Customer Reviews

Talkin Blues

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The bulk of this disc is actually a KSAN radio broadcast from October of 1973. The Band was kicked off the Sly and the Family Stone tour, but before they went back home to Jamaica they had one last comittment to fufill and it was this engagement at the KSAN Record Plant Studios. The only downside to this cd is that the running order is not that of the actual broadcast and the interview here is not from that same year but rather 1975 or those whereabouts. The I shot the sheriff included in this release is actually the version from the other night of the Lyceum concerts in London(Live! album from 1975). I actually prefer the version of I Shot the Sheriff on Talkin' Blues to the version on the Live! album. Another note is that not all the original Wailers are present for this recording at the KSAN studios. Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and the Barrett Brothers are on this recording but Bunny Wailer is not. Joe Higgs who originally taught the group how to sing in the 1960's in Jamaica takes the place of Bunny Wailer on this tour. Bunny Wailer grew tired of touring and someone was needed to replace him in the band, so Peter and Bob both called on Joe Higgs who happily agreed to join them for the 1973 American tour. In case you are wondering the real order of the KSAN setlist, it is as follows
1. Rastaman Chant
2. Bend down low (last track)
3. Slave Driver
4. You can't blame the youth
5. Stop that train
6. Burnin' and Lootin'
7. Kinky Reggae
8. Get up, Stand up
9. Lively up yourself
10.Walk the proud land

This cd introduced me to the Wailers and it is a classic that any Wailers fan should own.

The bulk of this disc is actually a KSAN radio broadcast from October of 1973. The Band was kicked off the Sly and the Family Stone tour, but before they went back home to Jamaica they had one last comittment to fufill and it was this engagement at the KSAN Record Plant Studios. The only downside to this cd is that the running order is not that of the actual broadcast and the interview here is not from that same year but rather 1975 or those whereabouts. The I shot the sheriff included in this release is actually the version from the other night of the Lyceum concerts in London(Live! album from 1975). I actually prefer the version of I Shot the Sheriff on Talkin' Blues to the version on the Live! album. Another note is that not all the original Wailers are present for this recording at the KSAN studios. Peter Tosh, Bob Marley and the Barrett Brothers are on this recording but Bunny Wailer is not. Joe Higgs who originally taught the group how to sing in the 1960's in Jamaica takes the place of Bunny Wailer on this tour. Bunny Wailer grew tired of touring and someone was needed to replace him in the band, so Peter and Bob both called on Joe Higgs who happily agreed to join them for the 1973 American tour. In case you are wondering the real order of the KSAN setlist, it is as follows
1. Rastaman Chant
2. Bend down low (track 19)
3. Slave Driver
4. You can't blame the youth
5. Stop that train
6. Burnin' and Lootin'
7. Kinky Reggae
8. Get up, Stand up
9. Lively up yourself
10.Walk the proud land

This cd introduced me to the Wailers and it is a classic that any Wailers fan should own. Island records has remastered this and it now has 24 tracks, get that cd instead of this one and you will be able to get the full setlist I mentioned above.

Of all non-studio (aka official) Marley albums this one is by far the best. Recorded at a live in-studio performance in San Francisco for KSAN radio in 1973. This album showcases Bob at his very best. Intercut between tracks is an interview Bob did in 1975 for JBC Radio. The interview is good although somtimes slow, however the music here is truely exceptional. The versions of 'Slave Driver' & 'Kinky Reggae' are simply amazing. They are faster than the album versions and are performed with much more energy. Talkin' Blues also features the previously unreleased "Am-A-Do' which is a fine song to play if you have that 'special lady friend over'. This album will be re-released (remastered) sometime in 2002 so if you don't already own this; hold out for that. The performance of these songs is taken from a longer session, so hopefully there'll be more to offer the second time around. Get it? Got it? Good.

This is without a doubt the best Robert Nesta Marley CD. It has love songs like am-a-do. Spiritual soung like Rastaman chant. The classics like Get up stand up and I shot the sheriff. It has two of the Wailers best slave driver and kinky reggae. If you like bob get this cd. It will change the way you look at Marley. JAH Rastafarai.

Despite the fact that you can't understand anything he says in the Talkin' sections, the performances are incredible and have more passion than what you normally get off a studio release. I love finding gems like this; they just add to my love for great artists who can perform without crappy mixing computers.

The rhythm section is really in sync on this album. Great track after great track. An effortless feel. This is the record that got me into Bob Marley.

This is perhaps the rawest of the CD's of Marley's music that has surfaced since his untimely death in 1980. Mostly recorded at San Francisco's KSAN in 1973, we have some amazing versions of somewhat familiar tunes like "Rastaman Chant," "Bend Down Low" and "Kinky Reggae," etc. There is also Peter Tosh's interesting "You Can't Blame The Youth" with it's really thought-provoking lyrics, the title cut, which might surprise some people who still associate Marley mainly with "love and peace" songs like "One Love." The scorcher here is "Get Up Stand Up" with Peter Tosh delivering the original lyrics which were then considered too blasphemous and inflammatory for mass consumption. There are also interviews with Bob inserted between the songs, which require repeated listening for those unfaliliar with Jamaican patois.

When Bob Marley was giving the interview contained in this cd, he wouldn't ever imagine that this will be part of his finest cd. Talkings, rare tracks, live versions.....a must have.

Though I usually listen to pop and dance music, when my sister puts this CD on I feel hypnotized. It's like to takes me to another place. The songs have everything in them and "Talkin Blues" has become one of my favorite CD's. Pop music can lack soul and actual emotion but Bob Marley's voice, lyrics, and just in general sound on this CD are amazing. It is an awesome CD and I thank my sister for giving me a taste of what real music is.

Talkin Blues is a great cd for any Marley fan. Tuff gong has put together an excellent compilation of Bob's music. The songs are filled with the emotion that Marley packed into all of his live performances but they don't have the background noise that comes with large audiences. If you are interested in Bob Marley's music I would highly recommend Talkin Blues for your collection.