FREDDIE McGregor was in splendid form Friday night, treating fans at Redbones Blues Café in Kingston with acoustic renditions of his many hit songs.

The first in a series of monthly shows billed ‘Big Ship and BIZZY Bee Acoustic Live at Redbones’ was dominated by the singer/songwriter/producer and his Big Ship Band, which was led by guitarist Dalton Browne.

Other members were percussionist Oshane Campbell, Trevor McKenzie (acoustic bass), Chad Monroe (piano), (Lincoln Thomas (guitar) and backing vocalists Keisha Patterson and Dawn McKayne.

Their performance comprised two sets.

The opening segment included songs such as If You Want to Go, Africa Here I Come, Prophecy, Push Come to Shove, Stop Loving You, Big Ship, Let Him Try, Loving Pauper, and I Was Born a Winner.

In his second stint, McGregor continued to thrill patrons with Just Don’t Wanna be Lonely, Don’t Hurt my Feelings, Guantanamera (in Spanish); Love and Hate (Here I Come), Revolution and Stranger in Love, in tribute to his departed colleagues, Dennis Brown and John Holt.

Satisfying a request from a female fan, he did a fine take on the popular gospel song, Hear me Lord (Help me Jesus), then it was time for a medley that included ska standards Carry go Bring Come and Wings of a Dove.

McGregor responded to sustained calls for an encore which included Wine of Violence and That Girl.

The second show in the Big Ship and BIZZY Bee Acoustic Live at Redbones series is scheduled for June.

— Basil Walters