OPEN LONDON

Open London.
At the opening of Festival Jamaica 2012 tonight in Stratford, east London, with members of The League of Rebels, probably the youngest reggae band in the country.

http://www.reggaeville.com/nc/festival-details/festival/respect-jamaica-50th/ac/festivalLineup.html

BIG UP NEVILLE GARRICK

This portrait of Mr. Neville Garrick was taken at 56 Hope Road, Kingston, in 1978, and will feature prominently in the book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks.
Mr Garrick was responsible for the design of the famous Bob Marley album cover, Catch a Fire, subsequent Bob Marley album covers and the stage design and lighting at Bob's concerts.
Mr. Garrick celebrates his Earthday this day.
Big Up Neville Garrick!

Neville Garrick, a graduate of the UCLA College of Fine Arts (and disciple of Angela Davis) who had returned to Jamaica in 1973 to be an art director for the Jamaican Daily News, but met Bob and became Tuff Gong Records' resident designer.

ANANCY

Fact: I was to photograph the Gong discussing the Rastafarian newspaper SURVIVAL.
It is somewhat odd that many Marleyites are not aware that the Gong published three editions of the first Rastafarian newspaper, Survival, in 1980.
Somehow, I was blessed to have photographed all three cover photographs.

I can remember whilst working with the Gong on the first Rastafarian newspaper, Survival, I mentioned the word 'magical' to the Skipper and he said, try not to use that word, as it conjures up aspects of trickery.

He was probably correct.

THE MYSTIQUE OF BOB AND ANANCY
There are lots of descriptions of Bob..lots of reasonings on this thought
One of the descriptions is that of Anancy..and the Word was made flesh (incarnated)..Bob embodied the magical qualities of Anancy
The Anancy stories were brought to Jam in the 1600s by the Akan people of the Gold Coast (Ghana), and they were told and retold in the three Twi Dialects – Ashanti, ...Fanti, Akwapim
The art of storytelling is highly regarded in Jamaica and so is personal mystique
Bob Marley like Anancy became symbolic, larger-than-live figure for his people..a crucial symbol of courage embodying the concept that a supposedly lowly creature can outwit his formidable adversaries
Bob Marley like Anancy is elusive..precious little can be discovered about him and his presence is powerful indeed
Ananse spins a web between heaven and earth, and by means of this network god came down to man and man can reach up to god. But man’s separation from god is not completely bridged by this web, for everything depends upon the nature and character of Ananse who can trick both god and man.
The messenger of the gods becomes a bringer of both good and evil; he is both a Satan and a savior, a deceiver and a helper; he is a devouring monster catching unsuspecting man within his web as well as a mediator assisting man in his perilous ascent to god.
Among the Ashanti, Ananse is represented not merely as a trickster figure but also as a ghosthunter and a washer of souls for Nyankonpon (supreme creator sky-god)
He acts as a guardian for man, hunting and warding off the ghosts which oppress him; and he also stands between man and god, washing souls so that they might be worthy to appear before him. Thus the labyrinthine web of the spider is, in a very real sense, a symbol of the sky-gods’ inextricable weaving of man’s pattern of life, and of man’s total inability to avoul the voracity of Nyankonpon. Anancy is both god and man and expresses fully man’s weaknesses as well as his strength and guile
Anancy stories would start out like this We do not really mean, we do not really mean that what we are going to say is mean that what we are going to say is true ‘an conclude with this’ this is my story which I have told, and if it be sweet, or if it be not sweet, some you may accept as true and the rest you may praise me for telling it
Like Bob Brother Anancy captures Duppy’s..Brother Duppy – a supernatural being: is the enemy of Brother Anancy yet is also evil in his activities, so at times there is little distinction between their actions

BOB MARLEY AND SOCIAL WORK

I am happy to say that each and everyone of the 200 images that will adorn the book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, were photographed by I and I alone.

This portrait of the Gong leading members of Ziggy Marley's football team unto the pitch in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1980, will adorn the book Portrait of a Legend and other Folks.

I mostly do social work...organize youth forces...I try to organize youth...try to help youth them out...BOB MARLEY

JAH NUH DEAD

Bob Journalist: Do you believe in the words of Jesus? You adhere pretty strictly to the Bible don’t you?

Marley: yah..but Jesus tell us him must..him comin’ forward right

Journalist: Comin forward?

Bob Marley: Yah…HIM come again..when HIM come he will be the KING OF KINGS..LORD OF LORDS..CONQUERING LION OF JUDAH..now we look to see Jesus

Journalist: An he hasn’t returned yet?

Bob Marley: When HIM come..yes HIM come of course..Haile Selassie is the Christ whom them speak of…because HIM come as KING OF KINGS..LORD OF LORDS..CONQUERING LION OF JUDAH..has gone through the Bible manifest the whole thing..so the Christian now when them look them say..No is not him..just like when them see Christ the first time..no is not him
Journalist: So you believe Haile Selassie is the Christ?

Bob Marley: Is the Christ

Journalist: Is the Christ?

