Bob Marley And The Wailers' Catch A Fire

The liner notes to the deluxe edition point out something that sort of some's up, in part, the last few posts focusing on key reggae albums. Richard Williams writes that originally reggae, like rock 'n' roll started out as a medium propelled by singles, not albums. Catch A Fire was the first reggae album that defied this, much as albums by the Stones, Dylan and The Beatles took rock from the 7 inch to the LP. In his words, Catch A Fire was an album with all the songs tieing into one another to form a complete whole.

Normally I find that Deluxe Editions can be a little too costly for the bargain of material included but the Catch A Fire reissue is quite interesting. The first disc includes the Unreleased Original Jamaican Version (the above picture) and the second disc the Island released version (the below picture).

The difference you ask? Well, the unreleased Jamaican album contains two more tracks than its American counterpart, the track listing is a bit different but the topper that differentiates the two albums is in their mixes. Chris Blackwell, the head of Island Records, watered down, so to speak, the sound of Catch A Fire, in post-production, for mass consumption while leaving Marley to release locally his version, the version with a sound Jamaican's would best identify with. I don't know about you, but I would rather listen my reggae in its thick, original, not from concentrate form. The Jamaican version is evidence of some of the thickest stew a band can make with drums, bass, guitars, percussion and organs.

There's nothing wrong at all with the American version. In fact it seems to have been called into existence in order cater to rock fans and that's why it is worthwhile to own. But here is the caveat. It has nothing, n-o-t-h-i-n-g on the Jamacain version. In fact, it's existence only shows just how great Catch A Fire Jamacian style really is.

The Wailers were Bob Marley on vocals and guitars; Peter McIntosh on pianos, organs, guitars, and vocals; Bunny Livingston on congas, bongos, vocals; Aston "Family Man" Barrett on bass; and Carlton "Carly" Barrett on drums. Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths provided backing vocals. The album was recorded and mixed at Dynamic Sound Studios, Harry J. Studios and Randy's Studios - all located in Kingston, Jamaica. Carlton Lee and Stu Barrett provided engineering services; Bob Marley and The Wailers produced. Errol Brown mixed the resissue.
(The above credits are only for the Jamaican version).

Ok, it's time to get onto the tracks.

Concrete Jungle

If you like what you have heard, please go to your local retailer of albums and pick yourself up a copy. If you don't like what you have heard, or are unsure whether you like what you have heard and still need to make your mind up, please go to your local retailer of albums and pick yourself up something else.