Customer Reviews

Uprising

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Many Bob Marley fans insist the best or "real" Marley is the rawer, rootsier early stuff like CATCH A FIRE or the early Tuff Gong recordings. While I would agree that you can't go wrong with virtually any Bob Marley album, I personally prefer the more polished and (even more) melodic pop reggae he created towards the end of his career, like KAYA and this fantastic album, UPRISING.

On UPRISING, Marley is at the height of his powers and he's accompanied by a stellar band. All of the musical elements fall perfectly into place on every single track. These tunes demonstrate that Marley had a greater, more sophisticated mastery over his craft at this particular point in his life. He was making the best of every moment he had. It's been a while since I read Tim White's excellent and highly recommended Bob Marley biography CATCH A FIRE, but I'm pretty sure Marley was aware that he had brain cancer during the recording of this album. Sadly, his tragic death was just around the corner.

Without a doubt, this is soulful, spiritual music whether the songs deal with worldly themes such as on "Pimper's Paradise" or overtly religious ones like "Forever Loving Jah." Even an agnostic like me can revel in the warm love and sheer joy in this music, which I feel even when Bob addresses the negative sides of life as he does on "Bad Card," for example. This album is loaded with important, universal themes the whole world should hear. The last track (on the original album release), "Redemption Song," featuring Marley alone on vocal and guitar, is something quite different from the other tracks and it's particularly poignant. On the whole, UPRISING is so fun to listen to and so groove-worthy that I've heard it hundreds of times and I never get tired of it.

Bob Marley may not have exactly created raggae but he's the one who made it great and he's still the best raggae musician of all time. He's one of the greatest musicians ever, regardless of the genre.

Bob Marley & The Wailers Uprising album from 1980 was a massive hit in America and England with songs such as Could You Be Loved, Coming In From The Cold, Pimper's Paradise, Work and probably Bobs most famous song Redemption Songs.

Info on Uprising
In the summer of 1980 June 10, Uprising hit the shelves it was Bob Marleys second highest selling album, (Exodus was the biggest selling).

1. Coming In From The Cold is a joyful songs with wonderful melodies. - 10/10
Written by Bob Marley
2. Real Situation powerful lyrics and nice beat. - 9/10
Written by Rita and Bob Marley
3. Bad Card has got great lyrics,
Dem go tired to see me face,
Can't get me out of the race.
Thats a very famous lyric by Bob Marley. - 10/10
Written by Bob Marley
4. We And Dem is Bob Marleys most depressing song on the album, the tune never really makes it and the song never gets going. 6/10
Written by Bob Marley
5. Work is a very good Bob Marley & The Wailers song with incredible lyrics. So good it could of been a single said Chris Blackwell. - 10/10
Written by Bob Marley
6. Zion Train is a song about Bob Marley and his band getting on a magical train to Zion. A good effort. 7/10
7. Pimper's Paradise is a song fit for Legend not just Legend 2, lyrically based it is equisite,its about the down sides of stardoom. 10/10
8. Could You Be Loved is one of Bob Marleys true gems and probably my favourite song of his, the catchy tune would make anyone dance. - 10/10 worth so much more.
Written by Bob Marley
9. Forever Loving Jah is a worship song by Bob Marley a good chorus and good lyrics always makes a good song. - 10/10
Written by Bob Marley
10. Redemption Song is one of Bob Marleys most well known songs, from start to finish this songs blends perfectly, never a bad moment. 10/10
Written by Bob Marley.
The bonus tracks 11 & 12 are also a interesting listen.

Ive read from other reviews that Uprising and Confrantation should be formed together to make a Disk 1 and Disk 2 or just the best of on one album.(As they were made at the same time)
I personally think that is a brilliant idea,
as it could look like this or...

Disk 1

1. Coming In From The Cold
2. Real Situation
3. Bard Card
4. We And Dem
5. Work
6. Zion Train
7. Pimper's Paradise
8. Could You Be Loved
9. Forever Loving Jah
10. Redemption Song

Disk 2

1. Chant Down Babylon
2. Buffalo Soldier
3. Jump Nyabinghi
4. Mix Up, Mix Up
5. Give Thanks And Praises
6. Blackman Redemption
7. Trench Town
8. Stiff Necked Fools
9. I Know
10. Rastaman Live Up!

or like this....

1. Coming In From The Cold
2. Buffalo Soldier
3. Bad Card
4. Chant Down Babylon
5. Work
6. Jump Nyabinghi
7. Pimper's Paradise
8. Could You Be Loved
9. Forever Loving Jah
10. Stiff Necked Fools
11. Redemption Song

If the producers were to make a Uprising/Confrantation deluxe they could decide on the song positions.

Uprising can be sold in any music stores or online, make sure you get your hands on it.

