Customer Reviews

Wanted Dread & Alive

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I first heard this album on vinyl in the early 90's. If I wasn't an honest person, I'd have snuck it out of my friend's apartment. It resonates for quite a while. Own it.

This is simply Peter Tosh's best CD. You haven't real "Tosh" untill you've picked this one up. Put's "Leagalize it" to SHAME!

a fair warning to everyone who is thinking of buying this cd as a complement their LP-collection of Tosh music. They have added some songs which were not on the original LP, and removed some of the best songs that were on the LP. Where is "Bumbo klaat" and "Guide me from my friends"?? Two strong tracks which were among my favorites on the LP. This is bad, very bad. Im not gonna buy it.

This is the best Tosh album. However, "Legalize it" is almost as nice, but it doesn't focus on the music as much because historically it was meant to put out a greater message to the masses of listeners in Jamaica in the 70's who were fed up with the government. "Wanted Dread or Alive" is a very musically solid album in every way. Pure Roots Reggae that Tosh made in the days when all he cared about was making good music, and not propaganda.

Sure it's only got nine tracks, but this is an excellent assembly of classics from one of reggae's best ever. Tosh is one of the best vocalists - pure, direct, and deep; matter of fact, spoken, and rhythmic - that reggae or for that matter any other genre has seen.

Wanted Dread and Alive is a must have for the fans of reggae. Peter sends his message in an obviously militant manner in this recording. That is not to say that the songs are not beautiful. They are. Peter was not one to conform to anyone else's standards, but stayed true to his own beliefs right until the day he was brutally laid to rest, but he left behind a proud catalog of his musical creations. This is not MY personal favorite by Peter, but, with the exception of two of the songs, it contains some of my favorite reggae songs.

Cold Blood sort of gives you the feel for Peter's defiance towards the system of "justice". The song has nice back-up singing and really good music. This and the title song are my two favorites. The only two I can do without are Nothing but Love which is kind of a 70's soulful throwback song. Don't get me wrong, if I were making a soulful cd compilation with some 60's and 70's r&b or soul I would definately add this for a nice pace change as it has a nice quality sound to it. I just don't feel that it belongs with this cd. Also the final song Fools Die seems to be out of place here. A nice song, but very very slow and I don't like the keyboard bell sounding instrumentation.

Reggae-Mylitis, Coming in Hot, The Poor Man Feel It, Rastafari Is, and That's What They Will Do are a very good set of reggae and fit right in on this 5 star cd. I can give it 5 stars because even though two songs don't seem to belong, they do have a good sound for what they are and that is not necessarily bad.

In an age where music is base on how attractive the artist is and the sales of their album, instead of the quality and the richness of the artist's work. I have been force to look for good music by doing research on my own or by taking older people's advice. During one of my research, I fell upon (and happily so) Peter Tosh's work. Peter Tosh was one of the giants of reggae music. He deserves the same credit as Bob Marley, but because he was so militant, he doesn't get the same recognition. While Bob Marley was M.L. King Jr., Peter Tosh was Malcolm X. As an artist, he was so deep and his words were so challenging and yet soulful. I found myself not only trying to figure him out (which I haven't), but I found myself trying to figure out who I am. That's how powerful he was...he made you think and feel. If you are a reggae fan or a person who is disgusted with today's music, try "Wanted Dread & Alive". You will want to hear more and more from this great artist.

Tosh's best studio album. The best songs here "Comin'in Hot", "Reggaemylitis"..are available on the various best-of compilations, meaning you don't have to listen to the horrible "Nothing but Love", a disco embarrasment. Other than that track, this is a consistant album musically and lyrically.

While not as powerful as "Legalize It" or "Equal Rights," Peter Tosh's 1981 offering, "Wanted Dread or Alive" is a very credible roots reggae effort, complete with powerful songs and messages ("The Poor Man Feel It," "Wanted Dread or Alive," and the beautiful "Rastafari Is").

The last effort for the Rolling Stones' label, this lp was the best he offerd on that label, with excellent songs and great music to back it up with. A true roots classic.

This is simply Peter Tosh's best CD. You haven't real "Tosh" untill you've picked this one up. Put's "Leagalize it" to SHAME!