Ken Boothe performing independently for nearly 60 years

(As Jamaica marks its diamond jubilee, the Entertainment Desk continues its weekly ‘Jamaica 60’ feature in celebration of the island’s rich musical heritage).

Deteriorating ligaments and eyesight, along with all the changes that come with ageing aside, veteran singer-songwriter Ken Boothe’s get-up-and-go attitude and vision are still unspoiled. The lights glaring, the bass beating in sync with his heart, gliding across a platform like dancing on clouds, feeling high above the crowd, “free” is what draws an entertainer like this veteran to the stage.

The Freedom Street artiste has been performing for almost as long as Jamaica’s independence and has a dream of paving the way for upcoming generations for many more years.

“It gives me a good feeling to be able to connect with the people even to this day, especially young people, and only want the best for them,” Boothe said in a recent interview with The Gleaner.

He added, “My hope is the people will be better off in the future because right now we see the new world order happening … things are uncertain. People are also not as happy as before but I don’t think it is going to be long because whatever God involved in or is moving through can’t go wrong.”

Boothe started recording in the early 1960s, a time when news and political views were popularly expressed through song. Collaborating earlier this year with British reggae veterans Nick Manasseh and David Hill on a track titled Tell Me Why, Boothe upholds the tradition as he bemoans the state of the modern world. It is featured on the duo’s On The Grove album which was released in March.

With over 30 albums in his catalogue, the 74-year-old veteran is not running out of ideas, and concepts are whirling around in his mind for new compilations and collaborations. Of new music of his own, Ken says, “There’s more to come. I’m doing some production, I have a studio in my home, so the work is continuous. I actually just completed a soul album; it was always my dream to do a complete project. Jamaican musicians were inspired by the jazz and blues from the US and I want to show how it directly influenced me. I thank God I’m alive to do this.”

He further expressed that as a creative, God is moving through him, and though unable to move as nimbly as he used to, to perform up to two hours like he used to, he will not stop doing music for as long as he lives. For Jamaica 60, Ken said he yearns to perform on every possible platform.

“I just want to perform; I don’t know if it’s because of the little doubt I have but I have not been performing as much. Over the years, I been singing and dancing on stage, it rough up the ligaments, most of us don’t realise we need to stretch – I’m one of them that didn’t do that,” he said. “Then, my eyesight, now, when you grow old everything starts to defect and we just have to live with it but it doesn’t stop me from doing an unforgettable performance. I cannot stop.”

Speaking more to Jamaica’s upcoming diamond jubilee celebrations, Ken offered that his single Black, Gold and Green should serve as a reminder to the people what they should be working towards. As he breaks into song, “ There is a land of pure beauty, Where blessing awaits for us all. And if your heart is clean, I know you will redeem, In the land of the black gold & green. It is the land that is holy, The holiest land you’ve ever see. And if we unite as one, I know we can understand.”

He does justice to the lyrics written along with Lloyd Kevin James, Martin Riley and Winston Delano Riley and released in 1972 (exactly 50 years ago).

“We never used the colour of the flag like others did. We wanted to show people what Jamaica was and is about. As we approach another independence celebration, I wish Jamaica all the best. I also want them to get rid of the violence, look into when you take someone’s life, the treasure you take away. It is time for gunmen to put up dem gun like figurine on a whatnot,” Boothe said.

stephanie.lyew@gleanerjm.com