Customer Reviews

Live

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Critical acclaim AND commercial success in one album, finally! Bob's earlier albums had achieved one or the other but not both. 'Catch a Fire' and 'Burnin' were well received in Europe, but less so in Jamaica, especially the former. 'Natty Dread' was welcomed with rapturous praise in Jamaica, but had a short life on the UK album chart. Singles from these albums were selling fairly well, specifically 'Get up, Stand up', 'I Shot the Sheriff' and 'No woman, no cry', but still it was only singles.

These seven tracks were from a two night concert at London's Lyceum ballroom, part of the tour promoting the 'Natty Dread' album. They would go on to be produced as this album - 'Live' and became Bob's breakthrough - (in Europe, anyway; his US breakthrough came later). The actual set that was played at the Lyceum included 'Slave Driver', 'Rebel Music' 'Kinky Reggae' 'Stir it up' and naturally 'Natty Dread' since that was the promotion. The order of the songs was also different. 'Lively up Yourself' was the last played, before the encores. Listen to the crowd noise - in grateful recognition that they had been part of an event.

One of the things 'Live' did was change the rules for all future reggae shows. Previously stage performances were usually simple, staightforward renditions of what was on the album. Not anymore. Bob Marley and the Wailers simply took the album version as a point of reference and then took off, improvising on stage as they saw fit. Stuff that any rock fan was familiar with - long guitar solos, instrumental interludes, vocal improvisations - all were added to live reggae performances for the first time. Mind you, Bob on stage was something else again. He could get caught up into a rapturous, trancelike experience of the rhythm - head held high, 'locks flashing, running on spot like a Nyabinghi, arm outstretched with finger pointing to Jah.

Some of the vocal improvisations that became staples of Marley concerts were introduced here. Along with wailing, Bob uses a throaty, gurgling sound on 'Burnin & Lootin'. On 'Them Belly Full' he repeats lines over and over again with the I Threes keeping him company in a type of call and response singing. On 'Get up Stand up' we get 'Woy-yoy-yoh chants! The harmonies with the I Threes on 'Trenchtown Rock', and 'I shot the Sheriff' are superb. This version of 'No woman, no cry' is the most emotional and beautiful rendition, and the one song persons who were there can recall with crystal clarity, to this day. I wish I had been there.

Equaled perhaps only by "Babylon by bus", Marley's other fantastic live album, this set is an absolute must for any diehard Marley-reggae fan. Also a great compilation of tunes for those who are relatively new to the man's music and want a good sample of songs in one package.

The show begins with "trenchtown rock" and then really begins to simmer with "burnin and lootin" and "them belly full". These songs represent the pinnacle of the mans passion and musicianship. Songs with a diamond hard edge representing the best that rock music has to offer. All are clearly recorded with the great feel and ambience of an english audience in the mist of a wonderful discovery. The music and hypnotic performance of Robert Nesta Marley.

Note: Fans may also be interested in the video, "Bob Marley and the wailors live." From island visual arts and available from amazon.com............cool runnings....sockscats

This is the best Bob Marley and the Wailers album in my opinion! The energy of Lively Up Yourself and Trenchtown Rock are unbeatable! The more mellow mood of Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) and Burnin and Lootin work surprisingly well between them, too. The mega hits I Shot the Sherrif and Get Up Stand Up make great closers! It's an album you can put in at any time of the day and it has something for everyone no matter what mood they are in. This is album has amazing powers! I only wish they would of gotten the whole concert!

Marley at his best. Trenchtown Rock is amazing on this album, I love the live version of No Women No Cry, Get Up Stand Up, and I shot the Sheriff. This album is probably his second best to the album that he released the next year, Babylon By Bus. This is a must for any Marley fan.

When Bob Marley played the Lyceum Theater in London in the summer of 1973, Marley was just reaching stardom. He had started out in the 1960s with The Wailers, whose original lineup included Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, both of whom had incredible careers in the reggae genre as well (as solo artists, of course). The sides recorded on Trojan, JAD, and Wail'Em Soul'Em were largely unnoticed by the general public. But, that would all change. Marley signed on Island Records in late 1972, and released 'Catch a Fire' not long afterward.

Marley's career began to take off. By the time he died of cancer in 1981, Marley was already a legend. He had an incredibly loyal fanbase, and I have no doubt Marley would still be on top of the world if he were alive today. In 2011, he is more popular than ever, and rightfully so. You'd be hard pressed to find anybody with more talent than Bob Marley. He could write beautifully, sing masterfully, and knew how to fire up a crowd or just a group of people (what a showman he was!). Marley was truly an immortal legend; his loss is still felt 30 years after his passing.

'Live' was recorded at the Lyceum Theater over two nights in June 1973; Marley was just becoming a superstar by this point. This was recorded for the King Biscuit Flower Hour radio show, and the disc is a document to just how great he truly was in concert. You think he's masterful in the studio (which he was)? Oh boy are you in for a treat when you hear him live. He was quite the showman (as I said above), and if you need evidence of it, look no further.

There are incredible live versions of Marley standards. The early classics 'Lively Up Yourself' and 'Trenchtown Rock' are given great reinterpretations here; I actually prefer these versions to their studio counterparts. 'Lively Up Yourself' is especially good; Marley's energy and the crowd's energy really blend together to create a truly classic version of a truly classic reggae/ska tune.

But, the one track here that EVERYONE has heard is 'No Woman No Cry.' Yes, that famous version you heard on 'Legend' and elsewhere was recorded at this show. This is the definitive version. This track has something to do with why Marley catapulted to fame; the crowd singing along turns this into almost an anthem. Marley's vocals are affected, and the lyrics are gut-wrenching. This is a truly masterful version performed in a truly masterful way.

Overall, if you like Bob Marley & The Wailers and you don't own 'Live!,' you are missing out. Buy it immediately. This is one of the all-time great live albums; no lover of great live music should be without this one. Buy it and be amazed by the spectacle of a Bob Marley concert. Bob Marley may be dead, but his music will live on for many generations to come.

Buy 'Live' and listen to a truly great concert. Enjoy the show.

Along with the Who's LIVE AT LEEDS and the Rolling Stones GET YER YA-YAs OUT, Bob Marley's LIVE! stands as one of the greatest live LPs ever recorded.

The version of "No Woman, No Cry" on this CD is thE ultimate Bob Marley recording, full of love and passion, tender and sweet but still tough and rock solid. A perfect performance.

"Get Up, Stand Up" shows the opposite end of the Marley spectrum. It is pure revolution and, if you live in Babylon and don't feel your hair standing on end during the chant at the end of this record, you ain't listening.

I enjoy this superb performance very much. The crowd is receptive and lively. The band is playing tight but loose raggae in a way that only pioneers of the sound are able. Bob Marley is in fine form. He is responsive to the energy of the audience. I find his ironic music engaging with its bouncy rhythms supporting serious, sometimes disturbing, lyrical content. If you have an interest in the music of Bob Marley from the early seventies, this CD will be interesting to you

The first of marley's live sets this one has the energy and emotion to stand the test of time. The CD starts out with a classic "trenchtown rock" and the fun really begins after that. "Burnin and looting" is followed by"them belley full" and "lively up yourself". My favorite reggae CD!

.............socks

BOB Marley&Crew Rip The Stage.His Voice,Words,Music are TImeless.He Puts So Much Energy Here that it blows the mind how Productive He was.Very Essential.

Buy it and you can't help but bob your head. It makes you want to dance sideways.