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Topic ClosedIsn't Bob Marley overrated?

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Snow Dog View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 06:49
Originally posted by fuxi fuxi wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

I'm not a huge fan of Marley myself but your generalisations are annoying.Tongue I just leave people who really enjoy him to do just that. 


1. Where did I generalise and why is it annoying?

2. Any artist ought to be open to criticism.

1. For a start, the one I highlighted in bold type and Its annoying because it annoys me.

2. Its not your criticism that bothers me.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 06:58
How about the fact that he's probably the first artist from a developing country who achieved massive, and mainstream international fame and acclaim?

I'd say that's a pretty big deal, whether or not you like reggae.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 06:59
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:


Originally posted by fuxi fuxi wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

I'm not a huge fan of Marley myself but your generalisations are annoying.Tongue I just leave people who really enjoy him to do just that. 


1. Where did I generalise and why is it annoying?

2. Any artist ought to be open to criticism.

1. For a start, the one I highlighted in bold type and Its annoying because it annoys me.
2. Its not your criticism that bothers me.


Okay, I'll agree that my remark may have been facetious, and that Marley fans might take offence, because Bob was actually trying to make a Major Statement here.

On the other hand, I'm convinced that the perceived exoticism of Marley's music is actually part of his appeal. Otherwise, how could you explain that acts like the Police sold millions of records appropriating reggae and singing in cod-Jamaican accents? Acts as different as Kevin Ayers, 10cc and the Rolling Stones imitated the accent. One can only conclude that many Westerners found (and still find) a Jamaican accent endearing. No offense!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 07:05
Originally posted by fuxi fuxi wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:


Originally posted by fuxi fuxi wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

I'm not a huge fan of Marley myself but your generalisations are annoying.Tongue I just leave people who really enjoy him to do just that. 


1. Where did I generalise and why is it annoying?

2. Any artist ought to be open to criticism.

1. For a start, the one I highlighted in bold type and Its annoying because it annoys me.
2. Its not your criticism that bothers me.


Okay, I'll agree that my remark may have been facetious, and that Marley fans might take offence, because Bob was actually trying to make a Major Statement here.

On the other hand, I'm convinced that the perceived exoticism of Marley's music is actually part of his appeal. Otherwise, how could you explain that acts like the Police sold millions of records appropriating reggae and singing in cod-Jamaican accents? Acts as different as Kevin Ayers, 10cc and the Rolling Stones imitated the accent. One can only conclude that many Westerners found (and still find) a Jamaican accent endearing. No offense!

None taken...not sure i hear the accents in 10cc and The Police though. In fact i know I can't. Don't know about the other artists you mention, haven't heard their reggae songs.

The 10cc song uses Jamaican patois, but not the accent. Well thats what i think anyway.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 07:06
Originally posted by ExittheLemming ExittheLemming wrote:

I've never been much of a fan of Reggae (Black Uhuru, Lee Perry, Barrington Levi and some dub and ska  I quite like)Marley's 'No Woman No Cry' and 'Buffalo Soldier' I think are both great songs (irrespective of genre) but what others I've heard sound a tad erm... 'samey'Popular song formats and structures ain't really intended to be attempts at sophistication. The emotive delivery of the singer, the melody, rhythm and what the lyrics convey carry the sophistication.


Thank you for pointing this out. Many people (especially proggers, no doubt) find the Stones monotonous, and I see what they mean, but I still enjoy the band's best albums, which I find tremenJous fun, in spite of their apparent simplicity.

I guess I should have seen Bob Marley live. I once spent a whole evening grooving to some minor reggae band, and I was in ecstasy!

I'm going have to leave it here for the moment. Thank you, everyone, for your contributions so far.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 07:06
I don't remember The Police singing in cod-Jamaican accents - what song(s)?
 
I assume you're referring to 10cc's awful reggae cricket song? That is definitely not endearing!
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 07:10
Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

I don't remember The Police singing in cod-Jamaican accents - what song(s)?
 
I assume you're referring to 10cc's awful reggae cricket song? That is definitely not endearing!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!LOL
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 07:19
Think I sort of know what yer drivin at here Fuxi. It's not some of Bob Marley's music or lyrics you find irritating but some of his 'terminally right on' fans and pale imitators championing of his seemingly untouchable and anointed status. And what difference does it make where he originated from anyway? - musical appreciation ain't index linked. Bowie fans 'rip my knitting' for many of the same reasons (and I like a lot of Bowie's music)
But yer right, no-one is above contempt Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 07:29
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

I don't remember The Police singing in cod-Jamaican accents - what song(s)?
 
