Reggae Covers
Reggae Covers: Paul Davidson – Midnight Rider (The Allman Brothers)
The recent revelation of Gene Rondo’s ‘Ramblin’ Man’ got me thinking about the infrequent appearance of Southern rock & jam band covers in in reggae. A little digging revealed Paul Davidson’s 1975 cover of this 1970 classic by Macon, GA’s The Allman Brothers.
And I don’t own the clothes I’m wearing,
And the road goes on forever,
And I’ve got one more silver dollar,
But I ain’t gonna let ’em catch me, no
Ain’t gonna let ’em catch the Midnight Rider.
Reggae Covers: Gene Rondo – Ramblin’ Man (The Allman Brothers)
I was looking forward to a Jamaicanization of these familiar lyrics from The Allman Brothers‘ 1973 hit and got mesmerized by the guitarist’s attempts to match the effortless, right-on-time six-string chops of Duane Allman. Released in 1975 this cover breaks little new ground, but is an unaccustomed entry from the world of Southern rock & jam bands. Gene Rondo –born Winston Lara in Greenwich Farm, Kingston, Jamaica in 1943– is best-remembered for his recordings with the duo Gene & Roy, for his mid-career acceptance of Rastafari, and for a lifetime of good works.
My father was a gambler down in Georgia,
And he wound up on the wrong end of a gun.
And I was born in the back seat of a Greyhound bus
Rollin’ down highway 41.Lord, I was born a ramblin’ man,
Tryin’ to make a livin’ and doin’ the best I can.
And when it’s time for leavin’,
I hope you’ll understand,
That I was born a ramblin’ man.
Reggae Covers: Inner Circle & Jacob Miller – Rock the Boat (The Hues Corporation)
After a slow start this 1973 recording for California’s The Hues Corporation from the album ‘Freedom for the Stallion‘ eventually skyrocketed to the top of the Hot 100 in July of 1974. Later the same year renowned Jamaican journeymen Inner Circle, backing the inestimable Jacob Miller, released this cover on their eponymously-named ‘Rock The Boat’ LP on Trojan Records.
Our love is like a ship on the ocean
We’ve been sailing with a cargo full of love and devotionSo I’d like to know where you got the notion
Said I’d like to know where you got the notionTo rock the boat (don’t rock the boat, baby)
Rock the boat (don’t tip the boat over)
Rock the boat (don’t rock the boat baby)
Rock the boat…
Reggae Covers: Jackie Paris & Dennis Brown – Daydream Believer (The Monkees)
Another fairly straightforward cover of a Euro-North American hit, this a 1975 recording by American jazz guitarist Jackie Paris and the legendary Jamaican master Dennis Brown does little to alter the 1968 hit for The Monkees except the addition of a whole mess of percussion.
Oh, I could hide ‘neath the wings
Of the bluebird as she sings.
The six o’clock alarm would never ring.
But it rings and I rise,
Wipe the sleep out of my eyes.
My shavin’ razor’s cold and it stings.Cheer up, Sleepy Jean.
Oh, what can it mean.
To a daydream believer
And a homecoming queen.
Reggae Covers: The Chosen Few – Chain Gang (Sam Cooke)
A melodic, musically tight 1975 cover of Sam Cooke’s 1960 original by Kingston, Jamaica’s The Chosen Few. It’s a fairly straightforward cover, right down to the backing vocals.
All day long they work so hard til’ the sun is going down
Working on the highways and byways and wearing, wearing a frown
You hear they moaning their lives away
Then you hear somebody sayThat’s the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, ga-ang
That’s the sound of the men,
Working on the chain, gang.
Reggae Covers: Prince Buster – All My Loving (The Beatles)
A fairly straightforward cover of the 1963 hit for renowned Liverpudlian rock combo The Beatles. Prince Buster entertained a lot of tourist audiences in his heyday so it is only natural that he and other ‘North Coast’ bandleaders would churn out sentimental covers such as these by the bushel.
Close your eyes and I’ll kiss you
Tomorrow I’ll miss you
Remember I’ll always be true
And then while I’m away
I’ll write home every day
And I’ll send all my loving to you
Reggae Progenitors: Andy & Joey – You’re Wondering Now (The Specials)
The 1964 original by Andy & Joey lacks the signature disaffected sloth of The Specials‘1979 version from their eponymous LP, comprised as it is of gravelly urban voices muttering unenthusiastically but with irony intact.
You’re wondering now, what to do, now you know this is the end
You’re wondering how, you will pay, for the way you did behave
C & N Records; Brentford Rd. Recorded at Jamaica Recording Studio.
Reggae Covers: The Skatalites – Pata Pata (Miriam Makeba)
My longtime love affair with Miriam Makeba is a matter of record. Hers is a voice that winds itself around you like the arms of a beloved friend, dance partner, or paramour, depending on her mood. Her enthusiasm, perhaps best exemplified by the 1957 original Pata Pata, is as infectious as her loving heart. In 2002 The Skatalites did a number on the original on their ‘From Paris With Love‘ release, kicking 33 1/3 to 45 in the application of a ska rhythm track. The usual fine performances abound, but none somehow as satisfying as the original.
Reggae Covers: Horace Andy – A Horse With No Name (America)
The original recording by London, UK’s America –comprised of Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, and Dan Peek, all sons of English mothers and American fathers– was their breakthrough hit, achieving #1 on the US Hot 100 charts in 1972. This 2002 cover by Kingston, Jamaica’s Horace Andy appeared on his 2002 release ‘Mek It Bun.‘
After nine days I let the horse run free
‘Cause the desert had turned to sea
There were plants and birds and rocks and things
there was sand and hills and rings
The ocean is a desert with its life underground
And a perfect disguise above
Under the cities is a heart made of clay
But the humans will give no loveYou see I’ve been through the desert with a horse with no name
It felt good to be out of the rain
In the desert you can’t remember your name
‘Cause there ain’t no one to give you no pain
Reggae Covers: Culture – Down In Babylon (Pete Seeger-Where Have All The Flowers Gone?)
A familiar melody with all-new lyrics topical to the Jamaican experience, Kingston, Jamaica’s Culture here offer a plaintive analogue to the Pete Seeger original.
Where are all the Rastaman,
That used to be down here in Babylon?
Where are all the Rastaman,
That used to beat their drums? Oh yeah.
Where are all the Rastaman,
That even used to till the soil?
And preach to us for awhile,
Down here in Babylon.Where are all the Rastaman,
That used to walk the woods?
And have a little talk now and then,
Even as we should, oh yeah.
Where are all the Rastaman,
That used to build our schools?
And teach the children rights,
Down here in Babylon.…and teach the children rights,
Down here in Babylon.Where are all the Rastaman,
That used to stand upright?
With their staff in their hands,
Preaching to the leaders.
Where are all the Rastaman,
That used to till the soil?
And feed our nation, Lord,
Down here in Babylon.And teach the children rights,
Down here in Babylon.And lead our nation, Lord,
Down here in Babylon.
A Biscuit In The Sun 