So far I have written about, how much I love Bob Marley’s music, what memories I have involving the music, what some critics think about the music, and how I became familiar with Marley’s music. This time I think I’m going to get a few point of views, just to back up how great Bob Marley’s music truly is.
What I have done is compiled some reviews, by searching some creditable sources I have found three reviews on Bob Marley’s Exodus album. I was hoping to find three positive out looks and indeed I did.
The first review comes from Angus Taylor at the BBC. Taylor and I agree that Exodus is the number one pick of Marley’s works. Taylor says, “Widely considered to be his best work, no other album has as many tracks featured on Legend; the biggest selling reggae record of all time.” If you remember the history lesson from my second blog, Excuse Me, two very important things in Marley’s life happened during the recording of Exodus and I think that Taylor hits the nail on the head with this comment, “Exodus was also recorded between two key events in the Marley story; the assassination attempt and the One Love Peace Concert, marking his transformation from rebel to superstar in the eyes of the world.” This to me is what makes Bob Marley great and his work a reflection of himself, his abilty to move forward and not let the world drag him down. And last from Taylor, “For Bob’s greatest song-writing, un-tempered by Peter, Bunny or Scratch, Exodus is king.”
Another good review article that I found is that of Matthew Hilburn from All Music Guide. Like myself, Hilburn sees Marley’s Exodus as what “…one would expect from a Bob Marley album:” Hilburn’s comment on the album tracks really strikes close to me, “rumbling statements like ‘Exodus’ and ‘The Heathen’ as well as poetic love songs like ‘Turn Your Lights Down Low.’” Hilburn goes on to say, “Marley also unleashed the huge international hits ‘Jamming,’ ‘Waiting in Vain,’ and ‘One Love/People Get Ready.’” I agree that this is what “came to define Marley around the world.”(Hilburn).
My last review comes from NME and, like the others before, agrees to Bob Marley being on the greats. This article really captures my thoughts of Marley and so I’d like to share a quote from Songs of Freedom, “Bob Marley never let anybody down.” he never let me down; the article goes on to say, “His genius worked on many levels: he was an inventive musician, a songwriter of mystic power and beauty, a honeyed singer, and a statesman of revolutionary proportions. I think that really says it all, I couldn’t say it any better.
If after this you still don’t love Marley’s works, then that’s okay, as long as you can appreciate the music; I believe that to the most important thing to take way from all of this.
Works Cited:
Taylor, Angus. "Exodus: 30th Anniversary Edition." BBC. 20 April 2007. 12 May 2009
http.//www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/8dcz/
Hilburn, Matthew. "Exodus." Artist Direct. 03 June 1977. 12 May 2009
http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,126564,00.html
Unknown. "Songs of Freedom." NME. 16 December 1999. 12 May 2009
http://www.nme.com/reviews/bob-marley/1724
13 May, 2009
12 May, 2009
A Small Hope
If you have read my previous blogs then you may assume that I like Bob Marley and his music. Some may wonder where this all began, my love for the music. If asked that question I would have to credit my uncle Steve for introducing me to Marley.
I guess I should probably give you some background on Steve. He is the epitome of human rights and love for his fellow man. It could be said that he fits into the hippie category. Steve, like I said, loves to help anyone and everyone, no matter how hard the labor may be. Before I was born he had visited nearly 20 countries around the world, aiding, building, and rebuilding. He has truly been a great humanitarian, once he was held against his will by Colombian rebels, but that’s a another story for another day.
I have always admired my uncle for the things he has done, for people he doesn’t even know. He has risked life and limb to help those in need, and has never asked for anything in return. Steve has always been my hero of sorts; but one late summer evening, several years ago, he locked his spot as number one.
