Cons: The shortest 62 minutes of music I've ever heard. No songs from the Survival album.
The Bottom Line: A good mix of songs -- love songs, songs about peace and self empowerment, and songs about politics and protest. A good introduction for new fans to Bob Marley.
4-1-1's Full Review: Legend [Remaster] by Bob Marley & The Wailers
I started listening to Bob Marley's music in the late 1970's, and my interest really ignited when the Survival album (1979) was released. Little did I know at the time that Bob Marley was living his last days.
Robert Nesta Marley (b. Feb. 6, 1945) was discovered to have cancer of the foot in 1980, which cancer quickly spread throughout his body. He died eight months after his cancer diagnosis at the young age of 36 (d. May 11, 1981).
In my opinion, Survival stands as one of the greatest albums of the 20th century -- it certainly ranks in my top 25 albums of all time -- but when it comes to selecting the best album to introduce Marley's style to new listeners, I almost always recommend the 1984 greatest hits compilation album released by Island Records: Legend: the Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers -- which is the most popular Reggae album of all time (over 12 million copies sold).
Legend
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Marley's interest in music begun early in his life. As a youth, he was introduced to a Jamaican music producer by Jimmy Cliff -- who at the time was only 14 years old and already had a couple of hit songs in his repertoire. A few years later, in 1963, Marley went on to start his own band, the Wailing Wailers, with two of his friends: Peter Macintosh (yes, that's Peter Tosh) and Neville Livingston (also known as Bunny Wailer). The early music was a Ska influenced sound. Ska is Jamaican dance music, popular in that country during the early 1960's. The music spread to England (Jamaica was a former British colony), where it was once known as Jamaica Blues or Blue Beat music.
Later in the 1960's, the Wailing Wailers broke up and everyone gave up on their "Rude Boy" ways. (A "Rude Boy" is somebody who is 'dope' or 'cool' and a dedicated Ska fan.) Swept up in the wave of Rastafarianism that swept Jamaica, Marley began to focus his interests on social, religious and political issues. Marley's successes started in the late 1960's and into the early 1970's, and really exploded internationally during the second half of the 1970's with albums like "Natty Dread," "Exodus," and "Survival." His band, Bob Marley and the Wailers, was founded in 1972 and disbanded in 1981 (at this death). Band members included, among others: Bob Marley (lead vocals, rhythm and acoustic guitars, percussion), Peter Mackintosh (i.e., Peter Tosh -- piano, organ, guitar, vocals; left the band in 1974), Bunny Livingston (congas, bongas, vocals; left the band in 1974), Aston "FamilyMan" Barrett (bass guitar, percussion), Julian "Junior" Marvin (lead guitar, backing vocals), and Rita Marley (Bob's wife and one of the three backing vocalists that made up the "I Threes").
The album, Legend: the Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers, features some of the best Reggae songs recorded in Marley's final years. The music itself is simple, back-beat music that most any garage Reggae band can play. Nothing really complicated about it at all; pieces held together by a simple rhythm section (drums, some other percussion instruments, and bass guitar) and every now and then highlighted by short lead guitar solos or punctuated by some organ or keyboard work. The music, indeed, was simple; it was Bob Marley's lyrics and his singing that make every piece a classic.
There are 14 songs on this album; about one hour of music in total. A brief track-by-track listing of the tunes:
1) Is This Love - 3:52
Originally released on the Kaya album (1978), this is one of Marley's most popular love songs.
2) No Woman No Cry - 7:07
Written by Vincent Ford. This extended, live version was originally released on the 1975 recording, Live! (Live At The Lyceum). This was a concert recorded at The Lyceum in London, England, on July 18, 1975. No doubt about it, the live version of this song is the best version available. (The original version appears on 1974's Natty Dread album.)
3) Could You Be Loved - 3:55
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1980 release, Uprising. A song featuring wise advice:
The road of life is rocky and you may stumble too,
So while you point your fingers someone else is judging you
Love your brotherman!
4) Three Little Birds - 3:00
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1977 release, Exodus. A very simple song, expressing optimism and hope. Let's call this one a "Pop" song and radio friendly toe tapper.
5) Buffalo Soldier - 4:17
Written by Bob Marley. The hit single from the posthumous release, Confrontation.
6) Get Up Stand Up - 3:16
Written by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. From the 1973 release, Burnin'. Yes, you will here Peter Tosh chime in and take over the vocal lead on this song, as it is one that he co-wrote with Bob Marley. Tosh also recorded this song on his Equal Rights album (another 5-star music selection).
7) Stir It Up - 5:33
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1973 release, Catch a Fire. I can remember, as a kid, buying the 45-single recorded by Johnny Nash (I think the summer/fall of 1973). I had no idea, at the time, who Bob Marley was, but I liked Nash's cover of the song. Then, some years later, after hearing Bob Marley's version, I threw Nash's old vinyl single out with the trash. Not that it was a bad recording, mind you, but I just knew that I would never find occasion to listen to it again. Turns out that Johnny Nash was the artist who convinced Marley to join him in touring England, which tour helped Marley's career and ignited international stardom.
8) One Love/People Get Ready - 2:51
Written by Bob Marley and Curtis Mayfield. From the 1977 release, Exodus. A short song about brotherhood and goodwill. Still used today, I believe, by the Jamaican Board for Tourism to promote travel to Jamaica. A "feel good" song.
9) I Shot The Sheriff - 4:41
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1973 release, Burnin'. This is another song that heard from another artist -- Eric Clapton -- before hearing the original version by Bob Marley. I will say that the backing vocals that open this song are pretty darn shaky... almost frighteningly bad. But the song is saved by the story and some gliding organ work.
10) Waiting In Vain - 4:15
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1977 release, Exodus. One of my favorite Marley love songs.
11) Redemption Song - 3:49
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1980 release, Uprising. May be my favorite song on the entire CD. Just Bob and his guitar. A powerful song of hope, a powerful reminder to all that change begins when we all prepare ourselves for change. "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery / None but ourselves can free our minds."
12) Satisfy My Soul - 4:31
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1978 release, Kaya. A simple love song filled with Reggae soul. A worthy addition to this compilation, showcasing Marley's softer side.
13) Exodus - 7:35
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1977 release, Exodus. Okay, I like the political songs the best. Here, Marley invests his greater effort and passion, presenting his plight and beliefs in the most effective way.
14) Jamming - 3:31
Written by Bob Marley. From the 1977 release, Exodus. A quasi-religious song of self-empowerment.
No bullet can stop us now, we neither beg nor we won't bow;
Neither can be bought nor sold.
We all defend the right; Jah - Jah children must unite:
Your life is worth much more than gold.
Price and Availability
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At the date this opinion was posted, you could purchase this CD at half.com for about $8. Amazon.com has this CD listed for about $14. Most every music retailer in the world will have a copy of this CD available for sale. It is a Classic.
Recommendations
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This is an album that I recommend because it contains a balanced mix of political/protest songs, love songs, and pop Reggae.
If you don't know who Bob Marley is, considering renting some recordings of his concert videos. Marley was one of the most charismatic performers in the history of modern music. Rent concert videos or DVDs like:
Rebel Music - The Bob Marley Story - (now on DVD)
Bob Marley & The Wailers: Catch A Fire - (now on DVD)
Bob Marley & the Wailers: Live - VHS
Bob Marley & the Wailers: Live at the Rainbow (1977) VHS
Verdict: a 5-star compilation. I purchased my copy from a used-CD bin for only $7.99 -- a bargain.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
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