| volume 4 * issue 9 * July 2000 |
this month's features: |
wailing news * new releases * wailers shorts just a passing glance * wailers net * wailers survey * wailers reporter * back issues |
COMMUNICATION STRIKES SOON-
The official Reggae On The River page, informing the world about the two-day festival that takes place every August in California, showcases a cover of the forthcoming Bunny Wailer album, "Communication," and the picture at the right is the cover of the new album. The site also states that the album will be sold at the festival, where Bunny will also be performing, suggesting a near future release date. We could not find a store that has the album for pre-sale, so if you are attending the festival and do see the album there, let us know.The site also states that sound clips will be available soon, which should be very interesting! We have heard a rough version of the album and it sounds like Bunny is in top form with pure roots reggae tunes combining many musical elements from throughout his nearly 40-year career.
Roger Steffens gave us a rough/final tracklisting of the album a while back, and it should look something like this:
Standing Ovation Legends Rockstone Against All Odds Genetic Order The Peoples Cup Almighty Is A Rappa Help Us Jah Bear The Cross Ethiopia Reggae Converts Fiya Red Disarmament Speech Trigger Happy Kid Teeni Wappaz Stand In Love Millenium Rock
We are still unsure of a lot of the specifics, including a possible record company that would be releasing the album, but as usual as soon as we have more information, we will let you all know! There are also several Bunny Wailer concert dates, including the Reggae On The River show in August. For a complete listing, be sure to visit the "2000 tour" section.
The Reggae On The River website also details the members of Bunny's Solomonic Reggaestra who you will also be able to see at the show, which features:
Carl "Bridge" Ayton (drums), Dwight Pickney (lead guitar), Keith Sterling (keyboards), "Dizzy" Johnny Moore (trumpet), Bobby Ellis (trumpet), Charmaine Bowman (keyboards), Everton Gayle (saxophone), Barrington Bailey (trombone), Harry T Powell (percussion), Daniel "Axeman" Thompson (bass), and Rudolph "Pretty" Bonitto (guitar).
THE WORLD AGREES, BOB MARLEY IS THE ARTIST OF THE CENTURY-
If you have not already picked up the the newest issue of The Beat magazine, you need to! The 18th Annual Bob Marley & The Wailers Collector's Edition is in book stores now with the theme "Bob Marley: Artist Of The Century." The issue features 20-plus pages devoted to Bob Marley, including short testimonies from various fans, musicians and people close to Bob, answering the question of why they believe Bob Marley is the artist of the century. Everyone from Carlos Santana, Glen DaCosta, Luciano, Neville Garrick, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Junior Marvin are featured. There are more than 20 people from all walks of life, agreeing that Bob Marley is the artist of the century. We were more than honored to share our feelings in the magazine as well, and you can even see a photograph of us.The issue is full of rare photographs of Bob live in concert from 1979, and there is even a centerfold of him with a Toronto 1978 concert photo highlighting the poster. There is also a section of Wailers' tidbits, collected by Roger Steffens, including the Red Stripe advertisement that butchers the theme of "One Love," by mixing the message with alcohol.
This issue is an absolute must for Wailers fans everywhere, and if you cannot find the magazine in a store near you, try e-mailing The Beat at: GETTHEBEAT@aol.com. If you do agree that this issue is a marvelous item as we do, be sure to express those sentiments to the issue's guest editor (as well as the founding editor of the magazine), Roger Steffens, by e-mailing him!
PETER TOSH: LIVE AND UNCUT- Make room in your Peter Tosh collection, because on July 25th a monumental Peter Tosh album will hit stores. As we have reported in the recent months, JAD Records will release Peter Tosh's entire performance at the April 22nd, 1978 One Love Peace Concert at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica, on a disc entitled "Peter Tosh: Live At The One Love Peace Concert." The backing band for Tosh's set consisted of Robbie Lyn and Keith Sterling on keyboards, Al Anderson and Mikey Chung on guitars, Robbie Shakespeare on bass, and Sly Dunbar on drums, collectively known as Word, Sound, and Power, plus Peter Tosh on vocals and guitar.
In the latest issue of The Beat magazine, Roger Steffens describes what the disc will feature, including a 16-page booklet transcribing Peter's numerous speeches at the event, both in original Jamaican patois as spoken by Peter that night, and also into standard English. The album's artwork is done by the same artist, Mark Caparosa, who did the beautiful Peter Tosh boxset "Honorary Citizen." Additionally, Steffens says that the album will be released on Peter Tosh's Intel Diplo label, through JAD Records, with royalties going to the Tosh family.
The disc is over 60 minutes long of fully restored material, and here is the tracklisting, including the speech tracks which are also on the disc, plus a picture of the stunning cover:
| 1. Igziabeher 2. 400 Years 3. Stepping Razor 4. Intro Rap 5. Burial/Speech 6. Equal Rights 7. Speech 8. Legalize It/Get Up Stand Up |
The speeches that Peter leveled during the concert were aimed at the heads of Jamaican government who eventually brought bodily harm against Tosh for his comments, and thankfully they are included on this disc for all to appreciate. This release truly shows the great level of respect and care that Peter's family and friends are giving to Peter Tosh, something that he really deserves. You certainly cannot afford not to have this show as part of your collection.
