Show #147: Bob Marley & The Wailers
Now that winter is officially here and we've had 30+ inches of snow, I thought I'd post some music from a warmer clime.
(Photo found here.)
Like a lot of people, Bob Marley was part of the soundtrack of my college years. My roommate in the dorms (Witte Hall), Rhubis, came to Madison equipped with the obligatory copy of Legend. We lived together for a couple years outside of the dorms and since he was on the ultimate team, our place often had a lot of dope smoking ultimate players hanging about and Marley was often on the stereo. I presume that college kids still enjoy Marley as a recent trip to the hippie store on State Street revealed plenty of t-shirts, wall hangings, et al featuring his visage.
For an in-depth, if hagiographic, bio of the man, I suggest checking out his official webpage. But I will note that Marley was born on 6 February 1945 to a black mother and an absentee white father. This bi-racial identity left him in a limbo, of sorts, because his skin was too light for complete acceptance by the African-descended population and it was too dark for him to be a part of the white colonizing class. There's little doubt that a missing father and rejection from both sides of the racial lines had a great influence on Marley.
(Photo from Covert Curiosity.)
As Jamaica was gaining its independence in 1962, Marley released his first single using the pseudonym of "Bobby Martell". By this time he had become friends with Neville Livingston (a.k.a. – Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (a.k.a. – Peter Tosh). They formed a group in 1963 called The Teenagers which eventually became The Wailers. Three years later Marley joined the Rastafari movement and The Wailers spent the 60s refining their sound and defining reggae. The Wailing Wailers was their first album released in 1965 but it was Catch a Fire on Island Records from 1973 that brought the band to international attention. It was followed by Burnin' before the group disbanded. Marley went solo but kept the Wailers moniker for his backing band. Success here in the States came in 1976 with the Rastaman Vibration album and the classic Exodus was released the following year. In 1978 Marley released Kaya and started a tour of the States in May of that year. The fourth stop on that tour was right here in Madison on the 25th of May where Marley did two shows at the Orpheum Theatre.
This week's podcast is from a great soundboard recording of the early show that day.
Setlist:
Sisters Chant
So Long Rastafari
Concrete Jungle
Burnin' And Lootin'
Them Belly Full
Rebel Music
I Shot The Sheriff
No Woman No Cry
Lively Up Yourself
Jammin
Download show
Bob Marley
Unfortunately the closest thing I could find to a live performance on YouTube was this appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops show. I think that the vocals are live but that they're singing to a backing track. But it's from 1978 and is of "Satisfy My Soul" from Kaya.
(Photo found here.)
Like a lot of people, Bob Marley was part of the soundtrack of my college years. My roommate in the dorms (Witte Hall), Rhubis, came to Madison equipped with the obligatory copy of Legend. We lived together for a couple years outside of the dorms and since he was on the ultimate team, our place often had a lot of dope smoking ultimate players hanging about and Marley was often on the stereo. I presume that college kids still enjoy Marley as a recent trip to the hippie store on State Street revealed plenty of t-shirts, wall hangings, et al featuring his visage.
For an in-depth, if hagiographic, bio of the man, I suggest checking out his official webpage. But I will note that Marley was born on 6 February 1945 to a black mother and an absentee white father. This bi-racial identity left him in a limbo, of sorts, because his skin was too light for complete acceptance by the African-descended population and it was too dark for him to be a part of the white colonizing class. There's little doubt that a missing father and rejection from both sides of the racial lines had a great influence on Marley.
(Photo from Covert Curiosity.)
As Jamaica was gaining its independence in 1962, Marley released his first single using the pseudonym of "Bobby Martell". By this time he had become friends with Neville Livingston (a.k.a. – Bunny Wailer) and Peter McIntosh (a.k.a. – Peter Tosh). They formed a group in 1963 called The Teenagers which eventually became The Wailers. Three years later Marley joined the Rastafari movement and The Wailers spent the 60s refining their sound and defining reggae. The Wailing Wailers was their first album released in 1965 but it was Catch a Fire on Island Records from 1973 that brought the band to international attention. It was followed by Burnin' before the group disbanded. Marley went solo but kept the Wailers moniker for his backing band. Success here in the States came in 1976 with the Rastaman Vibration album and the classic Exodus was released the following year. In 1978 Marley released Kaya and started a tour of the States in May of that year. The fourth stop on that tour was right here in Madison on the 25th of May where Marley did two shows at the Orpheum Theatre.
This week's podcast is from a great soundboard recording of the early show that day.
Setlist:
Sisters Chant
So Long Rastafari
Concrete Jungle
Burnin' And Lootin'
Them Belly Full
Rebel Music
I Shot The Sheriff
No Woman No Cry
Lively Up Yourself
Jammin
Download show
Bob Marley
Unfortunately the closest thing I could find to a live performance on YouTube was this appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops show. I think that the vocals are live but that they're singing to a backing track. But it's from 1978 and is of "Satisfy My Soul" from Kaya.
posted by Palmer at 8:31 AM
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