Customer Reviews

Scrolls of the Prophet: The Best of Peter Tosh

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Released by Sony's Columbia/Legacy imprint, this collection primarily focuses on songs recorded 1976-1978, taken from the albums "Legalize It" (1976), "Equal Rights" (1977), and "Bush Doctor" (1978).

SCROLLS OF THE PROPHET: THE BEST OF PETER TOSH consists of 15 songs, most from the late 1970s; songs are not in chronological order. Disc packaged in clear jewel case; total running time: 72:46. Booklet includes an essay by KROQ's Native Wayne Jobson, several small b&w photos, and track information (recording dates for all but track 11, albums of origin, and songwriter credits). Sound quality is good.

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 are from "Equal Rights"
Tracks 7, 9, 12, and 13 are from "Legalize It"
Tracks 5 and 8 are from "Bush Doctor" (track 5, "(You Gotta Walk And) Don't Look Back", is a duet with Mick Jagger)
Track 15 is from "Honorary Citizen" and track 10 is from 1981's "Wanted Dread or Alive".
Track 14 is a 1964 version of "One Love" by Bob Marley & the Wailers featuring Peter Tosh (an up-tempo version different from the "One Love/People Get Ready" Bob Marley recorded in the `70s)
Track 11, "Mystery Babylon" is "an updated version of Babylon Queendom".

This is far from a comprehensive compilation (two of my favorite songs, "Where You Gonna Run" and "That's What They Do", are not included), but it is enjoyable, and a decent tribute to the late great Peter Tosh.

This, along with The Best Of Peter Tosh: Dread Don't Die (which duplicates only the Tosh/Jagger duet "(You Gotta Walk And)Don't Look Back") makes for a fine introduction to Tosh's excellent songs. My only quibble is that it includes the Wailers "One Love", which features Bob Marley's lead vocals. As great as the song is, it was recorded over a decade before these songs were released. The stylistic shift along with the inferior sound quality was jarring to me. That aside, I like this CD very much. Buy these CDs now and enjoy!

While Bob Marley is my hero,and in my opinion, the king of reggae, Peter Tosh is my second and a man that I greatly admire. I also believe that Peter Tosh is grossly underrated and remains in Bob Marley's shadow even in death.

I bought this compilation a little over a year ago and have since bought all of his orignal albums and then some, but I still say it is the equivelent of Bob Marley's "Legend" for Peter Tosh. Scrolls of the Prophet has nearly every hit from Peter Tosh's career including "Legalize It," "Get Up, Stand Up," "Downpresser Man," "Stepping Razor," and his groundbreaking duet with Mick Jagger "(You Gotta Walk) Don't Look Back" from 1978. While the Coxscone Dodd-produced version of "One Love" from 1965 with the Wailers is an odd choice for one of Tosh's 'greatest hits,' it certainly isn't a bad one. Buy this album, enjoy it, and get to know the Bush Doctor.

By now most agree that the late Peter Tosh's career seemed dominated more by his outsized ego than by artistic triumph. That his greatest hits album is titled "Scrolls of the Prophet" should warn the wary. A genuine prophet is concerned with his message, not himself.

Tosh's career has benefitted from more than a little revisionist history. The breakup of the Wailers is, in reality, well documented. Reviewer Sean's note that Bob's career was promoted due to his lighter skin color is startling, and untrue, and I wonder about his source for that. The simple fact is that the Wailers reorganized around Bob's material in the late 1960s at the behest of Lee Perry. Perry-produced releases from that era (especially the crucial "Rasta Revolution" and others compiled on "African Herbsman") were the first "Bob Marley and the Wailers" records. It's beyond comprehension that Scratch cared a wit about the color of Bob's skin; the dreadest of the dread producer obviously cared everything about the quality of Bob's songs. Peter's just didn't measure up.

