Bunny Lee story - Black Ark DVD

[fareast_77]

has anyone seen this dvd yet? I thought to get myself a copy but before that i need to get some things straight first.
is that a Striker Lee story? Why is black ark mentioned?

[Chaz]

Think you're referring to the Deep Roots Music series. Originally six separate programs shown on Chanel Four in the UK, now released as three separate DVDs with two programs on each (Amazon or the like will have the details). These are the programs:


REVIVAL (05/11/1982)
RANKING SOUNDS (12/11/1982)
The BUNNY LEE STORY (19/11/1982)
BLACK ARK (26/11/1982)
MONEY IN MY POCKET (03/12/1982)
GHETTO RIDDIMS (10/12/1982)

[fareast_77]

exactly.
and I just realize they put the 6 movies on 3 dvds so bunny lee & black ark would be both on vol.2 but i actually thought it was about bunny lee producing at black ark which made me wonder.

[DonBanyan]

Prince Jammy mixing up some crucial dub in the Bunny Lee segment is awesome!! However, the Black Ark half is pretty terrible, IMO.



DB

[ACEtone]

These Deep Roots videos can be found chopped up into segments on You Tube. Yes indeed the Bunny Lee/Jammy/Tubby's footage is awe inspiring. The Black Ark stuff is pretty bad - Ganja Man..bleh

[Jah Chicken]

Greetings,
I'd have to strongly disagree with DonBanyan and ACEtone about the Blark Ark chapter of this video series. I think it is some of the most interesting Lee Perry footage I've come across. The declarations at the beginning.. Simply amazing. Singing Call and Response with his sons on the boat.. amazing as well. Most of the singing in this section should be skipped over. The rendition of "No Woman No Cry" with his daughter Marsha playing keyboard and the woman seeing if worth watching for only maybe the first 20 seconds. The Ganja Man track is righteous though!! It really captures his insanity at this point in his life and seems to be another declaration of sorts (a reoccuring theme in Perry's life). The Black Ark is in terrible shape and very close to it's ultimate destruction. The first of the declarations from my memory:

"Greetings in the name of the father.
Greetings in the name of the son.
Greetings in the name of the holy spirit.
Here live the revelation of Rastafar-I.
Emperor Selassie-I.
Kings of kings and lord of lords
I'm standing here on this spot,
where they used to travel,
slave ships to Africa,
to sell to Jamaica,
to the white plantationists,
but it will be no more!!
Because lightening liveth,
and thunderball rolleth,
he who rideth the white horse,
in Relevations 22 (?),
Say,
Time for the black man to take over,
time for the black man to drive big car,
time for the black man to own airplane,
time for the white man to work for the black man,
a change in time.
Says miracle Jesus".
--Lee Perry

He uses some of these lyrics in the Ganja Man track later recorded.

Roots,
Jah Chicken

[Jah Chicken]

and to note.. they didn't ask him a single question during the whole episode!! Strictly crucial Perry rantings.

Roots,
Jah Chicken

[DonBanyan]

Strictly crucial Perry rantings.

Roots,
Jah Chicken

Very true. If that's what you're looking for, then I suppose it's fantastic. I, however, thought it was going to be vintage footage of actual sessions at Black Ark in its prime. Kinda like in Roots Rock Reggae: Inside The Jamaican Music Scene.



DB

[Jah Chicken]

Yes DB. I agree with your distinction. Roots Rock Reggae does have the unparalleled black ark footage of the Heptones, Congos, and Junior Murvin recording "Mr. Music". The music/recording sessions in the Black Ark BBC chapter are almost skip worthy. For some interesting/bizarre Lee Perry footage the BBC video is the way to go. For a great Black Ark recording session, the Roots Rock Reggae documentary is far better.

Roots,
Jah Chicken

[Klaus5]

Im sorry to bring up an old topic, but does anybody know who the woman singing no woman no cry is (in black ark)?