BOB MARLEY GETS A STAR-
What do Marilyn Monroe, Don Rickles and Bob Marley all have in common? Not much, other than the fact that they all have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In late June, Bob Marley was among 23 "stars" chosen to receive the honor, which will be awarded to members of his family and friends sometime next year.
How does someone get their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Well, someone must sponsor you by paying $15,000 and having the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce choose your person. According to the 
Ragga Muffins Productions' press release, Barbara Barabino, of Ragga Muffins Productions, started the petition to get Bob Marley a star over 10 years ago, which was signed by the likes of Lauryn Hill and Ky-mani Marley, among others. The star is expected to be given sometime around Bob Marley's 55th birthday next February of 2001, with members of his family in attendance. This was actually Barabino's third application to nominate Bob Marley and she felt that Marley needed a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.
Some facts about the Hollywood Walk of Fame: there are over 2,000 stars, encompassing people form all walks of showbiz life including movie actors and also radio, TV and stage performers. Some other musicians who have stars include John Lennon of The Beatles, Nat King Cole, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. For more information on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, visit www.seeing-stars.com.
You can read the full press release on the Ragga Muffins Productions website. It seems now more than ever that a Bob Marley biopic is fitting and that hopefully those in power will see that one actually gets made.
NATTY TREAD: MARLEY ESTATE'S GREED REVEALED AGAIN- What better way to celebrate the life of Bob Marley than to purchase and wear your very own pair of Bob Marley brand shoes. No, this is not a joke, but an actual available item, ready to be purchased at a store near you. In fact, there are over 15 unique styles all bearing the official Bob Marley license with names like "High Tide" and "Low Tide," "Natty Dread," "Rebel," and "Kingston" with the unique Bob Marley outsole, "Rass Boot," "Tradewind," and the oddly named "Cockpit.".
The leather shoes range in price from $69 to upwards of $175, for shoes that are officially endorsed by the Bob Marley estate (ie. Rita and at least some of the children). There is a website for the shoes at www.bobmarleyfootwear.com and ads have been featured in the latest issue of The Beat magazine, among other publications. On the site, you can see all of the different styles and even order them online.
A question arises as to whether Bob Marley would have wanted fans to pay nearly $100 to own a pair of shoes with his name on them. Most definitely not, but the endless greed that emanates from the Marley estate allows these products to be produced to the world, without consideration of whether the man himself wanted these types of things to be created in the first place.
The necrophiles responsible for this travesty should be ashamed of themselves and recognize that a person does not need to own Bob Marley shoes, shirts, hats, clothes, or whatever else is in the works, to enjoy his music and obtain his messages. Make way Michael "Air" Jordan, because here comes the commercialization of Bob Marley on a scale like never before. What a shame!
We really want to know what your feelings are on this latest commercialization of Bob Marley, so this month's Wailers Survey asks your opinion on this topic, so please respond to the poll either on the main page of this site, or at the bottom of this news page.
JUNIOR MARVIN CHATS WITH THE WASHINGTON POST-
On June 30th, just hours before Junior Marivn's performance at the Carter Barron Amphitheatre in Washington, D.C., he took part in an online chat sponsored by The Washington Post. You can read the transcript of the chat at the special Nightwatch Live with Junior Marvin page, where he talks about everything from touring, 
Bob Marley, and his upcoming "Burnin' Love" album which he says should be released in August of 2000.
Also on the page, you can download an mp3 song of Junior Marvin singing and playing guitar with the online chat's host, Eric Brace, on a cover of Bob Marley & The Wailers' "No Woman, No Cry," inna acoustic stylee. You can also watch video of a pre-chat of the two playing this song and discussing Junior's history. You will not be disappointed!
JOE HIGGS IS REWARDED WITH REGGAE TRIBUTE-
On August 24th, there will be a special Joe Higgs tribute concert, entitled the "Joe Higgs Memorial Reggae Music Festival," held at The West End in Santa Monica, California. The event will include performances by Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus, Mongoose, Redemption Seven Fold, the Detour Posse, and Joe's daughter Marcia Higgs.
The show will also feature Roger Steffens as the show's MC and DJ Ron Miller. The show is scheduled to last from 8 pm until 2 am and The West End is located at 1301 5th Street in Santa Monica. For more information, you can call (213) 205-6540.
