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Bob Marley and The Wailers - The Best of the Early Years
THE STRAIGHT DOPE:
This collection of early Bob Marley and the Wailers music is really not something you'd think cries out for the DVD-audio treatment. The songs are outstanding, of course, but for all the instrumentational creativity and vocal mastery on display they are strictly lo-fi. Still, the mixing here brings the music a clarity that approaches the clean sound of modern recording technology without robbing these reggae classics of their earthy feel. The vocals sound less up-to-date, still sounding a bit muffled when compared to the latest mega-studio productions.
But all the extra studio gadgetry can't buy soul and these cuts have that in excess. Starting with the skanking groovy "Soul Shakedown Party," with its chugging organ and bouncy bassline, this is music that works just about anywhere: In headphones, for dancing, for serious thought. Marley, whose rough-edged voice was never as smooth as Jimmy Cliff's gorgeous croon, nonetheless did the most with a limited range. He pours his soul into these songs and it comes through loud and clear. The complex artistry of the musicians, which retains the ability to surprise, as in "Sun is Shining," adds to the mix. This is total music, with all elements weaving together to create one voice. Like James Brown's band or Stop Making Sense-era Talking Heads you can imagine that no words needed to pass between the musicians, that they felt their way through each groove.
The political element of Marley's lyrics is another side to this music. Since the sound is so beautiful that the messages ease their way into your brain. Lines like "So if you are the big tree/ we are the small axe/ ready to cut you down" from "Small Axe" portray Marley's worldview through simple, clear metaphors but without cloying or talking down to the listener. Any way you look at it, this is great, great music. Many of Marley's biggest hits came later (there's no "Buffalo Soldier," "Three Little Birds," or "No Woman No Cry") but the material here is universally excellent. Song List:1. Soul Shakedown Party
2. Sun Is Shining
3. Duppy Conqueror
4. Small Axe
5. African Herbsman
6. Trench Town Rock
7. Lively Up Yourself
8. Try Me
9. Soul Rebel
10. Mr. Brown
11. Don't Rock The Boat
12. Dreamland
13. Kaya
14. Keep On Moving
15. Concrete Jungle
16. Keep On Skanking
17. Natural Mystic
18. I Know A Place
AUDIO:
EXTRAS:
FINAL THOUGHTS:
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