In preparation for his golden concert, Keino Swamber dug deep into his musical reservoir, not just for songs reflecting his particular vintage, but compositions with a message at his Keino Swamber presents Golden concert.
Chalk up the choices to his media experience as a journalist and news editor at Newsday which may have triggered his social conscience.
His song collection ranged from giving thanks for his 50 years of life, his opening number – Give Thanks for Life, to a particular genre influenced by his memories of listening to his mom’s favourite selections on radio, as she did her chores. This genre of music boasted of people like Mavis John, Stevie Wonder, Anita Baker and others.
Say a Little Prayer for the Children reflected both his love and fear for children he said are in danger as he appealed for their future to be protected.
He spoke of the ugly memories of slavery that led to Emancipation – and a song to ensure that part of history is never repeated.
[caption id="attachment_968312" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Keino Swamber, left, and Brenda Butler perform Stevie Wonder's song Love's in Need of Love Today at the Keino Swamber presents Golden concert, Naparime Bowl, San Fernando on July 30. - JEFF K MAYERS[/caption]
Whatever the rationale, the choices resonated with his intimate audience which seemed to have a personal connection with him –judging from the raucous and shrill calls, whistles, shared running joke about the lone pannist, Opal Murrell, having a solo lead in every selection, to its prediction of the next “star” to grace the stage, before he announced the artiste.
Swamber found a composition reflective of the many moods he exhibited at his second solo concert on July 30, celebrating his half century with a year-long fete.
Guest artistes he described as “all stars,” beautifully complemented the tone of the more matured, but yet playful vibes inside the Naparima Bowl, San Fernando, auditorium.
The incredible Brenda Butler, wearing a painted on golden clip across the right side of her otherwise bald head, specially selected Jill Scott’s Golden to commemorate her friend’s distinct anniversary on earth.
Her golden voice and Swamber’s strong and loud baritone voice, blended seamlessly in the second half for a duet of a Stevie Wonder classic Love's in Need of Love Today.
Moricia Cagan, another one of Swamber’s friends from their karaoke days, she confessed, jazzed up Barrington Levy’s Vice Versa Love much to the delight of the audience.
She had every one harmonising with her for her two selections, including Whitney Houston’s, Where do Broken Hearts Go.
In response, Swamber followed Cagan’s dynamic performance with an answer to the question.
“They come into my loving arms,” he quipped, ripping into vintage Millie Jackson’s Loving Arms.
“They don’t make then like that anymore,” he said, receiving the audience’s approval.
[caption id="attachment_968311" align="alignnone" width=
