Ska music reviews

Along with the Who's LIVE AT LEEDS and the Rolling Stones GET YER YA-YAs OUT, Bob Marley's LIVE! stands as one of the greatest live LPs ever recorded.

The version of "No Woman, No Cry" on this CD is thE ultimate Bob Marley recording, full of love and passion, tender and sweet but still tough and rock solid. A perfect performance.

"Get Up, Stand Up" shows the opposite end of the Marley spectrum. It is pure revolution and, if you live in Babylon and don't feel your hair standing on end during the chant at the end of this record, you ain't listening.

Critical acclaim AND commercial success in one album, finally! Bob's earlier albums had achieved one or the other but not both. 'Catch a Fire' and 'Burnin' were well received in Europe, but less so in Jamaica, especially the former. 'Natty Dread' was welcomed with rapturous praise in Jamaica, but had a short life on the UK album chart. Singles from these albums were selling fairly well, specifically 'Get up, Stand up', 'I Shot the Sheriff' and 'No woman, no cry', but still it was only singles.

These seven tracks were from a two night concert at London's Lyceum ballroom, part of the tour promoting the 'Natty Dread' album. They would go on to be produced as this album - 'Live' and became Bob's breakthrough - (in Europe, anyway; his US breakthrough came later). The actual set that was played at the Lyceum included 'Slave Driver', 'Rebel Music' 'Kinky Reggae' 'Stir it up' and naturally 'Natty Dread' since that was the promotion. The order of the songs was also different. 'Lively up Yourself' was the last played, before the encores. Listen to the crowd noise - in grateful recognition that they had been part of an event.

One of the things 'Live' did was change the rules for all future reggae shows. Previously stage performances were usually simple, staightforward renditions of what was on the album. Not anymore. Bob Marley and the Wailers simply took the album version as a point of reference and then took off, improvising on stage as they saw fit. Stuff that any rock fan was familiar with - long guitar solos, instrumental interludes, vocal improvisations - all were added to live reggae performances for the first time. Mind you, Bob on stage was something else again. He could get caught up into a rapturous, trancelike experience of the rhythm - head held high, 'locks flashing, running on spot like a Nyabinghi, arm outstretched with finger pointing to Jah.

Some of the vocal improvisations that became staples of Marley concerts were introduced here. Along with wailing, Bob uses a throaty, gurgling sound on 'Burnin & Lootin'. On 'Them Belly Full' he repeats lines over and over again with the I Threes keeping him company in a type of call and response singing. On 'Get up Stand up' we get 'Woy-yoy-yoh chants! The harmonies with the I Threes on 'Trenchtown Rock', and 'I shot the Sheriff' are superb. This version of 'No woman, no cry' is the most emotional and beautiful rendition, and the one song persons who were there can recall with crystal clarity, to this day. I wish I had been there.

I enjoy this superb performance very much. The crowd is receptive and lively. The band is playing tight but loose raggae in a way that only pioneers of the sound are able. Bob Marley is in fine form. He is responsive to the energy of the audience. I find his ironic music engaging with its bouncy rhythms supporting serious, sometimes disturbing, lyrical content. If you have an interest in the music of Bob Marley from the early seventies, this CD will be interesting to you

Spring Heeled Jack is a great band that left way too soon. Since disbanding, their horn section has gone on to join legendary acts such as Less than Jake (Pete), Reel Big Fish (Tyler) and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones (Chris). This is one of my favorite albums ever. The songs "Jolene", and "Waiting and Watching" are unforgetable, argueablely two of the best ska songs EVER. Buy this album and stand in awe. Not to mension, the rest of the album's no slouch either, MCMLIX and Pop Song won't leave you disapointed.

I am not a huge ska fan or really into the scene, but I think the album is unbelievable. From 1959 to Pop Song(Green) the album is tight. I just wish I got to see them play before they took their brake. A must have for any self-repecting music fan.

It shows that SHJ USA really took a lot of time to write their songs. There is a little bit of rock, ska, and soul. "Time" is a great song that you'll want to play at your graduation party with your friends. "Pop Song (Green)" is the most original and different song that I ever heard. It won't be out of your CD player that much. If you like rock, ska, and soul you'll really love Spring Heeled Jack, USA "Songs from Suburbia".

...Good Charlotte and Sum 41? Um...does anyone else think that the Warped Tour has really let its pit monkeys down this time around? At least we've got Alkaline Trio, Flogging Molly, The Lawrence Arms, and Swingin' Utters on here. But damn...you really shouldn't be representing the mohawk-sporters with bands like Good Charlotte and Sum 41 on your CD, there, Warped Tour.

This CD is an intresting mix of Big bands/legends(NOFX,Alkaline trio etc...) and some smaller noname but awesome bands(Destruction made simple,Avenged sevenfold,and Sloppy meat eaters). They also got it good on the metal count this year with The used, Throwdown (favorite),A7X,and from autumn to ashes. Overall buy this album (7 buck).

