Bob Marley, Could You Be Loved (Rare Studio Take)

Posted in Bob Marley, Youtube Favs on June 13th, 2011 by Willie

Welcome to part 88 of my youtube countdown!  Today I have a beautifully rare studio take of Bob Marley singing his 1980 masterpiece, “Could You Be Loved,” from Uprising.  This is probably my favorite Bob Marley song for those keeping score at home.  It has everything I love in a Marley song; that driving irresistible reggae rhythm, philosophical lyrics about love and self worth, and a perfect-genius-catchy melody, (a P.G.C.M.)  This video cuts Marley signing a rough vocal crossed with shots of him and others playing some soccer in Jamaica, Bob’s other passion.  This is one of those clips where a video is worth a million words, so just watch.  P.S., I got a secret internet wish.  If someone has an extra pair of the headphones Bob is sporting in this vid, please don’t be shy, and mail me a pair.  Just email me.  ; )

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Marvin Gaye, Sexual Healing, 1983 Grammys

Posted in Marvin Gaye, Youtube Favs on June 9th, 2011 by Willie

Part 85 my soul people, back with more Marvin Gaye like I promised.  This time, its a special performance of “Sexual Healing,” sung live at the 1983 Grammys.  This was Marvin’s last worldwide smash hit, eventually peaking at #3 on the Billboard 100 after dominating the R&B charts.  There is a lot of tragedy and joy to be found in the creation of this record.  It’s a reflection of Marvin attempting  to embrace a healthier more peaceful life through sobriety, exercise, and uh..sex.  Sadly, just as he was in the midst of his triumphant comeback, he was gunned down by his father in one of the more bizarre rock and roll assassinations.  It reminds me a lot of John Lennon’s demise after he completed Double Fantasy. It’s really painful to think of the three icons; Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, and Bob Marley, all dying in the early 80s.  They left a tremendous void.  Anyway, this song was almost entirely produced by Marvin himself outside of the rhythm guitars.  It’s a true masterpiece that touched on elements of doo-wop, snythpop, reggae, funk and gospel.  This performance, a lot like the song, is a triumph.  Marvin reminds the music elite that he is an absolute God, taking them to school by defining what pop music is and can be.  RIP Marvin.

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Bob Marley, Stir it Up

Posted in Bob Marley, Youtube Favs on May 6th, 2011 by Willie

Part 55 of my countdown grooves on with Bob Marley’s gem “Stir it Up.”  Written in 1967, this was one of Bob’s first songs to gain international fame when Johnny Nash covered it and made it a top 20 hit in 1972 in both Britain and America.  The song is one of Bob’s incredible love songs, featuring a slow jam rocksteady melody, unpretentious lyrics, and beautiful background harmonies.  There is simply not much to add with words to its already self-evident splendor, but I tell you, this is a marvelous video.  Its just Bob and his band, playing a note perfect rendition of the song with Bob looking utterly iconic of course in all his natural coolness.  I hate that he died so young, him and John Lennon, the two people I’d do anything to see play live.  That’s why these videos mean so much to me, because its all I have of these people that changed my life so completely.  Enjoy.

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Bob Marley, One Love/People Get Ready

Posted in Bob Marley, Youtube Favs on March 27th, 2011 by Willie

In part 24 of my youtube countdown, we’re going to look at Bob Marley’s wonderful posthumous music video, “One Love/People Get Ready.”  Why the slashed title?  Well, when Marley wrote the song in 1965, it was inspired from an old Curtis Mayfield Impressions song “People Get Ready.”  The original cut of the song from 65, was much more heavily reggaefied, but was reworked for his 1977 album Exodus into the poppier version we’re all familiar with today.  This video was cut after Marley’s tragic death and featured many pop stars including members of Bananarama, Musical Youth, and none other then Paul McCartney, providing his immortal stamp of approval as he sings and dances along.  It’s just beautiful.  One other famous guest star?  Future super model Naomi Campbell as a little girl dancing around with Bob.  I think this is one of the greatest pop anthems of all time, a simple and true tribute to love, beauty, and peace written by one of the world’s greatest heroes.  Enjoy.

PS- Why are there Spanish subtitles?  Because youtube, in its infinite wisdom, took down the original.  Oh well, its still perfectly great.

 

 

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