Lee Scratch Perry – Wedgewood Rooms 2018
At the age of 82 Lee Scratch Perry is probably the oldest performer to have ever graced the Wedgewood Rooms stage. Has to be said that the man is a legend, a pioneer of dub reggae and a producer responsible for bringing us some fantastic records. However, when it came to Lee Scratch Perry live at the Wedgewood Rooms, it was far from a memorable performance.
This was a huge booking for the good ole Wedge, not every day that one of Jamaica’s leading artists rolls into Portsmouth. Although maybe this is why there was a slightly lack-lustre performance. As unlike a fantastic Southampton gig a couple of years back, there was clearly no rolling aloud.
Bringing onto the stage his travel case, Lee Scratch Perry was looking the crazy old producer that we’ve grown to love. He’s nothing short of colourful, both in appearance and vocally. Most definitely not your average pensioner. Then again, he’s not exactly lead your average lifestyle.
The thing is, sitting at home putting on a record is one thing, but paying to see someone live is another. Name and legacy alone merely aren’t enough. OK, for many it may be one to tick-off the list, but then again some of us had already done that.
Lee Scratch Perry, Wedgewood Rooms 2018
While the master of dub is well known for being a bit hit and miss, I still had high hopes. Lee Scratch Perry himself, presumably not as high as he would have liked. For the most part, Perry was just muttering into the mic, a style he often implements anyway. Only this time around he didn’t seem to be feeling it.
There were a few good tracks, such as those from the classic Super Ape. That said, this wasn’t a set filled with banging tunes, so you had to grab the best bits as and when you could. Then there were the ad-libs on the lyrics. While Lee Scratch Perry does love to go off on a tangent, there was an element of him turning into a bit of a dirty old man.
His band too, while doing their best to carry the show, looked as though they were just there for the pay check. As their leader complained about the lights not being turned down towards the end of the night, Perry abruptly left the stage in a bit of a strop. It was only when his bassist returned, that a Bob Marley track would help try and salvage a somewhat disappointing gig.
Lee Scratch Perry – Wedgewood Rooms, Live Review
