Bob Marley amp The Wailers - Legend The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers New Packaging (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

A good intro to Bob Marley Music ... but dont stop here...

Roy Tatum | Cayman Islands, West Indies | 03/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up in Jamaica and as a teenager I can recall seeing the posters at the bus stop advertising an upcoming concert... and The Wailers were headliners. But I never truly listened to Bob untill the Live album came out. I remember sitting in my room one Saturday listening to the horse races on the radio, and in betweem each race the DJ would play No Woman No Cry. The words were haunting.. "And I remember when we used to sit... In a Government Yard in trenchtown..." The vouce and lyrics seemed magical... so simple yet so beautiful. That was about 30 years ago and I have been a fan ever since. Bob's music spoke to me personally, as it did to people all around te world. As it will speak to you once you play this album. But don't stop there... buy more... listen to songs like Concrete Jungle; Talking Blues, and Roots Rock Reggae. In fact let your next album be the Live at the London Lyceum and you will get a flavour for the infectious Bob. If you have a Jamaican friend have him/her explain the lyrics (if needed). But regardless, just enjoy the music. Enjoy it with fans from Africa, Europe, Canada and now the USA. I saw Bob once in Tampa and was amazed at the 'good old boys' in Cowboy hats and bandanas that screamed for Bob and sang his songs. I knew then that Bob's music was truly intended for the world to love.When Bob died I heard the news over BBC radio. I was 20+ years old then but I cried. I had lost a good friend. Then I reached for my records and played Rastaman Chant, and cried some more when Bob sang... "One bright morning when my work is over I will fly away home.", the background containing soulful conga drumming. But as the song ended I felt better.. bob's music made me feel better. Fly on BOB. And you my friend... listen to the Music on Legend and experience an upliftment... fly with Bob. Enjoy Legend! But remember there is more great Marley music awaiting you."

Legendary Anthology

Brian D. Rubendall | Oakton, VA | 04/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Bob Marley collection "Legend" does indeed make its case for Marley as a regge legend. More than any other artist, he helped bring regge music to mainstream audiences with his excellent songwriting and musicianship. He could be political without sounding preachy, and also wrote some of the sweetest love songs of any musical genre. Marley was popularized in America, of course, when Eric Clapton remade his "I Shot the Sheriff." Clapton's version is outstanding, but Marley's is equally so and is the one were the song's subtle political message is more overt.Other outstanding tracks on the collection include the sweet "Three Little Birds," the ace peace and love song "One Love/People Get Ready," the straight up love songs "Is This Love" and "Stir It Up," the political rant of "Buffalo Soldier," the call to arms "Get Up Stand Up" and the rave-up "Jamming." Even among the lesser well known songs there is not a clunker or misstep in the mix.Overall, a superior single disc anthology that establishes Bob Marley as one of the most important musicians of his era."

A True Legend

Nicholas Alla Koholick | 12/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This man WAS a legend. His music touched millions. He laid the groundwork for a lot of ska and reggae existing today, surviving an assination attempt and a country filled with unrest and confusion in the process. It truly was inspiring. His passing in 1981 was both tragic and untimely. Legend is a Best Of-album of sorts. It has a lot of his radio singles, his big hits, and a few treasures. Recommended to all fans of music, Jamaican music or otherwise. A stepping-stone into eventually collecting all of of his amazing work.
Truly it is: "...the heart and soul of the Jamaican people packed into one five-inch compact disc..."Bob Marley's spirit lives on in his music."

Great selection of hits by Bob Marley and the Wailers

Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 02/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Legend" features some of the very greatest hits of Bob Marley and the Wailers--and what a compilation it is! As always, one could have hoped that other items be included (for example, only one cut from "Natty Dread"?). Nonetheless, this is a dazzling collection.

Some of the hits are compelling to include, such as "No Woman No Cry," "Buffalo Soldier," "Get Up Stand Up," "Stir it Up," "I Shot the Sheriff," "Redemption Song," "Jamming," and a nice bonus cut, "Funky Reggae Party." One thought: Quite a few of these songs appear to be love songs or whatever, but--in fact--have political content to them.

Let's consider a few of the pieces in more detail:

"No Woman No Cry":

"In this great future

You can't forget your past

So dry your tears, I say."

This song has a softer sound to it. The band plays well and Marley is in peak form. Since this is a live version (over seven minutes long), it is fun to hear the audience's responses throughout. The upbeat line, repeated several times, "Everything's gonna be alright," sets a tone for the song.

"Stir It Up": This song was a hit for Johnny Nash, representing one of the first reggae songs to break out to a wider audience (but not the first). Marley's version is great! The I-Threes provide strong backing vocals; the band plays well. This is an infectious version of the song and genuinely rates as one of Bob Marley and the Wailers' greatest hits.

"I Shot the Sheriff": This was a worldwide hit for Eric Clapton (it seems weird that others had great hits with Marley's work, without him having the same success). Marley's version is very different from Clapton's (although both work). As liner notes point out, there is more of a political edge to Marley's version. Band, backing vocals, and Marley are all in fine form on this work.

The bonus track--"Punky Reggae Party": The song is about getting ready for a punky reggae party, but there are all manner of observations scattered throughout this song, some with political overtones. One interesting set of lyrics that caught my attention:

"Rejected by society

Treated with impunity

Protected by my dignity

I search for reality."

The musical line from the band is almost hypnotic and the I-Threes, as typically done, provide fine backing vocals. Marley sings with pizzazz and spills out through after thought at a quick pace. What a nice bonus track!

In short, a truly wonderful greatest hits CD. If interested in the range of Marley's work, this is a good place to start.

"

No disrespect to the Beatles...this is THE album

Nicholas Alla Koholick | 11/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bob Marley's music changed my life! Many reviewers are turned off by a perceived commercialism of this album (for a time myself included). BUT, it is people's first introduction to Bob and reggae. And for that it serves it's purpose. To expose us to the words of this prophet and see that this life is your life...you're free to do with it what you will. "Legend" contains a small part of his genius, its unfair to bash it for its inability to capture all of Bob's greatness. It is the first glimpse into a 'legendary' body of work, that luckly for us continues to be discovered. As Peter Tosh once sang, "Don't criticize it...advertise it!" Buy this album. Listen to it, love it, live it, and buy more Marley. JAH live!"

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