Machel Montano HD on WI Tube

Imagine there is now a "West Indian Tube" specifically for West Indian and Caribbean videos, I am so behind the times. Anyway here is a 10 minute video of Machel Montano in Madison Square Garden for your pleasure:

Machel in Madison Square Garden on Synergy

Just a heads up for all those who are in Trinidad that Synergy T.V. will be showing their coverage of Machel H.D. in Madison Square Garden on Thursday April 5th 2007. So I guess we in Trinidad do not have to wait on the BET Special (which will be great I am sure) to share in the excitement of the concert.

Make sure and tune in to the show, Pete's Picks at 9:00PM on Thursday April 5th!

Machel at Madison Square Garden pics!

I have to say thanks to the person who sent me these photos by email; no note or anything just photos. Who ever you are, your thoughtfulness is much appreciated!

Machel HD at Madison Square Garden on You Tube

There are many clips of the concert on You Tube, even though they are not the best quality it gives people like me, who were not there, just a "sample", a mere fraction of a taste of what the show was like.

Here are the clips I found so far, most of them have links to other clips as well:

Machel Montano at MSG

Machel Monatno at MSG pt. 2

Machel HD - Jumbie Intro

Machel at MSG - Jumbie!!

Machel Montano HD at MSG - Down the Road

Machel Montano HD at MSG - Higher than High

Machel Concert review, Midnight show

Thanks to dougla_1 for the follwoing review in his words:

Hi Saucy,
For the midnight show, I arrived at 12:05am, and was relieved there was still a steadily moving line from 7th Avenue walking into the Madison Square Garden Theater. I had left my Brooklyn apartment at 11:35pm, quite concerned I would miss the opening of the show. But that feeling was allayed as I joined the line on my way into the Garden. There was a palatable air of anticipation as the orderly multi-ethnic crowd of about 60% female (dominant attire for the night was jeans, glam top, light jacket) entered the long, cozily lit entrance hallway that led to the Theater auditorium.

Just before entering the larger than expected concert space, I purchased a beer at the drinks concession stand immediately outside the doors. To my seat, I took the drink, poured into a plastic cup, which was to help sustain the little buzz I had from a home brew of Hennessy and cranberry juice consumed to put me in the party mood on my walk from my parked vehicle to the Garden. Inside the nicely sloped auditorium the crowd had almost already filled the space to capacity with more entering as I found my seat. People continued to take their seats while Dahved Levy (one of the concert organizers, NYC’s WBLS 107.5 FM radio personality, DJ, and native of Barbados) was talking something or the other as he is known to be verbose. But, I think he needed very little to hype the already hyped crowd. He did informed the ushers that it is a Caribbean crowd so if some rushed the aisles it is all cool, it is just a fete in the place or something like that. Then he said, “allyuh ready for MACHEL!!!” That was all we would hear from Dahved until the end of the show, and the last time the entire audience would remain seated. It was quite obvious that Trini’s in the house were well represented because 90% of the bandanas, hand rags, and flags were the T&T flag of red, white, and black. I took a big gulp from my cup of beer; let the show begin. Now, forgive me if I recall some of the performance highlights out of sequence and some of the facts just a little hazy at this point. So, here goes.

In one word, the concert was FANTASTIC!!! The curtain opened to a stage that had musicians in front of a floor to ceiling background, which appeared to be giant reeds (I suspect in line with a Trinidad heritage they represented being in the midst of a sugar cane field). The sugar cane field appeared to be made of golden lamé (the single set, the giant puppets, and most costumes were designed by Peter Minshall; later in the show I did notice four dancers who wore Island People’s 2k7, Sahara section with the wing backpack). The first sounds, as the curtains opened, were the pumping steady beats of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” with a twist; the words were “We Will Resurrect You.” As the beat continued, a female performer appeared from the back of the stage fluttering to the front wearing a yellow and orange variation of one of Minshall’s most famous and seminal Trinidad Carnival mas design, the Humming Bird. The performer danced and was soon join by a chorus of male and female performers (stage left and right) in long flowing church choir gowns, each performer wearing dreadlocks wigs and various forms of head ties. There was a symbolic taking of the wings of the free spirited, dancing Bird of Paradise, as she was beating down by batoned police (this seems to be a reference to the Canboulay riots, and the lost of freedom for the Carnival parade). Then, (or was it before) Machel entered the stage.

