LAST Sunday, Spanish Town, the historic old capital of Jamaica, welcomed a breath of fresh air in the form of Ken Boothe at Cecil’s Restaurant.

The stalwart balladeer gave a masterful performance that had his audience — in the words of one of his hit songs — like a puppet on a string so much so, that while he performed When I Fall In Love, a gentleman in the audience proposed to his lady on stage.

That was the high point of 70-year-old Boothe’s enthralling Mother’s Day presentation. Decked in a glitzy white suit, he gave an energetic performance that opened with this statement: “This song is about my mother and all mothers. Are you ready for the journey?”

He launched into Oh, My Mama, then took off on Freedom Street which led him to Is It Because I’m Black (Something Is Holding Me Back). He introduced his next item with, “This song is for the ladies,” then came Lady With the Starlight, Silver Words, Speak Softly, and When I Fall In Love, which prompted the marriage proposal.

“Today is a very special day for me. Is a long time I don’t sing in Spanish Town. Thank you, Mark [Miller, promoter of the event], thank you very much for inviting me,” said Boothe, ahead of delivering Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone, Train Is Coming, The Girl I Left Behind, Moving Away, Puppet On A String and Everything I Own.

The curtain-raisers were up-and-coming artistes, saxophonist Fred Robertson and singer Kemora McLaren, with renditions of At Last, A Change Is Gonna Come, Music of My Heart, and Because You Loved Me, respectively.

— Basil Walters