Half Pint

17 July 2013, McSorley's Bar, Glasgow

When the man who gave us one of the reggae anthems of the eighties is doing a live PA in a pub in Glasgow, you just have to go out and greet him. Half Pint, one of the more shy, retiring Jamaican stars, will always have a fond place in the hearts of British reggae fans of a certain generation from the moment he bounced onto the stage with the Taxi gang on The Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgvpd-VZRx4 (7.39).  His unmistakeable husky tones, conscious lyrics and heartfelt lovers tunes have made him a solid presence on the reggae scene for over twenty-five years. Once again, I have to take my hat off to the younger generation who turned up to lively up the place and show this music will always touch the souls of the lucky ones who feel it and know it, even though they were toddlers, embryos or just a twinkle in a soundman’s eye at the time – massive respect for your musical taste and knowledge. But I must admit I was a bit worried when Half Pint took the mike. It’s so rare we get a long hot summer evening, most people were still soaking up the atmosphere and he looked a bit unsure if we were really ready.

This is what happens when the dance has not been thoroughly warmed up by DJ Caroline Murphy, but he soldiered on and once he had got into his rhythm and removed his sunglasses, the irresistible beat of hits like ‘Mr Landlord’ and ‘Level the Vibes’ took over and he got his bounce back and his mojo working overtime. Looking back, one of my personal favourites is ‘Victory’, written in the days of apartheid and it made me think we have come a long way but still got many more struggles ahead. Half Pint is a survivor and he reminded us that he has kept popping back up every few years with smash hits on classic rhythms like ‘Substitute Lover’ and ‘Just Be Good to Me’, at least until his selector ran out of tunes from his hour-long stock. Luckily the Argonauts crew were on hand to line up a few dubs for a special return to ‘Greetings’. Half Pint was drained, but stayed around for pictures and autographs for all Glasgow raggamuffins. McSorley’s was really rocking by now and we were treated to some old school sparring on the mike from DJ Dirtsman and Baba Scum. I had to leave at midnight but it was a nice feeling stepping onto Jamaica Street on a balmy night, as the whole road was still bouncing with the bass, seeing all the passers-by looking in the door with envy thinking those reggae lovers look like they are having a great time. And I still had change from a tenner for the bus home.