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.
18 March, 2009
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
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