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Rating: Great |
After recording two exceptional albums under Clement Dodd at Studio One (Presenting and Rocking Time), Winston Rodney (aka Burning Spear) signed with Island Records. The albums that followed (Marcus Garvey and Man in the Hills) quickly established him as one of the finest, most passionate practitioners of the flourishing roots style. Live, this 1977 concert document, draws exclusively from Spear's first two Island albums (the sole exception being the closing track "Throw Down Your Arms," which was about to be released on Dry & Heavy), with the singer backed by Aswad's superb rhythm section.
Unfortunately, the music doesn't translate as well as you'd expect, and it's hard to pinpoint why. Spear is clearly engaged and in top form, and the band delivers the heavy rhythms with effortless fluidity. The problem perhaps lies in the mix, which, despite the best efforts of engineer Dennis Thompson, features too much high-end; drummer Angus Gaye's cymbals sound bright, while the bass suffers a bit. It should also be noted that the performances here don't necessarily surpass the studio versions—a testament to the quality of Spear's album work.
Furthermore, it's difficult to find any weaknesses. The album's intensity rarely wanes from the moment listeners are plunged into "The Ghost" (aka "Marcus Garvey"). Stretched out in his characteristic chanting roots style, Spear continues to explore his long-standing concerns: the life and teachings of Marcus Garvey, his own Rastafarian faith, the power of Mother Nature, and universal love. Listeners are left with the feeling that no recording can do justice to the power of Spear's music in a live setting. Yet, this remains one of the few great live reggae sets.
= Full Album Play List =
= Track List =
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