I have fond memories of that stretch of road. I remember driving my Corvette to Seaside to drive Miss Oregon in the parade to hand off her crown to the next Miss Oregon. I thought I was so cool....what a nerd...lol
Bob Marley was a gateway for most of us to Reggae. I started to explore how reggae was used in other genres of music because of Marley. An example would be The Clash's album , Sandinista.
I love that you know explicitly where I'm talking about! To take it a bit further, we were usually on our way to Ecola (and/or Indian beach) or Short Sands.
My introduction to reggae was the artist Jimmy Cliif, and his movie The Harder they Come. Early 1980s, on a Boston vacation, in an old movie theatre. A hunch. Independent film. Synergy between the 2 artists - Cliff age 16 got Hendrix age 14 into a recording studio ( if YouTube history is to be believed ). And great recap about Marley music and driving. Never in a hurry listening to Bob Marley.
The other movie I saw that week was Kentuck Fried Movie. A precursor to Airplane. I still remember the goosebumps from those 2 films. They were that good.
Ahhhhh... good times. I have VW road trip memories, too. I also spent some time in high school in the Caribbean on the islands of Barbados and St. Vincent and thought it was so cool to hear him playing on an actual tropical island. 😂
I started listening to Bob around 1978 or 1979, when I was in Junior High. There actually was a documentary on tv about Bob and Peter Tosh, lifetime friends who had a serious falling out that took them in different directions. It was an amazing interview with both men, Peter at the end. Had not the dissolution happened, Tosh probably would not have made the amazing catalog of music, and the same for Bob, each going in different directions.
I didn’t comprehend exactly what I was watching, I learned a bit about Rastafarianism, and the politics of Jamaica during that’s era. Both were something missed when Bob hit the college scene in the late 1980s, when I was in college. I felt everyone missed the messages, but his love songs are amongst the best ever written.
I have his box set, which delves into his earliest recordings, as well as a very hard to come by 1973 recorded disc pressing that even beats out that of Buddy Holley, if you are at all familiar with recording quality. This 1973 recording is currently in my car and lifts my brain go to another place
While I understand how and why Legend would be the intro to Bob Marley for many fans, especially casual ones, his studio and live albums as well as the posthumous releases just offer so much more.
Here’s a selection of my favorites (non-Legend tracks) from the ten albums issued on Island Records between 1973 and 1983 (the last being the posthumously released Confrontation):
- Concrete Jungle from Catch A Fire (1973)
- Burnin' and Lootin' from Burnin (1973)
- Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) from Natty Dread (1974)
- Johnny Was from Rastaman Vibration (1976)
- Crazy Baldhead from Rastaman Vibration (1976)
- Turn Your Lights Down Low from Exodus (1977)
- Misty Morning from Kaya (1978)
- Babylon System from Survival (1979)
- Forever Loving Jah from Uprising (1980)
- Stiff Necked Fools from Confrontation (1983)
One of my favorite Bob Marley memories came from a Ziggy Marley concert in Bermuda in 1990. He closed with Redemption Song in an absolutely transcendental performance that’s probably one of my top ten concert experiences of all time.
What a loss at 36 years old. One can only wonder what might have been and how he would have changed the world musically and otherwise.
I can say that having seen the preview a few times just hearing Marley’s music in surround sound might be worth the trip to see it in a theater! For historical fidelity, check out Kevin MacDonald’s excellent 2012 documentary.
My true love affair with Marley's music probably started in 1976 or 77 when I gave my brother a copy of Burnin' for Chanukah - and it blue my mind more than his! I never looked back and even had the opportunity to see BMW at one of their last concerts, MSG, September 1980. If you're looking for deep cuts, here's something I put together for his 75th birthday: https://rockandrollglobe.com/dub-reggae/bob-marley-beyond-legend-deep-cuts-from-a-lifetime-listener/
You're going to have plenty more to write about Bob after next week, Kevin, when the film One Love is released. I saw a trailer last night - they have evidently worked to make sure the patois is actually understood! For the record, when I backpacked the world in 2016 I came home with one indefatigable conclusion about our very diverse planet - Bob Marley remains the most popular musician on earth. No question.
I'm definitely going to see the film, and will report back. Apologies if I've missed it, but have you written about your worldwide backpacking trip at all?
