Customer Reviews

Bob Marley and the Wailers: The Definitive Discography

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..wow...I never thought this could be done. Frankly put, the recorded legacy of Bob Marley and the Wailers is a mess. It's a wash of tiny regional pressings, unlabeled seven-inch singles, multiple dub/instrumental mixes, DJ pressings, and items so rare that they are virtually non-existant ("Selassie is the Chapel" anyone?). With that in mind, publishing a complete discography seems to me the work of madmen.

Well, I guess that means Steffens and Pierson are mad in the best possible way...after much promise and anticipation, they have done it. This book is just amazing -- not only does it list all the stuff Bob, Peter, and Bunny have recorded seperately and apart, it lists what albums or singles (if any) the songs came out on, who played on it, who produced it, where it was recorded, and what format it was recorded too! That's on top of copious annotation and anecdotes and photos!

The big surprise with this book is that, unlike a lot of dull academic-seeming discographies, this really tells a story. It's like reading a novel to discover -- through the discography -- how these three artists changed over time, grew apart, embraced techology, etc.

In addition to the discography, about a quarter of the book is devoted to nice capsule bios of the three main players and (best of all) a rollickingly fun essay by the authors about the art and obsession of record collecting.

If you buy any Marley book this year, make it this one.

"Bob Marley And The Wailers: The Definitive Discography" is one of the best books written on the subject of Bob Marley and The Wailers. Its an amazing reference.

Anyone who know a little about the Jamaican music industry knows how hard facts on recording sessions are to come by. Dates and musicians are often unknown. (After all, Jamaica often described as the place where facts don't seem to exist.) But the expertise of the authors, dogged research and extensive interviews with the likes of Bunny Wailer reveal a wealth of information on every release (and the unreleased recordings) of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer as well as a serving of the other members of the extended Wailers family.

The discography is cross referenced several ways. Added to this is an extensive label color label gallery, the personal recollections of the authors and succinct and interesting mini biographies on The Wailers filled with previously unreported information.

The result is a book that I thought could never exist. Yet here it is. So I finally know what tracks Ernest Ranglin played guitar on. And finally know why the drums on Coming In From The Cold sound different. And now know when Seeco Patterson first began recording with the Wailers. And was surprised to see Denzil Lange doing a few sessions with the Wailers. And even mores suppressed to see Doris Troy doing a session with the Wailers, whose work bridges Pink Floyd to Bob Marley. And was happy to see Wailers reserve vocalist Constantine "Dreamy Vision" Walker receive proper place in the sun. And see all those unreleased songs and taped live performances by Bob. Including some that reunite him with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailers in 1975. And so on and so on.

So get out your Wailers collection, spin the discs and open up this book. It will add a new level to your enjoyment of the music.

Roger, Leroy & Bunny - Thanks to thease 3 this book is here and it is GREAT! So much info about the original band The Wailers. Bob, Bunny & Peter are the main topics but this book also covers the rest of The Wailers band. It is a great book for the serious reggae collector or for the casual fan. Lots of great photos and the art work that was used on the orginal vynal records is in this book too.
Thank You Roger,Leroy & Bunny for taking the time to put this out for us. Much Raspect for this!
Jah Guide
Burt

The Definitive Discography would be a wonderful read for any Reggae Lover. This book is an invaluable contribution to Wailers knowledge.
It is essential for any serious Wailers collector to obtain a copy for their library. This book contains so many new "Pearls of Wailers" information, it would be diffcult to single any out. (never seen before lables,and song doccumentation) I cannot reccomend this book strongly enough to any Wailers fan.

This book is certainly the greatest single published wealth of knowledge on Wailers recording I have ever seen. However, Steffens' choice of what is included in the book seems at times erratic. He has included a smattering of live shows (both historical & typical), but he has not fully documented all the shows currently in circulation. He has included some shows for which no tracks are issued, some which are partially issued, and some that are in for sale in thier entirety.

He also includes only a partial glimpse into the known unissued studio recordings of Marley. For instance, he lists tracks such as "Show Your Dreads" and "She Used to Call Me Dada," and intimate sessions, such as the one commonly known as Mother B Reel I. However, he includes no mention of known unissued studio tracks, such as "Wounded Lion" and "Real Good Time." For that reason, I must wonder how many songs & sessions are sitting in the vault that were purposefully omitted from this "definitive" discography.

