The Wailers at The Ogden Theatre: January 7th: Review

The Legendary Aston "Family Man" Barrett original member of The Wailers (photo credit Robert Castro)“Revolution is the solution”. On their way through Colorado and up to Telluride next, The Wailers made a stop in Denver on Saturday to re-charge us with positivity and unity on the worldwide “Revolution” tour.  There is something to be said about the feelings that are brought on by listening to reggae music, and more specifically The Wailers.  The songs are generated by a powerful message and evoke calmness and love.  The phrase “..every little thing is gonna be alright” seems to ring true when listening to reggae.  It was a cold and snowy night in Denver which made for an interesting atmosphere to listen to island music but as the jackets started to peel off and the Ogden started to warm up, it just seemed right.

Danglin and Koolant, the frontmen of the new Wailers, captured the essence and spirit of Bob Marley Saturday night.  It is uncanny how much Danglin sounds like Bob; if you closed your eyes for just a second, it was as if he were present.  Koolant channeled Bob through dance; his feet never stopped moving while his long dreadlocks whipped about the stage.  Aston “Family Man” Barrett, bassist and the only original member of The Wailers remaining, brought something special and historical to the stage.  While his aged feet didn’t move to a single beat, his presence was the piece that connected the past with the present. 

Koolant Brown (photo credit Robert Castro)

If you had to choose a favorite Wailers song, chances are it was played on Saturday.  It was one hit after another for almost two hours, with a less than five minute set break.  “Get Up, Stand Up” provoked fist pumping (not the Jersey Shore kind) while “Jammin’” had people grooving as if we had all travelled back in time.  The crowd was as diverse as it comes; from dreadlocks to Oxford button-ups, ages eighteen to eighty, there was every type of person present and we sang along together.  Things slowed down for “Redemption Song” which was beautiful.  With only Chizzy on the guitar and Danglin on the mic, the twinkle of lighters lit the room and everyone paused to appreciate the moment we were sharing together.  “Could You Be Loved” was next, followed by “Three Little Birds, “Is This Love”, and “One Love”.  Aston Barrett grew tired and his son, Aston Barrett Jr. who was on drums all night, filled in on bass during the last song, “Exodus”.  While each member of The Wailers is truly irreplaceable, there was just something about a son filling in for his father.

As we all put our jackets on and walked through the doors to brave the cold, a fire had been lit within all of us after the show.  Although it was not Bob Marley and The Wailers, it was the same message.  One love.

Check out more pictures here. And look for our exclusive interview and acoustic "Session" brought to you by Ultra5280 and House in Motion Studios later this week.

 Amanda

Danglin encouraging the crowd to raise their fists (photo credit Robert Castro)