First off,
greatest hits and comprehensive career spanning collections are not my cup of
tea. The greatest hits album serves a functional purpose for me as an
introduction to an artist I am not familiar with and build into the rest of
their works through their official album releases and move the greatest hits
album on to somebody else. Bob Marley and The Wailers “Legend” album is an
exception to my rule.
I first
purchased Legend as a blind buy when I was 18 years old at a record convention
for a cheap price. I had no exposure at all to any reggae at this time but I
had heard of Bob Marley so I figure what the hell and plunked down the 7 bucks
and I was on my way. Right from the opening track “Is This Love” I was hooked!
Is This Love is a great tune that
sends a great message about relationships, even though we may not have much, we
do have a roof over our heads and we have each other. The next track “No Woman
No Cry” is a live version and the choice was spot on. It’s a great mellow tune
and the live version destroys Marley’s studio version, which is found on Marley’s
“Natty Dread” album. The next track that really stands out for me is “One
Love/People Get Ready”. Having recently visited Jamaica I see this as sort of
an anthem for the country and it was used in the past to market Jamaican
tourism. “One Love! One Heart!
Let's get together and feel all right.” What a positive message. The impression I got from my short time on the island is the great patriotism and pride the Jamaican folks have expressed through their music, food, and dress. One Love, if we all stick together we can conquer anything, powerful stuff!
Let's get together and feel all right.” What a positive message. The impression I got from my short time on the island is the great patriotism and pride the Jamaican folks have expressed through their music, food, and dress. One Love, if we all stick together we can conquer anything, powerful stuff!
Listen To: One Love/People Get Ready
The real wow moment I had first hearing Legend was the
second to last track “Exodus”.(My favorite Bob Marley track!)
“Open your eyes and look within
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to the fatherland”
Are you satisfied with the life you're living?
We know where we're going; we know where we're from
We're leaving Babylon, we're going to the fatherland”
This lyric anybody can relate to. Instead of wallowing and
complaining about the situation you are in, take the time to reflect and understand
where you are today and plan the necessary steps to make it better.
Listen to Exodus (Live):
Finally, “Jammin” I find this to be the perfect compliment
to “Is This Love”, not so much lyrically but in tempo and emotion. Legend goes
in with a high and ends with the same high.
Rarely does a collection of songs that span a decade of an
artist’s career fit into a cohesive mold but the tracks on Bob Marley’s Legend
fit like a glove. As stated earlier Legend was my first exposure to Marley’s
music and I have since collected most of his official career spanning works,
but there is no way I will let my clutches loose of Legend.
It was great to go to Jamaica and obtain a better
understanding of how important Bob Marley is there. I had questions of whether
Bob Marley’s legacy in America was something that was marketed by the record
companies or if he was just some cult figure of the marijuana counterculture.
Bob Marley, truly is a LEGEND in Jamaica and this was expressed through people
of all ages listening to his music including those who were born after his
untimely passing over 30 years ago. ONE LOVE!
Kick Ass "Tuff Gong" label!
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