Live at Stubb’s
Arts: Matisyahu. Epic/Or Music.
December 1, 2005
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Pennsylvania-born Matisyahu (né Matthew) Miller followed Phish on tour, discovered God in Jerusalem, and found fulfillment in the Lubavitch Hasidic lifestyle. Now he’s a reggae singer, and a good one. Recorded at a club in Austin, Texas, this engaging set crackles with energy and ambition. Though Matisyahu’s soulful voice owes a debt to Bob Marley, don’t expect pot-inspired musings; instead, he observes, “Me no want no sinsemilla,” adding, “Torah food for my brain let it rain till I drown.” Powered by his nimble trio, Matisyahu showers the songs with biblical references but describes the search for meaning in terms anyone can relate to. In “King Without a Crown,” he advises, “Got to give yourself up and then you become whole,” and when the torrent of words becomes a blur, his ecstatic fervor offers reason enough to keep listening.