The audience went wild, and almost in unison rose to our feet, and would remain standing, dancing, and jumbieing all through to the end of the show. First in his repertoire was"Higher Than High” and most of his tunes for this night belonged to his recent CD, “HD, the book of angels.” Machel’s first guest artiste on stage with him was Shaggy. I don’t remember exactly what they sung, but the vibes were very high. The audience was still jamming, standing in front of our seats, in the aisles, and directly in front just below the stage. Yes, it was a fete in Madison Square Garden!

Next up was Drupati, and she began the short segment with the Machel collaboration “Unity” (hit about four years ago). She was joined on stage by about twelve dancers wearing Minshall’s colourful version of the traditional India female’s dance attire. Then, she and Machel bumped it up to “Like Bollywood” from the new CD. Somewhere in the show about four moko jumbies (no not THAT one yet), were dancing as they towered over Machel, and as the fellas rocked back on their stilts wining as if they were on the ground, I was concerned they would fall down to the stage. Not me at all. I’ll leave that mokoing to those jumbies. Machel went through about ten wardrobe changes, none really distinguishable from the next, but they did provide transitions as the show moved forward.

Doug E Fresh, took the stage during one of Machel backstage outfit changes, and he rocked the house with his amazing human beat box sounds. He never lost the audience once, then Machel joined him on stage and they pumped up the crowd even higher, most everyone still on our feet (just one or two there an about took a little sit down rest). Doug E left the stage to loud applause. Then, Machel flirted with the ladies in the front (“One More Time” was sung during the show but I don’t remember when), and never letting them forget he could wine and jook. He asked how many people have children, and reminded all never to forget them. And so he, song his tribute “We Not Giving Up” (a Doug E Fresh 2k6 collaboration) with three little kids in a cute little boat that made it’s way across stage right to left, between two undulating stage wide, blue fabric that evoked waves in the ocean. This was a nice touch, as the sound seemed heart felt. The kids waved goodbye and goodnight as the little boat reached stage left (Machel having left the boat closer to stage right).

Machel himself, not forgetting that there is always a continuum of generations, introduced the “king” of Soca and Calypso, David Rudder (I don’t remember if that was before or after Machel song “Too Young to Soca” A CAPPELLA). Well, David tore down the house, as he vigorously went through a couple of his famous tunes including “Bahia Girl” as if he possessed a body of a man 25yrs younger. This was clearly displayed with “High Mas,” at one point doing a kind of Baptist ketch the spirit dance solo, that would have youths scratching their head saying “ah cyar handle dat nah.” It was quite a special moment as David was clearly feeling the vibes of the audience and the higher power that inspires his life. Applause, applause, and applause for the man, he definitely was not fronting. After the Rudder set, Machel had a fun interlude with a white male performer with a couple of American top 40 tunes (not really necessary for this show IMHO.)

“JUMBIE!” someone yelled, as Machel again took center stage. He said, “wait nah, ah not ready yet.” He paused a beat, said, “ok, ok, allyuh must be ready for some road march tunes.” He ran and disappeared stage left and reappeared on top of a “big” red truck prop (half a stage high, and sort of what a typical little kid would draw), as the sound of the big hit “Big Truck” horn blasted through the hugh, stage speakers. The crowd barely had a chance to breath from “Big Truck” as the very fit looking Patrice Roberts joined Machel on stage with “Band of the Year.” Then the spirited medley ended with both of them singing “Light It Up.” Patrice asked the lighting director to turn off the house lights, and the effect of the bright, short glow sticks was evident in lighting it up. Still the jumbies in the audience were quite restless, having been whipped up to an exhilarating outta body experience from the show so far, which was now over two hours.