THE WAILERS BAND IN VIRGINIA- As we briefly mentioned last month, The Wailers Band dates originally slated for May 5th and 6th at the Norva Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia had to be rescheduled, but we did not know the new dates. Thanks to Justin Powers, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, who attended the rescheduled shows on May 11th and 12th and gave his reactions on them. What follows are his glowing remarks:
The Wailers Band - Live at the Norva Theatre in Norfolk, Virginia by Justin Powers Hi, my name is Justin. I live in Virginia Beach. I have been a huge fan of Bob for about 5 years and it was 5 years ago that I saw The Wailers Band for the first time. It was so amazing to see Aston "Familyman" Barrett, and when he started playing those so familiar tunes that I had been listening to on my new CD's I thought it was a dream. I just wanted to let you know that I live in Virginia Beach and those 2 shows they were going to play at The Norva in Norfolk, Virginia on May 5th and 6th. Well, they got rescheduled , and The Wailers played on Thursday, May 11th and Friday, May 12th. They also liked it so much that they came back and played on Thursday, June 1st for $5 a ticket! I was extremely blessed to see them four times within a month. I also saw them at Innsbrook Pavilion in Richmond, Virginia. I was able to take in a camcorder with which I got some incredible footage. The band was extremely generous at The Norva shows inviting the fans to come visit with them at the Backstage Cafe which is a restaurant/bar behind The Norva. To stand one foot away from Aston "Familyman" Barrett, it is a memory which will last a lifetime! I said to him that I was glad they were able to play "Natural Mystic" and he chuckled and said, "I tell you that's a good one that 'Natural Mystic.'" What a night! |
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NEW RELEASES- Ky-mani Marley has a new single out entitled "Strength of a Lion" on the Reggae Vibes record label. The song is based on the "Sudden Attack" riddim and can be ordered either from the Natty Rebel mail order service or through the Reggae Source online store. Other reggae artists using the same riddim on other singles include Luciano on "Sudden Attack," Spraga Benz on "Work Wid It," among others.
Stephen Marley is featured on Buju Banton's new album, entitled "Unchained Spirit" on the newly formed Anti Records, a subdivision of Epitaph Records. The two duet on a song called "Poor Old Man," and the album will be released in the United States on July 11, earlier in other countries. This is not the first pairing of the two, as the Melody Makers together with Buju Banton released "Solution (Do Re Me)" on the Ghetto Youths United label a few years back.
Heartbeat Records is set to release a tribute album to the late-great saxman Roland Alphonso, on a disc entitled "Roland Alphonso - Something Special: Ska Hot Shots." The disc compiles rare Alphonso/Skatalites' singles from the late 1950s and well into the late 1960s. Rita Marley is featured on several songs, including "Dr. Ring Ding," which also features King Sporty and "Rollie Pollie," with both Lee Perry and Clement Dodd lending their vocals as well. The disc puts together a who's-who of Jamaican musicians with "Dizzy" Johnny Moore, Jackie Mittoo, "Deadly" Headly Bennett, Tommy McCook, Rico Rodriguez, and many other greats. The disc will be released on July 18th, almost two years after Roland Alphonso's passing in 1998.
On the latest release from the unbeatable Pressure Sounds record label out of the United Kingdom, Augustus Pablo's "El Rocker's" collects some outstanding and rare dub tunes. The disc features 17 classic songs in all and includes players like Aston "Familyman" Barrett on bass, Carlton Barrett on drums, Earl "Chinna" Smith on guitar, Vin Gordon on trombone, and many other reggae legends. The dubs collected truly showcase Augustus Pablo's genius on such instruments as the melodica, xylophone, and piano, on a must-own disc. There are tons of pictures of his rare 45's inside the booklet, adding even more to the essential nature of this release. The album is in better music stores now and you can also order it from the Pressure Sounds website.
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WAILERS SHORTS-
The June 13th episode of VH1's "The List" television show debated the question of who the best songwriter of all time is. The show's host was Wallace Langham and the top three musicians were; Stevie Wonder at number three, Bob Marley at number two, and voted the best songwriter of all time was the combination of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Other nominees included Marvin Gaye and Elton John. This is another nomination in a long string of accolades that Bob has been given, including several from "The List."
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JUST A PASSING GLANCE- The 1990s cartoon "The Critic" which is now shown in rerun form on the Comedy Central station, recently mentioned Peter Tosh in an episode. On this particular show, a list of people was read off that a girlfriend of the show's main character Jay Sherman, (voiced by Jon Lovitz) had supposedly had sexual experiences with. Tosh was mentioned just after The Monkees' Peter Tork.
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WailersNet- The online Italian Bob Marley Magazine website has updated their site for July, and this time around they have added several more intriguing photographs of Bob Marley in Italy from 1980. The shots capture Bob Marley receiving a gold award for the sales of "Survival," as well as Marley signing autographs, and most of the Wailers band together with Bob holding up gold records. Well worth the visit!
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WAILERS SURVEY- The results are in for June's Wailers Survey, asking after having read the Aston "Familyman" Barrett interview" Do you agree with most, if not all of what Aston Familyman Barrett spoke about in his interview?" In total, 156 responses were given and the results reveal that 76% of those people who voted, 119 people in all, agreed with most if not all of what Familyman said in the interview. Only 17 respondents or 10% of the total, disagreed with his statements, while 12%, or a total of 20 people, had mixed feelings and were not sure exactly where they stood on the question.
Here are the complete results for June's poll:
This month's question asks, "Would you buy and wear officially licensed Bob Marley brand footwear?" If you have comments about this question, please leave them when you answer the question. We will have these results next month as well as an all new question! All responses are anonymous!
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