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Just musings and views. Nothing more, nothing less.

Thursday 31 May 2018

Vinyl #23 - Bob Marley & The Wailers

"Redemption Song" (7" single)



Not really too much to say about this other than I love this song as much now as I did when I bought it in October 1980.

And that was a mere seven months before Marley died in May 1981 - aged 36. Not a hint of reggae in this beautiful acoustic ballad, although the B-side is the full Wailers treatment of the song. It's good but not a patch on the solo version on the A-side.

Heartfelt lyrics that are as relevant now as they were then. Unfortunately.



Here's the music: https://youtu.be/OFGgbT_VasI


Tuesday 1 May 2018

Vinyl #22 - The Police

"Message in a Bottle" (7" single- green vinyl)


Always had a soft spot for The Police and this single was their big breakthrough. Although Sting dominates, it was Andy Summers who came up with the memorable guitar riff, and Stewart Copeland's drumming is top drawer, as ever.

Little did I know when I bought this (coloured vinyl was all the rage then) that I would move to the Leatherhead area years later, and this is exactly where The Police recorded it (and their first two albums). To be precise it was at Surrey Sound Studios in Kingston Road. It's no longer a recording studio, but every time I drive past the building I smile at the thought of such classic and legendary music being made there. 

In little Leatherhead. Who'd have thought it?

Here's the music which of course you know already:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXWrmQW-OE