Customer Reviews

The best of Bob Marley & The Wailers: Legend

5 star:		(303)
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3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

I grew up in Jamaica and as a teenager I can recall seeing the posters at the bus stop advertising an upcoming concert... and The Wailers were headliners. But I never truly listened to Bob untill the Live album came out.

I remember sitting in my room one Saturday listening to the horse races on the radio, and in betweem each race the DJ would play No Woman No Cry. The words were haunting.. "And I remember when we used to sit... In a Government Yard in trenchtown..." The vouce and lyrics seemed magical... so simple yet so beautiful. That was about 30 years ago and I have been a fan ever since. Bob's music spoke to me personally, as it did to people all around te world. As it will speak to you once you play this album. But don't stop there... buy more... listen to songs like Concrete Jungle; Talking Blues, and Roots Rock Reggae. In fact let your next album be the Live at the London Lyceum and you will get a flavour for the infectious Bob.

If you have a Jamaican friend have him/her explain the lyrics (if needed). But regardless, just enjoy the music. Enjoy it with fans from Africa, Europe, Canada and now the USA. I saw Bob once in Tampa and was amazed at the 'good old boys' in Cowboy hats and bandanas that screamed for Bob and sang his songs. I knew then that Bob's music was truly intended for the world to love.

When Bob died I heard the news over BBC radio. I was 20+ years old then but I cried. I had lost a good friend. Then I reached for my records and played Rastaman Chant, and cried some more when Bob sang... "One bright morning when my work is over I will fly away home.", the background containing soulful conga drumming. But as the song ended I felt better.. bob's music made me feel better. Fly on BOB. And you my friend... listen to the Music on Legend and experience an upliftment... fly with Bob. Enjoy Legend! But remember there is more great Marley music awaiting you.

The Bob Marley collection "Legend" does indeed make its case for Marley as a regge legend. More than any other artist, he helped bring regge music to mainstream audiences with his excellent songwriting and musicianship. He could be political without sounding preachy, and also wrote some of the sweetest love songs of any musical genre. Marley was popularized in America, of course, when Eric Clapton remade his "I Shot the Sheriff." Clapton's version is outstanding, but Marley's is equally so and is the one were the song's subtle political message is more overt.

Other outstanding tracks on the collection include the sweet "Three Little Birds," the ace peace and love song "One Love/People Get Ready," the straight up love songs "Is This Love" and "Stir It Up," the political rant of "Buffalo Soldier," the call to arms "Get Up Stand Up" and the rave-up "Jamming." Even among the lesser well known songs there is not a clunker or misstep in the mix.

Overall, a superior single disc anthology that establishes Bob Marley as one of the most important musicians of his era.

"Legend" features some of the very greatest hits of Bob Marley and the Wailers--and what a compilation it is! As always, one could have hoped that other items be included (for example, only one cut from "Natty Dread"?). Nonetheless, this is a dazzling collection.

Some of the hits are compelling to include, such as "No Woman No Cry," "Buffalo Soldier," "Get Up Stand Up," "Stir it Up," "I Shot the Sheriff," "Redemption Song," "Jamming," and a nice bonus cut, "Funky Reggae Party." One thought: Quite a few of these songs appear to be love songs or whatever, but--in fact--have political content to them.

Let's consider a few of the pieces in more detail:

"No Woman No Cry":

"In this great future
You can't forget your past
So dry your tears, I say."

This song has a softer sound to it. The band plays well and Marley is in peak form. Since this is a live version (over seven minutes long), it is fun to hear the audience's responses throughout. The upbeat line, repeated several times, "Everything's gonna be alright," sets a tone for the song.

"Stir It Up": This song was a hit for Johnny Nash, representing one of the first reggae songs to break out to a wider audience (but not the first). Marley's version is great! The I-Threes provide strong backing vocals; the band plays well. This is an infectious version of the song and genuinely rates as one of Bob Marley and the Wailers' greatest hits.

"I Shot the Sheriff": This was a worldwide hit for Eric Clapton (it seems weird that others had great hits with Marley's work, without him having the same success). Marley's version is very different from Clapton's (although both work). As liner notes point out, there is more of a political edge to Marley's version. Band, backing vocals, and Marley are all in fine form on this work.

The bonus track--"Punky Reggae Party": The song is about getting ready for a punky reggae party, but there are all manner of observations scattered throughout this song, some with political overtones. One interesting set of lyrics that caught my attention:

"Rejected by society
Treated with impunity
Protected by my dignity
I search for reality."

The musical line from the band is almost hypnotic and the I-Threes, as typically done, provide fine backing vocals. Marley sings with pizzazz and spills out through after thought at a quick pace. What a nice bonus track!

In short, a truly wonderful greatest hits CD. If interested in the range of Marley's work, this is a good place to start.

