A great list! I did go back and read part 1 before reading this second part. Of course, there’s always a level of subjectivity in these types of lists. My list would be a little different than yours (to be expected).
Here’s my top 10:
1. Chances Are
2. Kaya
3. Survival
4. Exodus
5. Rastaman Vibration
6. Uprising
7. Catch A Fire
8. Confrontation
9. Natty Dread
10. Burnin
Chances Are is very much a sentimental favorite that hearkens back to what was going on in my life in the summer of 1987 when I was first introduced to the album.
The album was a compilation released posthumously by WEA International (Atlantic in the US) in 1981, in between Uprising and Confrontation. It isn’t a Wailers album and so wouldn’t be included on your list. These tracks were recorded between 1968 and 1972, sitting between Marley’s early ska success and the mainstream reggae breakthrough that happened in the late 70s.
I don’t think the album was well received critically (some critics considered it a cash grab) but again, the album soundtracked a very emotional summer for me and also includes my favorite Marley song: Mellow Mood.
While my top two album choices wouldn’t suggest so, I’ve always been more partial to Marley’s political and spiritual music. Survival is a masterpiece in that regard with its themes of pan-African unity. But all the albums ranked three through ten have their more conscious moments.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I haven’t listened to Bob in a while and it was nice to spend the evening with some of his music.
Hey Mark, thanks for the terrific comment and insight behind your album picks. Of course, there's no objective answer to the underlying question. My picks are not THE picks, as it were. I believe my parents have a copy of Chances Are kicking around their house, I should track it down this weekend. Mellow Mood is great! As always, thanks for reading. :)
A great list! I did go back and read part 1 before reading this second part. Of course, there’s always a level of subjectivity in these types of lists. My list would be a little different than yours (to be expected).
Here’s my top 10:
1. Chances Are
2. Kaya
3. Survival
4. Exodus
5. Rastaman Vibration
6. Uprising
7. Catch A Fire
8. Confrontation
9. Natty Dread
10. Burnin
Chances Are is very much a sentimental favorite that hearkens back to what was going on in my life in the summer of 1987 when I was first introduced to the album.
YouTube album playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqNhJQCwwJc8EqOLvDoTOJsU5OrHfAjfy&si=R9KEf7wuMKhCDgZ8
The album was a compilation released posthumously by WEA International (Atlantic in the US) in 1981, in between Uprising and Confrontation. It isn’t a Wailers album and so wouldn’t be included on your list. These tracks were recorded between 1968 and 1972, sitting between Marley’s early ska success and the mainstream reggae breakthrough that happened in the late 70s.
I don’t think the album was well received critically (some critics considered it a cash grab) but again, the album soundtracked a very emotional summer for me and also includes my favorite Marley song: Mellow Mood.
While my top two album choices wouldn’t suggest so, I’ve always been more partial to Marley’s political and spiritual music. Survival is a masterpiece in that regard with its themes of pan-African unity. But all the albums ranked three through ten have their more conscious moments.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane! I haven’t listened to Bob in a while and it was nice to spend the evening with some of his music.
Hey Mark, thanks for the terrific comment and insight behind your album picks. Of course, there's no objective answer to the underlying question. My picks are not THE picks, as it were. I believe my parents have a copy of Chances Are kicking around their house, I should track it down this weekend. Mellow Mood is great! As always, thanks for reading. :)