It's exciting to see what the archives can still yield after all these years.

With the songs presented in the concert's original running order, Disc One was previously issued in 2002 as part of the acclaimed RASTAMAN VIBRATION (DELUXE EDITION) package, which marked the official debuts of nine of its 10 songs taken from the May 26, 1976 performance. Disc Two of LIVE AT THE ROXY features the never-before-released recordings of the concert's encore: "Positive Vibration" and the epic 24-minute medley "Get Up Stand Up"/"No More Trouble"/"War."

The Roxy concert took place during the band's tour for RASTAMAN VIBRATION. For many in the U.S., the reggae vibe was first felt with that album, Marley's first to breach the Top 10 and soon certified gold. At the height of its powers but still awaiting success on these shores, the band launched into a mix of hits and cuts from the then-new album with a combination of energy and mastery all too rarely captured in live recordings.

Along with the definitive, earlier-released version of "No Woman No Cry," Disc One blazes through a "best of" set list: "Trenchtown Rock," "Burnin' & Lootin'," "Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)," "Rebel Music (3 O'Clock Roadblock)," "I Shot The Sheriff" and "Lively Up Yourself" plus RASTAMAN VIBRATION's "Roots Rock Reggae," "Rat Race" and "Want More." The Disc Two encore includes the live performance of RASTAMAN VIBRATION's "Positive Vibration" and the medley of classics "Get Up Stand Up" and "No More Trouble" with "War" from RASTAMAN VIBRATION.

Joining Marley on the tour, as they had on the album, were Wailers Aston "Family Man" Barrett on bass and brother Carlton Barrett on drums; the I-Three vocal trio of wife Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt; Earl "Chinna" Smith on lead and rhythm guitar; Donald Kinsey also on lead guitar; Tyrone Downie on keyboards, and Alvin "Seeco" Patterson, who brought the Wailers to their first audition in 1963, on percussion.

Now, 40 years after that audition, LIVE AT THE ROXY continues the most comprehensive and ambitious Bob Marley & The Wailers catalog program in history. The sound quality is resonant and clean. Overall, this release is definitely a MUST for your collection if you want to call yourself a true Marley fan.






 by Quatty, ReggaeTrain.com
 E-Mail: info@reggaetrain.com