Beres Hammond Braves Hanna To Please D.C Fans

In popular consciousness, reggae is always considered happy music. And while reggae rhythms are blissful, many lyrics are steeped in the same dark emotions as the blues.

It was this idea of "sufferer's music" that came to mind occasionally during Reggae Summerfest, held Sunday in a parking lot next to RFK Stadium. But the blues weren't for the patrons -- who seemed to have a good time spending a beautiful day dancing on asphalt, and included Washington Wizards center Etan Thomas and Georgetown alum Patrick Ewing Jr. -- or the 17 artists, many of whose sets were cut short by a late start and a hard end time.

No, the blues feeling was reserved for the promoters, the National Alliance Foundation, which held the concert in part to benefit the Jamaica Cancer Society.

But due to Tropical Storm Hanna, the Alliance had to tear down the huge stage and vendor area on Saturday. After the skies cleared, the group had to put it all back together overnight, scrambling to complete the makeshift venue by noon Sunday.
Considering the extreme conditions preceding it, Reggae Summerfest came together relatively well, and the quality of the performances increased dramatically as the sun set -- with the best coming last.

The tremendous soul singer Beres Hammond, backed by a large, tight band, displayed supreme stage command during a powerful, hit-stacked 50-minute set that brought out the joyful side of reggae while also lifting Summerfest above its tribulations. As Bob Marley sang, "One good thing about music/When it hits, you feel no pain."


The Reggae News Agency

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