Customer Reviews

Catch A Fire (Deluxe Edition)

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Universal Music, the mega-company that seems to have eaten and digested dozens of other labels, has issued an expanded and remastered versions of the landmark reggae album "Catch A Fire" by the Wailers. While the music has never sounded better, there are some significant and fundamental problems with this release.

Except perhaps for the soundtrack album to the film "The Harder They Come," the Wailers' "Catch A Fire" (1973) was the first reggae album that most listeners outside of Jamaica ever heard. The group had been together in some form for a decade and had enjoyed a long series of Jamaican hit singles. They had also moved easily from r&b to ska before becoming one of the earliest reggae acts. Although Bob Marley wrote and sang most of the songs, it was by no means his band. Peter Tosh also was a major contributor, and Marley, Tosh and Bunny Livingston (a/k/a Bunny Wailer) had been bandmates from the beginning, and their vocal blend was striking and beautiful.

Island Records' founder and president Chris Blackwell had long followed the Jamaican music scene. When he heard the powerful results of the Wailers' '72 sessions he was ready to spring reggae on the rest of the world. Between this decision and the music's actual release, though, Blackwell got cold feet, and altered most of the tracks in London by judiciously and tastefully overdubbing rock keyboards, guitar and backing vocals in an apparent attempt to make the tracks more accessible to rock-oriented listeners. Whether these alterations were necessary, or even a good idea, "Catch A Fire" found an audience in England, the U.S. and elsewhere and became a modest hit. Although the original band broke up a year or so (and one album) later when Tosh and Livingston left, Bob Marley & the Wailers were on their way to international stardom.

"Catch A Fire" (Deluxe Edition) makes available for the first time the original unadulterated recordings from the 1972 sessions, and they are really a revelation. These versions are rawer but more powerful; its as if a sonic gauze has been removed, revealing the true nature of the music for the first time. These tracks have an immediacy that was lacking in the originally released versions, and long-time fans of Marley and the Wailers will feel as if they've stumbled upon the Holy Grail of reggae. There are also two previously unreleased songs that fans will find worth hearing and owning.

The remastered version of the original album, overdubs and all, is also here and sounds better than ever. Such Marley classics as "Concrete Jungle" and "Stir It Up" still retain their appeal. Its worth noting, though, that two of the album's most powerful songs, "400 Years" and "Stop That Train," are written and sung by Peter Tosh. Tosh was one of reggae's greatest artists, and its a shame that his reputation seems diminished largely because he was so overshadowed by badmate Marley.

The major problem with this release, and one that may make you think twice about purchasing it, is that there is barely eighty minutes of music on this two-disk set, which sells for the full price of two CDs. The Wailers recorded extensively in the period before "Catch A Fire," and perhaps some of those tracks (many of which are excellent) could have been licensed by Universal for inclusion here. Another option would have been dropping one of the two outtakes and fitting it all on one disk. Serious fans of Marley and the Wailers will purchase this package without a second thought, but more casual fans might do better to seek out the earlier, budget-priced CD issue of "Catch A Fire." The booklet of the Deluxe Edition includes all the original artwork and some nice and rare photos, as well as song lyrics, but the essay is second-rate and disappointing.

In the last few months Universal has issued such classics as "Blind Faith" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" in similar "Deluxe Editions" at a premium price. While there was a significant amount of previously unheard material in those two releases to justify their purchase, the paucity of new music here makes this feel like a bit of a rip-off. Its too bad, because "Catch A Fire" is a classic that deserves better treatment.

"Catch A Fire" is one of the true classics in reggae music. In America, it was only one of two Wailers albums ever released here, and both were subjected to overdubbing that made them more appealing to a rock-oriented market. This isn't to say that these were marred albums; the overdubbing was tastefully done, and for some, they improve the album. However, this new edition does everyone a favor by including the original, raw-sounding versions of these tracks, which have a distinctly different flavor than the Bob Marley music most Americans are familiar with.

Furthermore, the remastered sound is excellent, particularly for the "dubbbed" American edition of the album, which sounds better than the previous standard release.

Besides being possibly the best album ever cut by Bob Marley & the Wailers, this now becomes a perfect introduction to reggae music, allowing us to hear it the way it was presented in its home land and abroad.

This new digitally remastered version of Catch of fire is the best Bob Marley & The Wailiers have ever sounded on CD. With classic tracks like Stir It Up, Kinky Reggae, No More Trouble and 400 years this is a must for any true Bob Marley & The Wailiers enthusiast. The unreleased Jamaican version of Catch A Fire has a much more roots reggae feel to them then the Chris Blackwell, Island versions of the same songs and alone is worth the price of this two-disc. I urge anyone you truly loves Bob Marely & the Wailiers to get this Double Disc Set, you won't regret it!

This deluxe edition of Bob Marley and the Wailers' debut on Island Records is an absolute gem and must have for the serious Marley fan, but casual fans beware - you might get burned.

The two CD set, consisting of the previously unreleased original Jamaican version as recorded by Bob Marley & the Wailers and the album as remixed and released by Cris Blackwell on Island Records, shows the creative musical genius of Marley - indeed, the original version is arguablly the better of the two. The liner notes, consisting of a 28 page booklet, provide all the lyrics along with an insightful essay by Richard Williams and numerous pictures. Hardcore dedicated Marley fans will love this set.

But at a price.

Casual fans on the other hand will be burned by this deluxe edition, when the single disc remastered version containing the bonus tracks High Tide or Low Tide and All Day All Night may be all you need, at about half the price. These two songs were the only two songs on the original Jamaican version that didn't make the cut to be included on the previously released album. For the life of me, I can't understand why High Tide or Low Tide was left off in the first place. This beautiful song of faith and friendship (which was previously included only on the Songs of Freedom box set)is perhaps one of my favorite Marley tunes. And it's now available on the lower priced single CD remastered version of Catch a Fire. If you pick up that single CD, you get all of the songs, just not all of the alternate versions. But that is still enough to satisfy the casual fan.

