WAILERS
THE NEVER ENDING WAILERS
(Tuff Gong/Ras)


This originally ran in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in 1993.

This is a fascinating release, as is the story behind it. As most fans realize, The Wailers ruled the Jamaican music scene from the early 60's. Although their line-up occasionally changed, for all intents and purposes it consisted of three core members - Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer.

Superlatives cannot even begin to describe this trend-setting trio. They were simply way ahead of their time. After 10 fruitful years they disbanded in 1973, with each member moving on to successful solo careers.

According to the liner notes by Wailers' authority Roger Steffens, the three had apparently pondered for years of reuniting for a song - and a possible album - based on the title "Together Again." Marley's death in 1981 made that seemingly impossible.

But in 1984, Wailer and Tosh (along with one-time members Junior Braithwaite and Constantine "Vision" Walker) decided to proceed with the plan. Piecing together vocals left from Marley years earlier (similar to what the Doors did with Jim Morrison's voice on "An American Prayer") the tapes were skillfully incorporated into new arrangements through the wonders of technology.

The following year, as Steffen writes, "tapes of the sessions began circulating, causing tremendous excitement that was ultimately blunted by a flurry of legal obstacles. Then came the tragic assassination of Peter Tosh in September of 1987, and the project went on an indefinite hiatus."

With the recent release of "The Never Ending Wailers," the long wait is finally over. From the start, when Marley shifts the line of his classic song, "I'm Still Waiting" to the haunting "I'm Still Wailing," this is a magical journey.

The songs involving Marley are extraordinary. His vocals sound amazingly fresh, as he sings on half of the 10 tracks; "I'm Still Wailing," "Hammer," "It Hurts To Be Alone" (originally with lead vocals by Junior Braithwaite), "How Many Times" (also known as "Do You Remember") and "Music Lesson." The tunes are all modernized in new upbeat versions and are presented in an every-other-one sequence (tracks 1,3,5,7 and 9).

The other interspersed tunes include two killers with Wailer on lead vocals, "Dutch Pot" and personal favorite, "Rescue Me." The aforementioned "Together Again" (which became a tribute to Marley and has all four singers trading off vocals) and an extended update of "Nice Time" are also featured. The disc ends with "Coolie Plum Tree," recently recorded by Wailer, Braithwaite and Tosh's son, Andrew. It's a clever, fitting tribute to the Wailers and their career.

The sound is exceptionally clean considering the circumstances. Bunny Wailer has done an admirable job with production, even mixing in some nice dub, while the team of Sly and Robbie have put down some solid rhythms.

This remarkable recording is without doubt the year's major reggae release. More than a novelty, it's an impressive, magical disc which exceeds all expectations. This supergroup left a substantial musical history, and "The Never Ending Wailers" just adds to its legacy.






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