Burning As Brightly As Ever! (Catch A Fire - Bob Marley & The Wailers)

Member Name: DanielKemp

Product:	Catch A Fire - Bob Marley & The Wailers
Date:	03/10/09 (91 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bringing major label songs to their major label debut!

Disadvantages: You might hate reggae. Even then, you should give this a try!

Bob Marley & the Wailers - Catch a Fire (1973)

Producer: Chris Blackwell

Concrete Jungle
Slave Driver
400 Years
Stop That Train
Baby We Got a Date (Rock It Baby)
Stir It Up
Kinky Reggae
No More Trouble
Midnight Ravers

Released in 1973 on the label Island Records, Catch a Fire is the major label debut album by The Wailers (they wouldn't come to be known as Bob Marley & the Wailers until the original Wailers band split in 1974 and Bob Marley assimilated a backing band of the same name to aid him in his 'solo' career, consisting of the remaining members of The Wailers and the I Threes on backing vocals).

With several albums released solely in their homeland of Jamaica and other records released in the UK on labels of far less significance than Island, many had no doubt written off The Wailers as failures. Thankfully, The Wailers hung on in there and they eventually got their break, and many people today now immediately associate the record label Island as the home of Bob Marley & the Wailers.

So, all reggae sounds the same, yes? Well, that's an age old argument and one which will go on forever. I personally do not think that all reggae music sounds the same. Although, one has to admit, that of all the genres of music in the world, it probably is the most 'samey', with its deep, resounding bass lines and socially aware lyrics running rife.

However, I genuinely believe that anyone listening to Catch a Fire for the first time will be pleasantly surprised by just how much variety is present among the album's 9 tracks. Somehow, The Wailers have managed to break free from the genre which seemed oh so constricting and have created a kaleidoscope of sounds (well, as much of a kaleidoscope as is possible within the genre). The range and selection of emotions displayed on this album are nothing short of astonishing.

You cannot fault the quality of playing on the opening Concrete Jungle, which throws more hooks out there than a fisherman in season going after salmon. The vocals are exquisite: "Darkness has covered my light... where is the love to be found?! Oh someone tell me!" The aural sensations created by the organ and keyboard riffs are spot on; just check out the immense introduction for more confirmation and witness the rare example of a perfect beginning.

The Peter Tosh sang 400 Years is a great example of the power of music. If you truly believe in what you are writing and saying, your passion for the subject can carry the weight of the song alone. Luckily, the song-writing is up to scratch and we don't have to witness merely a social statement. "400 years - and it's the same philosophy," wails Tosh, "look how long and the people still can't see... Come on, let's make a move!" His ancestors breaking free from slavery weighs heavy on his mind, and after you've had a listen or two it will take up residence in your cranium also. Avoiding all the obvious pitfalls of socially charged lyrics and not coming across preachy in the slightest, 400 Years is a wonder to behold.

Even when The Wailers throw out a cheery and uplifting slice of romance, Baby We Got a Date (Rock It Baby), they manage to sound irrefutably convincing. Personally, I'm going to champion the attractive backing vocals which support Marley's declaration of a carefree love, "We gotta get together, babe, tonight!" Similarly, the risqué Kinky Reggae is a delight, The Wailers once again casting a spell over the listener. Some would argue that the sexually inveterate lyrics are sheer nonsense, but the pert guitar riffs and mischievousness in Marley's vocals eventually win you over.

The slow jamming No More Trouble has a grooving keyboard section which burrows itself deep into your cerebral, while the greater prominence it is given in the final seconds of this song only verify that its catchiness is near unsurpassed by any of the other hooks found on Catch a Fire. Do not take these words lightly, as The Wailers thrash their competition and even outdo themselves on regular occasions.

The album is brought to a close by Midnight Ravers. "Please don't let me down, down, down, down," cries Marley, as his voice fades out over a heaving ocean of charged Rastafarian music. Once more, I'm going to lavish kudos upon the irresistible recipe of keyboard riffs, which manage to live up to the title of this finishing track and create a scene fit for just such a rave.

An audacious, essential and uplifting listen, Catch a Fire is most definitely one of the very best albums ever made and is a must buy for anyone with a set of ears. If you still haven't acquainted yourself with Bob Marley & the Wailers then the time has now come for you to remedy this criminal act and get yourself a copy of Catch a Fire.

What more can one say? 'I and I is impressed.'

9/10

Daniel Kemp

Read more reviews at www.danielkempreviews.co.uk

Summary: The Wailers' immense major label debut album!