cup.
The highlight of any Gigantor concert is the presence of Annabella Kirby who joined Lyndal in a number of duets including My Boy Lollipop and the Bob Marley tune made famous by the Selecter, Simmer Down. The two of them together drip with charm. The other highlight was Lynval allowing former Georgetown Orbit singer Daryl Grandison to sing. It was such a treat to see Daryl on stage again. This is a man who belongs on a stage. He can woo an audience in seconds flat. I wished he’d stayed on stage a little longer. Daryl says he has some projects in the works, though, so keep your eyes peeled.
Before Gigantor was another Seattle band, Two Story Zori. This seven-piece mostly reggae band consists of members from Guam, Hawaii, Samoa, Philippines, Vietnam and (of all places) Oklahoma. Their music reflects where they’re from as well as fusing elements of rock, giving them more of a ska flavor. This is a very talented band featuring instruments such as ukelele, guitar, drums, bass, keys and three-part harmonies. They are primarily fronted by newlyweds P.O. Boxx and Laci Jane who sang beautiful harmonies and emitted endless charisma. The few in attendance were so in love with this band there were several chants for an encore.
Seattle has a thriving ska scene with a lot of local talent and Saturday’s show was just a small sampling of the vast amount of talented musicians and bands in this city.
– Photos property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
