PETER TOSH

Talking Revolution

(p) 2005-aug-29

 

Tracklisting:

 

CD 1:

Live at the One Love Peace Concert 1978

 
01 Igziabeher (Let Jah Be Praised)  
02 Four Hundred Years  
03 Stepping Razor  
04 Speech  
05 Funeral (Burial) / Speech  
06 Equal Rights  
07 Speech  
08 Legalize It / Get Up, Stand Up  

CD 2:

Acoustic Set

 
01 Fools Die (Wisdom)  
02 Jah Guide  
03 I Am That I Am  
04 Fire Fire (Babylon Burning)  
05 Pick Myself Up  
06 Stop That Train  
07 Handsome Johnny  
08 Don't Wanna Get Busted  
09 Peter Speaks About The Half Way Tree Incident  
10 Legalise It  
11 Get Up, Stand Up  
PRESSURE SOUNDS, PSCD 48 2-CD

REVIEW IN ENGLISH:
SOURCE: ROOTS MUSIC Reggae & Dancehall
AUTHOR: Teacha Dan



The 1978 One Love Peace concert which was held on the twelfth anniversary of Haile Selassie's visit to Jamaica and in Kingston's National Stadium, has reached a near mythical status. Which reggae or pop enthusiast does not have vivid memories of watching video recordings of the show? Who has not seen Bob Marley join the hands of the leaders of the two warring political parties under a thundering sky? PLP leader Michael Manley and the JLP's Edward Seaga shook hands, reluctantly, but still they sent out a message of reconciliation on this crucial night initiated by Claude Massop and Bucky Marshall, former warlords for the two parties. Who does not recall big belly bouncing Jacob Miller rocking his audience with 'Peace Treaty'? Watching these images will put a smile on anybody's face.

Peter Tosh also performed on that night of the 22nd of April. Dressed in black karate attire, he gave a very political and even for Tosh's standards a very militant show. He performed some of his biggest and most biting hits and allowed himself plenty of time to make his bold political statements right in front of the political elite who were present and whom he addressed personally. There were some 40.000 in attendance including loads of journalists with their recording equipment to cover the event that would finally bring Bob Marley back to Jamaica after the attempt on his life the previous year.

Over the years many different bootlegs have appeared of nearly every piece of the One Love Peace concert, with the Peter Tosh section being one of the most sought after. Sought after for the excellent backing by Word Sound and Power, consisting of Sly & Robbie, Al Anderson, Mikey Chung, Robbie Lynn, Keith Sterling and Scully Simms. The musicians play some nice variations and really aid the show with their militant style. The recording is perhaps even more sought after for the incredible speeches Peter Tosh delivers. When one listens to Tosh's raving, taunting and funny speeches which are luckily included on this Pressure Sounds issue you immediately understand the demand.

The sound quality of the illegal issues of the recordings made of Peter Tosh's appearance is mostly very bad and this issue is not crystal clear either. Now on this issue at least it sounds like music and one can really listen to and understand the speeches. Pressure Sounds claims that this is the Peter Tosh section of the One Love Peace concert in it's entirety but why then are some tunes still being faded out and why are most of the transitions between tracks so rough? Pressure Sounds should have invested a little more time in the restoration process, or should have been honest in the further excellent liner notes by Harry Hawke.

The inclusion of the acoustic second disc definitely enhances the collectibility of this issue. It consists largely of recordings that were made of Peter Tosh while he was touring in the US and did some radio show appearances in between shows. The recordings are of some beautiful renditions of Peter Tosh songs and have him singing solo and strumming his own songs on his own guitar. This gives the second cd a totally different feel but in essence still a same kind of intensity, and it shows without doubt Peter Tosh's very able and crafty musicianship.

(Teacha Dan)