Queen mushiya reviews her hero Everton Blender

On June 4, 2010, in classic, by E

Queen Mushiya reviews her Hero Clarendon Jamaica’s Own – Everton Blender performance Live at the Caribbean Grill Dallas Sunday May 16,2010

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 3:15 PM

Everton Blender, Queen, DJ Dollar Bill

Well it has been many years I have been yearning to meet my Hero – Mr. Everton Blender… Man was I excited when I heard that Ras Ragga with Standup productions and Black Rhino Sounds was bringing Everton to Dallas. I was beside myself with excitement. You probably wonder: why I? the Queen so excited about Everton Blender, well when I have traveled over the years with… as one fan put it “with Reggae Rasta Royalty” such as Mikey Dread, Glen Washington, The Scientist and the ladies favorite “Marcus “Yabba” Griffith, USVI reggae legends – InnerVisions Reggae Band and so on… the very ones that has put the “R, R and R” in Reggae which is Real Roots Reggae., why Everton Blender I am excited about?

Well in all honesty, Everton Blender had become one of my heroes, once I heard the song many years ago “Lift up your head and hold it up high”. When that song hit the airwaves, there was lots of carnage going on, not only in the streets of Jamaica but also worldwide. The uplifting message the song provided was a basis of strength. The message was so positive, it gave you hope of better things to come. So powerful was the song, that in my mind’s eye I thought, the person singing such an uplifting song has to be ONE with JAH. My heart connected with his strength and Rasta Love, that entity can only uplift and that is exactly what we needed in those trying times.

That my friends; is when Everton Blender was added to my Hero list. (smile). I did not know him personally, but I had heard lots of good things about him throughout my travel in the Reggae tour circuit. I figured I must meet this person who loved Jah so passionately and was well known as a strong family man. After speaking with Ras Ragga with Standup productions he made our meeting possible. It was so nice of Ras Ragga after finding out Everton Blender was my hero, made it his mission to connect us. (smile). Not only, bringing Everton here for a Concert at the Caribbean Grill, but also having Everton Blender call the Reggae Solutions program here at KNON 89.9 Irie FM Dallas and do an interview with myself and Steady Rankin; how elated I was! I was so flustered for the first time in my life, I could not conduct the interview, Steady had to jump in and take the rein. (smile). Now, don’t get me wrong Peter Tosh still remains my number 2 Hero after Mike Dread. But it was exciting to talk with Everton Blender after so long of wanting.

The Concert:

So it goes… the trend it seems these days is that Artists are performing some shows via sound systems. I am not a fan of this practice, I love bands! However, there are a few Artists that can actually pull this off, if the sound system is tip top. Everton Blender lucked out, because Dallas Sound System master DJ Playboy has the sound system thing locked down, he is definitely a master of any musical system domain!!! I also enjoyed the music by Zion Roots. The music presentation overall I give – two thumbs up (perfection).

Everton had performed in Houston the night before, and his voice was a little hoarse, however being a genuine strong vocalist he still put on a good show. So despite a voice that was suffering from overwork he still pleased the audience. I was especially pleased that he sung my song “She’s gone”. And when he started to sing “Lift up your head and hold it up high” he did not have to use his voice, the audience took over and sung the entire song through. (smile)… But Everton wanting to please the audience started the song again and again the audience sung the entire song through. Not one to give up, Everton went on to sing other songs in his repertoire however, before he left the stage; determined, he once again sung the most popular song to date! Lift up your head and hold it up high!!!!!! You have got to respect that type of dedication and determination.

Like many Jamaican Rasta singers, he has a strong stage presence, a thrilling entertainer, definitely connecting with his audience.
this fact was apparent when a female fan, just strolled on stage, put her arms around Everton Blender’s waist and squeezed then commenced to rock with him as he performed. Being a true professional he did not even blink an eye to this interruption, he never missed a musical beat!! He just kept on performing, even with her hanging onto him. Now this was no small woman by any stretch of the imagination, so just imagine, being held tight and try to keep performing under such restraints!. (smile)

The funny thing is that we actually thought that she was part of the show; as she had so casually wondered upon stage. LOL – We later found out that she was just an over enthusiastic fan, wanting to get up close and PERSONAL for real.

I don’t know what my Rasta Reggae brothers are doing to these women, but you can rest for sure, the women population here in Dallas is surely to be large at their concerts! This was witnessed on Sunday night.

Now, don’t get me wrong: Mr. Blender is good eye candy (very easy on the eyes); sexy and chocolate like that; as well as being a powerful singer. His press picture actually does him no justice. So I can see why the woman wanted to get to that stage. LOL… As you all know, my pet peeve is that the Artist must show the fans respect! Everton went above and beyond the call of duty and showed the fans much love and respect, signing autographs and taking countless pictures with them. It is safe to say the Dallas Massive both men and women went home joyfully.

I understand that Everton has promised that he will return to Dallas; he was disappointed with his voice and wants to come back to do a better show. His thoughts are that his voice just was not there, he wants to give more to the fan. I personally saw no one complaining. What he may have been lacking vocally, he made up for in interactions. He did a good solid show; if he wishes to come back I am sure the fans will be more than happy to welcome him. (smile).

Everton Blender brought to Dallas by Ragga Standup Productions and Black Rhino Sounds!
The Reggae Solutions crew would like to give thanks to the Rasta promoter from USVI for their support of our programming and for making this long awaited Everton Blender concert happen, as it had been many years since he appeared live in Dallas.

What a wonderfully inspiring show RAS Ragga and Stand up Productions and Black Rhino sounds put on! The system, the event place – The Caribbean Grill, their hospitality and such was appreciated. Their constant attention making sure that all things were good, showed their dedication to get it right. I was feeling a little sad, because the turnout was a little low. But, this is Texas and a working class city, not a University City and weeknight’s reggae shows are just hard as many have to work the next day. Many had written or called and said had it been a weekend date or if the show was earlier, they would have surely attended. Who doesn’t want a piece of the Blender? (smile).

In response the promoter Ras Ragga said: “Overall I feel the vibes in the place was strong and everyone received the blessing the father sent us through Blender, hoarse or not. His energy is strong”. He said he will definitely do it again and looking forward in bringing more conscious roots reggae artists to the Dallas/Forth Worth area.

Excerpt from Everton Blender’s song “Lift up your Head”:

LIFT UP YER HEAD AND HOLD IT UP HIGH
WE KNOW THAT WE'LL WIN THE PRIZE
TIME GETTIN HARDER, STILL WE STRIVING FOR BETTER
AND WERE NOT GONNA STOP TILL THE BATTLE IS WON
AN WE GET JUSTICE
CAUSE IF YOU LOSE YER STAND
ANYONE WILL TRY TO PUSH YOU OVER
LIFT UP YER HEAD AND HOLD IT UP HIGH
WE KNOW THAT WE'LL WIN THE PRIZE
LIFT UP YER HEAD AND HOLD IT UP HIGH
WE KNOW THAT WE'LL WIN THE PRIZE
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED, BY THE PITFALLS AND THEIR WORRIES
Pain endure FOR THE NIGHT BUT JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING
AND IF YOU LOSE YER SOUL THERE'S NOTHING TO GAIN
IT WILL BE OVER