Known around the world for its association with the legendary Bob Marley, The Wailers brought the sound of Jamaica to Niagara Falls, New York, with a performance Saturday night at the Bears Den, inside the Seneca Niagara Casino. The intimate setting of the 440 seat venue made for a spectacular evening as the reggae band, formed by remaining members of Bob Marley and The Wailers, performed Bob Marley’s 1979 Survival album in its entirety.
Remaining members Aston “Family Man” Barrett (bass) and Keith Sterling (keyboards) were joined by a charismatic lead singer named Koolant Brown, Drummie Zeb on drums, Audley Chisholm on guitar and Cegee Victory on background vocals.
The show began promptly at 8:00 PM with the “Family Man” taking the stage first for an instrumental “Cobra Style.” Koolant then entered the stage, paying great tribute to the late Bob Marley, honoring him with a wonderful performance. Following a 52 minute heartfelt rendition of Survival, Koolant announced “Niagara Falls, that was Survival in its entirety.” The band exited the stage. Returning a few moments later, backed up by an acoustic guitar, Koolant serenaded the audience as he sang “Do you want more reggae music?” The audience replied thunderously and the band went on to perform a second full set for the encore, filled with classic reggae hits beginning acoustically with “Redemption Song.” As the crowd sang along, Koolant encouraged everyone to get up and dance.
For the next hour, the audience did not sit down. There was singing and dancing in every isle as the crowd belted out the lyrics from “Three Little Birds.” “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be all right” was the mantra of the evening and everyone was happy! The show ended just a few minutes shy of 10:00 PM. The two hour concert will not be forgotten. Certainly not by me or anyone else who saw the show. The positive energy that filled the Bears Den was truly amazing!
Set List:
Cobra Style
So Much Trouble in the World
Zimbabwe
Top Rankin
Babylon System
Survival
Africa Unite
One Drop
Ride Natty Ride
Ambush in the Night
Wake Up and Live
Encore:
Redemption Song
I Shot The Sheriff
Is This Love
Jammin
Stir It Up
Could You Be Loved
Three Little Birds
One Love
Exodus
We would like to thank Tony Astran from the Seneca Niagara Casino for allowing BackstageAxxess.com to review the show.
