Retro Reviews: Bob Marley and the Wailers: Uprising

 I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums.

Bob Marley and The Wailers – Uprising (1980)

****

Producer: Chris Blackwell, Bob Marley

Musicians: Bob Marley, Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Carlton Barrett, Carlton “Santa” Davis, Tyrone Downie, Alvin Patterson, Junior Marvin, Earl Lindo, Al Anderson, Rita Marley, Marcia Griffins, Judy Mowatt

Songs; Coming In From The Cold, Real Situation, Bad Card, We and Dem, Work, Zion Train, Pimper’s Paradise, Could You Be Loved, Forever Loving Jah, Redemption Song

Reviewed by Matthew Anthony Allair

    Since the early to mid-Seventies, Bob Marley ascension on the America and global stage has been significant in the field of Jamaican or Reggae music, after the juggernaut that was Exodus from 1977, he has put equally solid releases as Kaya, and Survival. While past producers like Lee Perry have helped, Chris Blackwell has given Bob a massive platform. There had been other stars prior to Marley in that field, Jimmy Cliff and Desmond Dekker come to mind. But few artists have reached the consciousness have reached the public in the way that Bob was able to and popularize this music genre in the same way. Much of Bob’s vibe reminds me of Stevie Wonder, another figure who’s music can transform the most hardened of people. Most of the original line up of the Wailers have long since moved on, but Bob has managed to draft a circle of equally talented players. Now that we are entering this new decade, What does Bob have to say about the current state of the world? Does the album have any fresh insights?

    The tone is set up with the easy groove of “Coming In From The Cold”, and some playful keyboard interplay, after stripped down opening guitar, one feels like that are in assured hands. Bob’s spiritual and social comment comes into play with “Real Situation”, a song that offers a spoonful of sugar to the anti-war sentiment, the B-3 is especially playful on this. There’s almost a gospel aspect that opens “Bad Card”, which touches on domestic bliss. The next track, “We and Dem” seems to have a slightly similar take to Pink Floyd’s “Us and Them”, with his own appeal about ‘working this out’, There’s also some nice scat vocal and guitar that floats seamlessly on the track. The track “Work” manages to be the darkest and most dramatic number to round out side one, there’s also some nice lead and acoustic interplay on it, and the keyboards give it a more contemporary sound.

    The second half opens with the equally dynamic “Zion Train”, which seems to harken back to the theme of “People Get Ready”, Bob’s vocal is especially impressive on this. “Pimper’s Paradise” feels like the first track to take a non to the earlier Wailer’s line up. The next track is the obvious perennial single, “Could You Be Loved”, is the most memorable and has a catchy energy. “Forever Loving Jah” has a strong showcase for the I Threes. But the closing acoustic number, “Redemption Song” is magical and channels the spirit of Dylan, but in Marley's own way, easily the biggest surprise on the album, and probably will be regarded one of Bob's more memorable songs.

    Overall, a good case to what Bob Marley might bring to the new decade.