THE COOL RULER IS GONE

Now it's getting personal. Gregory Isaacs, the Cool Ruler has passed away. He died yesterday of lung cancer. I had been listening to him for a few years by the time I first saw him live, but I was unprepared for how he would absolutely own the audience that night. The whole room swayed, ladies swooned, and the entire club had a unified vibe, including the bartenders and staff. He reminded me of Al Green, with his laid back style and impeccable appearance. Like Green, he sang love songs, but he also sang of social injustices and songs for the downtrodden. I remember thinking that night that there was no more fitting moniker than the one I had heard so many times before it had real meaning. I got chills. I was witnessing "the Cool Ruler."


Gregory Isaacs - Tune In (1978). It doesn't get any smoother than this.

~ NOTE: ALL MEDIA IS HOSTED BY THE BLOGS & SITES NAMED BELOW ~

Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse mp3 at Muzzle of Bees
Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse Dub mp3 at Earmilk
Gregory Isaacs - Cool Down the Dub mp3 at Earmilk
Gregory Isaacs - My Number One mp3 at Muzzle of Bees
Gregory Isaacs - Reform Institution mp3 at Undomondo
Gregory Isaacs - Loving Pauper mp3 at Undomondo
Gregory Isaacs - Can't Get Over Losing You at 27 Leggies
Gregory Isaacs - Raving Tonight mp3 at 27 Leggies
Gregory Isaacs - Gi Me mp3 at 27 Leggies
Gregory Isaacs - Slow Down mp3 at 27 Leggies
Gregory Isaacs' obituary at the New York Times