The finale started with a voice narration as tall jumbie puppet (six or eight total, carried more like giant standards) appeared from the sugar can field at the back of the stage set. Then the dreadlocks chorus returned on stage, now with a tall costumed male angel at center, in a typical Minshall winged design, dancing his white wings. The audience again went wild with anticipation as Machel emerge at front center from stage right, and “Jumbie” was ON! Machel was dipping at center stage, and shouted “RAH!!!, do the jumbie dance.” And the audience was more than ready to oblige. Now, everyone could confirm that they were in fact having an out of body experience. Machel certainly performed and entertained in the best manner as only he could, and his popularity proves. “Jumbie” was no exception. In continuation of the finale, the winged angel cloaked Machel with his wings. Then as the chorus parted at center stage the Bird of Paradise returned with her yellow and orange wings having been fully restored, and danced her way to the forefront. She was followed by the four Island People’s Sahara section dancers, and three white and pink copies of Minshall’s most famous world traveled giant mas puppets, though slightly smaller and with “jumbie” heads. Within minutes, Tan Tan and Saga Boy, the giant puppets not weary from travel, came on stage. Not shy at all, Tan Tan put down some wine on Saga Boy, as Machel encouraged us with more “Jumbie.” There was a sense nobody wanted this concert to end, but ended it must. By that time, the Queen’s inspire thump was shaking the speakers with “We Will Resurrect You.” Machel thanked all for coming out to support him. He pointed to the group of performers, now with the reappearance of the Indian dancers, on stage saying all these people are from several of the Caribbean countries. The implication, clearly a unity message for the Caribbean diaspora. He said he was grateful to all for helping him fulfill his dream of headlining a show at Madison Square Garden. The Trinidad and Tobago native son represented well, in the Big Apple, on his continued journey to international superstardom. I suspect it was indeed truly an outta body experience for the vast majority of the audience. Back to yuhself, could be returned with levity, a big smile inside, and much appreciation. RAAAAH!!!!


Colin (dougla_1)

The Headlines are all Machel

The weekend coverage for Machel HD continues with the following Express concert review:

Machel makes Madison
Wayne Bowman in New York

Sunday, March 25th 2007

The overseers and staff of Madison Square Garden in New York never experienced anything like what Machel Montano delivered at the world famous venue on Friday when Bless God Entertainment produced his 25th Anniversary Concert.

Host of the show, Dahved Levy, told the audience that Montano had created history as the first artiste ever to have two sellout shows at MSG on the same night. Montano presented two concerts, the first at 8.30 p.m. and the other at midnight.

The concert, which took place at The Theatre @ MSG featured some elements from the AC5 concert of last Carnival, but with several new features and a much tighter presentation. The set design and dramatic choreography was done by Peter Minshall, who created a grove of golden bamboo shoots on the stage and also created a number of mas charatcters that Montano incorporated into his performance. The sold-out audience of 6,000 at the first show were wowed by the visuals as much as they were by Montano's music and vocals, which were spot on.

Check the above link to read the rest of the article.

Machel Mania!!!

On this Fat Friday it will be all things Machel Montano in honour of his concert tonight. The following excerpt is from today's Express newspaper and confirms the Machel Mania is now a global thing! Check this link to read the entire article:

Machelmania in Manhattan
...mobbed by fans during CD signing
Driselle Ramjohndramjohn@trinidadexpress.com


Friday, March 23rd 2007


"Reigning National Road March Monarch Machel Montano yesterday drew more than 300 fans to the J&R Music Store at Manhattan, New York, where he was on hand to sign autographs for people who purchased copies of his 2007 CD collection The Book of Angels.

Before sitting down to meet his fans, Montano delivered a short yet highly-charged performance in the store that had the West Indians that had come to J&R specifically for the signing, jumping up Carnival style.

So powerful was Montano's presentation, patrons who were there on other business, some of them having never heard of Montano or soca music before, began to ask the store clerks who he was and also about his CD.

Montano will tonight create history when he becomes the first soca artiste ever to headline at Madison Square Garden, New York.

He is scheduled to deliver two concerts, the first at 8 p.m. and the other at midnight.........................."

Machel Montano Autograph Session - a review

Thanks to triniprincess for the following review; girl friend braved the cold, and possibly getting fired from her job, to not only see Mr. Montano up close and personal at J&R Records but scored photos to prove it! You are a real Carnival Jumbie, job well done.

So I get over there promptly at 12:30 , there are a couple of people milling around waiting to purchase the CD.


