Call for Peace From Reggae’s Cliff * POP MUSIC REVIEW

In the wrong hands, even sentiments about love and freedom can be meaningless platitudes--it’s an easy formula for too many reggae artists. But if veteran singer Jimmy Cliff had few new tricks to offer on Tuesday at the House of Blues, his idealistic preaching was never less than genuine.

High-stepping and twirling to the beat in a rust-colored suit, Cliff demonstrated himself to be a still-vibrant survivor from reggae’s classic era. A contemporary of reggae immortal Bob Marley, the Jamaican-born Cliff made gentle declarations of hope for peace, the environment and racial harmony. His nearly two-hour performance was always tuneful and not limited to the hypnotic beat, and was without the slickness that has occasionally marred his studio albums.

With satisfying instrumental work from his seven-member band, Cliff played tight, old-school reggae, dropping easily into straight-ahead soul. Absorbing the crowd’s adulation with arms wide open, Cliff picked up an electric guitar for a charged version of Johnny Nash’s “I Can See Clearly Now.”

But his recurring theme between songs was the fate of humanity, leading into his 1970 antiwar song “Vietnam” by chanting, “No more nuclear war, no more tribal war, no more racial war.” Which is sensible enough advice from anyone.--STEVE APPLEFORD

BE THERE

Jimmy Cliff, Saturday, at the Ventura Theatre, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura, 8 p.m. $25. (805) 639-3965.