The day I was introduced to Bob Marley is one not soon to be forgotten; not the actual Bob Marley, but his music rather. Steve had been away for about 6 months, in a place called Small Hope, Barbados, helping rebuild after a hurricane had completely devastated the small town. I had gotten word that he was back in town so I decided to go pay him a visit; he always had great stories to tell from his travels
As I approached the home of my uncle I could hear music, but it wasn’t familiar to me. Climbing the stairs to the front porch I could feel heavy bass vibrations coursing through the wooden steps. I knocked on the front door only to get no reply. Knocking again I noticed that door wasn’t locked, so being that it was my uncle’s house I let myself in. I could hear the music coming from the basement. Making my way to the basement door I smelt something I had not smelled before, it was almost… skunky.
When I got to the basement my uncle was sitting on a couch in a halo of smoke, with a big smile on his face. He got up and gave me a big hug and started telling me about his time in Small Hope, but I couldn’t keep my thoughts focused. The music kept drawing my attention, I finally asked him who it was. After that all I remember was the guitar riffs playing over my brain like a wave of sound and the bass groove pounding as they coursed through my veins. A new me emerged from that basement, with an open mind and clear thoughts.
I guess I should probably give you some background on Steve. He is the epitome of human rights and love for his fellow man. It could be said that he fits into the hippie category. Steve, like I said, loves to help anyone and everyone, no matter how hard the labor may be. Before I was born he had visited nearly 20 countries around the world, aiding, building, and rebuilding. He has truly been a great humanitarian, once he was held against his will by Colombian rebels, but that’s a another story for another day.
I have always admired my uncle for the things he has done, for people he doesn’t even know. He has risked life and limb to help those in need, and has never asked for anything in return. Steve has always been my hero of sorts; but one late summer evening, several years ago, he locked his spot as number one.
The day I was introduced to Bob Marley is one not soon to be forgotten; not the actual Bob Marley, but his music rather. Steve had been away for about 6 months, in a place called Small Hope, Barbados, helping rebuild after a hurricane had completely devastated the small town. I had gotten word that he was back in town so I decided to go pay him a visit; he always had great stories to tell from his travels
As I approached the home of my uncle I could hear music, but it wasn’t familiar to me. Climbing the stairs to the front porch I could feel heavy bass vibrations coursing through the wooden steps. I knocked on the front door only to get no reply. Knocking again I noticed that door wasn’t locked, so being that it was my uncle’s house I let myself in. I could hear the music coming from the basement. Making my way to the basement door I smelt something I had not smelled before, it was almost… skunky.
When I got to the basement my uncle was sitting on a couch in a halo of smoke, with a big smile on his face. He got up and gave me a big hug and started telling me about his time in Small Hope, but I couldn’t keep my thoughts focused. The music kept drawing my attention, I finally asked him who it was. After that all I remember was the guitar riffs playing over my brain like a wave of sound and the bass groove pounding as they coursed through my veins. A new me emerged from that basement, with an open mind and clear thoughts.
08 April, 2009
Focus and... Boating?
Good writing. When I think of the question “What makes writing good?” I think; it should be entertaining, informational, and well organized; to me those three things are key, mostly. Not everything you read must be informational nor does it have to be entertaining but, I feel like there should be a healthy balance of both. But there is also one other thing that is most important of all, a clearly stated topic. This is one of my trouble areas in my own writing. I tend to get cared away with what I am typing, so I forget to go back and make sure that my topic is understood and readers will even know what I am trying to make a point on.
“I know you’ve all heard Bob Marley once or twice in your lives, whether you knew it or not. His songs have been in everything from movies and commercials to video games. One of his songs happens to be my absolute favorite, “Three Little Birds“. I guess you could say it goes well with my carefree and easy going nature.”
This is an example of my own writing,from my blog Feelin Irie. There is a topic but, its not very focused. The words just kind of sit there, they don’t really draw in the reader.
Making sure that the topic is focused and has a purpose is very important. No matter how entertaining or neatly put together a piece of writing is, it will be a complete flop if the reader has no idea what the topic or main idea is of the writing and why.
An essay without a clear idea is like a ship in the fog with no radar, the reader nor the captain knows what they are headed for.
