The night is passed, the day is come
I see Jah shining in the shining sun.” Bunny Wailer – Lyrics from Armagideon.
It is almost impossible to calculate the influence on modern music that The Wailers had. They revolutionised reggae, making it into the worldwide phenomenon it has become, as well as leaving a cultural and social legacy way beyond their fabulous, and at the time ground-breaking, music. Bunny Wailer formed The Wailers with childhood friend Bob Marley in 1963 with Peter Tosh joining as the third core member soon after. They released their first album The Wailing Wailers in 1965; in actual fact, the release was less an album and more a collection of their best and most notable singles to that date, including such tracks as ‘Simmer Down’. It was their collaborations with producer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry that was to really point the way to the future which was cemented when they released Catch a Fire on Island Records, often regarded as one of the greatest reggae albums of all time.
Bunny Wailer left The Wailers in 1973 and set off on an acclaimed solo career winning three Grammys along the way for best reggae album. We have extensive reggae, The Wailers and Bob Marley and the Wailers collections in our music collection – below are just a few of the highlights.
The wailing Wailers. / Wailers (Reggae)
“The Wailers first album containing: Put it on — I need you — Lonesome feeling — What’s new pussycat — One love — When the well runs dry — Ten commandments of love — Rude boy — It hurts to be alone — Love or affection — I’m still waiting — Simmer down.” ( Adapted from Catalogue) .
Blackheart man. / Wailer, Bunny
“Cast : Bunny Wailer, Aston “Family Man” Barrett, Carlton “Carly” Barrett, Robbie Shakespeare, Tyrone Downie, Peter Tosh, Tommy McCook and Earl “Chinna” Smith. Contents: Blackheart man — Fighting against conviction — The oppressed song — Fig tree — Dream land — Rastaman — Reincarnated souls — Armagideon (Armagedon) — Bide up — This train.” ( Adapted from Catalogue)
Catch a fire / Marley, Bob
“Catch a Fire was the major label debut for Bob Marley and the Wailers, and it was an international success upon its release in 1973. Although Bob Marley may have been the main voice, every member of the Wailers made valuable contributions and they were never more united in their vision and sound. All the songs were originals, and the instrumentation was minimalistic in order to bring out the passionate, often politically charged lyrics. This album is essential for any music collection.” (Catalogue)
Mama Africa. / Tosh, Peter
“Cast: Peter Tosh, Carlton “Santa” Davis, Lebert “Gibby” Morrison, Steve Golding, Donald Kinsey, Keith Stirling, Noel “Scully” Simms, Byron Allred and Dean “Youth Sax” Fraser. Contents : Side A: Mama Africa — Glass house — Not gonna give it up — Stop that train. Side B: Johnny B. Goode — Where you gonna run — Peace treaty — Feel no way — Maga dog.” (Adapted from Catalogue.)
Heavy rain. / Perry, Lee
“Produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry and Adrian Sherwood the dub companion to Rainford. Contents : Intro: music shall echo — Here come the warm dreads — Rattling bones and crowns — Mind worker — Enlightened — Hooligan Hank — Crickets in moonlight — Space craft — Dreams come true — Above and beyond — Heavy Rainford — Outro: wisdom.” (Adapted from Catalogue.)
I & I : the natural mystics : Marley, Tosh and Wailer / Grant, Colin
“The Wailers are the undisputed kings of reggae, and one of the biggest and most influential groups of the 20th century. This book examines the history and development of the Wailers, and the overlapping stories of each member in detail. It also charts the complex relationship of these three strong personalities.” (Adapted from Catalogue)
