Bob Marley Catch A Fire: Deluxe Edition CD

2cds-Unreleased Jamaican Ver- Sions/Released Album(Remastere

Personnel: Bob Marley (vocals, acoustic guitar); Peter McIntosh (vocals, guitar, piano, organ); Bunny Livingston (vocals, congas, bongos); Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley (vocals, background vocals); Wayne Perkins (guitar); John "Rabbit" Bundrick (Clavinet, organ, synthesizer); Tyrone Downie (organ); Aston Barrett (bass guitar); Carlton "Carlie" Barrett (drums); Winston Wright, Chris Karan (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Suha Gur; Errol Brown .
Liner Note Author: Richard Gene Williams .
Recording information: Dynamic Sound Studios (09/1972); Harry J. Studios (09/1972); Randy's Studios, Kingston, JP (09/1972).
Photographers: Adrian Boot; Arthur Gorson.
Catch a Fire was the major label debut for Bob Marley and the Wailers, and it was an international success upon its release in 1973. Although Bob Marley may have been the main voice, every member of the Wailers made valuable contributions and they were never more united in their vision and sound. All the songs were originals, and the instrumentation was minimalistic in order to bring out the passionate, often politically charged lyrics. Much of the appeal of the album lies in its sincerity and sense of purpose -- these are streetwise yet disarmingly idealistic young men who look around themselves and believe they might help change the world through music. Marley sings about the current state of urban poverty ("Concrete Jungle") and connects the present to past injustices ("Slave Driver"), but he is a not a one-trick pony. He is a versatile songwriter who also excels at singing love songs such as his classic "Stir It Up." Peter Tosh sings the lead vocal on two of his own compositions -- his powerful presence and immense talent hint that he would eventually leave for his own successful solo career. More than anything else, however, this marks the emergence of Bob Marley and the international debut of reggae music. Marley would continue to achieve great critical and commercial success during the 1970s, but Catch a Fire is one of the finest reggae albums ever. This album is essential for any music collection. ~ Vik Iyengar
It is nearly impossible to imagine a time when reggae was not part of the cultural currency. Though Bob Marley and the Wailers cannot be said to have invented the style, they certainly brought it to the world stage, and this album was the torch that lit the way. CATCH A FIRE hit with the force of a revelation when it was released in 1973, and though Chris Blackwell tailored its sound with a rock audience in mind, the album was still unlike anything that had ever come down the pike. Ironically, even given its relatively full production and electric guitar solos, CATCH A FIRE sounds more organic and rootsy than any of the Wailers' subsequent releases.
While the percolating rhythms and burbling bass lines of the Barrett brothers, and the sweet, impeccable harmonies of Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer soothe and move, CATCH A FIRE also introduces the conscious, politically minded themes that would remain at the center of Marley's songwriting for the rest of his career. "Concrete Jungle," one of the towering standout tracks, addresses the trap of inner cities, while "Slave Driver" and "400 Years" take on racial/historical issues. Yet Marley's penchant for gorgeous love songs is evident here too on his all-time classic "Stir It Up." Even after everything that followed, and the cult of idolatry that formed around Marley, this remains soulful, message-driven music that goes straight to the blood. Utterly essential.
This two-disc set heralds the beginning of the overdue reassessment of Bob Marley & the Wailers' Island Records/Tuff Gong CD catalog -- and where better to begin than the beginning? Catch a Fire (Deluxe Edition) actually goes one better -- issuing the original as well as a non-overdubbed (aka "Jamaican") version of the album. Disc one contains the latter version -- which has been previousRolling Stone (4/12/73, p.62) - "...lilting tunes of hypnotic character... mature, fully realized sound with a beautiful lyric sensibility...fresh, vibrant music...remarkable polish..."
Q - 5 Stars - Indispensable
Uncut (11/01, p.130) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...The Wailers' masterpiece..."
The Wire (5/01, p.73) - "...Marks the first-time release of the original Jamaican recordings....with a remix from the master tapes by Errol Brown..."
Down Beat (1/02, p.46) - Included in Downbeat's "Best CDs of 2001".