Saturday, 1 October 2022

Catch A Fire - BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS****

Concrete Jungle/Slave Driver/400 Years/Stop That Train/Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby)/Stir It Up/Kinky Reggae/No More Trouble/Midnight Ravers

Catch A Fire was the first Wailers album to be released outside Jamaica. Signed to Chris Blackwell’s Island label this was the first introduction to western audiences of the Bob Marley reggae sound. (US:171)

“Bob Marley was the voice of Jamaica. This album has a mix of songs about oppression, poverty, religion and songs that just uplift your spirit.” “Considered by many to be Bob Marley's masterpiece, Catch A Fire is a very pleasant listen with strong social commentary that reflects the issues of the time it was released, mystical production and spiritually uplifting lyrics.”

“The record that broke Marley in Europe and America. Yes it features overdubbed instrumental embellishments added later by Chris Blackwell but it’s still a fine reggae record. You just can’t argue with the power and outrage powering out of your speakers to Concrete Jungle and Slave Driver, but you can lighten the mood considerably with the sunny grooves of Rock It Baby, Stop That Train and the beautiful percolating Stir It Up the best known track here.”

“With legendary members Bunny Wailer and the forever angry Peter Tosh still in the group the line-up was at its peak here. Peter Tosh especially shines with his terrific guitar solo on Stir It Up which was the only major single of the album.”

“Bob Marley's first album under the guidance of Chris Blackwell remains possibly the strongest collection within his discography, retaining enough of the raw sound to make these beautiful songs sound under rather than over produced. The material is staggeringly good and Bob's voice is fantastic throughout.”

“This is the album that brought reggae into the American consciousness, and with it Rasta, dreadlocks, and a whole new stoner culture to identify with. Especially given the plethora of quality reggae that preceded this release, we would have to be talking about one spectacular album to have caused this breakthrough. And Catch A Fire is just that.”

“This album finds the original Wailers - Marley, Tosh and Bunny - at their driven, inspired best. It's impossible to pick a highlight, there just isn't a weak song in the lot, and each member contributes his all-time best.”

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