Marley now bearing "a sadness and a dread magnetism", Uprising gives the listener a spiritual vision of what was happening in Bobs life. He was already ill, and he gave his testament with an acoustic ballad which was titled "Redemption Song". It is Bobs last burst of studio creativity. The fact that the music retains the strenght that matches the painting of a muscled rasta rising from the earth at sunrise on the front sleeve shows Bobs sheer determination to rage against the dying of life light. A great record, thanks,Bob.

Bob Marley & The Wailers' last album might seem like a strange place to start, but it was my first Wailers' album, and it is still my favorite. There aren't any huge 'hits' here, but there aren't any songs that aren't classics. Be aware that you might have to give this album repeated listens before you can "cultivate" a real appreciation for this classic reggae album.

This was the last album released in Bob Marley's lifetime, and in my opinion the gong is at his best. The band really stepped it up for this recording in my opinion. The Wailers are awesome on every recording, but this recording really stands out in my mind. Released in 1980, this was at the height of the band's popularity. The dual lead guitars here almost give this album a feel of a rock album. Don't get me wrong though it is still reggae. The classics Could You Be Loved?, and Redemption Song are known to everyone because of their appearance on Legend, but the rest of the tracks also have a very good groove to them. This is essential for any music collection reguardless if you like reggae or not. This is one of the top 10 records ever in my opinion. Don't die without listening to this, because you'll be missing out.

Uprising was the final Bob Marley & the Wailers album released durning Marley's lifetime before his death in 1981 from Cancer. The album seems to carry a darker, more sorrowful sound than his previous work, which only adds to the album's beauty. Marley seems to know that his final days are at hand and he sounds passionate, yet almost weary from his battle with Cancer, as if he is in the middle of an actual war. Songs like "We and Dem," "Bad Card," "Work," and "Zion Train," seem to be pleas to the almighty and to people in general to come together and bring people together, almost as if, while Marley approaches his last days, so does the entire Human race.

Lighter, almost happier songs like "Coming In From the Cold," "Pimper's Paradise," and "Could You Be Loved" seem to address the worlds ills with a hint of happiness, the classic Marley style. The songs carry a dark, foreboding message of Bob's passing and the lyrics of each song stay with you forever. I can guarentee if you buy this album, your life will be changed forever.

Although exodus had most of his classic songs, this album does contain some as well. The last album of his career, (Confrontation I believe was released posthumously), it really does sum up his message. Redemption Song and Could You Be Loved? are absolute classics that have and will stand the test of time. Coming in from the cold is a great song and so is everying thing on the album. This is a classic.

There's no doubt about Bob Marley, & this disc has some very important songs. I don't know where I'd be without Forever Lovin Jah & Could You Be Loved. Life is incomplete without this cd. There isn't much music I can honestly say that about. It's really true. Come in from the cold; bring this vision into your life.

I like to think of Confrantation as part 2 of the Uprising album, well because they were made both in 1980. So why not.

The Uprising album could of looked like this or..

1. Coming In From The Cold
2. Real Situation
3. Bad Card
4. We And Dem
5. Work
6. Zion Train
7. Pimpers Paradise
8. Could You Be Loved
9. Forever Loving Jah
10. Redemption Songs

Disc 2

1. Chant Down Babylon
2. Buffalo Soldier
3. Jump Niyabinghi
4. Mix Up, Mix Up
5. Give Thanks And Praises
6. Blackman Redemption
7. Trenchtown
8. Stiff Necked Fools
9. I Know
10. Rastaman Live Up

Or it could of been, just the best songs out of the two, on Uprising..............

1. Coming In From The Cold
2. Buffalo Soldier
3. Could You Be Loved
4. Bad Card
5. Pimpers Paradise
6. Chant Down Babylon
7. Work
8. Stiff Necked Fools
9. Jump Niyabinghi
10. Redemption Songs

Bonus Track:
11. I Know
12. Redemption Songs Band Version

Which one would you prefer?
I would probably prefer the second one.

Uprising, even without Confratation songs on it, is a very good album, FAR better than any other of his albums.
But if they had but some of Confratation songs on it, so it would be like Disc 1 and Disc 2, or just put the best songs on 1 Disc,

THAT WOULD OF MADE UPRISING, PROBABLY THE BEST ALBUM OF ALL TIME.

This is one of those albums you can listen to over and over again and never get tired of hearing it. With each listen, it just becomes more of an old friend you love spending time with. The song order is flawless, every tune is memorable, and the production values are perfect. In my opinion, if you only have one reggae album in your collection, this should be it. Yeah, I know Legend is supposed to be the "essential" Bob Marley album, but I feel this album does a better job of capturing Bob at the height of his powers. Every song is a gem, even if they weren't all radio hits. This album will pick you up and take you for a ride that will leave you feeling good. It will become a good friend.