Duane Forrest performing Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World | Photo by National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) ”衛武營小時光】杜安．佛瑞斯特《聽見雷鬼傳奇—巴布．馬利》總彩排（攝影：KITO
Presented by Duane Forrest
“Reggae isn’t just about smoking weed.”
I did know that, at least, but I sought out Bob Marley: How Reggae Changed the World because I didn’t know much about the reggae or Bob Marley. I’m not sure I would consider myself significantly more informed now; this isn’t a deep dive into the genre or the man, but I do understand what it means to Duane Forrest and that personal contextualization adds an enriching layer to my appreciation.
Drawing on his Jamaican heritage and relationship to the Marley’s music, he uses this anecdotal framework to craft a chill vibe session with us. He opens with “Jamming,” setting the tone. Gently, he makes it clear that there is some expectation of us. If we know the words and are comfortable, that we sing along, hum along or just whistle. He sometimes throws questions out to the audience, but it’s all very low-key. The whole point is to relieve tension, not cause it.
Forrest covers most of the standards. “Buffalo Solider,” “No Woman, No Cry,” “I Shot the Sheriff,” “Three Little Birds” (“Don’t Worry About a Thing”)—incorporating nuggets of background info to add definition to each song. One of the core ideas Forrest wants to impart is that, as chill as the music is, the lyrics outline experiences of pain, loss and survival. They are protest songs, acknowledging hardship yet uplifting the listener.
One of the most striking images Forrest crafts for us is of Marley at the Smile Jamaica concert, devised to quell civil unrest, performing with a wound in his arm, having been shot with his wife and friend mere days before. This is what propelled him from mere popularity to a legend. It is one of three moments accompanied by a projected black and white archival photograph. Used sparingly, these photos help ground Forrest’s tribute in a documented history.
Forrest radiates warmth and affection, his rhythms both enthusiastic and soothing. From his blue-haired mistakes as a Scarborough teen, to his international touring experiences, he invites us to cozy up with him as he celebrates an artist that has inspired him since childhood.
