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After much anticipation, the historic HD day was finally upon us. TJJ arrived at MSG, along with thousands of Machel's fans. They came in possies, couples and families of two and three generations. Walking canes, armslings, polka dot ballerina tutu's, tiara's, sunglasses, every Caribbean country flag you can think of and even a man decked out in a suit sporting a Trini flag as a cape! Some folks were hustling to their assigned seats and the rest lined up at the various bars getting their drink on. Of course, the fans were armed with flags, rags, whistles and a sundry of other noisemakers. We ready! We ready!

The show began promptly at 8pm with new reggae sensation Collie Buddz opening to warm up the crowd. After his set, the lights dramatically dimmed and the massive crowd screamed with anticipation. It was show time!!! Dahved Levy of WBLS 107.5FM introduced Machel Montano HD to the exuberant audience. You could not even hear yourself think, not that you would be thinking, you would be screaming your heart and lungs out, and of course the TJJ Team was seated in the heart of the action, right up in the front.

The curtains opened to a forest of fantasy filled with a choir of Angels and Moko Jumbies. The crowd immediately jumped to their feet screaming in awe at the theatrical intro. It was the plight of the humming bird's fall from grace (carted off the stage in a wheelbarrow). It was then the familiar rhythm of "Higher than High" filled the air and once again the crowd began screaming. MSG was rocked to its core! The ground was literally jumping along with us reminiscent of Rose Castle Rooftop with Machel and Xtatik for Labor Day weekend. (Those of you who remember them days would definitely be able to relate to the effect). It was "Mas in Madison Square Garden"!! Kitchener, I know you were there to witness!! Of course Trini's, ah not blamin only allyuh, but oh gorm, people pay big dollars to be in the front and allyuh jus rush de scene from in the back. Poor lil usher nearly get run over. It's okay because we noticed that they sent back up! LOL!! It good fuh allyuh!

Well it would not be a true Machel show if we did not have a J'Ouvert session! It was non stop jammin when he sang the Powder Posse song... "nah... nah nah nah nah nah".... where meh Brooklyn posse!!! The momentum continued to take us into a heightened state of wining, waving and jumping as the dancers took to the stage and literally got "Delirious", then the entire theater went Insane! Everybody's "screws were loose!!!" Even the Trinidad and Tobago Defense Force Drum line got into showcasing a lil watless wine! LOL!!!

Finally we were returned to sanity with a soulful rendition of 2004 release "No War" only to be hyped up again by Zan belting out the lyrics to "The Heart of A Man". It was raining Trini flags at that point and amidst the pandemonium Moko Jumbies entered to Down de Road. One of them appeared to have fallen but still kept wining then hopped right back up displaying even more amazing tricks.... true Trini style, big up Point Fortin!

Machel loves to connect with his audience, ah lil small talk here and there. He gave a brief definition of HD that included one definition in particular that we would rather not repeat, after all, TJJ is a family site :-).
He then slowed the tempo down with and unplugged version of "Miss Good Reputation" while playing his guitar. Sweet. He then reappeared on stage in a boat that had the effect of sailing along, with three young sailors; (Justin, Marlei (his niece) and Nicholas (his son) while serenading them the 2005 hit song "We Not Giving Up". Before we could catch ourselves after that tender moment, fete was in full swing again, this time it was the 2007 hit song, "One More Time", that had the crowd singing along at the top of their voices and Marlei showcasing a baby 'dutty wine'.

Righto, you know TJJ loves some salsa, well, our boy buss down a Latin/Reggae dance session. Baila! Baila! ("La Vida Del Carnival"). We barely had room to execute a small salsa, as you know we were in a theater with seats that don't move, not a big open fete space that we accustomed to. Hee hee, we had to make do.

The party continued with guest appearances from Shaggy, Benjai, and Drupatee, a timeless beauty, dressed in a pink beaded sari rolling up the tassa. Another crowd favorite, "Like Bollywood (Together)" lit up the stage with the beautiful Shiv Shanti dancers in dynamic costumes. At this point Machel had already changed four times, each outfit more stylish than the next and proceeded to introduced, the 1986 three king or was he "four-king" that year, King David Rudder, dressed in all white and practically glowing. Rudder performed hit after hit, it was a "hitalotathon"!!! The audience sang along to every tune back to back. This session was yet another high point of the evening.

We know allyuh think we done right?..... NOPE! Not even intermission! Our boy out did himself even further by returning to the stage on top a big truck, literally! Fans were climbing onto their seats and rails as they jumped and waved along to the mega hit "Big Truck" (1997 Road March). It was lakaray in MSG all over again when the big truck's horn started to blow! More excitement followed when everyone's favorite rocker, Walker came on stage and took the already frenzied crowd even further singing combinations with Machel such as "With Or Without You" (1999) and "Runaway" (2000). We were sure things could not get any more thrilling until Patrice Roberts and Machel performed "Light It Up" for an audience showing their lights of love by waving lighters, glow sticks and cell phones. It was truly amazing.

Finally, Road March 200..... "JUMBIE"!! RAH!! The stage came alive with giant puppet "jumbies" and dancers glowing eerily in the black lights while Machel continued to hype up the crowd. It was a true Peter Minshall presentation in all its glory. The show came to an end with the theatrical resurrection of the humming bird and a very festive delivery of "Higher Than High" in full regalia with special appearances by Tan Tan (Alison Brown) and Saga Boy (Peter Samuel).

Believe it or not, the second show held more surprises than the first. Machel introduced him as "The greatest entertainer in the world," Doug E. Fresh made a special appearance and even did his classic with Lil Vicious. Though there were countless memorable moments in this show, the transition from the HD band to Charlie's Roots for David Rudder was classic. We so used to a long delay between bands in a regular show, but this show was anything but regular. Machel mesmerized the crowd with an acapella and no one even realized that the bands were actually switching in the background, nice. We even see Farmer Nappy playing the congas for Rudder! The seamless transition from Shaggy and Machel's "Toro Toro" to Shaggy's current chart topper "Church Heathen" was definitely a highlight as well.

Machel gets the 2007 award for the most fashionable Soca artist having changed his outfits a total of six times. He is definitely at the top of his game and has demonstrated his exceptional talent and maturity as a seasoned veteran in this business of Soca.

Excellent show! Of course, TJJ was most present and accounted for in AC5. While there definitely were some similarities, it was almost like a completely different show just because of the atmosphere. The National Stadium was nice, but how can you beat a show like this in the world's most famous arena? Could you imagine that after all this he had only 45 minutes before the next sold out show? Our hats off to you, Machel Montano!

Rae for the TJJ fam
(Sigma Juice contributed to this review)

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