Bob Marley...Legend vs. New Album....


Category: Music

There's a new Bob Marley album out...apparently that has replaced Legend. I found out about this when my friend lost my Legend album and replaced it with the new one. I listened to the new album and, although nearly all the Legend songs are there, I just didn't like it so much. The most obvious, unforgivable sin on the album was to replace the old acoustic version of Redemption Song with a Reggae version. Other than that, I can't put my finger on why I like the old album so much better...better recording...better picture of Bob on the cover....anyone else feel the same or to the contrary?
issabre
I don't imagine this'll help much, but as a devoted Marley fan my suggestion would be to toss the Legend album and buy the original albums. The songs are much, much better in their proper original context. (I bought Legend and played it twice before it was banished!)
Many Bob Marley cd's were reissued (remastered from the original recording) June and July, 2001. They are a major improvement in sound quality than the originals. So far the reissued cd's are: Exodus, Catch A Fire, Babylon By Bus (live), Uprising, Kaya, Confrontation, Survival, Rastaman Vibration, Natty Dread and Live. Unless you have the Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab remasters, these new reissues are excellent.
i'm with both gpalmer and rosstaman. IMO, the recent reissues noted by rosstaman are superior to any other cd's of bob marley's albums (since my older son is a radio consultant, i have em' all in promo packaging). i like "legend" but, like gpalmer, prefer the original versions; i hope that album is reissued in the new seies, as well. FWIW, the german vinyl pressings of bob marley are the best i've ever heard. -cfb
I heard the remasters are coming out on DVD Audio soon (from the Stereophile site). I'm really looking forward to that!
There are some very good comments above--the albums are pretty much the way to go. Another good start is the "Songs of Freedom" four disc set. The man's throwaways were some of the best songs ever to come out of jamaican music. Lastly, If you're talking about Bob Marley albums, you can't ignore the ones the wailers did for Lee "Scratch" Perry, such as African Herbsman.
I'm with the old Legend. I have a cassette and love it. I have been trying for years to replace it with the original before it deteriorates but don't know where I can find it. Atlantic Recording Co.
I have some Lee "Scratch" Perry albums. I didn't know about African Herbsman. Thanks for the suggestion.