In Symphony With The Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra

For anyone familiar with the British versions of Jamaican records from the early '70s, putting a reggae artist together with a symphony would seem a no-brainer, but this was the first time it had actually happened. And who better to front the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra than John Holt, the pop-flecked veteran who'd unleashed so many memorable singles during that earlier era. But this DVD is a two-fer, and fans are not only treated to Holt's performance, but also to the complete opening act, the marvelous Freddie McGregor. Running through an astutely chosen set of 11 of his own hits and covers, the singer illustrates yet again why he remains one of the most popular artists on the live circuit. For his final number he humbly pays a heartfelt tribute to the great and now late Dennis Brown, ending his set with a sublime version of that artist's "Here I Come." It's a tough act to follow, and Holt immediately shifts the mood with a stream of supper-club cover songs that showcase his now crooning style to best advantage. The upbeat take on "Stoned Out of My Mind" is the highlight here, although the flashy keyboards on "Mr. Bojangles," a number Holt first covered back in the '70s, is a show-stealer as well. Still, the arrangements bear little resemblance to those overly lush symphonic overdubs that were spilled over the singer's British releases back then. Much more subtle and sympathetic, the orchestra accentuates the beauty of the song rather than drowning it. And even at the orchestra's crescendoing heights, the fabulous playing of Lloyd Parks' We the People band is never lost. It's the second half of the show that sends the large audience cheering, as Holt launches into a slew of his own hits and early covers. After reaching back to his days with the Paragons for the sensational "On the Beach" and "Tide Is High" and fast-forwarding a few years for two of his most versioned riddims, "A Love I Can Feel" and "Stealing" (aka "Ali Baba"), Holt wows the crowd and brings them to their feet on the finale, "Time Is the Master." A sensational show, and an absolute must for all reggae fans. ~ Jo-Ann Greene|