We are informed that they are on the way with Machel. I am a little anxious because there are not a lot of people there, but that QUICKLY changes. So I patiently take a position in line when one of the girls says that the CDs are here. I have my co-worker hold my position in the line and run to get two CDs. As I am waiting to pay in comes Mr. HD himself with a lieu of camera men and photographers in tow. It seems like we boy really blowing up!!




I quickly return to the line that has more than doubled by now. The store announces that Mr. Machel Montano WILL BE PERFORMING IN A FEW MINUTES FOLLOWED BY AUTOGRAPH SIGNING, A TREAT!!! I wasn't expecting a performance!!


It took a couple of minutes for Machel to take his position on the stage, the crowd started to heckle him a little that they only have an hour for lunch and if he make them lose they job he will have to take them in. All in good fun, Mr. HD graciously poses for pictures as the crowd asks him to turn this way and all the "Machel smile for me nah ah over here!!"

Finally he takes the stage and starts off with "Dance with you"; he stops and tells the crowd that he can't wait to dance with them tomorrow at the Garden and if you coming to the late show he will do it "One more time", which leads him into that song. He follows that with the new breakup follow up song for One more time (I don't know the name of it but if you were in Trinidad for Carnival you heard it).


He quickly runs through a few lines of his other songs until he asks for all the Jumbies that will be in the Garden tomorrow. The crowd goes as wild as a crowd could go in a packed HOT store (winter coats NOT helping) on your lunch time break.


He pulled a lady out of the crowd to Jumbie with him, who quite politely refused to get off the stage when he was done until he gave her a hug.


He then quickly wrapped up and started signing autographs for the people.

All in all that was a great warm up for tomorrow, I came back to my desk "Higher than high", ready to bring out my inner "Jumbie" and I know that we will "Light it up" tomorrow night!!!

Sidebar: It was funny hearing the people not in the know asking everyone who this person was, poor souls they just did not know but they quickly found out.

Saucy I also ran into quite a few of your fans when the store manager asked how did we find out about the in-store promo, girl you large and in charge.

Machel Autograph Signing....

I hope you guys bookmarked the website Triniscene N.Y. because you need to be checking it daily for the latest news on the Machel H.D. concert! Have a look at the following flyer courtesy Triniscene N.Y. for information on Machel's autograph signing tomorrow:

Higher than High .. Machel H.D. After party !

To all you lucky people heading to Machel's concert on Friday have a GREAT time for all of us who will be in Trinidad; I cannot think of a better cure (albeit temporary) for the Carnival Blues than Machel singing Jumbie with 6000 people doing the dance in The Garden.

My sources tell me that Triniscene N.Y. will have photos from the concert, so at least we in Trinidad have something to look forward to! For those who are not aware, Triniscene has gone international and have recently launched a N.Y. site with events listing, photo galleries and even a blog.

After the concert if you are still flying Higher than High there are three "official" After Parties, rumor is that Machel might make a guest appearance at one of the following.. I am not saying which one... but I heard it is the one with the two Bs in it; check out the flyers or Triniscene N.Y. for more information:

Machel in Madison Square Garden

Machel Montano and Friends
in the Theater at
Madison Square Garden
Friday, March 23!

The Prince of Soca, Machel Montano is coming to NYC this March to celebrate his 25th Anniversary! He'll be joined by The King of Soca, David Rudder along with other special guests.

Machel Montano is a young Trinidadian who is edging his name among the elite in the music industry! Machel and his band Xtatik have been the premier Soca band in the Caribbean for more than a decade and have established themselves as the leading draw at major events in NYC, Miami, Toronto, London and throughout the Caribbean Diasporas. Montano is recognized as the leading performer in the Soca music genre and is highly regarded, as well as a songwriter, producer and band leader.

Don't miss Machel Montano and Friends featuring David Rudder and other special guests on Friday, March 23 at The Theater At MSG!

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, February, 6 @ 9:00am.

If you sign up for Backstage Access as a member of Backstage Access, you can purchase tickets on Sunday, February 4 at 9:00am through Monday, February 5 at 9:00pm before they go on sale to the general public. Promotion code BAMACHEL.

source:http://www.radiocity.com/backstage.html