Bob Marley & The Wailers - Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers (New Packaging)
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Free Music Notes for Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers (New Packaging)
Free Music Review: A must-have for any music collection
Hit: 5 Stars
I will never grow tired of "Legend." This compilation is absolutely perfect, providing an accurate insight into the musical genius that was Bob Marley. This isn't just reggae at its finest, but it's music at its finest. The songs on "Legend" can be inspiring, uplifting, entertaining, thought-provoking, but most of all just purely enjoyable. The simple songwriting and talented musicianship provide a sunny, lighthearted musical setting, the laidback Caribbean style that would inspire a generation of reggae followers. But it's Bob's messages and lyrics that set him apart from the other great Jamaican musicians who were his contemporaries. Bob's music is at times politically and religiously charged, and sometimes just for fun. But everything he advocates in his muic is positive. He wants the world to be a better, friendlier place, and he advocates human treatment and equality, civil rights, and freedom. He portrays his ideas in a simple manner that makes them all the more effective. This compilation covers the most audience-friendly and appealing of his extensive discography. This is a smart purchase, because Bob's discography is huge, especially because there are so many various releases that have surfaced between different distributors in different countries. "Legend" is an album everyone should own, it's the one that every new Bob Marley listener should not even think twice about purchasing, and everyone should be able to appreciate the music here.
The compilation begins with "Is This Love," one of the most purely roots songs here, a lyrically simple, musically catchy tune. "No Woman No Cry" is my favorite song of Bob's music, and this seven minute live recording is beautiful. The lyricism of this song is simple but really moving, from his talk of growing up poor in Jamaica to his philosophies on life, and the break for the guitar solo and background vocals complete the beautiful arrangement. I absolutely love "Could You Be Loved," a clever production that's immediately catchy, with a great chorus and standard Bob Marley performance. "Three Little Birds," one of his most well-known tunes, is fun, light, and fairly uplifting. "Buffalo Soldier" is an ingenious look at the movement of peoples from Africa to the Caribbean, and Bob praises his ancestors. The politically-fueled "Get Up, Stand Up" is a very effective rallying cry for civil rights. Another of my favorites is the winding "Stir It Up," a laidback, enjoyable and fun song. "Easy Skanking" is included as a bonus on the new remaster, a welcome bonus to the classic tracklist. "One Love/People Get Ready" is a happy call to equal treatment and some light philosophy, one of his most definitive songs. If you haven't, you must hear his ingenious cover of Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff," which is followed here by the easy "Waiting in Vain" and the very inspired "Redemption Song." "Satisfy My Soul" and the incredible "Exodus" follow, with another of my favorites, the unforgettable "Jamming." The remaster also includes "Punky Reggae Party" as a bonus, a unique party track.
Bottom line, this album is a must have for anyone. People of all ages and backgrounds can love "Legend," even if they're not a reggae fan. This music is clever, catchy, and fun, and Bob Marley is really a genius. Make this purchase if you haven't already, you will not be disappointed by "Legend."
Free Music Review: Bob Marley lives on in his music; perfect CD to prove it
Hit: 5 Stars
Bob Marley is a figure that attracts attention from many music lovers.
Leading and popularizing the Reggae genre, Bob Marley's music and persona are larger than life. He tackles themes of Rastafarian themes such as political inequality and the love of life simultaneously, and both his lyrics and music are energetic and heartfelt.
The compilation album opens with "Is this Love", as the bouncy, funky guitar intro make way for Bob Marley's lovely and heartfelt vocals.
"No Woman No Cry" is a live cut, and a change of mood, to soft, mellow, but still poignant. It's a very simple chord progression, and he combines the themes of love and life.
"Could You be Loved" has an amazing energy. The transition between relative major and minor in the chord progression is an example of Marley's ability to elicit emotion through his music. When he gets to the part "Could You be Loved, and be loved", you are forced to feel it.
"Three Little Birds" is a great song with great harmonies from the ladies. A nice arrangement by Bob, and another great message.
"Buffalo Soldier" is one of my favorites. This is really a unique song. It is well-written in terms of lyrics, melody, chord progression, and song-structure. Bob Marley was really a unique talent.
"Get Up Stand Up" is a song that describes Bob's answer to much of the injustice in Jamaica and the world. Funky and unyielding, Marley means business.
"One Love" is another melody that elicits a certain mood, and it is quintessential Bob Marley song due to its simplicity yet complexity at the same time.
"Shot the Sherrif", covered by Eric Clapton, is a strange song. It has a high-energy arrangement, and it definitely carries a political message.