Bob Marley: The Christ..an no other one before or after.

GUITAR LEGEND JUNIOR MARVIN (JULIAN JUNIOR MARVIN)

I was to photograph GUITAR LEGEND Junior Marvin (Julian Junior Marvin) in London. Junior Marvin joined The Wailers in 1977. This portrait will be in PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND AND OTHER FOLKS.

Bob Marley: Is roots we deal with..so if one man get to giddy..another man gettin' giddy
Journalist: What's giddy?
Bob Marley: That mean you gonna get to psychedelic..Al Anderson don't like that...he a Rootman..everybody have to stay root...because you have root there like Aston Barrett..Carlton Barrett..you can't return…return to the roots..you have to be the roots..you can’t…must return to the root..you have to be the root..cause if you were to return to the root..then you was a leaf..and then you drop off..you must be the root…be the root

SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

poalaof.com is currently being constructed. We will shortly be open for business. Thank you for stopping by.

THE MAXFIELD PARK CHILDREN'S HOME

I grew up living opposite The Maxfield Park Children's Home in Kingston, Jamaica.
Three years ago they received a grant of approximately US $3.5 million from the Japanese Embassy to assist with the renovation of sections of their 90-year-old property.
The Maxfield Park Children's Home is the oldest co-ed childcare facility in Jamaica which serves as a permanent dwelling for many children who have been abandoned or otherwise made homeless.
I have therefore began to make contact with the relevant authorities with regard to a pledge to donate approximately 10% of sales from the book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, to this proud institution.
I intend to publish this book and I intend to keep this pledge.
Kindly watch my ass.

 

 

IN SEARCH OF POSITIVE MINDS

http://poalaof.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/in-search-of-positive-minds/

BLESS UP

I was BLESSED to photograph THE LEGEND JIMMY CLIFF. Jimmy's photo will adorn PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND AND OTHER FOLKS.

BLESSED LOVE – JIMMY CLIFF

This is what I wish for myself
An I wish this for everyone

An all over the world

An it says

Blessed love an salutation

Blessed love an appreciation

Blessed love an salutation

Blessed love an appreciation

Bless up with this greeting

Blessed love

Bless up at every meeting

Blessed love

Bless up for your living

Blessed love

Bless up with thanksgiving

Blessed love an salutation

Blessed love an appreciation

Blessed salutation

Blessed love an celebration

Bless up all the mothers

Blessed love

Bless up all the fathers

Blessed love

Bless up all the youths

Blessed love

Bless up with the truth

Even in your home

Blessed love

Wherever you may roam

Blessed love

Out on the street

Blessed love

To everyone you meet

Blessed love an salutation

Blessed love an appreciation

Blessed love an salutation

Blessed love an celebration

Blessed love

Blessed love

Blessed love

Blessed love

Bless bless up all the youths

Bless up all the gangs

Uptown, roundtown, downtown, across town

Bless up cause love is what I bring

An if love is what I sing

So I say

Blessed love an salutation

Blessed love an appreciation

Blessed love to all nations

Blessed love an celebration

Blessed love

Blessed love to all the world

LEGALIZE IT

HERB IS THE HEALING OF THE NATION

"Babylon knows the wisdom you get from smoking ganja and they need to keep you down from your meditation. They keep fighting against I herb you overstand? Because it's I herb, it's one special herb to segregate and is herb, no man can make it, it comes from earth, it's a herb of truth and wisdom. I think if ganja was legalized there would be positively less problems with cocaine and crack. When people would smoke herb, it would be a meditation, humbleness put them to i-tate, you overstand? But when you drink rum, it's a different scene and you look over, you going to see who is causing the problem. It's the crack, the heroin, cocaine, morphine, alcohol and cigarettes. Herb put you upon humbleness, cause it's a healing herb. In Guyana you can go to jail for three years just for one spliff. Lots of Rastas are prosecuted for herb. Not for killing or thieving from no one, just for smoking the herb. But man need to be free from mental slavery. They kill brother Marley, Peter Tosh, Marcus Garvey for speaking the truth, cause word Bob Marley was putting out fire upon Babylon. If Bob Marley was on the face of the earth in this time, everyone would be Rasta, because he speaks the truth and he sign it in his music and truth stands forever. But they can never stop I because if they put I in jail for three years, I when I come out I still have to smoke I herb, because I herb is I divine meditation, I free to do what I need to do. Jah Rastafari, Selassie I be praised."

THEM TRY TO TOPPLE BOB MARLEY

Them lick Marcus Garvey..them lick Malcolm X..them lick Martin Luther King..them even overthrow HIS MAJESTY during the KAYA time..you unnerstan'..so during all the KAYA time..so you have to take your time an suffer..an cool it a little bit man..an overthrow me too..because it was a thing going on..yah try to topple me too..BLOODCLAAT..a thing that go on..an INTERNATIONAL GERM..yah Ras Dread CONSPIRACY to execute me in a sense..yah man..I just take it easy..you know..people worried now..I say smoke KAYA an thing..yah because too much thing going on..you no need me to come tell you more thing..you need to think it out..cause what them say HIS MAJESTY...BLAH BLAH BOOM..look for yourself..take your head above the water..enjoy yourself...Bob Marley 1979

JAMES BROWN IS RASTA

I was to photograph the LEGEND JAMES BROWN at The Red Parrot Club 1982.

