For nearly 35 years, Burning Spear has been a beacon of music and moral class in the Reggae universe.

So there aren't a whole lot of accolades left to describe his stunning career or his acoustic performance at Rasputin in Berkeley on August 31.

Playing congas and backed by two brass players and two guitars, Spear was in town to play two sold out shows in San Francisco. He even previewed a new, unreleased song to the joy of a huge, admiring crowd.

His appearance at Rasputin's is the only place in the world on this year's tour where Spear played an acoustic set, spoke at length, signed autographs and hammed it up for the cameras with fans. -- Allan Kurtz