A7X is awesome!!! best band in the world!! listen to them!!! they rock!! and they're hott!!! especially zacky vengeance and matt shadows!!

This is a listenable album, but it didn't win any records, and it didn't deserve to. This is a basic start by Home Grown, the recording quality is poor, which is probably its best atribute (making it sound like an older punk record), and the songs arn't really that catchy. "Surfer Girl" is easily the albums best track, but it sounds too raw and unfinnished, almost as though it was rushed in order to get on the album, this song is, however, brought to justice on the bands second record "Act Your Age." If you are planning to buy a Home Grown record I suggest "King's of Pop," an all together much better record, but be warned the voices of the band's two vocalists become intolerable after a few listens!

That's business is one of the best albums I have. Before I bought this cd, I wanted to get Act Your Age first because I heard it was great. So I went to Sam Goody's and they didn't have it. They had That's Business, so I decided to give this album a try first. I am so glad I did. This is a very talented band. Song after song is a hit. One of the best punk/ska albums you can buy. Get a job, The Hearing Song, She Said, Alternative Girl, and Wanna-Be are great songs to start out the cd. But the stand out song on this cd is Surfer Girl. Its very different from all the others. The music to the song is written very well, including the stuck-in-the-head lyrics. After Surfer Girl, the cd keeps it up with its ska fast paced songs like Ubotherme, and Face In The Crowd. There are absolutely no filler songs on this album. But there are some weak songs that don't do as good as the rest like One Night Stand, Employers Market, and S.F.L.B. This is long album too but not too long to get bored with it. The bonus track at the end of S.F.L.B. is worth listening to. Its all instrumental but very awesome. Well, I guess that's my review. I hope you will consider to buy this cd. You will be very happy you did. Rock on.

This is the best punk/pop cd you will ever listen to. The lyrics are catchy ,and the music rocks. SOngs like "Surfer Girl" and "My friends suck" rule. This cd is totally worth your money.

When I bought this cd I thought i would get to here the catchy happy horns I got to here on all fall down but there was no horns except for on two songs and on the second song they only played for a couple seconds. I read the other reviews for this album and cant understand how it got good ratings this album .... They are not turning punk they are getting hardcore and there singer's voice is all scary.The lyrics are more politicial but who says thats a good thing All Fall Down was better because they had Politicial lyrics and songs about skateboarding and other things that more people can relate to. I do not recomend this album to anyone you should buy all fall down or destroy what destroys you.

This is the best band I've ever heard, I've not yet heard there other CD's, but this is fast and hard punk with a horn in a few spots and an extreamly strong and clear message...

Yeah? So what if this album is almost absent of ska and horns? Jdog,you couldn't be more wrong about this CD. This CD slams into you headfirst from start to finish. I love all their cd's,and this cd makes their catalog even more delicious. If you like just straight-ahead punk rock,just pick this up already.

After having seen the slackers live I really enjoyed this as it brought back great memories of that night. They are a great live band. Check them out if you get the chance.

The Slackers are a great set of Ska musicians. Definently keeping the spirit alive and it shows they can throw a damn good show. The crowd at Ernestos is truly vibing to them througout the show. My fav tracks on this cd is "Married Girl" and "Sarah". I enjoyed this album!

Don't be scared off by the "ska" tag. This is the real deal. Real music by real musicians. A Mardi-Gras/Kingston/Stax/52nd Street/East Village melange of style and fun. Maybe the best live act you will ever see and if you're lucky you can actually see them in a bar somewhere. This is the only band I've ever seen that could be embraced by both Rancid fans and Phish fans.

I like reggae, but I'm hardly an expert. I first heard of Desmond Dekker after falling in love with "The Israelites" while wathcing "Drugstore Cowboy." I eventually bought this CD, and it's been a favorite for several years. It's a pretty comprehensive catalog of his best work, and there isn't a song on it I don't like.

I have no idea what is happening to Rhino Records. They used to have so many great compilations. Their "Greatest Hits" CDs where better than all their competitors, with percise and dead-on song selection. What are they producing now? The greatest hits of Sugar Ray and Ole Diry Basterd. That wouldn't bother me so much, but all their great old compilarions are going out of print. Please, go back to being the greatest record label ever like you used to be. But enough of that rant. As for Desmond Dekker, if you only need a single album this is the one to pick up. Every song is a classic, showcasing his emense songwriting talents. He is by far one of my favorite Jamacian artists. To pick my favorite song is an impossible task. Most of his big classics is included on this disc, and each song contains incredible lyrics and songwriting skill. Many of his songs have gone on to become rude-boy anthems, and they are certainly worthy of that status. He could create an up-tempo ska tune and a mellow yet not at all weak rocksteady tune. Anyone who wants to venture beyond Bob Marley in the spectrum of Jamacian music has better check out Desmond Dekker.

Bob Marley is by far the most famous reggae performer there has yet been, but even he probably owes some of his success to Desmond Dekker (born Desmond Dacres), who blazed the trail for reggae music in the sixties.