JAMES BROWN IS RASTA....BOB MARLEY

NYAHBINGI FIRST MUSIC

PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND AND OTHER FOLKS IS ROOTS!!

We go to Nyahbingi..first music..Nyahbingi music..Nyahbingi

Nyahbingi mean death to black and white oppressors..but is a type a music..you know..HEARTICAL..I mean is just like the drums..just like them type a drums..any time you hear the drums you must hear it..the sound frightening sometime..you get familiar with an so on..if we get to unnerstan' it an everything become natural again....Bob Marley 1977

PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND AND OTHER FOLKS

A preview of a work in progress, the photographic book, Portrait of a Legend and other Folks, by Lindsay Donald.

poalaof.com, a crowdfunding website, is currently being constructed and will be used to secure funding for the book Portrait of a Legend and other Folks.

THE ERADICATION SQUAD

I was to photograph The Eradication Squad in Negril 1984.

THE POLITICIAN BRING IN THE GUN...DON'T REALLY FEEL ME CAN DEAL WITH THE GUN REVOLUTION...BOB MARLEY 1977

FAMILYMAN & WIYAH LINDO THE LEGENDS

I was to link with the LEGENDARY WIYAH LINDO AND FAMILYMAN BARRETT at Shepherd's Bush Empire last night. I was to photograph these LEGENDS in the Golden Age of Reggae. These photos will be in my forthcoming book PORTRAIT OF A LEGEND AND OTHER FOLKS.

I AM MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL

I was to take this photo of Karen and Cedella Marley and 2 of their cousins at Mother Booker's home in Miami, Florida.

I am my children's school man...them must go to school to read to communicate with Babylon to...my children must be smarter than smarter...if me send my youth to school and me never tell them about RASTA...them never know....Bob Marley

I LOVE TO HEAR A BLACK MAN TALK

RASTA! My work will soon be available at my forthcoming Official webpage, poalaof.com. I was to photograph the Legend Bob Marley being interviewed by Felipe Luciano September 19, 1980 at Madison Square Garden.

BOB MARLEY - Interview with Ron Sinclair 1980-10-XX 3:13
(transposed by Tammy Beveridge January 2008)

Ron Sinclair-Your in New York Bob?
Bob Marley-Yeah
RS-Cool We’re live on the radio now Bob on JBC Radio live and a lot of things have been said here in Jamaica all week long Bob and of all the things is people sayin’ your dead
BM-Me dead a lot of people are dead believe me you know HEH
RS-Hah why Bob is it really its unbelievable the kinds of rumors gonna around Bob
BM-Well what I’m sayin is a lot of people have to die and leave me everytime anytime the bad news come everybody always have it but when the good news come nobody never get it here wonder why them have to try harder than that to kill me an rumors can’t do it neither
RS-People been sayin you have cancer Bob
BM-Everybody cancer when they want someone right
RS-You know the tension is in the air and everybody looking towards October 30 a lotta people still remember that incident in 1976 ya know
BM-I remember it myself
RS-Yeah mon I remember the man got shot you know we never know the end of that story
BM-Yeah nobody wanna know the end of that neither
RS-Serious thing. Now the news reports have it that you’re cooling out because on here too hot is that the correct interpretation
BM-Not too really hot ya know that ________might as well______cool off than me
RS-So when we expect you down here in Jamaica?
BM-As soon as rumors stop an everything cool people’s life gotta have some meaning ya know
RS-Your music is preaching love and brotherhood and awareness and yet
BM-That is good
RS-True, but yet at the same time what’s happening is kind a contrary to what your musics sending out ya know
BM-Well I mean ya noh let go nobody has to real stuff is all I deal with Rastafari the God I____ want to read about see him all ya got to do is live an ya know I want peace I want love down in Jamaica right now ya know because hear me want thing can go work seen
RS-True true I remember 1975 and I never forget ya know
BM-Yeah
RS-Yeah man as a matter of fact I remember the man actually called Michael Manley and Edward Seaga to shake hands on stage that year ya remember
BM-Yeah lots a peace an love I mean ya know
RS-Yeah mon it was very symbolic ya know
BM-Was it?
RS-But then that’s 5 years after ya know what I mean
BM-5 years after when ya not go I don’t have much to say what is happenin’ ya know but everyone down there ____is gonna on soh I’m not even involved in no politics an I defend noh politician noh politics just Rasta see it
RS-Give thanks Bob
BM-JAH live JAH live ya know

http://lindsaydonaldrootsreggaephotographer.blogspot.com/2011/12/ron-sinclair-interviews-bob-marley.html