Hey Kevin, I am also going to see it, maybe as early as Wednesday when it comes out. Depends if I can write it off as a Valentine's date! There is no one place where I have documented my entire trip, but there is this article that was only just published by coincidence: https://intrepidtimes.com/2024/01/you-dont-believe-in-god-conversations-on-an-overnight-bus-in-morocco/ Last year, for my own enjoyment, I posted a daily picture from the trip with an entry from our 11-yr old son's journal, at https://www.instagram.com/onestepbeyondpodcast/. I also read a couple more stories I had written from the trip at https://shows.acast.com/onestepbeyond. HOWEVER, after all that, if you listen to pods and only have time for one listen, it would be this: https://zerototravel.com/tony-fletcher/ which explains also why I did not (yet) write a book about the experience. Apologies for the long and scattered answer!
Damn, it’s so hard to choose only one favorite song of his. But I can share one of my most special memories about one of them. Last year, when I was visiting Mauritius we sang and played Marley’s „One Love/People Get Ready” together with our guides, and cruise team from all around the world mixing all kinds of different accents, instruments and energies. This memory definitely added a new layer of love for this song to my heart 🫶
I have fond memories of that stretch of road. I remember driving my Corvette to Seaside to drive Miss Oregon in the parade to hand off her crown to the next Miss Oregon. I thought I was so cool....what a nerd...lol
Bob Marley was a gateway for most of us to Reggae. I started to explore how reggae was used in other genres of music because of Marley. An example would be The Clash's album , Sandinista.
In the interest of determining how small the world is, might I ask if you were driving a Miss Oregon named Beth? It's a long shot...
I honestly don't remember her name, but I had a blue Corvette and she had a blue dress. That was her favorite that matched.
I also remember that she was an incredible individual that treated a nerd very well.
I was dating Miss OR 1993 when I lived in Bandon. She was kind to nerds, as that's how I identify. Anywho... small world regardless.
I was about 10 years before you, and on behalf of nerds everywhere, well done.
This might be the best sub-sub thread yet!
We are here all week. Try the veal!
I love that you know explicitly where I'm talking about! To take it a bit further, we were usually on our way to Ecola (and/or Indian beach) or Short Sands.
I mostly went the other way. I really enjoyed the mountains. It was easier to hide from people up high.
My introduction to reggae was the artist Jimmy Cliif, and his movie The Harder they Come. Early 1980s, on a Boston vacation, in an old movie theatre. A hunch. Independent film. Synergy between the 2 artists - Cliff age 16 got Hendrix age 14 into a recording studio ( if YouTube history is to be believed ). And great recap about Marley music and driving. Never in a hurry listening to Bob Marley.
The other movie I saw that week was Kentuck Fried Movie. A precursor to Airplane. I still remember the goosebumps from those 2 films. They were that good.
Samuel L. Bronkowitz Presents...
Ahhhhh... good times. I have VW road trip memories, too. I also spent some time in high school in the Caribbean on the islands of Barbados and St. Vincent and thought it was so cool to hear him playing on an actual tropical island. 😂
That must've been awesome! I would love to visit both.
I started listening to Bob around 1978 or 1979, when I was in Junior High. There actually was a documentary on tv about Bob and Peter Tosh, lifetime friends who had a serious falling out that took them in different directions. It was an amazing interview with both men, Peter at the end. Had not the dissolution happened, Tosh probably would not have made the amazing catalog of music, and the same for Bob, each going in different directions.
I didn’t comprehend exactly what I was watching, I learned a bit about Rastafarianism, and the politics of Jamaica during that’s era. Both were something missed when Bob hit the college scene in the late 1980s, when I was in college. I felt everyone missed the messages, but his love songs are amongst the best ever written.
I have his box set, which delves into his earliest recordings, as well as a very hard to come by 1973 recorded disc pressing that even beats out that of Buddy Holley, if you are at all familiar with recording quality. This 1973 recording is currently in my car and lifts my brain go to another place
"...but his love songs are amongst the best ever written."
100% agree.
Recently introduced Marley to my two daughters--they now request him on the reg.
Raisin' 'em right!
While I understand how and why Legend would be the intro to Bob Marley for many fans, especially casual ones, his studio and live albums as well as the posthumous releases just offer so much more.
