Roots Archives Forum

Pure Murvin all the way, I think...

About Perry´s vocals:
Technically he´s not a good singer, of course - but I like his voice anyway!
"Roast Fish Collie Weed And Corn Bread" is one of my favourite albums.

abit off-topic

Nickfa, for your information on the B-side of that 12" there is a song called "Dreadlocks In The Moonlight" and it is also credited to "Upsetter Revue Featuring Junior Murvin".
I have to disappoint you again its actually Lee Perry not Junior Murvin (as you might have thought).

I think I hear at least 3 or 4 b/vs. One sounds like Barry Heptone.
IMO the low vocal is not Lee Perry. I thought it was Junior Murvin (?) if not, it could be half a dozen people but not Lee Perry.

Somebody can ask Scratch or Murvin or Heptones?

yeah the bigger mystery is the backing vocals. I had in mind the Heptones too, theres also the Meditations that have worked as backing vocals before with Scratch so it could be either one.

according to the sleeve notes on the deluxe edition 2cd of police and thieves, "The close of the year saw the release of People get ready 9as rasta get ready)and a medley of 9grow0 closer together' and gypsy woman-three vintage curtis mayfield numbers on which Murvin was once again backed by Llewelyn and Morgan of the heptones"
So looks like i was wrong so my apologies, but at least it started a debate about Lee perrys vocal qualities.

Thanks for the info, nickfa!

yeah there is no way that low voice is scratch. scratch's singing was spotty and when singing/chatting low...well, he never really could pull it off.
keep in mind that murvin only started singing falsetto basically when he had met perry. prior to that, he sang in lower tones but hadn't reached any successes in music. once he went curtis mayfield on his voice, he earned his status as a great singer.

super ape wrote: keep in mind that murvin only started singing falsetto basically when he had met perry. prior to that, he sang in lower tones but hadn't reached any successes in music. once he went curtis mayfield on his voice, he earned his status as a great singer.

Though i largely agree with this statement Junior Murvins original version of Rescue the children for Derrik Harriott had him singing in his curtis mayfield voice.
Nick

thats cool thanks for the info. great song.

Check out Murvin's voice on the Greensleeves / Jammys tune Aparthied, he sings that in his lower register, just like on Closer Together.