King Tide pummeled the crowd with their beat and forceful sound on Saturday night at The Gaelic Club. Playing well over 20 songs on the evening, Tony, Paul and the band were in excellent shape and form, even with Tony sporting a rather rugged black eye.
I was confused at how he had come to this beating, but alas, it was only a bit of a problem with a bass guitar that caused it. No bashings at the hands of anyone, thankfully.

Coming out and kicking off the band did World’s Gone Wack and the attendees were skanking from the get go. When you see King Tide you are taken by the force of the playing, the groove and the fabulous horn section. Paul and his new hairdo, or lack of one, as he has removed his long locks for the bald look, except for a gash of hair behind one ear. Of course the new look suited him and had no effect on his singing, dancing or rapping.

Moving and grooving was what was happening on the dance floor and the smell of weed filled the air and that is a nice change from most gigs these days. Not that I condone open smoking, but reggae and rock and roll gigs used to be one place where you could light up without too much pressure. No one at the club seemed to mind one bit and it added to the Rastafarian atmosphere of the night.

The anniversary of Mr.Marley’s birth had just passed and Bob would have been 63 this year if he was still with us. The spirit of Bob was with us as we worked up a good sweat and the rhythm and the roll of King Tide kept us moving through a set list that included Not Irie, Bush Heads, Dog War, and a great version of Skatalite Feelin.

Yes a night with King Tide took it out of me but left me wanting to keep dancing and moving. They inspire the legs and feed the ears. And just a few days ago I entered a cab in Sydney and the driver was playing some soulful reggae and I asked him, “Is this the radio”? And of course it was not, but we talked reggae for a bit and his wife who is a former New Yorker like I, had seen Bob Marley around 40 times.

I asked the cabbie if he had heard of King Tide and he had. His wife loves the band and she can’t believe that they don’t get more press and air time in this world of ours.
I nodded in agreement and told him to make sure he and his wife supported live music by seeing them the next time they are in the neighborhood.

And make sure you, dear reader, get out and see King Tide soon. Time waits for no one, not even you.

Peace.
Reggae
Keep It Coming….