Talkin' Blues (Digitally Remastered) - Bob Marley > Reviews (1)

This was one of the last CD's that I bought, I dont know why I put off buying it so much. Maybe it was because of the plain old looking front cover. I regret not buying the album sooner now as Talkin Blues (track number one) has turned out to be my favourite Bob Marley song of all time.

Talking Blues hasn't been released on any other album except this one which is named after it.

Title: Bob Marley And The Wailers Talkin' Blues
Releaseed: 4th Feb 1991
Recorded: 1973–1975
Genre: Reggae
Length: 61:50
Label: Tuff Gong/Island

Front Cover: Looks like a canvas painting of Bob Marley in his early days, his dreads are not fully grown which suggests the picture was originally taken around the time Bob turned to Rasta. The background is just a very plain blue, quite suprisingly the quality of this album does not seem to live up to others in the discography in term of appearance.

Now this album is somewhat different to others from Marley as in between every track is a recording taken from different parts of radio/tv interviews. Marley talks alot about his political views and his religious beliefs in these clips which are then followed by relevant music which relates to what he is saying.

This is another album put together after Marleys death and is quite a meaningful album, it takes some time and patience to listen to this right through and to be honest I have never listened to this from start to finish in the correct order. I think you really have to be in the mood, and not only that it is important you are actually interested in Bob Marley to want to hear what he has to say.

One bad point I found with this album is that there is no literature about the interviews, I feel a booklet with more info on this album and its meaning would have been beneficial for people interested in Bob Marley's life.

Tracks;

Talkin' Blues (Lecon Cogill/Carlton Barrett) I was dissapointed to find that this track wasnt written by Bob, a very religious song which is probably the best Bob song I have ever heard. (the newer version on the album Natty Dread is even better)

Burnin' and Lootin' A song talking of how Bob wanted to break free and fight against corrupt politicians, Bob stated in an interview that this song had a double meaning and he didnt literally want to go burning and looting.

Kinky Reggae Talks about women of Jamaica, just a lively song of love and peace.

Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley/Peter Tosh]) This song is a call to people all over the world and Rastas in particular to stop allowing themselves to be mistreated. It is one of Marley's more political songs.

Slave Driver another political song aimed at the government and the system

Walk The Proud Land (Bunny Wailer) a song about ethiopia which is the sacred land to all rasta. the birth place of haille sallasie

You Can't Blame the Youth (Peter Tosh) a song telling the people of Jamaica that the system is to blame for all of the crime and corruption, not the young kids who know no better

Rastaman Chant (traditional) more of a preach to rally rastas together, this song represents rastafari and the "herb"

Am-A-Do" this a crazy roots reggae tune, i generally have no information about this bouncy song

Bend Down Low another song aimed at telling the people about having a nice time, been who they want to be and not who they are made to be

I Shot The Sheriff this song was leter a huge hit for Eric Clapton, Bob speaks of a shefiff who used to abuse him, Marley says how he killed the Sheriff before he killed Bob.

So here is a break down of the tracks on the album, keep in mind that in between each song is a statement from Bob. As mentioned an album brought out by Island in the 1990's doesnt really capture the mood, there is too much of a mixed vibe here which isnt really right as all albums in Bobs collection are themed and have specific messages that Bob wanted the world to hear.

There are a couple of weak albums recently brought out by Island which have caused a bit of a stir as Bob is being percieved as a cash cow. Do these compilations represent the cause or are they a load of jumbled up tracks remixed which can be found on his earlier real releases?

Either way the album is good, if you are a collector you need to get this as there is a place for it in the collection.

Again this album can be picked up relatively cheap from Amazon, I only paid £4.00 from a market seller which was a bargain.

Thanks for reading this review, I hope it is helpful!!