csberry

Quintessential sound of Bob Marley. I feel a bit bad that I had completely forgotten that I owned this on CD. In the past, it has been an album that I put on while doing work around the house - uplifting background music. I'm grateful for this time of paying more attention to the music.

The version of “No Woman No Cry” on Natty Dread is done by a younger and a bit more energetic Bob than what is included in the Legend song collection and frequently used on the radio or movies. There is good energy on this album. The tempo tends to stick to mellow shuffles, but the horns and vocals often propel the rhythm or provide bursts to jolt the listener from complacency. The youthful, higher tone in Bob's voice on Natty Dread projects a vitality that is absent from later recordings and from many covers I've heard of some of these songs. I was also a bit surprised with how much the horns sounded ripped from a 70's Detroit soul song (especially on “Revolution”).

Songs I Knew I Liked: “Lively Up Yourself,” “No Woman No Cry,” “Them Belly Full (But We Hungry),” and “Talking Blues”

Songs I Now Like: “So Jah S'eh,” “Natty Dread,” and “Am-A-Do”

Songs I Don't Want to Ever Hear Again: None