Warm reception for music festival

Jun 18 2009 by Matthew McKenzie, The Journal

Reggae in June? Matt McKenzie explains why Boss Sounds is good in any season.

Their squabbling (much of it posturing, it seems) over pilfering each other’s ideas produced a succession of gloriously insulting exchanges in song.

Buster’s Blackhead Chinaman was met with Morgan’s quite magnificent riposte: Blazing Fire.

He’s joined on the bill by fellow ska king Owen Gray.

Sunday brings a more laid-back feel in the larger-than-life shape of Freddie McGregor, who has worked his way through most reggae styles, via tunes like Big Ship, Push Comes to Shove and Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely.

More intriguing still, perhaps, are the band who share the top of the bill with Freddie – the Congos.

Often touted as the greatest roots vocal trio about, they are celebrated for the divine album, Heart of the Congos.

As if that little lot wasn’t enough, the festival has now shifted to The Cluny, whose splendid kitchens will be serving up Jamaican food all day.

Over at the Tyneside Cinema, there’s a reggae film festival to coincide with the main musical event.

It’s enough to make me forget it’s not November.