For those who must have it all, this Deluxe Edition is worthy of all five stars.

Jah Live!

the biggest disappointment 4 me, was the way reggae turned out after the passing of this man. its potential never fully realised, bands & singers today show no respect at all 4 the spirituality of this music form. blues, coupled with a strong r & b & soul influence gave us this 1973 ground breaking album. the infectious beat & the soulful wailing of a man desperate 2 shower the world the love of the common everyday rastafari. jah lives, jah loves, & jah gave us bob marley. iree, becos i'm feeling alright now. freedom means having nothing left 2 lose, where do u go after u've turned up the dial all the way 2 ten? u pick up this album, put this on, light urself a spliff, & tell urself, the only time ur really happy is when u never try. legalise it, don't criticise it, legalise it - i will advertise it, for thine is the kingdom, the power & the glory forever & ever, jah rastafari.

This album is possibly the best reggae album ever, followed by Survival, Jimi Cliff's Give Thanx, and The Harder They Come. Before dance-hall style, this was the top, and Bob the king. Aside from the well known tracks that became classics later, tracks like "Midnight Ravers" and "No More Trouble" are the real gems, untouched by Musak or Kenni G versions, they will surround you like a fugue and deliver you into a trancelike state that will have you hitting replay again and again and again and again...

Many reggae fans have long villified Island Records head honcho and, according to Lee Perry, vampire, Chris Blackwell for adding additional instrumentation to this album's original tapes in order to pander to mainstream Western tastes. The fact is, the Wailers themselves were intent on breaking reggae worldwide and reportedly approved of Blackwell's "enhancements". Whatever the case, the listener can be the judge with this collection.

Disc One features the original Jamaican versions of the songs that were to eventually comprise "Catch A Fire". These tracks are generally more raw and immediate than the official Island release. In some cases, there is little variation between the two. In others, the differences are quite notable. Many consider the originals to be the definitive versions. Also featured are two bonus tracks, including the beautiful "High Tide Or Low Tide" which was originally made available on the Marley boxed set.

Disc Two, of course, is the released album complete with Blackwell's sonic "tinkering". I honestly feel that each disc is crucial. The Jamaican tapes offer a rock solid foundation for the tasteful contributions of some ace studio musicians. They hardly turned "Catch A Fire" into a mainstream rock album. Rather, they added some rock flavor to what is very much an uncompromising reggae album. Take, for example, John "Rabbit" Bundrick's clavinet and Wayne Perkins' guitar parts during the intro of "Concrete Jungle". Rather than detracting from the original version, their parts contribute to the the song's overall intensity and sense of desperation. Perkins' guitar solo is simply incredible and, again, only adds to the song's dramatic flare. Elsewhere, Perkin's slide guitar parts (and especially his solo) on "Baby We've Got a Date" are unexpectedly effective while Bundrick's etherial synthesizer on "Stir It Up" elivates this tune to a higher plane.

Compare the two discs for yourself. Both are 100-percent enjoyable, in my opinion.

The reviewer above said it best. If you are a roots reggae fan you will find disc one to be your holy grail. It is the band's version, released in Jamaica, not the overproduced version released in America. There is a huge difference in every song, except the fantastic "midnight ravers" and two extra songs are included on the Jamaican version. If you have never heard disc one (Jamaican version) you have never heard Catch a Fire, that simple. With Peter arranging the harmonies, Bunny hitting the high notes and Bob's amazing songwriting this is the Wailer's true masterpiece. In the American version (original release) most of the harmonies are covered up with synthesizers or overdubbed with Bob doing backup vocals. This CD is musical kind bud and proves Jah is great. Enjoy Brothers and Sisters!!!!!!!!!!

Like other reviews here, I too wish this Deluxe Set had something "extra" for fans to chew on, like demos, outttakes, or anything totally new.

But that feeling dissapears after checking out the unreleased, original Jamaican version. I was expecting a rougher, denser, unmastered version of the album, but was shocked to hear a clean, clear, and joyous mix that in my mind blows the Island version away. It has more spirit, sounds looser, and is much better mix than the one I already thought was a masterwork.

I never noticed it in the original Island version, but the sound is notably softer, more subdued, with far less energy. Plus, tthere are a number of overdubbed instruments in the Island version, which just seem uneccessary. Case in point, play "400 Years" from both discs back to back. The overdubbed organ in the Island version swallows Peter Tosh's voice, while in the Jamaican version Tosh is in command. Bold, and straight up.

So if you already have the original version, you have to hear the Jamaican release. In my mind, THIS is how it was supposed to be.

Full marks for going back to the original sleeve design (although strictly speaking the spine should read "The Wailers", *not* "Bob Marley &..."), and for the superb remastering job. But the real joy here is in hearing the Jamaicam mix of the album, which, like many, I prefer. And this is not me being a purist or anything as I was barely familiar with the album before hearing this version (which I bought for my brother's birthday). So I played it all through with an open mind. And the Jamaican disc is the one for me.

The maddest part is that the 2 songs Blackwell passed on are my favourite 2 songs! If I'd have been Chris Blackwell, history would have been different I tell ya! High Tide or Low Tide is especially beautiful - those harmony vocals are top drawer stuff.

Yes, this Deluxe double CD is about 3 times the price of the regular CD (over here in England anyway), but if you're a Marley fan, you gotta hear the Jamaican mix. Really. Simple as that.