Sure, it's mostly "positive vibrations" throughout the 150-minute film, with few, if any, "Bad Bob" stories but that's a minor quibble.
Fact is, Bob packed plenty of living in his 36 years. Yes, Bob departed this world for a greener (probably) and more pleasant place at a very young age - I forgot he died so young. Well, young in today's pop environment, where bands and artists never age (or retire) - they just take long breaks before reforming again and again (usually to pay off 'surprise' tax bills).
I've been a BMW (Bob Marley & the Wailers) fan for three decades. As a young un, the BMW sound was pretty hard to escape - it was the soundtrack to school sports trips, road trips, at the school yard, countless parties and more.
A beautiful piano & vocals only version of No Women, No Cry is one of the movie highlights
Indeed, Bob's music and messages were embraced by many New Zealanders. Just as Morrissey and The Smiths sang to millions of lonely, shy, mostly white teens around the world, Marley's music connected deeply with Maori people in the early 70s, and still today. Heck, Marley's February 6 birthday is celebrated by thousands of New Zealanders every year - here's a great piece on this unique connection.
In addition, for New Zealanders of a certain vintage, Marley's concert in Auckland in 1979 has taken on mythical, and stuff of legend, status.
In addition, for New Zealanders of a certain vintage, Marley's concert in Auckland in 1979 has taken on mythical, and stuff of legend, status.
Back to the film, it's beautifully shot and edited, and flows seamlessly. It's also thorough with revealing information about Marley's English father, and his gallivanting ways. Just a shame there were no interviews with Marley's English side of the family.
The late Dylan Taite's wonderful interview with Marley during his 79 visit to NZ.
While there's plenty of music, the highlights are stories from a whole host of reggae luminaries including Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, the Carlton brothers and others.
It's a shame the late Peter Tosh wasn't featured more and I don't know if the film makers had a beef with Chris Blackwell, the Island Records supremo, but he comes across as a bit of a creep.
While there's plenty of music, the highlights are stories from a whole host of reggae luminaries including Rita Marley, Judy Mowatt, Bunny Wailer, Lee Scratch Perry, the Carlton brothers and others.
It's a shame the late Peter Tosh wasn't featured more and I don't know if the film makers had a beef with Chris Blackwell, the Island Records supremo, but he comes across as a bit of a creep.
Even if you're not a fan, or are unfamiliar with Marley's music, there's plenty of good stuff including funny anecdotes and back stories. My favorite was a revelation that the "reggae sound" was created by accident - specifically, a "delay effect" delivered by an ancient tape recorder.
A timely posting what with it being Jamaica's 50th anniversary of independence this wk. And what a way to celebrate with 12 medals, 4 of them gold! I suspect they didn't need Bob on their iPods: they'd internalised the songs long ago.
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