Classic Reggae documentary clip
COOP spotted this great YouTube clip of Joe Higgs performing a fantastic raw version of his tune There's A Reward. The clip is from "Roots, Rock, Reggae," a 1977 documentary that is a classic for fans of Jamaican music. COOP adds that Life of Contradiction," Joe Higgs's "best LP, long out of print, has just been reissued on CD by Pressure Sounds, and it contains the studio version of "There's A Reward." Link to YouTube, Link to buy Roots, Rock, Reggae DVD, Link to buy Life Contradiction CD
Previously on BB:
• Xeni on NPR: Dub Reggae Ice-Cream Truck Link
• Willie Nelson: reggae and Wal-Mart Link
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Jah bless Pressure Sounds (and Blood & Fire records)-- I can't recall a single reissue they've done that hasn't been solid, lovingly researched and remastered.
Once upon a time my old band played a rather high profile outdoor festival with lots of internationally known reggae acts. Being American and White, we were at a distinct disadvantage in terms of backstage hobnobbing. We mostly kept to ourselves under a shade tree and watched various Jamaican hotshots mix with each other throughout the day.
Eventually a wizened old man sat down with us and started to shoot the shit, very casually. Didn't recognize him at first, but after a while I realized he was Joe Higgs. Once I got over my initial blush of fanboy praise, we hung out for quite some time and gabbed, he was extremely friendly and open. He was curious about what we were doing, and answered any questions we had of him.
A lot of those reggae acts who have "made it" feel as if they have some secret ancient wisdom to impart on us mere humans, should we be so lucky. Joe was just a regular guy who, despite his wealth of history (including teaching Bob Marley how to sing) hung out and gave us the time of day that none of those other self-righteous Rastafarians had the time for. I bet some of those bands didn't even knew who he was. Made my year.
My highest recommendation goes to that Roots Rock Reggae documentary, by the way.
I've been into Boing Boing since the first Happy Mutants book came out in high school. One of my nerdier qualities is my fascination with technology's influence on art and human interaction- so of course BB has fostered this in me over the years.
I started my site, SkaBlahBlah.com, because I was interested in what the internet could now do for another obsession of mine, Ska and Reggae music.
It's so great to read BB take on reggae so often. Like Xeni's story on the Ice-Cream Sound System, and the links to the Wired post about Reggae birthing the mash-up, both of which I've linked to on my site.
I guess what I'm saying is that while I've been trying to reconcile this music being affected by tech culture, you guys are coming from a techie point of view and saying, "hey, check out this music" It's really a great thing.
forever Bob Marley...