"Waiting in Vain" is very relaxed. It is a song of love and longing, and there is a nice fadeout at the end.
"Redemption Song" is an emotional song with good lyrics. This is a political one. The chorus gives insight into some of Bob's longing.
"Satisfy my Soul" is a bit jazzy, but follows a basic Marley songwriting formula. Again, another song from his collection that shows he's an ingenious songwriter.
"Exodus" reiterates Marley's theme of longing for the progress and equality of his people.
"Jammin" is one of the best songs on the CD. Pure and beautiful, it's impossible not to feel Bob Marley's love for music, which is what this song is about.
There are two bonus tracks on this album, which are interesting and welcome.
Bob's all about simple messages put to very relaxing music. That's what Bob's music is all about, very basic and raw emotion, which makes the music timeless and shouts out "Life".
Free Music Review: Great selection of hits by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Hit: 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.
Free Music Review: Bob Marley 101: Always best to start w/ this one!
Hit: 5 Stars
I remember the first time I heard this amazing anthology, although it was over 25 years ago, I recall that night like it was yesterday. I was about 15 years old, and up to that time, I had never heard music like this before. My buddy played this record for a group of us and immediately I was completely absorbed and elated. The very next day, the first thing I did was race down to the record store to purchase this album. I then made it a point to play "Legend" to everyone I knew - fans of hard rock, punkers, New Wavers, classic rock fans, jazz, classical, - they all loved the sweet, serene sounds of Robert Nesta Marley (a.k.a. Bob) and really, how can any fan of music not?
"Don't worry... about a thing... cause every little thing, is going be alright..."
Sure, this compilation of hits is just a small sample of this legend's work. There are so many great recordings of his that I would highly recommend, but if you are new to Bob, this is the best place to start in my opinion. He is a legend, there is absolutely no doubt about it. Bob Marley is the greatest of the greats (i.e. Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Bunny Wailer, Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Burning Spear, etc...). He is to Reggae music, what the Beatles and Elvis were to Rock 'n' Roll, what Aretha Franklin is to Soul, what Louis Armstrong was to Jazz, what Run DMC and Public Enemy were to Rap, what Black Sabbath was to Metal, the Clash to punk, etc... etc...
As most of my friends know, I have become addicted to Jazz music over the past 5 years, but I still love Mr. Marley and I own just about every album of his. While "Legend" may not be my favorite, this recording will always hold a special place in my heart. This is where it all began for me and as I stated earlier, if you are new to Bob, then this is the place to start. It's impossible for me to even fathom how anyone can not appreciate just how truly amazing this legendary great was. His music could put a smile on anyone's face no matter what kind of sour mood their in or how much angst they are suppressing. Sure to satisfy your soul!
Enjoy!!!
Free Music Review: Very good, but not his best songs
Hit: 5 Stars
This is a master piece, and has great songs on.
BUT i think songs such as "Africa Unite" from Survival should of made it, along with, "Coming in from the cold" from Uprising.
Here is my rates for the songs,
1. Is This Love - 8.5/10
- Nice verse and good lyrics.
2. No Woman No Cry - 7/10
- Personally don't know why it is so famous.But good sound.
3. Could You Be Loved - 10/10
- Very nice rythm, and lyrics, i always want to dance to this.
4. Three Little Birds - 7/10
- Happy tune, i would of put "Africa Unite" there though.
5. Buffalo Soldier - 10/10
- One of my all time favourites.
6. Get Up Stand Up - 9/10
- Very good song, I could really tell how much pain they have had.
7. Stir It Up - 10/10
- Masterpiece. Great love song.
8. Easy Skanking - 7.5/10
- Good, but not famous. I would of put,
"Coming In From The Cold" there.
9. One Love/People Get Ready 10/10
- Very nice song.Good song choice.
10. I Shot The Sheriff - 9.5/10
- Good beat, also good song choice.
11. Waiting In Vain - 10/10
- Good love song.
12. Redemption Songs - 10/10
- Should be more famous than it is. My favourite Bob song.
13. Satisfy My Soul - 9/10
- Very nice, of the Kaya album from 1978.
14. Exodus - 8/10
- Would of put "Slogans" there, which is a new release.
Good song though.
15. Jamming - 10/10
- One would say the best reggae track ever, very groovy.
16. Punky Reggae Party - 9/10
- Good song but I think "War" or "Concrete Jungle" would of deserved that place more.
Overall I give the album - 9.5/10
I Would of given it 10, but i think they choose some of the wrong songs. But worth buying!