The Jolly Boys mento band performs with lead singer Albert Minott during the Best Dressed Chicken Portland Jerk Festival at Folly Ruins in Portland. - Photo by Gareth Davis
Gareth Davis Sr, Gleaner Writer
FOLLY, Portland:
Vintage mento band, Jolly Boys, gave a cameo [b style="color: blue !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; position: static;"]performance at the Best Dressed Chicken Portland Jerk Festival held on Sunday, July 7, on the grounds of the Folly Ruins in Port Antonio.[/b]
Headed by lead singer Albert Minott, the group had the approximately 6,000 patrons dancing up a storm to the classic mento beat including Gal and Bwoy and Talking Parrot, shortly after 7 p.m.
Minott captivated the crowd with varied dance moves, reminiscent of ska and rumba, which brought to life the mature patrons, who sang loudly and danced the night away.
The group, which comprised Portlanders, has been around since 1962 and has gained international recognition, continuing to reapsuccess after success following the release of a new album in 2010 titled Great Expectation.
Earlier former festival winner Tinga Stewart set the tempo with a number of hits, getting the crowd rocking and singing Cover Me, Take Time To Know Her, Inside My Heart, Play Di Music, and No Way Nuh Betta Dan Yaad.
Additionally, Roy Rayon also gave a high-spirited performance, reeling off songs including aversion of Frankie Paul's Aleisha, Give Thanks and Praises, Another One Come, Too Experienced, Fever, and Celebration.
The group One Third came and had the women screaming for the most part with a series of love songs.
The curtains came down following the performance of Mr Vegas, who had the ladies screaming, hitting the stage shortly after 8:30 p.m., reeling off hit after hit, including Heads High, Raffle And [b style="color: blue !important; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: 700; position: static;"]Deal[/b], Man A Gallis, I Am Blessed, Tek Wheh Yuhself, Girls Time, and Name Brand.
As expected, Vegas had to be recalled twice, as the crowd, which kept building during his performance, just couldn't seem to get enough of the international artiste.
And during his performance, Vegas made it clear that, not only does he love Portland and its beauty, but he wanted to do more shows locally