Only two of Tosh's albums are worth discussion, the fair "Legalize It" and Tosh's best, "Equal Rights." Tosh is often credited for "fiery social commentary," but in fact his songs are hardly insightful, never revelatory. Other artists (and Marley too) are simply more interesting on these subjects.

Tosh's songs assert, they don't explain, and thus just don't have the artistry and impact of others. Marley (and Bunny, and Burning Spear) can tell you why Jah rules (a considerable challenge); Tosh never gets beyond the assertion. Marley (and Culture, and Black Uhuru) will tell you society is oppressive, and also tell you what to do about it; Tosh would just grab a gun. Tosh undoubtedly was a genuine "stepping razor," but legions of Jamaican singers have plausibly claimed to be just as tough.

Tosh's songwriting has its moments, but too often his albums just drone, and get lost in repetitive, bombastic proclamation. "Legalize It" took over two years for Tosh to complete, and the record accordingly suffers from overproduction. The title song is clever, but the message is simplistic, and it and the album will eventually bore you. The "Equal Rights" album is more focused and sounds rawer. "Stepping Razor" is wonderful, rough and tough. The song "Equal Rights" is Tosh's best social commentary, though it takes more than lyrics like "I don't want peace, I want equal rights" to be insightful. His following albums, which account for only a few songs on "Scrolls," sink into a self-absorbed morass.

Tosh's main attractions were his distinctive baritone and use of rock-style guitar leads, which gave his sound some menace. And Tosh was definitely a superior live performer.

But it's no coincidence that "Scrolls Of the Prophet" is dominated by "Equal Rights" songs, because Tosh's career was otherwise fairly unremarkable, and hardly prophetic. Buy this CD if you must, but all you really need is "Equal Rights."

when I want to hear reggae music, I have always preferred to listen to the older, "original" reggae stars, Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Decker, and, of course, Peter Tosh. This is a good compilation of his work and a good way to get introduced to his music. While he never approached the fame or influence of Bob Marley, his music holds its own and is great to listen to.

I know that most music fans get their introduction to reggae music from the great Bob Marley. If you already have plenty of Marley in your cd collection and want to add some more reggae, I highly recommend this cd as the next step. The cd has some real reggae gems on it, "Legalize It" and "Equal Rights" are two of my favorites, but they are all solid.

Peter Tosh was one of the Greatest Reggae song writers and performers of his time. Unfortunately, despite the fact that they were colaborators and friends, his success is overshadowed by the equally beautiful Bob Marley. Peter Tosh, who co-wrote and co-performed the song "Get Up, Stand Up" with Mr. Marley, wrote music and lyrics with such astounding beauty and deeply personal meaning that they can bring tears to your eyes. Where as Bob Marley was a poet and a prophet, Peter Tosh was the truth-teller and the sooth-seer (sp?). His work is often darker, and the subject matter more controversial than Bob Marley, but he was equally brilliant. This collection is incredible, and I highly suggest to any fan of Bob Marley, reggae, or ska.

"Scrolls of the Prophet" is the Best of Peter Tosh. This is really all that you need if you are a normal fan or are interested in Tosh. It is a good intro to his career. You get all of his biggest hits on his Columbia recordings. You'll probably want to purchase more of his individual albums after hearing this CD though.

It's a nice next logical step for anyone who has Bob Marley's "Legend". If you only know reggae as Bob Marley, this is a good second CD to pick up. I prefer Tosh over Bunny Wailer. This CD starts out basically where Bob Marley left off. Highly recommended for the ridiculously cheap price of $8.

My fiance introduced me to reggae music a couple of years ago. Before that, I was relatively unfamiliar. In his song "Fools Die", Peter Tosh has spoken to me on a base level of humanity. He was a spiritual feeler of our souls. Not only did he have an incredible voice, but what he spoke really touches my most sacred place. I rank him as one of the most incredible writers and singers of our time. I am sorry for his loss in our world.

THE MAN IS A PROPHET. Anyone who loves reggae will love this album