I have been able to think a little better now. Here's what I wrote on the socials, and thought I'd share here-
Read the sad news that Jimmy Cliff has passed to the other side. It is really difficult to adequately speak about all the gifts he gave me not only as a listener, but as a human being. His songs are honest, compassionate, caring and hopeful truth with love and joy. His songs uplift me on my worst days, and make me smile on the mediocre ones. Unlike too many of my favorites who I have not been able to see perform live either due to time, distance, or money, I felt beyond lucky to have seen him with what felt like almost all of New York City in Prospect Park Brooklyn in 2012. You can listen to that performance on NPR (which I will be doing later). I remember it so well now. His energy was unbelievable, and it was great to get so many of those memorable songs-The Harder They Come, Wonderful World, Beautiful People, Afghanistan/Vietnam, and a few from his excellent new album at that time- 'Rebirth'. He even did a medley of some ska-King Of Kings followed by his first hit song, Miss Jamaica. I'll be listening to everything today and I'll try not to cry during Many Rivers To Cross. Here's another excellent set of the hits at Glastonbury in 2011. There are two words he liked to use a lot live, and it seems appropriate to say them now- Give Thanks.
Thank you Jimmy Cliff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os8Bbe8UQPw&list=RDos8Bbe8UQPw&start_radio=1
