Customer Reviews

Live & Dangerous: Boston 1976

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Marley may hold the crown, but Peter Tosh was a king in his own right. Many have argued that Tosh represented the grittier, rougher side of the music, in contrast to Marley's more accessible sound, and this is not far from he truth. But Tosh had plenty of catchy melodies to offer as well.

As live documents go, you don't get any better than this: the sound makes you feel like you are really there in the club... you can almost smell ganja smoke coming out of your speakers! And the songs, a little slowed down from the studio versions, lose none of their vibrancy. In fact, some of them benefit from the slower, longer delivery.

As an overall aural picture of the reggae sound, this is a fantastic example for neophytes and devotees alike. It is also a phenomenal live recording of a rebel in his prime.

First, the band. Word, Sound, and Power is the name and that's exactly what they bring. With Sly and Robbie as the best ryhthm section in reggae, 3 guitars, and 2 keyboards, the sound is so full and powerful that I struggle to find a comparison. The are technically magnificent and the simmering fury that they play with comes right through the speakers.
Next, the vocals. Do not believe they are inferior. Tosh is singing with emotion, conviction of his beliefs, and power. He is singing for an audience, not the studio, so the vocals won't be "perfect". Forget it. The pure power of the performance more than makes up for it.

A must buy for hardcore fans. A should buy for those interested in hearing great live music that will move you.

In my view, though Peter Tosh composed some great songs, they don't seem to be captured well enough on his studio recordings, even "Equal Rights". When I want to enjoy Tosh at his best, I turn to "Captured Live" and to this recording. Instrumentally, this is simply amazing- great songs performed by a great band. The only slighty weak point here is the vocals- Tosh's own vocals are quite good, but the backing vocals don't match the harmonies of the Wailers (before or after Tosh's departure).

I wasn't a huge Peter Tosh fan before I bought this. The only other Tosh album I own is the Best of. But, now I think I need to collect a few more Tosh albums. I think the best thing about this CD is the rhythm section of Sly & Robbie. Favorite tracks are 7 - 10. Truly outstanding reggae "riddims" on these tracks.

I have a couple of Tosh shows live on CD; they are pretty tough to come by, at least in terms of concert bootlegs. I think I have one from '74, '78 and now this, which might be the best of the lot.

Tosh's Word, Sound and Power band must have been a helluva group to listen to live, and that comes across very well in this recording. Along the lines of a fellow reviewer, you really can almost see the herbsmoke wafting through the air and being pushed around by the fat thump of Robbie Shakespeare's bass.

The band feels very loose-but-tight on this record, as they skank through an instrumental intro and settle into the hypnotic groove of 'Igziabeher.' Using two lead guitars and two keyboards (unheard of at the time) allowed the band to enter a number of different moods when it suited them: full-on rock, with the guitars swirling around one another, heavy, heavy dub, with Robbie and the percussion taking over, as well as just plain old roots reggae, sending home Tosh's messages of African consciousness and equal rights as only one of the most powerful collections of musicians could.

I also enjoy this one because it's got some different songs than the usual Tosh set (you know, 'Legalize It,' 'Ketchy Shuby' ... they're great, but they're on EVERY live album). No 'Legalize It' here, and there is the addition of 'Mark of the Beast' and 'Babylon Queendom,' along with slower, more-psychedelic versions of my favorite Tosh anthems, 'Stepping Razor' and 'Burial.'

This one is crucial, crucial roots.

This is a must have live cd. If you like live music you will love this cd!!!!! As you listen to the cd, you can imagine yourself in the concert. You can hear the crowd cheering in the background after the songs. This version of "whatcha gonna do" is the best version of that song I heard so far. This is a must have cd regardless if you like bob marley or peter tosh.

While I enjoy Tosh's double CD "Complete Captured Live," I feel it's important to comment that I like this CD, "Live & Dangerous," BETTER. Why? Because the music is more ROOTSY than "Complete Captured Live." This is evident from the very first track, when Sly & Robbie lay down some dangerous ROOTSY DUB that is as great a dub as I've ever heard. Nowhere on "Captured Live" does the bass sound so rootsy, '70's style. "Captured Live" may have a "larger," more "rock & roll" sound, but it is not nearly as rootsy and dubby as "Live & Dangerous." Therefore, I way-prefer this CD. Let JAH be praised and let all his enemies scatter.

Greetings to all,

This live album is likely more of interest to those devoted Tosh fans who buy up or at least listen to all the late reggae musician's albums.

I only gave it a three star rating because the live versions here are no match for the studio versions of these songs.

But they are interesting enough (especially given that there aren't many Tosh live albums around) to keep Tosh fans listening, more due to the instrumentation and solos as opposed to Tosh's delivery.

And therein lies this album's weakness. Tosh sounds too mellow on most of the vocals here, sometimes even seemingly slurring his way through songs. For example, you would expect with "Babylon Queendom," especially after hearing the uplifting, get-you-up-and-dancing studio version on the "Scrolls of the Prophet" best-of compilation, to hear a similarly rousing version, but instead, it's rather lackluster. And the band doesn't sound as comfortable throughout the album as does the band on Tosh's live album "Captured Live" on EMI.

And sadly, this live album doesn't have anything nearly as moving as "Rastafari Is" and "Equal Rights/Downpresser Man" from the "Captured Live" CD.

So bottomline is, new Tosh fans should stick to his best-of compilations as a beginner and if they're seeking a good live album get "Captured Live." And if you like Tosh and seek more of his live work, definitely give "Live at the One Love Peace Concert." That album not only stands as a good live album, but also as a historical document for those fans in the know what were the consequences for Tosh shortly after he made what had to be highlight of his life.

As for the hardcore fans, they should make this live album a part of their collections.

Fight on,

Mykal Roze

Peter Tosh, the great voice of reggae, in another demonstration of his powerful talent. Nothing else to say.