Customer Reviews

Harder They Come (Deluxe Edition)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Years ago I saw the movie, the Harder They Come, later picked up the soundtrack which was a great collection of the best Reggae stars at that time. This lead me to buy more Toots, Dekker, etc and make an extended compilation that I've listened to with great pleasure over the years. Now, as my original cassette tape is wearing out, comes the re-issue of the movie music AND with the second CD, lots of the extras I'd put on my tape years ago. I guarantee that lovers of this great music will be more than satisfied with this new double CD set. If you also get the 1975 Bob Marley & the Wailers "Live" you'll be set for life.

The original version of this film soundtrack is the single most influential reggae album in the genre's history, and the most listenable reggae record from beginning to end. That's always been a bit surprising, given that the film's director selected the tracks in a harried weekend of picking-and-choosing among songs that struck a personal resonance. It's doubly amazing that the songs fit the film so perfectly, and that Chris Blackwell was able to weave the tracks from various artists into such a perfect, cohesive album. This is the essential introduction to reggae music, and a collection whose spirit and musicality simply never ceases to amaze.

Hip-O's 2-CD deluxe reissue couldn't really double the magic of the album's original dozen tracks, but the eighteen additions do help flesh out reggae's 1968-72 period. Highlights include Desmond Dekkar's anthemic "Israelites," Johnny Nash's pop-crossover "I Can See Clearly Now" (as well as his take of Bob Marley's "Guava Jelly"), the Maytals' biographical "54-46 (That's My Number)" (as well as their catchy sing-along "Pomp & Pride"), The Melodians soulful "Sweet Sensastion," and Jimmy Cliff's alternate take, "The Bigger They Come The Harder They Fall."

The packaging includes song lyrics, notes from director Perry Henzell and producer Chris Blackwell, and liners from reggae writer David Katz. The sound quality is sharp throughout. The deluxe edition is a bit pricey as an introduction (especially considering the nice-pricing of the original single disc), but worthwhile for anyone who's loved the original vinyl to death. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]

While Bob Marley & the Wailers put the reggae genre at large in the mainstream of music, Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come" set the stage for Marley in 1972, creating America's first real cult-following of the Jamaican music with songs like Jimmy Cliff's title track, "The Harder They Come," and "Many Rivers to Cross".

The original soundtrack featured featured five songs by Jimmy Cliff from the film in which he played the lead role along with other songs by Toots & the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, the Melodians, and Scotty with songs like "Pressure Drop," "007 (Shanty Town)," "Rivers of Babylon," and "Draw Your Breaks". The soundtrack showed reggae at its finest from 1967-1972.

The deluxe edition offers plenty of bonus material from many of the same artists on the original soundtrack and other artists as well, such as Eric Donaldson, Johnny Nash, Dave & Ansel Collins, and the Ethiopians. "The Harder They Come" set the stage for reggae in America, so if you want to find out where it all began, purchase the deluxe edition of "The Harder They Come," a crucial addition to any reggae collection.

It is hard to image that 40 years have passed by since we heard the smash album, THE HARDER THEY COME, hit the airwaves.

What made this album so special was that it was a landmark soundtrack album to the film of the same
name. Based on the real-life story of a small town (country) boy who goes to the big city (Kingston) and becomes embroiled in the drug trade. Jimmy Cliff, by now, a successful Jamaican singer won the role of "Rhyging" (in the film was called "Ivanhoe Martin.")

Cliff wrote the title song and also included 3 other very, very memorable tunes including "You Can Get It If You Really Want!" and "Many Rivers To Cross." This latter version was nicely remade by UB40 some 10 years later.

At this time in Jamaica, the music scene was moved by individuals making "single" 45's. And, Director Perry Henzell contracted with some who had established hits from the three years prior to filming including Toots Hibbert (of Toots and The Maytals) for their song, "Pressure Drop" and The Melodians for their great song, "Rivers of Babylon."

The second disc of this deluxe edition acts as a survey of other hits songs during the pre-reggae period of 1970 such as "Isreaelites" by Desmond Dekker, "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash, "Cherry Oh, Baby" by Eric Donaldson and "54-46, That's My Number" by Toots. This is a great addition. All of these cuts are still played very frequently over Jamaica's airwaves.

