2008 Woodie Awards
A reggae legend lives on
Chris Dann
Issue date: 3/4/04 Section: Entertainment
- Page 1 of 1
In the twenty-plus years since his unexpected death in 1981, the legend that is Bob Marley has only continued to grow.
During his lifetime, Marley released two live albums, 1975's "Live" and its follow-up, "Babylon by Bus," released in 1979. Both albums are acknowledged as classics, as Marley, a consummate live performer, shows off his talents to their fullest extent. Now, decades later, Island Records has released another Marley live album, "Live at the Roxy."
This two-disc set contains Marley's concert at the Roxy Theater in its entirety, with the first disc possessing the main set, and the second the half-hour encore. Recorded on May 26, 1976, the album captures Marley in rare form, as he stands at a crossroads in his musical career. This is a lively Marley, not quite the legendary figure he would eventually become a man coming into his own on stage as a solo performer. Two years had passed since Marley had split with the original Wailers, Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh, and he had since released two albums with his new backing lineup. It was at this stage in his career which Marley took the stage at the Roxy.
Following a brief introduction, Marley and the Wailers begin their set with the classic "Trenchtown Rock," a solid opening number, complete with nice backing vocals by the I-Threes, the three-woman backing band which serves as a perfect counter-balance to Marley's vocals over the course of the entire album. The set moves along next to slightly darker places, lyrically, with the powerful political message of "Burnin' and Lootin'." The political theme continues with the next song, "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)," one of the standout songs on the album. Once again, the I-Threes play a major role, singing harmony in the background over the chorus. The song also features a nice guitar solo by lead guitarist Donald Kinsey.
From then on, the Wailers and their leader continue on a good clip through the set, next playing "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)" and an extended version of the classic "I Shot the Sherriff," a song which elicits one of the loudest responses from the crowd. But it is the next song, "Want More," that is the high point of the disc. One more, the I-Threes play a crucial role, as their and Marley's tremendous energy serve to make a song with fairly strong political content sound upbeat. This seven-minute masterpiece is followed up by another excellent track, the hit "No Woman No Cry." While this version is not as good as the classic which was released on Marley's first live album, it is still a high point in the album. The first disc concludes after three more songs, the upbeat "Lively Up Yourself," and "Roots Rock Reggae," and the eight minute "Rat Race," which concludes with an instrumental jam, accompanied by vigorous clapping by the audience.
This seems to conclude the set, but after loud chants of "more," Marley and the Wailers return to the stage. The first song of this encore performance is "Positive Vibration," another good song. But it is the next track, a 24 minute medley consisting of "Get Up Stand Up," "No More Trouble," and "War." This is the highlight of the entire concert as Marley and the entire backing band give an impassioned performance, lengthy performance which seems to go by too quickly, if anything.
All in all, "Live at the Roxy" is a must have for any die-hard fan of Bob Marley, as well as an excellent introduction to any new listeners. This album is an excellent example of a performer at his best, live on stage. It's a must-have for any appreciator of great music. The people who came out of the Roxy Theater at the end of Marley's show certainly left more than satisfied. So will anyone who purchases this new edition to the already-large legacy of Bob Marley.
During his lifetime, Marley released two live albums, 1975's "Live" and its follow-up, "Babylon by Bus," released in 1979. Both albums are acknowledged as classics, as Marley, a consummate live performer, shows off his talents to their fullest extent. Now, decades later, Island Records has released another Marley live album, "Live at the Roxy."
This two-disc set contains Marley's concert at the Roxy Theater in its entirety, with the first disc possessing the main set, and the second the half-hour encore. Recorded on May 26, 1976, the album captures Marley in rare form, as he stands at a crossroads in his musical career. This is a lively Marley, not quite the legendary figure he would eventually become a man coming into his own on stage as a solo performer. Two years had passed since Marley had split with the original Wailers, Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh, and he had since released two albums with his new backing lineup. It was at this stage in his career which Marley took the stage at the Roxy.
Following a brief introduction, Marley and the Wailers begin their set with the classic "Trenchtown Rock," a solid opening number, complete with nice backing vocals by the I-Threes, the three-woman backing band which serves as a perfect counter-balance to Marley's vocals over the course of the entire album. The set moves along next to slightly darker places, lyrically, with the powerful political message of "Burnin' and Lootin'." The political theme continues with the next song, "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)," one of the standout songs on the album. Once again, the I-Threes play a major role, singing harmony in the background over the chorus. The song also features a nice guitar solo by lead guitarist Donald Kinsey.
From then on, the Wailers and their leader continue on a good clip through the set, next playing "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)" and an extended version of the classic "I Shot the Sherriff," a song which elicits one of the loudest responses from the crowd. But it is the next song, "Want More," that is the high point of the disc. One more, the I-Threes play a crucial role, as their and Marley's tremendous energy serve to make a song with fairly strong political content sound upbeat. This seven-minute masterpiece is followed up by another excellent track, the hit "No Woman No Cry." While this version is not as good as the classic which was released on Marley's first live album, it is still a high point in the album. The first disc concludes after three more songs, the upbeat "Lively Up Yourself," and "Roots Rock Reggae," and the eight minute "Rat Race," which concludes with an instrumental jam, accompanied by vigorous clapping by the audience.
This seems to conclude the set, but after loud chants of "more," Marley and the Wailers return to the stage. The first song of this encore performance is "Positive Vibration," another good song. But it is the next track, a 24 minute medley consisting of "Get Up Stand Up," "No More Trouble," and "War." This is the highlight of the entire concert as Marley and the entire backing band give an impassioned performance, lengthy performance which seems to go by too quickly, if anything.
All in all, "Live at the Roxy" is a must have for any die-hard fan of Bob Marley, as well as an excellent introduction to any new listeners. This album is an excellent example of a performer at his best, live on stage. It's a must-have for any appreciator of great music. The people who came out of the Roxy Theater at the end of Marley's show certainly left more than satisfied. So will anyone who purchases this new edition to the already-large legacy of Bob Marley.