That said, I can get to what I feel is one of the most important steps toward a good piece of writing and helping hone in on the topic or purpose of the writing, revising. Revisions made to writings can help in so many ways, like: focusing more on the topic, strengthening the writer’s argument, and bringing clarity to the writing.
If I spend a little more time revising after I am done writing I tend to see where I have made mistakes. Seeing where I have placed something wrong or not placed anything at all that should be there will and has helped me improve my writing by a bit. I am not saying I have figured out the writing “game” and can do anything now, but I can recognize my errors easier.
So now, with a bit of luck, anyone who reads this can take away from it that, topic is key and that revision can help insure its focus; that is if my topic was clearly focused.
Maybe time for some revising…
“I know you’ve all heard Bob Marley once or twice in your lives, whether you knew it or not. His songs have been in everything from movies and commercials to video games. One of his songs happens to be my absolute favorite, “Three Little Birds“. I guess you could say it goes well with my carefree and easy going nature.”
This is an example of my own writing,from my blog Feelin Irie. There is a topic but, its not very focused. The words just kind of sit there, they don’t really draw in the reader.
Making sure that the topic is focused and has a purpose is very important. No matter how entertaining or neatly put together a piece of writing is, it will be a complete flop if the reader has no idea what the topic or main idea is of the writing and why.
An essay without a clear idea is like a ship in the fog with no radar, the reader nor the captain knows what they are headed for.
That said, I can get to what I feel is one of the most important steps toward a good piece of writing and helping hone in on the topic or purpose of the writing, revising. Revisions made to writings can help in so many ways, like: focusing more on the topic, strengthening the writer’s argument, and bringing clarity to the writing.
If I spend a little more time revising after I am done writing I tend to see where I have made mistakes. Seeing where I have placed something wrong or not placed anything at all that should be there will and has helped me improve my writing by a bit. I am not saying I have figured out the writing “game” and can do anything now, but I can recognize my errors easier.
So now, with a bit of luck, anyone who reads this can take away from it that, topic is key and that revision can help insure its focus; that is if my topic was clearly focused.
Maybe time for some revising…
18 March, 2009
What a Trip!
Palm trees, sand, salty sea air, and Bob Marley. I remember my first “real” beach experience like it was yesterday. Okay, when I say “first beach experience…” I don’t mean that I had never been before this time, but that it was my first time without “parental guidance”. It was a beautiful summer day in June, June 17th to be exact, we had just arrived in Montego Bay. I stepped off of the plane into a new and different world, all kinds of people from all around the world were at the airport. Oh, I forgot to mention that it was also my first time flying.
I know that this story sounds happy go lucky so far, but that’s just the calm before the storm. As we make our way through customs we hit a bit of a snag. We hear one of the customs officers call out the name of my friend. I couldn’t have imagined why. So he steps forward and next thing I knew we were all “stepping” forward, right into a detaining room. But to make a not so long story that much shorter, we were held for three hours before the officers discovered that in this crazy world there were two people with the same name. The real guy decided he could bring his stash with him on his vacation. We were relieved to say the least.
As we made our way through the crowded terminal I heard a familiar voice among the exotic and foreign sounds of Sangster International Airport. It was Bob Marley. I know you’re probably thinking “Big deal, you’re in Jamaica. Of course you’re going to hear Bob Marley”. But for me it was special, taking into consideration the event that had come before.
Standing there in front of the exit I was a little scared, it was after all my first time that far away from home alone and now being my first time held on suspicion of being in possession of an illegal substance, but as I listened to “singin don’t worry, about a thing” I knew that it was going to be a great week. “Cause every little thing gonna be alright.” I hoped.
I know that this story sounds happy go lucky so far, but that’s just the calm before the storm. As we make our way through customs we hit a bit of a snag. We hear one of the customs officers call out the name of my friend. I couldn’t have imagined why. So he steps forward and next thing I knew we were all “stepping” forward, right into a detaining room. But to make a not so long story that much shorter, we were held for three hours before the officers discovered that in this crazy world there were two people with the same name. The real guy decided he could bring his stash with him on his vacation. We were relieved to say the least.
