Bunny Wailer, Psalms, Solomonic Orchestra, & Mystafya

As the last of the original Wailers, Bunny Wailer is seen as something of a high priest both of reggae music and of reggae's message—the teachings of Ras Tafari. So for anyone who values either, the visit of "Jah B" was not to be forsaken.

There was concern on gig-day as to how the Truckee weather would hold out. Even though it was near summer according to the calendar, El Niño was still having it’s little way with Nor-Cal (I had just ridden Alpine freshies three days prior). We heard that Bunny was being pushed forward so as to avoid anything too cool for a native Jamaican.

But when our team came up on the scene, things got right. Mystafya was finishing up their opening set, and the venue looked comfortably open. Amazingly, as the Chico crew (Fatty Matty, Boomshot, B.Dread, Coot, the new Mystic House roommate, and myself) entered the seating area, a sea of sitters parted and we were guided to the front center.

Mystafya got off and some semi-weak DJ-ing came on. (Why aren’t more Nor-Cal reggae promoters hiring DJs like Boomshot to nice it up?) Soon enough the 17-piece Solomonic Orchestra, Bunny’s band that featured Ras Michael on binghi drum, was let go. Then the Psalms came out. They are harmony vocal trio, straight from yard. I saw these guys at Reggae on the River, and I was fired up to see and hear them again. Super-hard old school style, it was like a time of respect for roots before they were joined by Jah B. They tore several tunes up, including a heavy version of the anthemic "Satta Massagana," which they hit as hard as anyone I’ve ever heard. Thanks and respect for the Psalms.

Then, as if ordained, the cloud cover eased open a bit, and the ampitheater found itself under a blue sky. And, in his inimitable fashion, Bunny flowed out. We were about 20 feet from him and could feel it all building. He looked up, then out at us, picked up his drum and proceeded to light Truckee the hell up. Jah B come up every time, you know?

He hit so many licks so hard it was almost too much. I remember him stopping to talk early on, citing the favor from the weather. He said it was no surprise to him, the blue sky and sun, and that Jah guides; the people of Truckee, Tahoe and Nor-Cal were supposed to hear Bunny’s message.

I agree, and am humbly thankful to have been there.

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