Roots Archives Forum

As you may know, Im not a fan of Tosh as vocalist but much more a fan of him playing the melodica...

He can reach the best of Pablo, imo...

Especially on the tune "Anti-Apartheid" on which his melodica sound is so subtle that you can wonder if it could be a clarinet. Far from some melodica sounds where you visualize the toy while listening because of the basic sound.

On sun is shining (Perry version) its murder again...

But there is its reverse... On "a little melodica", its unfortunately very weak...

I know that he did the flip of "A Place Called Africa" by Jr Byles, but dont have it and dont know how crucial it is.

But would definitely love to hear more sides with him licking the melodica ina killer way...

Thanks & guidance


Litelet

the only song i really like his melodica is sun is shining...i prefer him more as a vocalist

but have you ever heard "Anti-Apartheid"?

Sorry. With all respect, I cannot agree.

IMHO he was a very poor melodica player, no fluency, no ideas, very basic technique and feel. Same as his organ solos or guitar work.

"Anti=Apartheid" is a brilliant track though, but because of the brilliant riddim: Fams' bassline, Carlton drumming, the horns,the "out-of-spacey" flute at the end by T.McCook and the piano work ( Harold Butler or Tyrone Downie are amazing keyboard players...technique, feel, they swing the notes not like Peter Tosh...he plays rigid)
Compare it with Pablo's "Natural Way", posible a derivative (same chord progression, pretty much the same line up of musicians, same feel ). Pablo uses his breath to sustain and flows the notes. He swaps positions between lead and support ( melodica and the string synth) and underpins everything with the piano.

Tosh, like Marley were great composers, charismatic performers, great artists, original singers, Reggae legends....but very average musicians ( by the way, there is nothing wrong with that.
Some technically gifted musicians are boring)

Interesting, strong contrast. I dont play the keyboard, a little bit of melodica, but Im still in the "very rigid" category...
And I know only 3 songs with Tosh on melodica...

But 2 of them are very great... Sun is shining and Anti-apartheid... Youre true the riddim on this second one helps a lot, but still, I appreciate the sound of his melodica very much.

Maybe I dont not seperate perfectly the melodica's sound with the keyboard or the flute and its what make me guess his melodica sound great and subtle "nearly as a clarinet"... I have to listen again.

Anyway, with 2 good tracks on 3, I was guessing he played well...
So which other ones do you know?

havent heard anti apartheid yet? where can i find it

huch, got it on single...
but have a listen to a clip here...
http://deadlydragonsound.com/v3_records ... p?id=15406

He was also a very good piano player.

peace

also that Memphis tune on Soul Revolution:

http://roots-archives.com/release/3192

for those who dont know Anti Apartheid is a melodica cut to Bunny Wailer's Armagideon. its worth seeking out. think its very rare though and not on any album