As we made our way through the crowded terminal I heard a familiar voice among the exotic and foreign sounds of Sangster International Airport. It was Bob Marley. I know you’re probably thinking “Big deal, you’re in Jamaica. Of course you’re going to hear Bob Marley”. But for me it was special, taking into consideration the event that had come before.
Standing there in front of the exit I was a little scared, it was after all my first time that far away from home alone and now being my first time held on suspicion of being in possession of an illegal substance, but as I listened to “singin don’t worry, about a thing” I knew that it was going to be a great week. “Cause every little thing gonna be alright.” I hoped.
Excuse Me
For those of you that have read my previous blog, you can draw the conclusion that I really enjoy Bob Marley. The song that I mentioned in my posting, Three Little Birds, which is from the album Exodus. This happens to also be my favorite album by Bob Marley & The Wailers. I find the entire work moving and just simply fun to listen to no matter what my mood may be, but Greil Marcus of the Rolling Stone seems to think differently.
While I agree with Marcus’ statement that “the magnificent rhythm section of Aston Barrett, bass, and Carlton Barrett, drums, and the spidery lead guitar of Julian "Junior" Marvin” is amazing I can not accept his points about the song writing and singing. Marcus makes it a point that the album the lacks drama, “and that lack is Marley's” He says:
“The more I listen to this album, the more I am seduced by the playing of the band; at the same time, the connection I want to make with the music is subverted by overly familiar lyric themes unredeemed by wit or color, and by the absence of emotion in Marley's voice.”
Now I know that not everyone has the same views or opinions when it comes to music, but I do not understand how Marcus can say that there is an “absence of emotion” when Bob Marley is singing. Granted, it may not be the same emotion or drama as their earlier works, but it’s not an absence. But one must know a little Marley history about this album to understand why the emotion changes.
In December of 1976 Bob Marley and his wife were injured in an attempted assassination at his own home. Shortly after this event Marley recorded and released Exodus, but it was an exuberant and happy to be alive Marley and this can be not only heard but felt on this album.
With songs like Jammin’, One Love and, of course, Three Little Birds it’s apparent how much emotion is felt on this album.
As for Greil Marcus’ comparison to earlier albums and Exodus not reaching their “heights” with drama or emotion, I say not true. That being my opinion I say go listen to some of the tracks from this album and make your own evaluation; they can be found in “Bill’s Bangin’ Boom Box” to the left of this post.
Enjoy and remember “None but ourselves can free our minds.” so says Bob Marley.
Marcus, Griel."Exodus." Rolling Stone
14 Jul. 1977. 18 Mar. 2009 http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bobmarley/albums/album/307680/review/6067721/exodus
Queen, Zak. "Feelin Irie." Bill's Blog
01 Feb. 2009. 18 Mar. 2009 http://lookabill.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-know-you-ve-all-heard-bob-marley-once.html
While I agree with Marcus’ statement that “the magnificent rhythm section of Aston Barrett, bass, and Carlton Barrett, drums, and the spidery lead guitar of Julian "Junior" Marvin” is amazing I can not accept his points about the song writing and singing. Marcus makes it a point that the album the lacks drama, “and that lack is Marley's” He says:
“The more I listen to this album, the more I am seduced by the playing of the band; at the same time, the connection I want to make with the music is subverted by overly familiar lyric themes unredeemed by wit or color, and by the absence of emotion in Marley's voice.”
Now I know that not everyone has the same views or opinions when it comes to music, but I do not understand how Marcus can say that there is an “absence of emotion” when Bob Marley is singing. Granted, it may not be the same emotion or drama as their earlier works, but it’s not an absence. But one must know a little Marley history about this album to understand why the emotion changes.
