That guy has a lot of records. My love for Ska/Reggae started with "The Israelites" on the radio when I was 12. I didn't know what it was, but something about the harmonies and arrangement reminded me of the Beatles, and that was good enough for me. Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" and Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come" were next. By the time Bob came along, it was already in my DNA. Funny that I didn't realize "Obla Di Obla Da" or "D'Yer Maker" were attempts at Ska/Reggae until years later. Especially the Zeppelin tune. The chord sequence, being "Duke Of Earl" territory, said T-Rex to me.
Jazz Fest, 2007, the Fais-Do-Do Stage, All Star Tribute To Bobby Charles with C.C. Adcock, Jon Cleary, Dr. John, Elvis Costello & Shannon McNally. Marcia Ball, too if memory serves. C.C. said Bobby was a surprise guest. Performance was great, but no Bobby. He was in the trailer backstage but had stage fright. So close to seeing him live.
Maybe it's a UK thing (seems like a lot of UK punk/wave bands had at least one 'reggae' tune), but his experience hasn't been mine. And even I (and I), a reggae/bluebeat/ska/rocksteady fan, used to cringe when my sis put on whatever reggae station she listened to, because it was soooo antiseptic, the definition of phoning it in. She's not the seeker of the offbeat that I can be, so I suspect a playlist I made (had I even had the time) wouldn't've gone over particularly well. My pops, not a rock fan, did like Blondie's version of 'The Tide Is High' and 'Hotel California', and I remember thinking, "I wonder if there's a reggae fan buried deep in there, unknown?". C in California
Mr Hepworth has written some fine informative books including ‚1971 - Never A Dull Moment‘ (find that one then and search out the rest - there are more). My reggae journey started in the UK when I was 10 and 58 years later I‘m still not wrong and today on rotation is the Joe Gibbs ‚African Dub‘ CD Box Set; timeless. Funnily enough, as I see it in the Instagram Post above, I was selling records at a Berlin Flea Market last week and a potential buyer asked if I had any dub available - which I didn‘t on that day. But, I DID have ‚The Harder They Come’ which I explained was essential to any worthwhile collection reggae or otherwise. He had no clue…so I streamed Scotty‘s ‚Draw Your Brakes‘ to give him a taste. Sold.
If all you know of reggae is Bob Marley but are interested in hearing more, I recommend the Groove Yard compilation that Mango released in 1989. It has many great songs by many great reggae artists and no Bob Marley.
Very funny header to your post. Old Hepworth's been around long enough - journo stuff, books, docs and TV shows like the Old Grey Whistle Test, et al - to know what he's talking about (or so I reckon) and I'm not a reggae fan by any stretch of the imagination. So I'm with David. Cheers!
Like his reviews he doesn't know shit, let the people decide. As I never read his books i hope he mentions the Toasting scene in the mid Seventies along with the massive Sound systems. Watch the film Babylon and you will see what I mean
Indeed, he has not. The Booby Charles cover by Glenn Tilbrook is a great way to start the week. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThat guy has a lot of records. My love for Ska/Reggae started with "The Israelites" on the radio when I was 12. I didn't know what it was, but something about the harmonies and arrangement reminded me of the Beatles, and that was good enough for me. Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" and Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come" were next. By the time Bob came along, it was already in my DNA. Funny that I didn't realize "Obla Di Obla Da" or "D'Yer Maker" were attempts at Ska/Reggae until years later. Especially the Zeppelin tune. The chord sequence, being "Duke Of Earl" territory, said T-Rex to me.
ReplyDeletewrongity wrong! ha ha. i bought the HTC soundtrack lp in Jamaica on my first trip there in the mid 70's and instantly became a lifelong fan.
ReplyDeleters
I love Reggae. You love Reggae. Who else matters?
ReplyDeleteHe is right! Just some people are too lazy to show interest. (My Boy Lollipop was my intro).
ReplyDeleteDid Bobby Charles write any bad songs? Shannon McNally did a great record of Bobby Charles songs called Small Town Talk in 2013 with Dr. John.
ReplyDeleteJazz Fest, 2007, the Fais-Do-Do Stage, All Star Tribute To Bobby Charles with C.C. Adcock, Jon Cleary, Dr. John, Elvis Costello & Shannon McNally. Marcia Ball, too if memory serves. C.C. said Bobby was a surprise guest. Performance was great, but no Bobby. He was in the trailer backstage but had stage fright. So close to seeing him live.
DeleteWow, great show. Too bad about Bobby, but what a legacy.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a UK thing (seems like a lot of UK punk/wave bands had at least one 'reggae' tune), but his experience hasn't been mine. And even I (and I), a reggae/bluebeat/ska/rocksteady fan, used to cringe when my sis put on whatever reggae station she listened to, because it was soooo antiseptic, the definition of phoning it in. She's not the seeker of the offbeat that I can be, so I suspect a playlist I made (had I even had the time) wouldn't've gone over particularly well.
ReplyDeleteMy pops, not a rock fan, did like Blondie's version of 'The Tide Is High' and 'Hotel California', and I remember thinking, "I wonder if there's a reggae fan buried deep in there, unknown?".
C in California
He doesn't seem to have read much of anything lol.
ReplyDeleteTo quote Cleveland Jeff, "I love Reggae. You love Reggae. Who else matters?"
ReplyDeleteRight on, suh!!!
Mr Hepworth has written some fine informative books including ‚1971 - Never A Dull Moment‘ (find that one then and search out the rest - there are more). My reggae journey started in the UK when I was 10 and 58 years later I‘m still not wrong and today on rotation is the Joe Gibbs ‚African Dub‘ CD Box Set; timeless. Funnily enough, as I see it in the Instagram Post above, I was selling records at a Berlin Flea Market last week and a potential buyer asked if I had any dub available - which I didn‘t on that day. But, I DID have ‚The Harder They Come’ which I explained was essential to any worthwhile collection reggae or otherwise. He had no clue…so I streamed Scotty‘s ‚Draw Your Brakes‘ to give him a taste. Sold.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Berlin :-)
ReplyDeleteIf all you know of reggae is Bob Marley but are interested in hearing more, I recommend the Groove Yard compilation that Mango released in 1989. It has many great songs by many great reggae artists and no Bob Marley.
ReplyDeleteVery funny header to your post. Old Hepworth's been around long enough - journo stuff, books, docs and TV shows like the Old Grey Whistle Test, et al - to know what he's talking about (or so I reckon) and I'm not a reggae fan by any stretch of the imagination. So I'm with David. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha.
ReplyDeleteLike his reviews he doesn't know shit, let the people decide. As I never read his books i hope he mentions the Toasting scene in the mid Seventies along with the massive Sound systems. Watch the film Babylon and you will see what I mean
ReplyDelete