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.
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