I assume you're referring to 10cc's awful reggae cricket song? That is definitely not endearing!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!LOL
You would.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 08:44
As far as this site is concerned he isn't rated at all.  He was still good.  Peter Tosh also comes to mind in the Reggae genre.
Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 08:49
Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

I don't remember The Police singing in cod-Jamaican accents - what song(s)?
 
I assume you're referring to 10cc's awful reggae cricket song? That is definitely not endearing!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!LOL
You would.

Thats the lyric you berk.

And its not about cricket. Its a true story of a mugging.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 09:34
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

I don't remember The Police singing in cod-Jamaican accents - what song(s)?
 
I assume you're referring to 10cc's awful reggae cricket song? That is definitely not endearing!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!LOL
You would.

Thats the lyric you berk.

And its not about cricket. Its a true story of a mugging.
I know (in both cases).Wink
It's still a crap song.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 10:19
Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

I don't remember The Police singing in cod-Jamaican accents - what song(s)?
 
I assume you're referring to 10cc's awful reggae cricket song? That is definitely not endearing!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!LOL
You would.

Thats the lyric you berk.

And its not about cricket. Its a true story of a mugging.
I know (in both cases).Wink
It's still a crap song.

Well........I quite like it. Yeah.....quite a lot actually.Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 10:28
yes
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chopper View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 10:29
Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

Originally posted by Snow Dog Snow Dog wrote:

Originally posted by chopper chopper wrote:

I don't remember The Police singing in cod-Jamaican accents - what song(s)?
 
I assume you're referring to 10cc's awful reggae cricket song? That is definitely not endearing!

I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!LOL
You would.

Thats the lyric you berk.

And its not about cricket. Its a true story of a mugging.
I know (in both cases).Wink
It's still a crap song.

Well........I quite like it. Yeah.....quite a lot actually.Wink
You would. Wink
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 10:40
I'm a huge reggae fan and used to play professionally with ex-pat Jamaicans in Northern California. Bob Marley is not one of my favorites, but his popularity has a lot to do with what a huge cultural icon he is to many people all over the world. His message may not resonate with everyone, but to a lot of people his call to 'get up stand up' was a battle cry that really connected at a time when such a message was timely.

As far as the music goes, his rhythm section is incredible, the syncopated contrapuntal interplay between his percussionists and guitarists is extremely difficult to replicate, even amongst reggae veterans.

Having said that, my favorite reggae artists are Prince Jammy, Scientists, King Tubby and Mad Professor. Bob's music can be kind of dreary and repetitive to me, but I am not particularly relevant to the cultural message he was bringing to the world.

P.S. On a related note, did you know that some of the keyboard parts on some of Bob's most famous albums were played by prog-rock session keyboardist Rabbit Bundrick.

Edited by Easy Money - September 15 2010 at 12:01
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 10:53
Eh he's cool
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 14:27
Lady Gaga is overrated. She's doing the same thing that Dale Bozzio was doing back in the 80's.

Marley's cool. He brought Reggae to the mainstream.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 17:24
Originally posted by fuxi fuxi wrote:



I have to repeat I really enjoy tracks like "No Woman No Cry"and "Get Up Stand Up" - and oh, you could add "I shot the sheriff" and "Exodus".


Atleast three of his very worst right there, imo. No fan of reggae myself, but I do like ska and even calypso. So I enjoy Marley's earlier more energetic songs. Like this one.

Recorded as early as in 1963:


Originally posted by fuxi fuxi wrote:


In fact, I'm half-hoping someone will turn up and tell me that such-and-such a Marley album is full of reggae that's really COOKING!


Here's The Wailers first recordings Simmer Down at Studio 1. Nothing to prove his genius or lack of. Just an enjoyable collection (in small doses).

More early Wailers stuff (70-71). Its reggea by now, but with little more edge than the multimillionselling Marley + Lee Perry adds some interesting sounds and atmosphere to the production... More dub, I guess:

Soul Rebels & African Herbsman  (an alt. collection that covers both I think, is Soul Revolution).

By far the albums I've enjoyed the most. But I don't really like any of the later stuff, and sort of agree with your opening post.



Over land and under ashes
In the sunlight, see - it flashes
Find a fly and eat his eye
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: September 15 2010 at 19:39

Isn't Bob Marley overrated?



Definitely not. I've always heard his influence in prog music. "Close to the Edge" at 4:53 and 7:13 has reggae overtones. And, there's always this:


If he's good enough for Jon Anderson, he's good enough for me.


Edited by Ronnie Pilgrim - September 15 2010 at 19:46
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