The Wailers - Live
The spirit of Bob Marley lives on in this 83-minute concert (recorded in 2002 in Norfolk, VA) by the band he immortalized, the Wailers. These are not your dad's Wailers; most of the members who made their classic recordings are dead and/or gone, with only bassist Aston "Familyman" Barrett, organist Earl "Wya" Lindo, and guitarist Al Anderson still around from way back in the day. The current lineup, which includes horns, keyboardists, and backup singers in addition to raspy-voiced lead vocalist Gary Pine and a rhythm section, avoids playing trademark Marley songs--no "Get Up, Stand Up" or "Rastaman Vibration" here (they do, however, perform Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready" and the late Peter Tosh's anthem "Legalize It"). Fact is, the reggae beat is so lilting, so infectious, that it almost doesn't matter who's playing it--especially if they're as good as these folks. It's not Marley, but it wails.--Sam Graham