The Wailers

[Slugger]

Nice to see a healthy Marley conversation, in some ways it's interesting how relatively infrequently he is discussed on this board (especially considering that many of us, including myself, were probably introduced to reggae music via Bob.)

I really have only one opinion to add to the conversation:

I consider "Trenchtown Rock" to be the single greatest song to come out of reggae music.

I know it may be ridiculous to try and single out only one tune out of so many, but I just think it incorporates everything I love about reggae wrapped into one song: booming riddim, wonderful melody, incredible lyrics, roots vibes, tough rebel music, so much feeling and emotion perfectly expressed.

Related footnote: I would also submit that "One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain" is the single greatest lyric to come out of reggae music. It's absolutely brilliant.

So yeah, Trenchtown Rock is pretty much a perfect tune in my book.

[Gabranth]

But maybe the reason I do prefer his pre-Island stuff, particularly the rocksteady and early reggae stuff is he/they were working with more of a local mindset, less crossover element. And they're just some really strong songs. Gabranth's method of taking some of the most throwaway from that era and comparing them to some of the best of the Island era isn't a very effective way of making a point. Both had strong material.

Yeah I gotta admit, comparing strong songs from one era with relatively weak songs from another era was kinda stupid of me. I hope you're not mad at me, flashman, for liking the Island LPs so much

I'm happy that we all can have different tastes without hating (on) each other. One of the few internet forums where this is possible.

[RooticaLee]

Is this the best studio version of Get up Stand up? I haven't heard a better one and I think it's much. much, better than the Burnin' one.

Note how they credit it Bob Marley & the Wailers (really vexes me when I see this happen)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NAlx8VyAWc

[flashman]

Yeah I gotta admit, comparing strong songs from one era with relatively weak songs from another era was kinda stupid of me. I hope you're not mad at me, flashman, for liking the Island LPs so much

I'm happy that we all can have different tastes without hating (on) each other. One of the few internet forums where this is possible.

No anger just discussion. It's just music! I do sometimes like to argue but not to create negativity. I'm just interested in the topic. I wasn't attacking you, just pointing out I didn't find your argument persuasive.
I'm glad you didn't take it that way.

[blackarkrock]

Nothing wrong with liking all Marley eras, imo!

Personally, I prefer the original Wailers 1964-1973, though.

Some favourites from the pre-Island period -

Studio One 1964-66:
Simmer Down
Mr Talkative
Maga Dog (Peter)
Hooligans
One Love (Bob/Bunny)
Rude Boy
Put It On
Jailhouse (can´t tell if it´s Bob or Bunny...)
Who Feels It Knows It (Bunny)
Let Him Go (Bunny)
Rasta Shook Them Up (Peter)
I Stand Predominant (Bunny)
Rolling Stone (Bunny´s great adaption of Dylan´s Like A Rolling Stone)

Wail´n´Soul´m 1967-69:
Bend Down Low
Freedom Time
Hypocrites
Bus Dem Shut
Stir It Up
This Train (Bunny)
Funeral/Burial (Peter)
Stepping Razor (Peter)
I´m Hurting Inside
Fire Fire (Peter/Bob)
Don´t Rock My Boat
Trouble On The Road Again

Leslie Kong 1970:
Stop The Train (Peter)
Caution
Back Out

Lee Perry 1970-71:
Sun Is Shining
Duppy Conqueror
Soul Rebel
Man To Man
Mr Brown
Dreamland (Bunny)
Small Axe / More Axe
No Sympathy (Peter)
400 Years (Peter)
Don´t Rock My Boat
Riding High (Bunny)
Kaya
African Herbsman
Downpresser (Peter)

Tuff Gong 1971:
Concrete Jungle
Craven Choke Puppy
Lively Up Yourself
Redder Than Red
Satisfy My Soul Jah Jah
Screwface
Trenchtown Rock
+some very good versions here!

Turned out to be quite a few, that...

[blackarkrock]

...and I love Catch A Fire and Burnin´,
also these later albums:

Bob -
Live
Rastaman Vibration
Exodus
Survival

Bunny -
Blackheart Man
Struggle
In I Father´s House
Sings The Wailers

Peter -
Legalise It
Equal Rights
Wanted Dread And Alive

[I-Lion Tafari]

If you listen to BMW rehearsal sessions from 79/80 it sounds pretty rootsy and heavy. No pop music. Wish they`d recorded their music this way,
I think Could You Be Loved is Bob´s only pop song. There´s more pop in Peter Tosh´s songs.

[Congo Bunny]

Bob's appeal has to come down to his charisma

[costarica]

I'd go for Wail 'n Soul'm, Best of the Wailers, Soul Rebels, Soul Revolution I&II, Catch a Fire & Burnin' by the Original Wailers. The 'Gold' comp is great too. Then Blackheart Man, Struggle, In I Fathers House & Rock n' Groove by Bunny. Personally I'm not over keen on the Tosh solo albums (I find his voice a bit harsh for my taste) but Equal Rights is prob the best, with Legalise It a close second. Rastaman Vibration is my favourite BM & W album (they all have their merits though) although somewhat aimed at a white rock audience. Bunny has the sweetest, most mystical voice but it's hard to deny Bob's soulful tones and the passion & emotion with which he punctuates every line. Not to mention his incomparable song writing genius! Like the rest of you I would love to hear a JA mix of all the Island albums if Catch a Fire is anything to go by.

[aztecryan]

IMO the best wailers song is "caution", now on the topic of BOB, PETER, BUNNY ... This is always a hard one for me (also, i always flip flop on who i like more). I like Peter's voice the best but i feel his rhythms tracks tend to be a little weak. Bunny has a good blend of pop/roots that i like. And Bob just had a great run with Island. I do feel that they were better as a group however. I love Peter's here comes the judge. My fave by Bunny is dreamland, i also love the cover by third world. My Fave Bob (w/o peter and bunny) is want more. My fave Peter song is Jah guide. These are all just my opinion and my opinion does change all the time even when just debating with myself. I guess it depends on the mood i am in at a particular moment in time.