I see that Jimmy Cliff has died. His music might not float the boat of some in our community but his historical importance can't be understated. This is a corking version of a classic:
Love him. He was a huge part of my introduction to reggae, ska, rocksteady, etc. in the early 80s. The only time I had the good fortune to see him perform was on the South Stage at Woodstock 94.
Bedroom rising from an old growth tree
Bringing out the sawmill, cutting the 12 inch beams
Building a pattern, the reservoir to fill with dreams
Rings like Saturn telling their old story…
Big Thief “Red Moon”
The film and soundtrack of The Harder They Come are essential and he was THE pioneer before Marley.
Before "The Harder They Come" soundtrack, my view of reggae was the Pigletes "Johnny Reggae". That album really changed things for a lot of people and Jimmy Cliff was a key part of the phenomenon as both artist and actor. I doubt Marley's road to stardom and success would have been as quick without his groundbreaking work.
Reading the Chris Blackwell autobiography recently, it was interesting to find that he and Jimmy Cliff didn't get on so well, despite Blackwell promoting him quite heavily and helping him land the lead role in The Harder They Come. Seems he felt that Blackwell championed Marley over him and that he should've been the more successful artist. Personally, I'd say he has a point.
I'm no fan of reggae, by any stretch of the imagination, but I find Cliff's music to be amongst the most interesting to come out of the genre. A genuine musical pioneer.
Before "The Harder They Come" soundtrack, my view of reggae was the Pigletes "Johnny Reggae". That album really changed things for a lot of people and Jimmy Cliff was a key part of the phenomenon as both artist and actor. I doubt Marley's road to stardom and success would have been as quick without his groundbreaking work.
It was on the periphery for me throughout most of the 70s (including an episode of To Tell the Truth) but it didn’t start to pique my interest until I heard Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger’s cover of “(You Gotta Walk) Don’t Look Back.” A short time later my oldest brother got the bug and bombarded me with Marley’s Survival and Uprising albums on an endless loop. That set the hook.
Bedroom rising from an old growth tree
Bringing out the sawmill, cutting the 12 inch beams
Building a pattern, the reservoir to fill with dreams
Rings like Saturn telling their old story…
Big Thief “Red Moon”
Jeb Loy Nichols mixes reggae with his country rock and soul. Horace Andy has covered his songs as well.
