Richie Stephens and Friends--Take Me Away!

A Mind Blowing Experience

By Cecelia Campbell-Livingston

Photos by Nicketa Thomas

Breathtaking, ecstatic, wonderful, thrilling, electrifying are just a few of the words that could be used to describe the awesome concert titled ‘Take Me Away: Richie Stephens & Friends’ that was held at the Pegasus Hotel on the evening of Sunday, May 29.

Staged under the banner of the Embassy of the Republic of Panama, Pot of Gold Promotions and spirits giant J Wray & Nephew, the show did just that ­ lulled patrons away on a sea of classic performances.

As one entered the room, the ambiance was breathtaking. The beautifully decorated stage, magical lighting, tropical plants and the array of colours all around, complimented by the soft background music signaled that this was going to be one awesome evening.

From the beginning things ran like a well-oiled machine. The event began promptly at the scheduled 8:00 p.m. start to a packed ballroom. In fact, this was one of the rare moments where the patrons themselves were prompt - by 7:30 p.m. the seats inside the ballroom were almost filled.

The overall production flowed quite smoothly, never missing a beat and easily met its 12-midnight curtain.

Host of the prestigious affair, the incomparable Richie Stephens, came out to greet his guests and opened with some of their favourites such as ‘Pull Up’, ‘Fight Back’, ‘Lady Lady Lady’ and a song in tribute to his mother ‘Wildflower’. He started things off on a high note, opening the door for his first special guest, Heather Cummings, who delivered a beautiful solo performance with the really inspiring original song, ‘People Change’, which was well received. Heather then left the stage to take up her duty doing back-up harmony for the other special guests.

It was refreshing to see Lloyd Parks doing a solo performance instead of merely backing artistes. He delivered with numbers such as ‘Officially’, Reservation For Two’ and ‘The Woman Is Nice’.

Listening to Della Manley was a relaxing experience. Her cool, soft singing was like a lullaby to the ears as she crooned numbers such as ‘Come Undone’ and Don’t Know Why’.

John Williams was a delight with some great instrumentals, adding spice and variety to the evening’s performances. He was filled with infectious energy that quickly transferred to the audience.

A versatile performer, Pam Hall, showed why she is thought to be one of the best female vocalists of all time. Whether it was rocksteady with ‘Perfidia’, ‘No No No’ or the very touching ‘Hard To Be a Woman’, she was more than up to the challenge. She gave a supercharged performance.

Pam closed her set with a performance of ‘Come To Me' with Richie Stephens, a track from Stephens’ ‘Covers For Lovers’ classic.

After another teasing performance from Richie Stephens, who delivered two old favourites ­ 'Everytime You Are There’ and ‘By Your Side’, he called on special friends LUST. Dapperly dressed, they were slick, cool and worked a very professional set.

Brian & Tony Gold kept the entertainment vibes flowing and it was pandemonium when they teamed up with LUST and Richie Stephens to do ‘I Wanna Hold Your Hand’.

Richie Stephens, in his third change of outfit for the evening, came back on stage to perform the hit single and theme song for the evening, ‘Take Me Away’, a song that he wrote in tribute to his wife.

Performing with Heather Cummings, they delighted the audience, especially the ladies. In fact, three female fans were so overwhelmed by the performance that they promptly presented themselves on stage bearing gifts for the sexy, smooth singer. They were all over him as he thrilled their hearts.

At that point, the show moved up ten notches, leading into the exact 15-minute intermission. "Could it get any better?" the anxious audience thought. But they were in for a big surprise.

Ernie Smith brought patrons back to their seats from the break. What can we say about this man except that he is super cool and knows just how to delight an audience. He more than delivered with his many popular hits like ‘Life Is Just For Living’, ‘One Dream’, Duppy Gunman’ and ‘Tears On My Pillow’.

The pressure didn’t let up as Mr. Rocksteady Ken Boothe came blasting out with ‘The Train Is Coming’. He then invited Richie Stephens on stage to do the tune ‘Silver Words’ with him. The two together were lethal. After delivering ‘Everything I Own’ and ‘Try A Little Tenderness’, Boothe made his exit to loud screams of satisfaction.

Richie returned to the stage for an extra special treat, delighting the CVM TV crew that was in the house. He delved into the lyrics of CVM’s theme song 'Looking In, Looking Out’, creating havoc. In fact, the crowd asked for an encore performance. Bwoy, it really buss di place. It’s quite unusual that a jingle would get such a response.

The last half hour proved to be a delightful ‘brawta' as Richie Stephens called on friends such as Cocoa Tea, George Nooks, and Shaggy to ‘do a thing’. It was exciting as they all paid tribute to Dennis Brown performing ‘Should I’.

Richie saved the best for last as he showed that there is more to him than singing. He displayed some fancy footwork on stage as he danced with his friends.

In gratitude to Stephens’ continued support of his hometown of Sav-La-Mar, mayor of that town, Councillor Delford Morgan, presented him with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the people of Westmoreland.

After that presentation Stephens took the opportunity to give thanks to The Almighty for His many blessings. He also thanked all the friends who pledged donations to the Sav-La-Mar Infirmary, to which part of the proceeds of the event will go.

As Richie was reading out the names of the many contributors, with the band playing in the background, members of the Bethel Baptist Church choir made their way onto the stage.

The room became quiet and the mood sombre. Richie and the choir then invited God’s presence into the room as they poured down musical blessings on the audience with a powerful rendition of ‘Father, I Love You’.

Words cannot describe the feeling that came over the room. It was so gripping that tears flowed down the cheeks of many patrons.

At one point in the song, entrepreneur Brian ‘Ribbie' Chung escorted Richie’s mother on stage and mother and son hugged each other tightly as he and the 30-member choir continued to thrill the audience with his powerful voice and lyrics in praise to God.

What a fitting close to a beautiful, awesome evening.

Special mention must be made of the Richie Stephens Masterpiece Band, which were quite professional and never missed a beat in backing all the artistes, as well as back-up singers Heather Cummings, Monica Kitson and Novelette Williams, who really worked hard and very well, harmonizing for all the performers.

MC for the evening was Francois St. Juste, while Krazy Kris ensured that the audience enjoyed some real good music before the show and during the break.

'Take Me Away: Richie Stephens & Friends’ was an amazing production. For any other production to top this, it will have to come real good…and I mean rreeeaaaalll good!