Locals and Roots music

[menendaughter]

Greetings... I will be travelling to Elbow Cay of Abaco Island. I have never been there and am not interested in the typical tourist things. I am wondering if anyone knows of any place in that area where they play reggae music?

Give thanks for any information.. :)

[Abacoparrott]

about the typical "tourist" hangout. All establishments in Abaco are frequented by locals and tourists alike. This is truly one of the special aspects of a vacation in Abaco. Reggae music, I believe, is more of a Jamaica-oriented music. However, the local music will keep you hoppin'. I usually stay on Guana Cay so maybe another Elbow visitor or local will chime in here and give you some entertainment suggestions there. Ken

[abacopotcake]

Reggae is the music of Jamaica, but you will probably hear it a lot... True-True (Bahamian for the real thing!!) Bahamian music is called Rake and Scrape!! Great beat, easy to dance to, especially after a few kaliks or rum drinks!!

[PELLUCID]

Live music of any sort can be hard to come by on Elbow Cay. If you hop the ferry to Marsh Harbor, you'll be where most of the music is. Of course, you'll need a place to spend the night, since the ferries don't run after 6PM. A good reason to rent a boat as part of your vacation package.

Ask around to find out where Browntips is playing, you'll get a most enthusiastic display of Rake'n'Scrape. Stone McEwan does a nice mix of covers and originals, and is quite talented. The Gully Roosters (#1 Band In The Nation according to their bumper stickers) are from Green Turtle Cay but get down to Marsh Harbor on occasion, also do a mix of covers and original.

Honestly, the Abacos are not the center of Bahamian music culture. Hopefully you are coming for the beaches, reefs, fishing, etc. because they are all better than the music.

The old roots performers who were recorded in the 60's and 70's are dying out. I was in Bimini 3 years ago, and found "Piccolo Pete" wandering the streets on his bicycle selling his CD. He couldn't remember if he was 90 or 92, but he would have told me stories as long as I stood there. He wrote "Big Fat Slob" about Ernest Hemingway, plus some other stuff that folk/rock groups in the US picked up. I suppose he's gone by now.

The same is true of the old-time craftsmen, which were what made the Abacos unique. If you really want to do a "non-tourist" thing, take the time to strike up some conversations with the old-timers. It make take them a bit to warm up to you, but the stories you hear will be worth it.

[menendaughter]

Greetings, Thank you for all the replies so far.
I was asking about reggae music because reggae is becoming more prominent all over the Caribbean Islands. There is amazing roots music coming from the Virgin Islands now... for anyone interested, please check www.Igraderecords.com (http://www.Igraderecords.com) or www.ireggae.com/stcroixmusic.htm (http://www.ireggae.com/stcroixmusic.htm)

I am also wondering if anyone knows the prices for "Island Hopping" by plane or boat to other parts of the Caribbean?
More specifically I think I will be in HopeTown Elbow Cay..
Thanks again for anymore replies

[abacopotcake]

When you say "island hopping" do you mean a day trip????? You can island hop thru the Abaco cays...but to other Caribbean islands ( meaning Jamaica, St. Croix, Barbados, Caymans......) thats more involved....way more involved!!! Unless you have your own pvt. jet!! Take a look at a map!!!

[PELLUCID]

Interesting links. If you come to the Abacos looking for any of that, you will be disappointed. Sure, there are some "dread hats" and rasta t-shirts in the souvenier shops, but that's just because the tourists expect them. There is no local roots movement comparable to anything coming out of St. Croix or elsewhere in the Caribbean.

In my humble opinion, I think that's due to 4 characteristics of the Abacos:
1. They are not heavily populated, thus they lack the critical mass of people needed to support an indigenous musical style
2. Their society is quite conservative across the board
3. Compared to most of the Caribbean, they were not nearly as affected by slavery, racism, and oppression
4. They are quite prosperous relative to their neighbors, so most folks are just too busy to sit around making music

That said, if you hang out at any of the bars you will meet a rasta man or two. You might even be offered some weed. Do yourself a favor, read the police blotter in The Abaconian. Tourists get busted all the time. Did I mention it's a conservative place?

[Cathy Arizona]

Check out Capn Jack's on Wed. & Sat. night. They often have live music.

[menendaughter]

I've taken note of Capn Jack's and give thanks for all the other info. Thanks Pellucid for just the post to answer my questions about the Island. I've never traveled anywhere other than Jamaica and am only getting this chance since I know someone who owns a house in the area and I've got a free flight. So I was just inquiring to see what I am getting into.
ANY OTHER INFO WOULD BE WELL RECEIVED. (Such as; a close Island that WOULD have roots music/ roots people and how to go about getting there easiest.)