VARIOUS ARTISTS
Jamming: Bluegrass Celebrates Bob Marley (CMH)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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12 Bob Marley & The Wailers songs done by bluegrass musicians, not playing their instruments in a reggae style but doing it their way. My first thought was something along the lines of "this oughta be good for a laugh." I'm always willing to admit when I'm wrong, and people, I was so wrong. This is simply beautiful. What I wasn't taking into account was that it wasn't the intoxicating rhythms of reggae that made Marley's songs so indescribably beautiful. It was Marley's talent as a songwriter. His music translates to bluegrass with ease and is just as breathtaking there, leading one to suspect the same would be true in nearly any other form of music. It's not that simple, of course, so a lot of credit has to be given to the players on this collection, in particular David West, who produced and played banjo and guitar on nearly every track. Fans of bluegrass will love this because it IS bluegrass, despite the pedigree of the material. Fans of Marley will be skeptical but if you're one of them, I implore you to give it a shot. You have a tendency to feel a great pride in Marley's talent and his contributions to music, and this will only add to it by showing you how universal his music really is.

Track List:

Is This Love * Natty Dread * Sun Is Shining * No Woman, No Cry * Them Belly Full (But We Hungry) * I Shot the Sheriff * Get up, Stand Up * One Love/People Get Ready * Trench Town Rock * Waiting in Vain * Lively Up Yourself * Jamming

© 2002 - DJ Johnson