Desmond began his recording career in 1963 with Honour your father and mother. He had a long run of hits in his native Jamaica, many of them going to number one, eventually scoring internationally as well.

He made his debut in the UK charts in 1967, when 007 (inspired by James Bond, of course) made the top twenty. It seemed to be a one-off until, in 1969, Israelites went to the very top of the UK charts and also became a top ten American hit. It meik (a UK top ten hit) and You can get it if you really want (a number two UK hit in 1970) consolidated his reputation. Between those hits, Desmond had a minor UK hit with Pinckney girl.

The international hits dried up although Israelites was re-issued in 1975 and again made the UK top ten. A follow-up (Sing a sad song - not included here) made the UK top twenty. By that time, other reggae performers had emerged, foremost among them being Bob Marley.

So this collection contains the important international hits of Desmond Dekker, together with the best of his other recordings. It would take a lot more than a single CD to include all his Jamaican hits, but this is enough for most people.

I'm not a punk guy, but I loves my ska. From traditional ska to 2nd wave ska to ska-punk, and even from reggae to rocksteady. Against All Authority's debut album is a landmark in ska-punk history. It's constantly frantic, and is sure to make ya get up and dance in no time.
However, the songs all seem to sound the same after a while, but who cares? It's damn fun.

this is the best AAA album...the vocals are the best and this is the best skaish band around its really hard to say what the best song is cause theyre all so good

By far THE BEST release by Against All Authority. In my opinion, you must hear this album before checking out any other AAA albums. (...)BR>Fast, hard-hitting, fully-charged punk ska with a political edge, their messages much like the legendary Dead Kennedys.
If you can find this anywhere, PICK IT UP. No matter what they charge you for it, it's worth it.

I have had this disc since it was released and whenever(always) I need a BM fix I throw this into rotation, along with many other oddities and traditional "Estate" sanctioned discs. I saw the honorable Robert Nesta Marley live before his untimely death and still get chils whenever I relive the experience. That is exactly what this recording does; it brings to life again the Rastaman Vibration; you can almost smell the heavy smoke in the air. I own several of the Japanese recordings that I imagine are nothing more than glorified bootlegs. This particular recording is better than some of the other Japanese imports but not exactly "Babylon By Bus" or "Live" in terms of sound quality. It is recorded with more emphasis on the Wailers playing, with some really wicked bass lines where the chug-a-chug jumps out at you and the rhythm guitar transcends and drives some exceptional riffs home. As for the vocals, they are solid and have a raw power that only matches the live experience itself. The audience is recorded very hot at the end of the songs and the exuberance is only matched by the excitement projected by BM. At times the audience is left drained, much like the after effects of a love making session; in essence it is a reciprocal experience of love between the audience and the great performer and his message. The variety of songs, from different points in his career are a highlight that captures the depth of this shooting stars soul. The often live recorded "No Woman , No Cry " makes you want to sway with an imaginary crowd in the glow of Marleys charismatic magic. The I-Threes backup vocals are icing on the cake. The radical national anthem calling for equality , "Get Up stand Up" is as poignant today as it was then. The vocals are outstanding, full of fervor and improvisation with BM going into his legendary taunting of the audience for a call and response to his "Ohhhhh, ahhhhhh, Yo-Yo-Yo" that eventually results in the audience going it alone, repeting the phrase without BM's prodding, as I imagine from my concert experience , BM goes into his hipnotic skanking state. This disc captures the intensity as the crowd is worked into a frenzy and calls out his name over and over, Marley, Marley , Marley until he begins playing again. This disc is for big fans of Bob Marley, those that can't seem to ever get enough . Recommended for the true Bob Marley fan who has it all but also for those new to the greatest reggae musician mystic to have ever walked the planet.

This is an excellent show. However, the Japanese rip off label has purposely omitted songs from this show. This is obvious since if you trade music via the web it is relatively easy to acquire the entire show including the I Threes opening act. Shun these rip offs and trade for the shows to put these pirates out of business. You might say Marley traders are pirates yet the Marley Estate is unlikely to release these tapes.

Sound quality good to very good. This is a very good show overall, but the second half is incredably powerful. Even if you just have a casual interest in Bob pick this one up and be pleasantly suprised. Also, it's better to just pretend that the songs these Japanese companies omit wer'nt there, I know it sucks but what are you gonna do.This really is one of the best Marley shows that you can buy.

With a couple of exceptions, this collection is mostly weak, pathetic interpretations that do no justice to the originals. If you're interested in this album because you remember great tunes by the likes of Simple Minds and Echo and the Bunnymen, you'll be disappointed by the lame, poorly produced covers that this set offers.

Perhaps the worst album I have ever heard. Only a few songs are even listenable. None does the originals justice. Avoid at all costs!

This album is half fantastic and half pure garbage. Since it's not even in print anymore, if you can find it here for around five bucks I'd say it's well worth it for the covers of Somebody's Baby, A Million Miles Away, If You Were Here, Johnny Are You Queer, and Raised On The Radio. Other that that, it's painful to listen to.