This was Chris Blackwell's original go to man, coincidentally, before Bob Marley because Cliff had the right combination of acting and singing skills and would prove to be a easier chance of marketing to the world outside of Jamaica. Why then did Blackwell reconsider and use his influence in the UK to market Marley over Cliff? Who knows.

One thing is for certain. Jimmy Cliff is in that select group of singers who could act, write and sing. Armstrong, Sinatra, Presley, Streisand, Cliff, Ross, Madonna and Prince.

This album ranks at #2 of my list of the greatest reggae albums of all time.

This title is a lovingly repackaged re-issue of the Classic Jimmy Cliff album and eponymous Soundtrack to the 1972 film.

It's really difficult (actually, 'impossible') to obtain here in the U.K. so I had to pay extra to import the title from the U.S.A. but I have to say it was more than worth the expense. The music has never sounded better (which is thankfully a trait of all the Jimmy Cliff releases through Hip-O Select) as it is sourced from the Original Masters for the first time.

Go ahead and make the purchase.....you will not regret it.

P.S. for Fans and enthusiasts alike, I also recommend the Jimmy Cliff 4CD A&M Anthology Set (which is also available from Hip-O Select)....expensive, but well worth the cost...

Unforgivable. These tracks sound miserable because of overhanded noise reduction. Try to find these excellent tracks elsewhere.

CD 1. (5 stars) Includes music by Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Scotty, Slickers, Melodians, Maytals. A solid sampler of reggae and ska from their classic period. Most songs are familiar, even if the performances are not. Most tracks are high quality. Fairly extensive notes by Perry Henzell, Chris Blackwell, others. Stand outs: tr 3--Melodians, Rivers of Babylon. Sweet, slow reggae classic. Quiet, fond memories of another place or time. Lovely. tr 4--Jimmy Cliff, Many rivers to cross. Churchy organ, Memphis soul, gospel chorus rise together above melancholy. tr 6--Jimmy Cliff, The harder they come. Rippling, sharp, quick-step strut contrasts tough singing with a spritely reggae setting. tr 10--Jimmy Cliff, Sitting in Limbo. Best of CD. Heavenly, bright gospel glows in a funky, sweetly soulful take on calypso. Hints of Sam Cook. tr 12--Jimmy Cliff, The harder they come. Tougher, more direct, simpler, and to-the-point version of the song in tr 6. [40:05]

CD 2. (3 stars) Includes music by Jimmy Cliff, Melodians, Maytals, Slickers, Desmond Dekker, Aces, Uniques, Johnny Nash, Ethiopians, Dave and Ansel Collins, Eric Donaldson, Scotty. Wide selection of reggae styles, mainly sunny even with dark bottom streams. Reminder that, as funk pushed soul aside in the States, a sweet branch of soul migrated south to Jamaica and informed reggae for many more years. CD 2 mixes a few classics, several originals that UB40 covered, and unfortunately, too much middling filler. Still, a useful document of the times (1968-72). Stand outs: tr 1--Desmond Dekker: Israelites (reggae classic unites Caribbean lilt and dark bottom). tr 5: Johnny Nash: I can see clearly now (uplifting, gospel-derived reggae classic). tr 9--Melodians: Sweet sensation (lightly strutting ska original for UB40 cover). tr 12: D&A Collins: Monkey spanner (over-the-top toaster rapper). tr 13--Maytals: 54-46 (majestic, compelling call and response with church back-up vocals). [56:53]

Wow, the Harder they come soundtrack, what a treasure. The deluxe edition offers the original music plus an extra disc of grade A influential music. The one disc alone would be satisfying,add the second disc, truly mind blowing. A classic in every way.

Get this reworked version of the all time reggae classic songs from the golden era. Only album every that can rank alongside the best of Marley.

this album holds its own against the very greatest albums of any genre. even if you are not a fan of reggae, i can't imagine you not loving this cd. there is so much joy, energy, passion and soul bursting from this music that it uplifts me each time i hear it, still fresh sounding to the ears 22 years after first finding it. jimmy cliff's vocals, in particular, are amazing. the songs which he performs on this album, "you can get it if you really want," "many rivers to cross," "the harder they come," and "sitting in limbo," are amongst the finest in the whole canon of reggae. each tune included here is a gem. don't let life go by without having this music in it.