Ziggy: The Old Man’s Shoes

Ziggy Marley

The Fillmore

San Francisco, CA

November 6, 2014

Ziggy: The Old Man’s Shoes

Has there ever been a concert review of Ziggy Marley that does not include comparisons to his legendary father, Bob Marley?  Of course, Ziggy doesn’t entirely discourage the practice since he includes three or four songs by his father at each concert.  And he probably is intensely proud of his father and everything that he accomplished during his short stay on Planet Reggae.  Some of the most warmly received songs that Ziggy played last night included Father Bob’s ‘One Love’ ‘Could This be Love?’ and ‘Iron, Zion, Lion.’  All of which distracts from Ziggy’s own gifts and talents as a songwriter and performer.  I’ve always thought that Ziggy’s songs were very poppy, kind of 'reggae-light'.  However, last night, Ziggy and his band sounded immensely professional and accomplished, there wasn’t a false note in their performance.  And his (now dated) hits, ‘Tomorrow People’ and ‘Love is My Religion’ sounded fresh and full of energy.  Even the predictable clouds, the ganja concert haze, that floats over any reggae audience didn’t mellow the party.    All in all, an evening well spent.