Bunny Wailer - Blackheart Man

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Free Music Notes for Blackheart Man

Free Music Review: In praise of the path not taken
Hit: 5 Stars

But there was more: a deeply spiritual man, Bunny's predicament, difficult if not impossible in the secular world, would have to reconciled with Rasta doctrine. Unfortunately, this period in Jamaica witnessed the emergence of divisions between more well-to-do uptown Rastas and their shantytown brethren. It was certainly a time of false prophets, and Rasta doctrine was in confusion.

Praise Jah, Bunny Wailer was up to the task. Bunny could have simply ignored the obvious, insulated himself from Kingston society, and rested on his Wailers laurels. But Bunny came head-on. Instead of providing yet another chronicle of the drama of the moment, or choosing sides, Blackheart Man's songs are much more. Bunny sees the moment beyond the here-and-now, as another iteration of a timeless condition, afflicting all, it the burden of being alive. From this perspective, Bunny is able to develop potent, often timeless insights and conclusions, subjects rarely discussed in popular music of any genre.

Certainly another triumph of Blackheart Man is its proclamation and reasoning of Rasta doctrine. Avoiding biblical quotation, Bunny paraphrases the same in a direct, stripped-down style, so plain and heartfelt that his assertions become non-dogmatic. The effect is mesmerizing: even the "non-faithful" must feel the power and wisdom of the lesson.

And check Bunny's courage: after releasing Blackheart Man, Bunny remained in Jamaica (goodness!), and essentially walked away from fame as an ex-Wailer or as a now-important solo artist, releasing no new material until the early '80s. But Bunny Wailer achieved the most precious reward, avoiding co-option by political forces and violence from ghetto gunmen.

An obvious classic, in context Blackheart Man is as amazing in its ambition as it is in its achievement. And make no mistake: the achievement here is of the highest order.

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