This is a valiant effort and invaluable resource for sure. I'll be looking forward to the 2nd edition.

One.

Many a fan has wondered about the provenance of a certain track by Bob, Peter or Bunny or the whole holy Wailers trinity; only to be stymied by the seeming impossibility of ever imposing rational order on the gush of Wailers releases over the years. Helped by other aficionadoes, including my fellow Marley biographer Tim White, reggae historian and archivist Steffens and multi-talented bluesman Pierson have kept the faith -- and the vinyl -- for a full fifteen years to produce this handsome, thorough volume, illustrated with previously unseen pix by lenspersons including Kate Simon & Steffens. Delightful essays round out a very valuable work that's a true labour of love.

This long gestating book on the wild and wonderfully wide-ranging releases from 'Jamaica's Beatles' is finally out and meets all expectations. Thanks in part to the extensive interviews authors Steffens and Pierson conducted with 'the living stone' Bunny Wailer over several years, BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS: The Definitive Discography plows through the mountains of facts and dis-information to provide a clear and thorough, yet still living and evolving, look at the tremendous output of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny in all forms, roots and branches. The days of frontin' Wailers discs as originals in online and other record auctions are over as this compendium provides detailed proof of all origins and matrix numbers. Here's a slam dunk that actually merits an Order of Freedom Medal. Go deh dready go deh. -Doug Wendt, www.midnightdread.com

That's right, at last collectors, fans, the reggae community and the world have a "definitive" discography of Bob Marley,Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, collectively known as The Wailing Wailers.
If there is anyone currently living on planet earth who has more knowledge of the lives, history and recording careers of the Wailers individually and collectively than Roger Steffens and Leroy Pierson let them please step forward!
These two have devoted a combined 50 plus years to researching, collecting,promoting and enjoying this music, and well over a decade putting this wonderful resource together, and it's well worth the wait.
I used quotation marks around the word definitive because Roger and Leroy openly admit there will be errors in this book (I've already spotted some myself) and it is probably not complete.No pretentiousness from these two, in fact they are going to set up a website devoted solely to additions and corrections (as well as discussion) for the book, knowing the boundless universe of music created by the Wailers has many gifts yet to be discovered.
In addition to the wealth of information concerning recording dates, matrix numbers, musicians who performed on the tracks, unreleased takes from sessions, and even some choice set lists from various important live performances, we're treated to mini biographies of Bob, Peter, Bunny and other important players in the early stages of their remarkable careers.
The book is beautifully designed, including many wonderful and previously unreleased photos, the centerpiece of which is a georgous color spread of all the 7" singles released from every label the Wailers recorded on.
We are also treated to short biographies of Mr.Steffens and Mr.
Pierson, both of whom deserve comprehensive treatises on their remarkable lives!
Whether you are interested in reggae music, The Wailers in particular, or are just a fan of the good old 45rpm record, this
book will give you hours of enjoyment. If you are a beginning, casual, or fanatical collector, you can check off what you've got,and drool over what you haven't-let the hunt begin!

This book is for fans, fellow musicians, people new to the work of the Wailers and more importantly the Jamaicans who played on the records produced by the Wailers. This book brings back memories and stories of a time when the music business in Jamaica was in its infant stages. Roger Steffens and Leroy Jodie Pierson take you into the smokey studios of Kingston at a time when inspiration ruled over all things. The Wailers were hungry to express themselves and the lives of the ghetto people they grew up with during a time of colonialism and the birth of a nation. Some photos are familiar and others are rare. Either way, they help the reader understand that the music produced by the Wailers was a unique and once in a lifetime experience. This book is another edition in keeping the spirit of that experience fresh and alive. The best thing about the book is that it opens up new discussions for the serious student of not only the Wailers but Reggae in general. This is truly a labor of love and to learn that the two white boy writers of this book took a risk with their lives in search of all Wailer recordings by darting through the streets of West Kingston is amazing in itself. This book is for all music lovers.

Great book! Books in great condition like new thanks! Covers all 3 artists in the studio. Great condition for what I paid for! Must have only for hardcore reggae Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny wailer cuz it breaks every song down to what year and month it was rec.