Had a Bob Marley Night last night and was astonished at how well they stand up.  So I propose to do a buying guide like in Mojo magazine, let me know if you agree:  

Essential-Indispensable:

Survival.  I put this first because it's by far Marley's most underrated album, astonishing from start to finish but strangely overlooked.  This is the most political album that takes on the black man's plight around the world, not just in Jamaica.  Not one song on Legend, but the song Zimbabwe inspired a revolution for goodness sake.  Record company made him remove "Black" from the title.

Burnin'.  Second, and stronger of just two albums by the original Wailers.  Beautiful remakes of pre-Island tracks provide insight into Jamaican culture, Bunny's two excellent contributions make this the most spiritual album in the catalog, Tosh's One Foundation is my favorite song of his ever.  Rastaman Chant is what reggae is all about in three minutes.  I Shot the Sheriff important launch pad by not the strongest track by far.

Natty Dread.  Incredible recovery from loss of Bunny and Peter, a virtual greatest hits on one album.  One of the supposed fillers, Bend Down Low is my favorite Marley song of all time.

Uprising.  Though in much physical pain, this is Marley's most mature effort, and reflects influences of his celebrity and worldliness.   Best sounding album in the catalog, Redemption Song among the most poignant ever.  

Very good, worth having

Catch a Fire.  Brilliant debut even without overdubs (didn't Wayne Perkins play guitar?).  Opening tracks an amazing statement of purpose and unprecedented cry from what most of the album's audience thought was a happy place where tourists went to drink rum punches on the beach.  Sex, violence, and revolution all seamlessly woven together into one astonishing package.  

Confrontation.  Possibly the greatest posthumous album of leftovers from a dead artist ever.  Opening track originally wanted to "burn down" Babylon but had to be toned down.  Album worth having for the "we've got the herb" chorus in Jump Nyabinghi alone.  I Know gave a hint of where Bob might have gone had he lived.  I-Threes' strongest contribution here.

Exodus.  One of the greatest albums to make love to ever.  One Love is among the greatest songs of any genre.  Bob was long due for an international breakthrough, and while not his strongest album, was worthy of the adulation.

Good, but not great.

Rastaman Vibration.  Strangely dry sounding, and lacking in truly inspirational songs.  War a little too militant for my taste.

Kaya.  Aside from the monumental Is This Love, is just a little too mellow to be great, though still a good listen on a Sunday morning.  

Albums to avoid.

None

some of marleys early early stuf isn't that good.  babylon by bus is a must have..it is just full of great tunes.

Zack wrote on May 2^nd, 2009 at 12:09pm:


the early early 2- 2 1/2 minute songs he did before he became a superstar.  i don't remember the names of them.  there's a whole bunch tho.

Natty Dread
Catch A Fire
Burnin'

One of the wisest things I've ever done was celebrate my birthday a day early on May 1, 1976 by seeing him at the Beacon. Love that Bob!

GotToRollMe wrote on May 4^th, 2009 at 9:35am:


Gonna have to change em to:

Natty Dread,
Catch A Fire, and
Exodus - "Waiting In Vain" alone is worth the price of the record