Here’s a selection of my favorites (non-Legend tracks) from the ten albums issued on Island Records between 1973 and 1983 (the last being the posthumously released Confrontation):
- Concrete Jungle from Catch A Fire (1973)
- Burnin' and Lootin' from Burnin (1973)
- Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock) from Natty Dread (1974)
- Johnny Was from Rastaman Vibration (1976)
- Crazy Baldhead from Rastaman Vibration (1976)
- Turn Your Lights Down Low from Exodus (1977)
- Misty Morning from Kaya (1978)
- Babylon System from Survival (1979)
- Forever Loving Jah from Uprising (1980)
- Stiff Necked Fools from Confrontation (1983)
One of my favorite Bob Marley memories came from a Ziggy Marley concert in Bermuda in 1990. He closed with Redemption Song in an absolutely transcendental performance that’s probably one of my top ten concert experiences of all time.
What a loss at 36 years old. One can only wonder what might have been and how he would have changed the world musically and otherwise.
Very cool that you saw him live! Great playlist.
To be clear it was his son Ziggy Marley that I saw, not Bob (that would’ve been incredible!)
Ah, my bad, I overlooked that. Still, seeing Ziggy in Bermuda that early on had to be cool, too!
Oh, I agree! Legend only scratches the surface.
The poet laureate of Jamaica.
Cold ground was my bed last night and rock was my pillow too...
This is my favorite Bob release. https://youtu.be/7NMaK1iA-JU?si=Vf1t0Wad1hFw_wbA You can find the LP on streaming. But go buy the full video.
Marginally off-topic: do you think the upcoming Marley biopic will be good?
Good question! The preview I saw for it looks like it might be entertaining enough. No idea on how historically accurate it'll be, though.
I'll ask some reggae friends. I don't wanna watch something that doesn't do a good job with the reality.
I can say that having seen the preview a few times just hearing Marley’s music in surround sound might be worth the trip to see it in a theater! For historical fidelity, check out Kevin MacDonald’s excellent 2012 documentary.
My true love affair with Marley's music probably started in 1976 or 77 when I gave my brother a copy of Burnin' for Chanukah - and it blue my mind more than his! I never looked back and even had the opportunity to see BMW at one of their last concerts, MSG, September 1980. If you're looking for deep cuts, here's something I put together for his 75th birthday: https://rockandrollglobe.com/dub-reggae/bob-marley-beyond-legend-deep-cuts-from-a-lifetime-listener/
Right on! Thank you for this.
You're going to have plenty more to write about Bob after next week, Kevin, when the film One Love is released. I saw a trailer last night - they have evidently worked to make sure the patois is actually understood! For the record, when I backpacked the world in 2016 I came home with one indefatigable conclusion about our very diverse planet - Bob Marley remains the most popular musician on earth. No question.
I'm definitely going to see the film, and will report back. Apologies if I've missed it, but have you written about your worldwide backpacking trip at all?
Hey Kevin, I am also going to see it, maybe as early as Wednesday when it comes out. Depends if I can write it off as a Valentine's date! There is no one place where I have documented my entire trip, but there is this article that was only just published by coincidence: https://intrepidtimes.com/2024/01/you-dont-believe-in-god-conversations-on-an-overnight-bus-in-morocco/ Last year, for my own enjoyment, I posted a daily picture from the trip with an entry from our 11-yr old son's journal, at https://www.instagram.com/onestepbeyondpodcast/. I also read a couple more stories I had written from the trip at https://shows.acast.com/onestepbeyond. HOWEVER, after all that, if you listen to pods and only have time for one listen, it would be this: https://zerototravel.com/tony-fletcher/ which explains also why I did not (yet) write a book about the experience. Apologies for the long and scattered answer!
A word for the passing of Anton "Family Man" Barrett, Marley's staunch bass player and linchpin of The Wailers- he passed this past week, aged 77.
RIP
Over the years I have sung the lyric “no (insert friend name here), no cry” many times. It is my little joyful mantra.
I like it!
Damn, it’s so hard to choose only one favorite song of his. But I can share one of my most special memories about one of them. Last year, when I was visiting Mauritius we sang and played Marley’s „One Love/People Get Ready” together with our guides, and cruise team from all around the world mixing all kinds of different accents, instruments and energies. This memory definitely added a new layer of love for this song to my heart 🫶
https://open.spotify.com/track/2BSwGHTh4kmckqXQfaCaAp?si=DQAseASKRZ67G3FDm9ZygA&context=spotify%3Aalbum%3A4jKeipwuUTjlx9USNYdhZn
That trip looked like it was so much fun!
Saw him live at Miami jai alai, 1978. Nobody in the entire place used their chair. Was awesome. Peter Tosh was there.
Sad to hear about family man Barret, just read about it this morning.
I love that you were able to see him play live!