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Rihanna
@ Pigeon Island, St. Lucia Jazz Festival
13 May 2006
Click an image to enlarge.
The scenery near this venue entrance alone is enough to take
your breath away. Your senses are bombarded by the smell of chicken,
fish and other freshly prepared delicacies on offer. You cannot
ignore ‘or not admire’ the sight of multi-coloured stalls
and multi-coloured homemade items on display by local sellers, who
proudly parade their wares. Illuminated trees and historical ruins
silhouette against the revamped hooded stage (to cater for all types
of weather).
The first daytime venue at Pigeon Island and probably the most
popular part of the Jazz Festival began with the promise of another
hot day - and even less clothing being worn by excited patrons young
and old.
A relaxing sail on the coast, adjacent to the main road made
a perfect start to the day, with a dinghy dropping us off at the
jetty for a short trot to the main stage.
Review
Seasoned patrons had their mats, sarongs, portable chairs already
positioned as near to the front of the stage as possible. Everybody
was already on their feet in anticipation for Bajan beauty Rihanna,
who immediately stirred the crowd with her dramatic entrance and
shout of “ST LUCIA MAKE SOME NOISE!”
Rihanna was not alone; she was soon followed by her four strong,
fiery, extremely provocative dance troupe. Pigeon Island patrons
were soon swaying and singing along to “You Do Not Love Me
(No, no, no), taken from her aptly titled ‘Music Of The Sun’
album. Unpredictably, Rihanna then switched mode. Her dancers took
a breather as she invited an acoustic guitarist to the stage. After
a brief spoken tribute to Bob Marley she then performed a passionate
soulful rendition of “Redemption Song”. The crowd were
now eating out of her hand. Old and young alike were reaching out
with adoration for this stunning young woman.
Keeping it in a mellow mode, Rihanna continued to soothe our sweat-laden
brows with her heartbreak ballad, “Unfaithful”. The
experienced an inexperienced (eight – eighty year old) patron
sang along as though in combined grief and understanding. The youngest
section of the sing-along clan notably transfixed by Rihanna’s
voice, beauty and seductive aura.
With Carnival time in St. Lucia drawing ever closer, road march
anthems such as “Wind Your Waist”, ‘Its Carnival
Time’ and “Ring Ding Ding” are bound to be popular.
When performed by Rihanna and her ‘do it all’ dancers,
these songs are sure-fire winners.
Not surprisingly, Rihanna’s worldwide hit “Pon De Replay”
was saved for her encore. Her fans were suitably impressed.“She
was really good, better than I expected!” Explained a
wide-eyed excited eight year old.
Report by
Robin Francis
Additional information by Carole Clemesha
© Michael Valentine Studio Ltd.
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