| volume 3 * issue 8 * June 1999 |
this month's features: |
wailing news * new releases * wailers shorts wailers net * wailersreporter * back issues |
AUGUSTUS PABLO REMEMBERED -
It seems like every month we've been reporting on the deaths of musicians and sadly this month is no different. On May 18th, Augustus Pablo,
the legendary dubman and melodica-extraordinaire, passed away as a
result of a rare nervous system illness. Pablo, born Horace Swaby in
1953, was an integral creator in dub music in the 1970s and his
complete mastery of the the keys, including the melodica with its
distinct sound which can be heard on countless Jamaican songs.He had worked with nearly everyone on the Jamaican music scene, from producers King Tubby, Derrick Harriott, and Lee Perry; to singers Jacob Miller, Hugh Mundell, Yami Bolo; and musicians Carlton & Aston "Familyman" Barrett, Sly & Robbie, Soul Syndicate, Leroy Sibbles and numerous others.
In Stephen Davis and Peter Simon's Reggae International book, they say that Augustus Pablo "has done more than any other single musician to promote and develop dub in Jamaica and abroad." He borrowed his name from the original "Augustus Pablo" -- Glen Adams (The Upsetters, The Wailers, etc.), who created the name and allowed Swaby to use it upon Adams' departure to America in the early 1970s.
Pablo's death is truly a huge loss to the world of music and his genius will surely be missed!
A tribute e-mailing list has been set up in conjunction with Pablo's sister, Claudia Swaby McBean, at OneList so be sure and sign up!
THE OFFICIAL JUNIOR MARVIN PAGE -
We are proud to announce the creation of the official Junior Marvin
webpage. The site, which is still under some construction, will keep
all visitors up-to-date on all of the latest regarding Junior,
including his upcoming tour and album. We couldn't have done the site
without the help of Junior's manager, Mark Miller.Also on the site visitors will be able to read Junior Marvin's history, complete with his early solo band, Hanson, as well as being an integral member in Bob Marley & The Wailers. Be sure and join the Junior Marvin's Friends mailing list to stay on top of all updates and pressing news items.
You can find the site at listen.to/juniormarvin or at its alternate address HERE!.
DESTINED FOR GREATNESS -There's a great new Wailers related release about to hit stores on June 8th entitled Bob Marley & The Wailers "Destiny: Rare Ska Sides From Studio One." Just as the title states, the disc combines 19 rare songs from the band's Studio One days. Here's the tracklist:
| 1. Destiny |
These are songs that have for the most part have gone unheard for over 30 years, so this disc is quite a collection. There's covers of soul songs such as The Impressions' "Another Dance" to pop tunes like "What's New Pussycat" and "White Christmas." Another great feature to the disc is that most of the songs don't simply feature Bob Marley on lead but also Bunny Wailer, Peter Tosh, Vision Walker and Junior Braithwaite.
There's liner notes by Roger Steffens and Leroy Jodie Pierson as well as many unreleased photographs including the disc's cover photo. If you're interested in hearing the album before its release date, the Jammin' Reggae Archives has sound clips of the album HERE!
If this isn't enough rare Wailers material for you, then you'll have to wait until July 13th for the second Heartbeat Records release, entitled Bob Marley & The Wailers "Wailers And Friends: Top Hits Sung By The Legends."
1. I've Got To Go Back Home - Bob Andy & The Wailers 2. Jerk All Night - Delroy Wilson & The Wailers 3. That Ain't Right - Rita Marley & The Wailers 4. One More Chance - Rita Marley & The Wailers 5. Friends And Lovers - Rita Marley & The Wailers 6. A Deh Pon Dem - Rita Marley & The Wailers |
This disc features some of the rarest collaborations that the Wailers ever recorded, including such classics as "Pussy Galore" and "The Train Is Coming," all backed by The Skatalites. At long last, record companies are finally catching on and aren't simply rehashing the same material but are instead collecting extremely rare material for the first time.
Even
though the release date is still over a month away, a few online stores
are now accepting advance orders for this disc, which should really
highlight a side of The Wailers that is rarely shown -- their
collaborations with other Jamaican artists.
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"WailersNet" -If you haven't picked it up already, one of the best photographic books for Bob Marley is the incredible "Bob Marley: Spirit Dancer" with photos by Bruce W. Talamon. And now the book has a website where visitors can purchase original prints and some photos that didn't make it into the book. The excellent site is located at www.marleyspiritdancer.com and you can read Talamon's biography and how he was able to travel with Bob Marley & The Wailers. Be sure to pay it a visit!
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"HIT ME WITH MUSIC - NEW RELEASES" -Roots Radics member Dwight Pickney is set to release his first solo album entitled "Jamaican Memories." The album features 20 cover songs of classic Jamaican tunes, including covers of The Wailers' "Screwface" and "Let Him Go." Dwight "Brother Dee" Pickney is the lead guitarist and a vocalist for the Roots Radics and in 1965 his band The Sharks backed The Wailers on "Put It On."
| 1. Guiltiness |
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WAILERS SHORTS -Be on the look out for a brand new issue of The Beat magazine with its special annual Bob Marley edition, edited by Roger Steffens. The look and feel of this issue will be glossy with mostly color and should be on newstands as you read this.
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GOT THE NEWS FROM A WHISPERING TREE -Have you joined The Wailers Reporter yet? If not, you've already missed 28 e-mailings, packed full with reggae news, new reggae web pages, tour dates, and much more! But it's never too late to join, so fill in your name and e-mail address below to become one of an irie list of people! It's 100% free, and we won't give/sell/trade your name to anyone else!