Burning Spear - Live (Live At Rainbow Theatre, London, England 1977) '1977

Tracks list

       Album review

After recording two exceptional albums under Clement Dodd at Studio One
(Presenting and Rocking Time), Winston Rodney (aka Burning Spear) signed to
Island Records. The albums that followed (Marcus Garvey and Man in the Hills)
quickly established him as one of the finest, most impassioned practitioners of
the flowering roots style. Live, this 1977 concert document, draws exclusively
from Spear's first two Island efforts (the only exception being the closing
"Throw Down Your Arms," which was about to surface on Dry & Heavy) with the
singer backed by Aswad's stellar rhythm section. Unfortunately, the music
doesn't translate quite as well as one might expect and it's difficult to tell
exactly why. Spear is clearly engaged and in top form, and the band imbues the
heavyweight rhythms with effortless fluidity. The problem may be in the mix
which, despite the efforts of engineer Dennis Thompson, features too much high
end; drummer Angus Gaye's cymbals ring clear, with the bass suffering slightly.
It should also be noted that the performances here don't necessarily surpass the
studio versions -- a testament to the quality of Spear's album work. Beyond
that, it's difficult to pinpoint weaknesses. The album's intensity rarely wanes
from the moment that listeners are thrust into "The Ghost" (aka "Marcus
Garvey"). Stretching out in his characteristic chanting roots style, Spear
proceeds to detail his long-standing concerns: the life and teachings of Marcus
Garvey, his own Rastafarian faith, the power of mother nature, and universal
love. Listeners just get the sense that no recording can do full justice to the
power of Spear's music in a live setting. Still, this remains one of a handful
of great live reggae sets.

© Nathan Bush

Tracklist:
1-1. Burning Spear - The Ghost (Marcus Garvey) (Live At Rainbow Theatre, London,
England1977) (04:41)
1-2. Burning Spear - I And I Survive (Slavery Days) (Live At Rainbow Theatre,
London, England1977) (04:18)
1-3. Burning Spear - Black Soul (Live At Rainbow Theatre, London, England1977)
(05:38)
1-4. Burning Spear - Lion (Live At Rainbow Theatre, London, England1977) (06:05)
1-5. Burning Spear - Further East Of Jack (Old Marcus Garvey) (Live At Rainbow
Theatre, London, England1977) (04:54)
1-6. Burning Spear - Man In The Hills (Live At Rainbow Theatre, London,
England1977) (04:55)
1-7. Burning Spear - Throw Down Your Arms (Live At Rainbow Theatre, London,
England1977) (03:15) 

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