Customer Reviews

Blackheart Man

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1976, Bunny Wailer undoubtedly took stock of his career and his circumstances. In the wake of the release of "Catch A Fire," which would supposedly (and finally) begin the commercial ascendency of the Wailers, Bunny instead saw the Wailers in tatters. The political emergence of the Jamaican underclass, kickstarted by street musicians such as the Wailers, had been paid for in blood: the underclass now were being made simply to choose sides in Jamaica's near-civil war of '76-77, liberation deferred. But perhaps most daunting for Bunny was life in Kingston society as a marked man: police harassement (he did time in Kingston's notorious General Penitentiary) may have been the least of his problems. Sadly, the greatest danger probably came from his own: as Peter Tosh, Carly and Family Man Barrett, and King Tubby (all murdered in Kingston), and of course Bob (who survived when the gunmen came for him), so painfully attest, commercial success in the ghetto simply makes one a target for gangsters and gunmen.

But there was more: a deeply spiritual man, Bunny's predicament, difficult if not impossible in the secular world, would have to reconciled with Rasta doctrine. Unfortunately, this period in Jamaica witnessed the emergence of divisions between more well-to-do uptown Rastas and their shantytown brethren. It was certainly a time of false prophets, and Rasta doctrine was in confusion.

Praise Jah, Bunny Wailer was up to the task. Bunny could have simply ignored the obvious, insulated himself from Kingston society, and rested on his Wailers laurels. But Bunny came head-on. Instead of providing yet another chronicle of the drama of the moment, or choosing sides, Blackheart Man's songs are much more. Bunny sees the moment beyond the here-and-now, as another iteration of a timeless condition, afflicting all, it the burden of being alive. From this perspective, Bunny is able to develop potent, often timeless insights and conclusions, subjects rarely discussed in popular music of any genre.

Certainly another triumph of Blackheart Man is its proclamation and reasoning of Rasta doctrine. Avoiding biblical quotation, Bunny paraphrases the same in a direct, stripped-down style, so plain and heartfelt that his assertions become non-dogmatic. The effect is mesmerizing: even the "non-faithful" must feel the power and wisdom of the lesson.

And check Bunny's courage: after releasing Blackheart Man, Bunny remained in Jamaica (goodness!), and essentially walked away from fame as an ex-Wailer or as a now-important solo artist, releasing no new material until the early '80s. But Bunny Wailer achieved the most precious reward, avoiding co-option by political forces and violence from ghetto gunmen.

An obvious classic, in context Blackheart Man is as amazing in its ambition as it is in its achievement. And make no mistake: the achievement here is of the highest order.

Like most of us, you'll start appreciating Bob Marley as the centralized, most public face of The Wailers. You'll study and love his music and his lyrics and his pop sensibilities. You'll read the various books chronicling his life and lyrics and you'll have a respectable collection of t-shirts and rare tracks. Eventually, you'll become curious about Peter Tosh and learn to appreciate the steadfastness of his Pan-African political perspective and 'take no prisoners' musical approach that incorporates Rock and Blues. You'll learn to understand his deeper contributions to the original Wailers. After a few years, you'll be a learned student of Marley and Tosh. If you are truly devoted to the subject you'll then graduate to Bunny Wailer and learn that he personifies the best of both Marley and Tosh and outshines them both with his spiritual perspective, musical voice, lyrical texture, sense of melody and the absolute 'Jamaican-ness' of the end product. You'll discover that Bunny Wailer was the true, understated ego-less visionary of The Wailers - his desire to stay in Jamaica while Marley was courting the African-American R&B audience, and Tosh was rubbing elbows with British rock stars will reveal itself as a prescient act of well-guided self-determination. Each Wailer was perfect in their own musical right, and it would be foolish to say that any was more or less important than the others. However, as with any creative body, there's the obvious popular exoteric value and only a few will discern the less obvious esoteric qualities. What I've described above is the path to Wailers enlightenment (Bob to Peter to Bunny). Only after considering the Wailers' canon can you call yourself a true student of The Wailers. If you're ready, start with Blackheart Man. Learn to listen to Bunny Wailer, your life will be better as a result and you'll find yourself unable to listen to the music of the original Wailers without hearing his now-obvious influence.

This is one of the top 10 recordings of all time without a doubt. All the songs have deep meanings, and if you listen quite carefully you will hear what I mean. This is Bunny's first solo effort and it is a must have. A real gem. Bob Marley actually loaned most of his band including the Barrett brothers to lay down "riddims" for this record, so the instrumentation is superb. This is a great great cd, and once you listen to it, you will listen to it over and over again. I have a 5 disc cd changer, and once I inserted this disc into it 3 years ago, it has never left. Check out the positive vibes on this disc even if you don't like reggae.

