THE Juici Patties complex in Clarendon was transformed into a dance floor on Saturday night as thousands of vintage music fans flooded the venue for the Startime show.

The promoters can take a bow for a well-executed event. It was the same slate of artistes which rocked Mas Camp in Kingston for January’s staging. Frankie Paul and Horace Andy were absent due to illness.

It was announced that Paul was hospitalised while Andy suffered a broken leg in a motorcycle accident. But the Startime promoters filled the slots with Cornell Campbell and George Nooks, both of whom performed creditably.

Nooks energised the massive audience at just after 1:00 am; thanks to his gospel suite, he had Clarendon Park rocking.

The stars were undoubtedly Marcia Griffiths and hometown boys, Derrick Morgan and Freddie McGregor.

The task to bring the curtains down was McGregor’s and he did not disappoint. A string of hits floated throw the warm July air. To Be Poor, Prophesy, Push Come To Shove, Big Ship, Let Them Try, Loving Pauper and his big ballad So I’ll Wait For You had the audience transfixed to the very end.

It would be near 4:00 am when he exited the stage, leaving patrons satisfied.

Griffiths’s extensive catalogue lends itself to great performances, hence poor showings are rare. She was able to pull her audience in with those hits and have them dancing throughout her one-hour set.

From her, the audience got Truly, Peaceful Woman, I Shall Sing, Closer, Fire Burning, To Sir With Love, Oh Me Oh My, How Good I Am and the ‘biggies’ Stepping Outa Babylon and Electric Boogie.

Despite being blind, Morgan came with a clear vision of how to entertain. His warm banter in-between tracks such as Forward March, Mule Train and Don’t Call Me Daddy, went over very well.

Other acts including Johnny Clarke, Leroy Sibbles, Errol Dunkley, The Mighty Diamonds and The Clarendonians all made their mark.

In an era of dwindling patronage, Startime continues to hold its own thanks to the calibre of acts which graces its stage.