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Here you will find a review of Yabby You's
performance at the Jasound Festival, Bagnols/Ceze,
France, 6th August 2005
(Big up to Dj Nouns, Pady,
Slim Jay for their review)
 Revealed
in 1972 with his self produced single
"Conquering Lion" (and his drawn-out
chanting refrain "you, yabby, yabby, you
"), he is the living symbol of deep roots
reggae without compromise. His choice of artists
and musicians, the dubs mixed by King Tubby and
the high standards he sets up when composing his
songs establish him as an example in reggae roots
music. He acquired a cult status with his unique
sound which has been considered by reggae purists
as one of the best sounds in reggae music
alongside Black Ark or Wackies productions. Yabby
You retired from producing in 1981 as his health
deteriorated (though he collaborated with Mad
Professor in the 90s).
Is he too ill to play on stage? Many doubts
cross our minds until he is... here for real on
stage deep emotion! After stepping forward on
crutches guided by 2 people, he sits down
painfully on a stool. He seems very weak but takes
his place behind the microphone as the 1st notes
of his 2nd single "Love thy neighbour"
resound in the park .
Difficult Start, his voice is tired.
Neverthless Yabby You shows strong determination
and sings his 1st melodies. Vocally speaking,
comparison with songs recorded 30 years ago makes
no sense, but meanwhile there is still something
magic hanging in the air. After the 1st moments,
Yabby You's voice is warmer and brings us back to
the mystical essence of his songs.
On stage musicians sing choirs one after the
other. And in the audience (despite sad faces)
everybody sings and encourages Yabby You.
In the end, there is that kind of rare alchemy
which slowly takes place in Reggae Concerts. A
special relationship between the audience and the
stage... Yabby You restarts a song, or demands the
backing band to restart too because he wants to
give all he has inside to the audience.
During the concert, we listen and sing along
"Love thy neighbor", "Conquering
Lion", "Run come rally",
"Carnal Mind" then "Jah
Vengeance"…
The 1st part is like a dream, melodies and
music take us back in time and we enjoy the sound.
After 3 minutes of "Jah vengeance"
Trinity appears on stage and sings "Gwaan and
lef me" in combination with Yabby You. For us
it's an historical moment. Musicians play their
parts including the famous melody of
"revenge" from Tommy Mc Cook. For a
revival show we could not expect so much emotion,
a true pleasure time, with heavy and powerful
bass.
"Warn the nation" will follow then,
"King Pharaoh’s plague" on which the
Matic Horns will add the melody "Plague of
horns" by Tommy Mc Cook.
The next song is the classic "Chant down
Babylon" , but Yabby You seems to be more and
more exhausted.
For us this is the climax of the festival.
Yabby You is our main reason to attend the
festival and we are not disappointed. We have the
feeling we are taking in a historical event, maybe
one of the last moments with Yabby You. When the
show is over, a car picks him up directly behind
the stage.The man is exhausted, shaking, but he
has given us us so much joy and happiness.
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