Bunny Wailer's first solo album, "Blackheart Man," from 1976 is by far his best album even if you haven't heard the others. All though his material is still spectacular, time shows him slipping more from his quality. Few of his other albums match this calibur, even if they are good.

The music here truly showcases Bunny's religious devotion and mystical mindset, particularly on the title track, his remake of "Reincarnated Souls," (originally done with the Wailers) and "Amagideon (Armageddon)". The album also showcases Bunny's lighter and happier side on "Dreamland," remake of the Wailers' single (of whom he was a member) with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh singing backing vocals.

This album is legendary and a crucial addition to any reggae collection. The album is not only Blackheart Man, it is also the best of Bunny Wailer.

Bunny Wailer is sadly overlooked in the reggae greats pantheon. Odd, as he was one of the seminal members of the Wailers, the group from which both Bob Marley & Peter Tosh sprang. As Bunny, due to religious convictions, never toured outside Jamaica much, he never acheived the fame of his ex-bandmates. A shame, as he was every bit as talented as they were. "Blackheart Man" is not only as good or better than any Wailers, solo Marley, or solo Tosh albums, it's one of the greatest reggae albums of all time! To use a very sloppy analogy, Bunny could be compared to George Harrison within the context of the Beatles. In the Wailers, Marley was the McCartney, with more pop acumen (especially his later works) and wider appeal. Tosh brought the toughness and uncompromising attitude of Lennon to the group. And Bunny was perhaps the most spiritual of them all. This title, like Harrison's "All Things Must Pass," reveals Bunny's remarkable songwriting gifts (many of these tracks were omitted from the Wailers' albums in favor of Marley compositions... indeed, Marley's hogging of the limelight caused both Bunny and Peter to eave the group) and intense spirituality. There is not a bad song on the CD. It is simply a beautiful listening experience. And, Tosh and Marley pop up on a few tracks to lend back-up vocal and guitar support. This beats many Marley AND Tosh solo titles in terms of quality.

This album is, in my opinion, quite possibly the greatest reggae masterwork ever produced. An album like this cannot be reduced to a ratings system based upon 1-5 stars. The music contained within this disc is an eternal testiment unto Jah, transcendent with a life of it's own. Bunny Livingstone has given us some of the most beautiful and truly spiritual music recorded in Jamaica with Blackheart Man. Peter and Bob make guest appearances throughout the disc, but this is pure Bunny. If you have not yet experienced the power and energy of Blackheart Man do not hesitate any longer!

I can't believe I have waited this long to buy this album. I have always loved Bunny and his harmonies as a Wailer. I saw him once at a Bob Marley Day concert in Long Beach about 10 years ago and was amazed at his stage presence and aura. This album is by far the best reggae album that I own. I do own a lot from The Gladiators to Beres. The bass "riddims" are a standard in reggae bass by two of the best in reggae, Robbie Shakespeare and the great Aston "FamilyMan" Barrett. Put some headphones on and meditate on the ambient sounds this album gives out. Everytime I listen to it, I pick up new sounds and get a different understanding of its lyrical inspirations.

You're right, this is the greatest Bunny Wailer album ever. And certainly among the greatest reggae albums of all time. The music is intoxicating: thoughtful, often poetic lyrics supported by a chorus (featuring Peter Tosh), and overlaid onto an amalgam of instruments, sounds and rhythms. Perhaps its my Catholic upbringing that draws me into these songs, with their chimes of the organ and messages of rebirth and redemption. Or maybe it's just really good music. I just have one question: Why haven't I heard these songs before?

I recently spent some time living in jamaica. When I got back, I bought this album and when i listened to it, it took me right back. This album in whole is a description of the country of Jamaca. Every song explores another aspect of the country, from the "blackheart men", bitter about difficulties in their lives and keeping the innocent children away from them, to Fig Tree, about coming back to the place where you came from, coming back to your roots and coming back to yourself, to fighting against conviction, to dream land, which is a perfect description of how blessed the Jamaican Island is, he talks about what his dreamland is. At first you think he is tallking about some imaginary land he would like to live on, but as you listen, you realize he is talking about Jamaica, he is telling the Jamaican people that they should look at what they have and realize that they need not anything more, that they should be happy- that they already live on a dreamland. Every song is so simple, and peaceful. This album gives me the jamaican vibes like no other. Buy it, and let yourself be taken into the heart of the land of Jah.

With his own songs and the quietly euphoric "This Train", Bunny Wailer proved that his own music was as vital and classic as the best of the Wailers. Compared to Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, Bunny's singing style is more subtle and soulful. "Blackheart Man" and "Rasta Man" express his life's growth from fearing Rastafarians to becoming an enlightened follower of this religion. The songs "Fig Tree" and "Dreamland" express the universal desire for peace and love for all of Jah's children. This CD is full of hope for all of us and is a joy to hear!