“The Wailing Wailers” by The Wailers - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1965Album Chart of the Decade: 1960s

TJR says

When this LP was released in late '65, it's doubtful that anyone realised it would stand as such an iconic historical document, showcasing as it did, the work of Bunny Wailer (18), Bob Marley (20) and Peter Tosh (20 or 21), all of whom would go on to have long-lasting and eventful careers progressing and celebrating Jamaican music. Backing came from the Studio One house band, The Soul Brothers. The LP was compiled by producer Clement Coxsone Dodd, largely based on what he considered to be their greatest hits, 1964 to date. Perhaps with an eye for a dollar, each side has a cover version, firstly the soulful “Ten Commandments Of Love” (Harvey and The Moonglows, 1958) then, somewhat bizarrely, “What’s New Pussycat?” (Tom Jones, 1965). Where's the QC dept? Side one also has “I'm Still Waiting” (credited to Bob Marley) but largely inspired by Billy Stewart’s “In The Park”. Thankfully, original high quality shines through often enough elsewhere, with the lively ska numbers such as “Rude Boy”, the immense side one closer “Simmer Down” and side two's opener “Put It On”. The early incarnation of “One Love” offers value, albeit as a shadow of the mighty beast of ‘77. Special mention for Peter Tosh's legendary front-cover pose which directly inspired Jerry Dammers and Horace Panter to co-create the fictional, sharp-suited “Walt Jabsco” character which become the world famous 2-Tone label emblem. Rude boy!

The Jukebox Rebel
24–May–2012

Tracklist
A1 [04:16] 5.3.png The Wailers - Ten Commandments Of Love (Marshall Paul) Soul Ballad
A2 [02:20] 8.1.png The Wailers - Rude Boy (Bob Marley) Ska / Rocksteady
A3 [02:42] 3.2.png The Wailers - It Hurts To Be Alone (Bob Marley) Soul Ballad
A4 [02:42] 5.0.png The Wailers - Love Or Affection (Bob Marley) Ska / Rocksteady
A5 [03:31] 4.3.png The Wailers - I’m Still Waiting (Bob Marley) Soul
A6 [02:49] 9.9.png The Wailers - Simmer Down (Bob Marley) Ska / Rocksteady
B1 [03:06] 7.2.png The Wailers - Put It On [single version '65] (Bob Marley) Ska / Rocksteady
B2 [02:48] 4.6.png The Wailers - I Need You (Bob Marley) Soul
B3 [02:50] 6.2.png The Wailers - Lonesome Feeling (Bob Marley) Ska / Rocksteady
B4 [03:02] 2.5.png The Wailers - What’s New Pussycat? (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) Ska / Rocksteady
B5 [03:20] 6.6.png The Wailers - One Love (Bob Marley) Ska / Rocksteady
B6 [02:35] 4.7.png The Wailers - When The Well Runs Dry (Bob Marley) Soul

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