Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1977…
#8 – Exodus – Bob Marley & The Wailers
Four years ago, I did a deep dive of Bob Marley, covering his 13 studio albums. Though I enjoyed every one of those records, 1977’s Exodus topped my eventual ranked list.
This is a perfect album to encapsulate the political, spiritual, and romantic resonance of Marley’s music. If all you’ve ever heard is Legend, like I had before the deep dive, this is a great next step.
I’ve come to the end of my Bob Marley deep dive but still have one day left in the week, so I’m going out with a live performance of one of Marley’s most-loved tunes. Enjoy!
Yesterday’s album, Bob Marley’s 13th, wraps up my deep dive into the catalog of one of popular music’s most inspirational talents. Marley defined an entire musical genre, crafted songs recognized all over the world, and spread a message of love, peace and social justice during a career that spanned little more than a decade.
It’s hard to imagine what the Bob Marley legacy would look like if he wasn’t taken away at just 36 years old. Consider the wealth of material he would have created over the last 40 years, and the impact he would have had on the world, culturally and politically.
1980’s Uprising was the last album Bob Marley recorded and released before his death, but it wasn’t the final Bob Marley and the Wailers’ release. That distinction goes to Confrontation, a collection released two years after his death.
Confrontation‘s tracklist is compiled of unreleased tracks from later in Marley’s career, including some demos that were given fuller production and new backing vocals. As such, it’s hard to consider it a true Bob Marley album.
Bob Marley and the Wailer’s run of 11 albums in 11 years culminated with 1980’s Uprising, the last work they would record before Marley’s death.
Marley was sick with cancer when writing and recording this album, and the songs’ focus on spirituality and salvation feels appropriate for his final musical statement. But it isn’t a somber album. The band goes to exciting new places musically here, including the disco stylings of ‘Could You Be Loved,’ one of their biggest hits.
Meet Me In Montauk 