As the title implies, this is indeed Bob Marley & the Wailers captured
in performance at the Lyceum Ballroom in London during the final U.K.
leg of the Natty Dread tour. Passionate and symbiotic energies constantly
cycle between the band and audience, the net result of which is one of
the most memorable concert recordings of the pop music era. With the addition
of lead guitarist Al Anderson during the recording sessions for their
previous long-player, Natty Dread, the Wailers took increasing strides
toward a seamless transition into the consciousness of the rock music
audience. Anderson's bluesy guitar runs liberate "Burnin' and Lootin'"
as well as "Trench Town Rock," the only new composition on Live!.
Anderson bobs and weaves his supple-toned fretwork among the somewhat
staid rhythms common to reggae. The mutual affinity that binds Marley
with his audience is evident in the roars of approval that greet the opening
notes of "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)," "I Shot the
Sheriff," and "Kinky Reggae." Likewise, "No Woman,
No Cry" elicits a group singalong as the sheer volume of the audience
challenges that of the amplified musicians. With this evidence, there
is no denying that Bob Marley & the Wailers were becoming the unlikeliest
of pop music icons. Additionally, Live! underscores the underrated talents
of the Wailers as musicians. Older works, such as "Burnin' and Lootin'"
and "I Shot the Sheriff" benefit greatly from Tyrone Downie's
keyboard punctuation and the soulful backing vocals of the I-Threes.
(by Lindsay Planer, All
Music Guide)
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