This man WAS a legend. His music touched millions. He laid the groundwork for a lot of ska and reggae existing today, surviving an assination attempt and a country filled with unrest and confusion in the process. It truly was inspiring. His passing in 1981 was both tragic and untimely. Legend is a Best Of-album of sorts. It has a lot of his radio singles, his big hits, and a few treasures. Recommended to all fans of music, Jamaican music or otherwise. A stepping-stone into eventually collecting all of of his amazing work.
Truly it is: "...the heart and soul of the Jamaican people packed into one five-inch compact disc..."

Bob Marley's spirit lives on in his music.

Bob Marley's music changed my life! Many reviewers are turned off by a perceived commercialism of this album (for a time myself included). BUT, it is people's first introduction to Bob and reggae. And for that it serves it's purpose. To expose us to the words of this prophet and see that this life is your life...you're free to do with it what you will. "Legend" contains a small part of his genius, its unfair to bash it for its inability to capture all of Bob's greatness. It is the first glimpse into a 'legendary' body of work, that luckly for us continues to be discovered. As Peter Tosh once sang, "Don't criticize it...advertise it!" Buy this album. Listen to it, love it, live it, and buy more Marley. JAH live!

Whether you are a reggae fan or not, you've got to love the works of Bob Marley, the man is a genius. This is an excellent compilation, every track a classic. From the party classic 'Jamming' to the universal anthem 'One Love/People Get Ready', the gorgeous, beautiful acoustic 'Redemption Song' and the tender 'No Woman No Cry', this CD is loaded with brilliant songs. It is really worth owning, one of the greatest Greatest Hits. However, as always, some essential Marley tracks are missing: 'Sun Is Shining', 'Rainbow Country', 'Lively Up Yourself', 'Kaya' and 'Trenchtown Rock'. Of these 5, only 2 are actually included on the One Love CD, the other Marley greatest hits, so competition is stiff, especially as the version of 'Redemption Song' is far superior and 'Satisfy My Soul' is left off One Love altogether.

Overall, this is a great Marley compilation to buy for any music fan at all, loaded with classics, but its worth buying other albums for several other tracks.

Everyone knows all the great songs from the great man. This reissue has improved and great sound, all the lyics and a good essay on Bob, and 2 new "bonus" tracks that emphasize good time party Bob. But the single best reason to toss your old Legend and buy this one is that it has, at last, the full length version of Exodus. There was never an excuse for having the shorter version of this great song on CD and it always took away from the album for me. Now Legend is the perfect CD.

Bob Marley will ALWAYS reign supreme and the king of raggae. Legend is an excellent addition to your Bob Marley collection. If you are a new fan of raggae and Bob Marley, you need to purchase this particular CD. As far as I can tell, Marley has never written or performed a bad song, so to say that this is the best of Bob Marley is an injustice. However, some of my most favorite and Marley's most famous songs are included. Who hasn't heard "I Shot the Sheriff" or "Could You Be Loved"? Marley teaches love, religion, and justice through his music, with each song telling wonderful stories. Be warned - this could become your most favorite CD. It certainly deserves that distinction.

Anyone with taste is going to love this album. Has classic Marley tunes that even the most cursery reggae fan will know. While I don't consider myself by any stretch a true reggae afficinado, this is the one album I own on vinyl, tape and now CD. One Love, which frankly I skip over becuase all I can think of are the commercials now when I hear it, is still a great didity. For Eric Clapton fans, here the orginal version of I Shot the Sheriff. Buffalo Soldier and others are just truly classic songs. From begining to end this CD is wonderful. The two bonus tracks are OK and don't take anything away, but also don't add much to this wonderful collection. VH1, for those who care, has this listed as one of the Ultimate Albums. If you've never listened to reggae before, there is no better place to start than with this artist and this album.

This was the very first CD of Bob Marley (and Jamaican music, for that matter) that I ever purchased. I will certainly continue to buy after hearing the amazing quality of Mr. Marley's music. His songs are among the very best music I've ever heard, from any genre (and I listen to everything from rock to classical to electronic to jazz.) The fourteen cuts here represent the musical career of a man who has already been immortalized by countless fans everywhere. I think this is because of the quality of his music and his very positive message. The music is very political, but not angry or bitter. He expresses his beliefs poetically and tastefully. I especially like "Redemption Song" because of the very soulful way Mr. Marley expresses his spiritual and political beliefs. It is a very profound song. All of the songs, however, have very good lyrics and a mellow, easy-going pace. These factors contribute to make this an excellent meditaion CD. So, if you're just discovering the music of Jamaica (like me), or if you are already a fan, pick up this album. You will not regret it.

Bob Marley, thank you for making this great music and touching so many people.