Legend - The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers (New Packaging)

This is simply a classic that everyone should own. It's become one of our 1.5 year old daughter's favorites. We have tons of kid's CD's, but as parents, we can only take so much. So we went digging through our music collection looking for some music that wouldn't drive us insane, yet would still be appropriate for her. The smooth melodies and rythmes of this album quickly made it one of her favorites. She'll always dance when we play it. Hopefully she'll learn to appreciate some decent music, so her music doesn't drive us crazy again when she's 15. Ha!

This album is classic because all the songs on it are classics and its the best selling reggae album of ALL TIME. I just want you to know this before you get it: You are going to buy this album, you are going to love it, and then you're going to look for what else you can buy from Bob Marley. Every one of his albums is classic. You can't go wrong with anything by Bob Marley (can you tell he's my favorite artist?).

So, if you think you're going to want everything by Bob Marley, here is a list of his studio albums (in order from oldest to newest) Catch A Fire, Burnin', Natty Dread, Rastaman Vibration, Exodus (the album of the century according to TIME magazine), Kaya, Survival, Uprising, and Confrontation (released after he died). Get ALL of those. After you have that, you won't need Legend because you'll have every song. Then go ahead and buy "Babylon By Bus" and "Live at the Roxy 1976," his two best live albums. If your thirst still isn't quenched, buy a compilation of his Studio One releases (originally released as singles so there isn't one album to buy...I'd recommend the Dejavu Retro Gold Collection). The only thing you can get after that are rare singles, and I'd recmmend the "Songs of Freedom" box set for that.

That's how I'd go about it, but then again I love Bob. You have to decide for yourself whether you just want some Bob or everything by Bob. Either way, you CAN'T lose.

I will never grow tired of "Legend." This compilation is absolutely perfect, providing an accurate insight into the musical genius that was Bob Marley. This isn't just reggae at its finest, but it's music at its finest. The songs on "Legend" can be inspiring, uplifting, entertaining, thought-provoking, but most of all just purely enjoyable. The simple songwriting and talented musicianship provide a sunny, lighthearted musical setting, the laidback Caribbean style that would inspire a generation of reggae followers. But it's Bob's messages and lyrics that set him apart from the other great Jamaican musicians who were his contemporaries. Bob's music is at times politically and religiously charged, and sometimes just for fun. But everything he advocates in his muic is positive. He wants the world to be a better, friendlier place, and he advocates human treatment and equality, civil rights, and freedom. He portrays his ideas in a simple manner that makes them all the more effective. This compilation covers the most audience-friendly and appealing of his extensive discography. This is a smart purchase, because Bob's discography is huge, especially because there are so many various releases that have surfaced between different distributors in different countries. "Legend" is an album everyone should own, it's the one that every new Bob Marley listener should not even think twice about purchasing, and everyone should be able to appreciate the music here.

The compilation begins with "Is This Love," one of the most purely roots songs here, a lyrically simple, musically catchy tune. "No Woman No Cry" is my favorite song of Bob's music, and this seven minute live recording is beautiful. The lyricism of this song is simple but really moving, from his talk of growing up poor in Jamaica to his philosophies on life, and the break for the guitar solo and background vocals complete the beautiful arrangement. I absolutely love "Could You Be Loved," a clever production that's immediately catchy, with a great chorus and standard Bob Marley performance. "Three Little Birds," one of his most well-known tunes, is fun, light, and fairly uplifting. "Buffalo Soldier" is an ingenious look at the movement of peoples from Africa to the Caribbean, and Bob praises his ancestors. The politically-fueled "Get Up, Stand Up" is a very effective rallying cry for civil rights. Another of my favorites is the winding "Stir It Up," a laidback, enjoyable and fun song. "Easy Skanking" is included as a bonus on the new remaster, a welcome bonus to the classic tracklist. "One Love/People Get Ready" is a happy call to equal treatment and some light philosophy, one of his most definitive songs. If you haven't, you must hear his ingenious cover of Eric Clapton's "I Shot the Sheriff," which is followed here by the easy "Waiting in Vain" and the very inspired "Redemption Song." "Satisfy My Soul" and the incredible "Exodus" follow, with another of my favorites, the unforgettable "Jamming." The remaster also includes "Punky Reggae Party" as a bonus, a unique party track.

Bottom line, this album is a must have for anyone. People of all ages and backgrounds can love "Legend," even if they're not a reggae fan. This music is clever, catchy, and fun, and Bob Marley is really a genius. Make this purchase if you haven't already, you will not be disappointed by "Legend."

This CD is an excellent Bob Marley compilation. Probably teh greatest reggae album ever. Here are just the really good tunes:

Is this Love - great opener, an uplifting reggae love song

3 Little Birds - great, soulful, makes heart soar

Buffalo Soldier - phenomenal tune about black soldiers who were sent to fight American Indians. Great story and great music

One Love - awesome tho simple, it's a call to unity

Redemption Song - slow with soft guitar, a stirring call to free your mind and free yourself, resist opression

Jammin- - a fun party tune, no message here but just to jam

What can I say that has not already been said about this awesome cd? Put it on, relax and enjoy life. It never gets old.