In December of 1976 Bob Marley and his wife were injured in an attempted assassination at his own home. Shortly after this event Marley recorded and released Exodus, but it was an exuberant and happy to be alive Marley and this can be not only heard but felt on this album.
With songs like Jammin’, One Love and, of course, Three Little Birds it’s apparent how much emotion is felt on this album.
As for Greil Marcus’ comparison to earlier albums and Exodus not reaching their “heights” with drama or emotion, I say not true. That being my opinion I say go listen to some of the tracks from this album and make your own evaluation; they can be found in “Bill’s Bangin’ Boom Box” to the left of this post.
Enjoy and remember “None but ourselves can free our minds.” so says Bob Marley.
Marcus, Griel."Exodus." Rolling Stone
14 Jul. 1977. 18 Mar. 2009 http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bobmarley/albums/album/307680/review/6067721/exodus
Queen, Zak. "Feelin Irie." Bill's Blog
01 Feb. 2009. 18 Mar. 2009 http://lookabill.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-know-you-ve-all-heard-bob-marley-once.html
01 February, 2009
Feelin Irie
I know you’ve all heard Bob Marley once or twice in your lives, whether you knew it or not. His songs have been in everything from movies and commercials to video games. One of his songs happens to be my absolute favorite, “Three Little Birds“. I guess you could say it goes well with my carefree and easy going nature.
This song has such a wonderful message. Its saying that we shouldn’t concern ourselves with petty problems and letting them drag us down, but that we should keep a positive attitude and enjoy the life that we have and do the very best we can. I mean, with its positive lyrics and reggae jam, its hard not to be sucked into a world of tropical sunrises with steel drums, a groovy guitar playing and no worries when you hear it, I know I sure do. That’s why I love this song and all others alike.
I believe that we over think and over analysis things in this modern time; If we could just step back and say to ourselves “Don't worry about a thing…” then I feel like we would live in a less stressed world; “Cause every little thing gonna be alright.”. That is what, at least what I think, Bob Marley is trying to say, that we don’t need the fussing and fighting because if don’t sweat the little thing then we will be okay. Its like a short piece of advice on how we should look at the world.
Now I know that not everyone is into reggae music and the Rastafaria movement, but that’s okay. I don’t feel like you have to be to enjoy the music. Music is a universal gift. Without songs like this one the world would be a sad and cold place, in all probability full of uptight people that dislike one another.
I hope that you’ll look up this song as soon as your done reading this(song can be found in Bill's Bangin' Boom Box), because if you haven’t heard it then you really need to. And even if you don’t get the same feelings out of it as I do then I think you will still enjoy “Three Little Birds”, at least it should make your day a little brighter.
This song has such a wonderful message. Its saying that we shouldn’t concern ourselves with petty problems and letting them drag us down, but that we should keep a positive attitude and enjoy the life that we have and do the very best we can. I mean, with its positive lyrics and reggae jam, its hard not to be sucked into a world of tropical sunrises with steel drums, a groovy guitar playing and no worries when you hear it, I know I sure do. That’s why I love this song and all others alike.
I believe that we over think and over analysis things in this modern time; If we could just step back and say to ourselves “Don't worry about a thing…” then I feel like we would live in a less stressed world; “Cause every little thing gonna be alright.”. That is what, at least what I think, Bob Marley is trying to say, that we don’t need the fussing and fighting because if don’t sweat the little thing then we will be okay. Its like a short piece of advice on how we should look at the world.
Now I know that not everyone is into reggae music and the Rastafaria movement, but that’s okay. I don’t feel like you have to be to enjoy the music. Music is a universal gift. Without songs like this one the world would be a sad and cold place, in all probability full of uptight people that dislike one another.
I hope that you’ll look up this song as soon as your done reading this(song can be found in Bill's Bangin' Boom Box), because if you haven’t heard it then you really need to. And even if you don’t get the same feelings out of it as I do then I think you will still enjoy “Three Little Birds”, at least it should make your day a little brighter.
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