13th April - The Wailers' Catch a Fire

Artist – Album: The Wailers – Catch a Fire

Released:  13^th April 1973             

Sounds Like: Easy skanking

We’re just going to keep it short but sweet on today’s post; I accidently allowed myself to be persuaded to go to a house party last night, where there was plenty of drinking and dancing and lovely, lovely people. Unfortunately, I was up way past my bedtime and hence I’m feeling quite a lot worse for wear today. Thank god, then, that I chose such a great record to review this time around and one with a fantastic reputation that few people would dispute. Everybody loves Bob Marley.

There's not a bad track to be found, but we'll pick some out for particular mention, just to kind of bulk this out a bit... ‘Concrete Jungle’ and ‘Slave Driver’ have a political undercurrent that is masked by the wonderful reggae back beat. ‘Baby We’ve Got a Date (Rock It Baby)’ and ‘Stir It Up’ are up tempo party pieces. That'll do.

As well as the iconic Bob Marley, the Wailers contained the legendary Pete Tosh, Bunny Wailer, the brothers Aston and Carlton Barrett, Rabbit Bundrick, Wayne Perkins, backing vocals from Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths, and even a cameo from Robbie Shakespeare, the bass playing half of Sly and Robbie. The album is very much a collective effort, an extraordinary gem born from the work of some of the greatest minds in reggae history. Quality.

Albumaday... rating: 10/10

1.       Concrete Jungle – 4:13

2.       Slave Driver – 2:53

3.       400 Years – 2:45

4.       Stop That Train – 3:55

5.       Baby We’ve Got a Date (Rock It Baby) – 3:57

6.       Stir It Up – 5:32

7.       Kinky Reggae – 3:37

8.       No More Trouble – 3:57

9.       Midnight Ravers – 5:10

Listen to ‘Baby We’ve Got a Date (Rock It Baby) ’: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHu_Nv8eYRQ

Also released on the 13^th April:

1973: David Bowie – Aladdin Sane

Also released on the 13^th April:

1983: R.E.M - Murmur