Lymie Murray was a definite hit at Christopher's Jazz Cafe

I walked into Christopher's Jazz Cafe in New Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday with high hopes for the performance I was about to see. Lymie Murray was to perform a slew of hits from his albums Start All Over, Happy Days and Only Conversation. I had already seen him perform on the talent stage at Jamaica Jazz and Blues but gosh, that was just a taste, a whetting of the musical taste buds, really. I needed to hear more of this voice that could go from a low rumble, to a powerful high-pitched cry and even a soft melodic whisper pregnant with emotion.


Photo source


First off I want to give kudos to the backing band especially the guitarist Dalton Brown who's harmonies were a welcome addition to Lymie's powerful lead. The keyboardist Ozou'ne also rocked the crowd. It was easy sailing as Lymie started off his set with some favorites such as "Brandy (I really Miss You)" (The O'Jays), "Love and Happiness" (Al Green), "If Only You Knew" (Patti LaBelle), "Did You Ever Know that You're My Hero" (Bette Midler) and "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World"(Prince). Similar songs were interspersed throughout the second act of his set and by that time the crowd was grooving and singing to songs like "Cruisin" (Smokey Robinson) "Love TKO" (Teddy Pendergrass) and "Lala Means I Love You" (Delfonics).

The smooth transition from soul classics to Reggae just seemed so effortless. Lymie paid homage to the greats: Dennis Brown ("Love has Found It Way"), Bob Marley ("Soul Rebel"& "Comin In From The Cold") and Peter Tosh ("Equal Rights").






The performance was intimate and interactive. From the first song, shoes come off and ting, so Lymie was undoubtedly in his element. He encouraged patrons to sing on the catchy hooks of some songs like "Love and Happiness," "Soul Rebel" and even put Toots Hibbert's daughter Levi on the spot when she sang a piece of "If Only You Knew. "


His original songs "Break Free" "For The Love Of You" "Only conversation" "Good Morning Jamaica" and "Rolling Thunder" were well received by all including Quad's Mannny who walked around with an "appreciation bowl" for patrons to put money (an no fifty dolla Jamaica ca mi give it back) for Lymie who was "singing him heart out." Of Lymie he said,"from him come from Manchester Him good. So pleased was Christopher's with Lymies performance, only a day after the show, Lymie has already announced that he will return for a performance in July!

















If you are in Jamaica and are able to, please do not miss out! You will fed and nourished with great music and great talent! Meantime click HERE to most of the songs that he performed last night plus a few more!


To see more pics go to The Lime's Facebook page!
and Lymie's Facebook page too!