Concerts on the Pier
Carlton Bryan solos, Tyrone Downie helps out on the keyboards.
Steel Pulse at Pier 84, NYC, 1984
David Hinds and Tyrone Downie.
David Hinds, Tyrone Downie and Carlton Bryan.
I had taken these photos but had no stub and had a hard time confirming the exact date of this show.
Steel Pulse’s fifth studio album, Earth Crisis, came out as 1983 passed into 1984, and it was another strong one. As usual, the album tracks were nicely complimented by a few dub and extended versions (of songs like “Roller Skates,” and “Stepping Out”) that became available in the record shops that year.
Steel Pulse remained mostly in its original configuration, with Phonso Martin still in the band, although there was a change in the lead guitar slot. I hadn’t heard anything about it previously, and when they hit the stage I was very surprised to see Carlton Bryan up there. As detailed in previous posts, Carlton’s own band had been almost a house band at The Haunt, “Upstate NY’s reggae capital,” in 1981-2, and I saw him play there many times.
Another great surprise came when David Hinds announced that Tyrone Downie would sit in on keyboards. One fantastic and influential multi-keyboardist, Downie joined up with Bob Marley and the Wailers early on and provided so much to the classic sounds of all of the great Bob Marley studio records. He was the regular keyboard player during the Wailers tours, including the one I saw in 1979.
The wide image at top of Carlton soloing with David looking on and Tyrone holding down the keyboards is one of my favorites. Carlton is playing the double-necked guitar that is shown on the cover of a studio album from around that timeframe.
Steel Pulse in 1984 with Tyrone Downie and Carlton Bryan joining. Phonso Martin at right, Bumbo on keyboards at left.
Freddie McGregor opening up for Steel Pulse at the Pier.