Legend

This CD needs no review... Bob Marley's reputation and music speaks for itself.

For people wanting to learn more about Reggae music or Bob Marley...This is an excellent CD to start with!

Chances are, if you have heard a Bob Marley and the Wailers cd playing it is probably Legend. This set is a nice casual introduction to the band that started the worldwide reggae movement. it was released in 1984 3 years after Bob Marley died, and includes many hits that you are probably familiar with. Songs from all the albums are not included here which is the only downfall of this disc. The booklet that comes with the cd is a good way to learn about this legendary man and his band the Wailers. The Wailers are one of the most talented groups of musicians ever, and the instrumentation and variety on this disc proves it.

Pick this one up for the car and pick up either the extended or the CD/combo pack for home. Pick up "Natural Mystic" (which is more or less "Legend II") once you find yourself singing these songs in your sleep. Then pick up "Live" and "Babylon By Bus" to hear how amazing they were in a live setting. Pick up all the Island/Tuff Gong-era releases and the "Songs of Freedom" box set which covers a lot of territory. The pre-Island era material (Soul Rebels is actually their first album although there are an almost infinite number of compilations of Bob's 60s era output) is a lot more difficult to go through, but still enjoyable.

What's to say that hasn't been said? Essential from beginning to end.

Playing this CD is truly taking a wide glimpse over Bob Marley's musical genius and life filled with great songs love and compassion. The rythmic tunes and soulful lyrics come at you so fast that the words of the song can sometimes loose meaning without noticing their true nature. This priceless album would be embraced and cherished by any person willing to stop and forget every negative Rastafarian stereotype and enjoy them. You don't have to be educated in the realm of Jamaican history or reggae methods to get the message of the songs. These jamaican beats and rythms are pleasing to me as a white male from the suburbs that didn't know about Bob Marley until his cd was widely recognized. I'm sure that true reggae greats and Jamaican refugees can relate even better to the words of the songs, but even so, I truly can say that no other album creates the same mood as this one. Even after his death, the songs still have lifelong significance as each is entirely original and utterly breathtaking in their own strength and soothing tone, shifting around from wildly popular fierce 'Get up, Stand up', to the softer more musical 'Stir it up'. These transitions show Bob Marley's entirely unique methods of musical creativity and if you only had one reggae album from the entire world, you should make it this one.

I honestly can't say that I am a fan of reggae music. For me, the music sounds the same no matter who is singing. However I will make an exception with Bob Marley, namely his greatest hits cd "Legend". I consider myself more as a casual fan of Bob Marley's music so I felt that it was appropriate that I would be better off with "Legend". "Legend" is a good representation of Bob's stellar career. My all time favorite Bob Marley song is the politically charged "Buffalo Soldier". I have always loved that song since I first heard it on a mix tape from my brother. Another personal favorite is "No Woman No Cry". The Fugees did a nice cover of the song but nothing beats Bob Marley's version. "Redemption Song" is another great Bob Marley song. It is such a great uplifting song. I love all the songs on the cd. It is a great cd to listen to at a party, and I know I have heard it many times at lots of house parties in my college days.