Happy Birthday Bob

"Before you point your fingers make sure your hands are clean" - Bob Marley

This Guy Like's Bob? Nahhhhhhhhhh...

Fervent fans mark Marley's birthday in Jamaica

 

A Rastafarian priest leads a chant during the celebration of reggae music icon Bob Marley's 68th birthday in the yard of his Kingston home, in Jamaica, Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013. Marley's relatives and old friends were joined by hundreds of tourists to dance and chant to the pounding of drums to honor the late reggae icon who died of cancer in 1981 at age 36. (AP Photo/ David McFadden)

AP /  February 6, 2013

KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — Hundreds of tourists have joined Rastafarian priests and reggae musicians at Bob Marley’s old house in Jamaica to mark the 68th anniversary of the late reggae icon’s birth.

Since his death from cancer in 1981, Marley has become more than just Jamaica’s most famous musical export. Marley’s message of unity and respect remains a beacon of hope in this Caribbean nation struggling with joblessness and violence.

On Wednesday, some of Marley’s relatives and old friends danced and chanted to the pounding of drums in the yard of his Kingston home, which is now a museum.

Culture Minister Lisa Hanna said his lyrics still call for Jamaicans to create a ‘‘more wholesome, caring, peaceful and progressive society.’’

Marley’s popularity remains strong across the globe, and his music continues to sell steadily.

To The Tunes!

In honor of the honorable one, I thought I'd dedicate this space to some of his music. He's in that rarified air where he just turned out so many amazing songs... it's hard to really digest it all. Almost every album can be heard front to back. Even the random b-sides are classics. As far as consistently good music, I cant think of many artists who have done it better. Maybe the Beatles, that's about it. Sure, he's got hits -- everyone knows I Shot the Sheriff, and No Woman No Cry -- but he made so many great songs I thought I would post some of my favorite, underrated Bob tunes (if that's possible).

I can't help but think of a recent snorkeling trip Lauren and I made down in Florida. The captain had his ipod hooked up and was playing Bob the entire time. Literally, for like 2+hours, nothing but Bob (he did switch to some crazy country on the ride back in, but that's a story for another time). Anyway. No one complained obviously. Everyone was getting down. Some more than others (ahem). It really is amazing to think about. How many artists (phish not withstanding...kidding) could you just play 2-3 hours of music, and not hear a bad tune! The word Legend doesn't even do him justice.

So without further a-dew... Here's 10 tunes worth checking out/revisiting/enjoying. For the casual fan, some of these may be new. For the fervent fans, this may be old hat -- though I don't know how you fit a hat over those dreds. Enjoy!

1. "Bad Card"

I love the lyrics about "I want to disturb my neighbors.. Im going to turn up my disco..."  I can totally see Bob just jammin out in his living room, tunes blaring, smoke billowing... causing a ruckus in the neighborhood. I actually just watched the documentary for the first time, and in fact he did move into the "hoity toidy" neighborhood at one point, living in a mansion amongst all the big wigs' mansions.. and I'm sure this is directed at them. In your face, big wigs!

2. "Jump Nyabinghi"

Despite the lyrics, I guess a "Nyabinghi" isn't a Rasta word for bong. Could have fooled me.

From wiki:

The Nyahbinghi Order (also known as Haile Selassie I Theocratical Order of the Nyahbinghi Reign) is the oldest of all the Rastafari mansions (or branches). The term Niyabinghi means "black victory" (niya = black, binghi = victory). It may also be spelled in a variety of other ways, such as "Nyabinghi", "Nyahbinghi", "Niyahbinghi" and so on. It was first used to describe an East African possession cult located in the areas of south Uganda and north Rwanda in 1700 AD (Hopkins 259). Early missionaries and anthropologists named the Uganda/Rwanda clans, the Niyabinghi Cult, because their culture was based on the veneration of the goddess spirit, Niyabinghi . The Niyabinghi Cult is said to have thrived due to the possession of the goddess Niyabinghi through dance and religious seances. Deeper studies show the roots of Nyabinghi to be directly related to the oldest of Christian Churches the Oriental Orthodox, specifically the Coptic Orthodox and Ethiopian Orthodox faiths. During the Chalcedonian meetings in 400 AD Rome parted ways with the Orthodox Catholic Church of Egypt and proclaimed Rome to be the headquarters of "The True Catholic Church" and created their own Pope and orthodox ideas that ran contrary to the way the Church had taught for the first 400 years of Orthodox Christian history. Coptic prophecy since the time of the Chalcedonian Meetings in 400 AD has been that a true reedemer would be born as the second coming of Christ and would restore "True" orthodoxy to Christiantity and would expose the false teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and "heal the nation". Haile Selassie I was that redeemer and viewed as the 2nd coming of Christ and was respected as such by the Nyabinghi.

 3. Bus Dem Shut (Pyaka)

 "Bus Dem Shut (Pyaka)," "bus" meaning "bust" and "pyaka" meaning "liar."

 Also meaning: one kick-ass, early Wailer tune.

4. Coming in From the Cold

 One of his later tunes, that's highly underrated. Great groove, great lyrics (as always). Yet another gem.

5. "Hypocrites"

Another early Wailers classic. I've got this "Retro Gold Collection" which is two cd's of all these early tunes.. including early versions of some later classics like Natural Mystic etc. If you haven't heard it, let me know and I will be happy to burn it for you. It's probably the most played thing on my ipod--by far.

6. "Caution"

Another classic off that Retro Gold, has also popped up in later releases. Great parts from Bob here, but what really makes it is the guitar work from Tosh. Unbelievable tone. Kinda like that old, Jerry from the 60's sound.

7. "Baby We've Got A Date"

Some more great guitar work really makes this one. And as always, just an infectious groove.

8. "Midnight Ravers"

Not sure anything on Catch a Fire can really be considered "obscure" but... had to include this one in here. I mean, like picking a favorite movie, it's tough to really pick one, all-time favorite Bob tune.. but if I was stranded on an island, painted into a corner, and my life depended on it.. I'd say this is tops for me.

9. "Rainbow Country"

Again, not sure how obscure this one is.. but if Midnight Ravers is #1 for me, this is probably #2.

 10. "Babylon System"

From the unbelievably good and underrated "Survival" album.. I say underrated because I rarely hear this one played over some of the earlier "classic wailers" albums, or say his later stuff like "Exodus". I think the bassline first grabbed me on this one, now its one of my all time favorites to play. Too bad Dog & Saw can't really do the vocals justice, because it is a fun tune to groove.



Well, those are some of my favorites.. What are yours? Leave in comments below so we can discuss and enjoy!








P.S. It's No Squirrel With Its Head Stuck In A Cup.... but it's sumthin'

Cat Rides Sheep In Most Mindlessly Awesome VIDEO You'll See Today

Posted: 02/05/2013 5:39 pm EST | Updated: 02/05/2013 6:07 pm EST

Need a Tuesday pick-me-up? Here's a video of a cat riding a sheep.
Yes, that's all it is. And don't worry, you can thank us later.
Once you're all cat-riding-sheeped out, perhaps you'd consider watching cats cruising on other things: vacuums, turtles, sleds, golf carts, big dogs, small dogs. There really doesn't seem to be a shortage of possibilities.