The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features Peter Tosh as a solo artist. The collection is unique because some of the albums contain rare songs that were recorded outside of albums. Tosh was previously heard on The Wailers and during the first two Bob Marley studio albums, as well as live performances. This edition exposes you to his material as a solo artist.
The young rebel Winston Hubert McIntosh was born on October 19, 1944, in a small Jamaican village, Grange Hill, Jamaica. His music has never appealed to the wider public as much as that of Bob Marley. The best introduction to Tosh is to listen to the music of The Wailers and Bob Marley. The following is a short exempt of songs from music recorded besides what features on this edition in which Peter Tosh sings lead vocals. Please note that he preforms in the majority of other songs as well as a background vocalist.
On The Wailers Ska albums
'Making Love', 'Treat Me Good', 'Maga Dog', 'When The Well Runs Dry', 'Jumbie Jamboree',
'Sinner Man', 'Can't You See', 'Amen', 'Hoot Nanny Hoot', 'Lemon Tree', 'Shame And Scandel'
On The Wailers Rocksteady albums
'Making Love', 'Treat Me Good', 'Maga Dog', 'When The Well Runs Dry', 'Jumbie Jamboree',
'Sinner Man', 'Can't You See', 'Amen', 'Hoot Nanny Hoot', 'Lemon Tree', 'Shame And Scandel'
On The Wailers Rocksteady albums
'Funeral', 'Stepping Razor', 'Dem A Fi Get A Beatin'', 'Fire
Fire', 'Lion', 'Can't Blame The Youth',
'Brand New Second Hand', 'Opressor Man', 'Here Comes The Judge', 'The Toughest', 'No Mercy',
'Arise Blackman', 'Rightful Ruler', 'Don't Look Back', 'No Sympathy', 'Stop That Train', 'Soon Come',
'Go, Tell It On The Mountain', 'Can't You See', 'Mark Of The Beast', 'Love', 'The World Is Changing',
'Rasta Shook Them Up', 'Give Me A Ticket', 'You Can't Fool Me Again', 'Here Comes The Sun', 'Maga Dog',
'Once Bitten', 'Leave My Business', '400 Years', 'Downpresser', 'Babylon Queendom', 'Simpleton'
'Brand New Second Hand', 'Opressor Man', 'Here Comes The Judge', 'The Toughest', 'No Mercy',
'Arise Blackman', 'Rightful Ruler', 'Don't Look Back', 'No Sympathy', 'Stop That Train', 'Soon Come',
'Go, Tell It On The Mountain', 'Can't You See', 'Mark Of The Beast', 'Love', 'The World Is Changing',
'Rasta Shook Them Up', 'Give Me A Ticket', 'You Can't Fool Me Again', 'Here Comes The Sun', 'Maga Dog',
'Once Bitten', 'Leave My Business', '400 Years', 'Downpresser', 'Babylon Queendom', 'Simpleton'
On Bob Marley Studio albums
'400 Years', 'Stop That Train', 'No Sympathy', 'Get Up, Stand Up'
I will introduce the regular studio albums of Peter Tosh one by one. After that we turn to the three additional albums, which were recorded together with other artists, such as Bamboo Reggae and Negril, and an album containing old instrumental material which I have named Sun Valley.
Peter Tosh - Legalize It
02. Burial
03. Watcha Gonna Do
04. No Sympathy
05. Why Must I Cry
06. Igziabeher
07. Ketchy Shuby
08. Till Your Well Runs Dry
09. Brand New Second Hand
10. Hammer
11. Babylon Queendom
12. Jah Man Inna Jamdung
Legalize It was Peter his first solo album
after the split-up of The Wailing Wailers. "When I left the group
there were people who said I was in conflict with Bob, which is some kind of
madness, which is not a matter of being in conflict with Bob, it is just a
matter of being in conflict with the shituation that I live all my life
approximately seen, and it definates my character, belittles my authority,
underestimates my ability and me could not stomach that for another twelve
years." The message of the album was made abundantly clear with the
title and first song 'Legalize It' as well as the album's cover showing Peter in a herbfield. "It is against
my religion not to smoke herb", often referring to "He maketh the
grass to grow for animals and herb for the use of men". Peter explains
that "in Jamaica that grow everywhere. Every corner you look, herb tree
grows there, and you can't stop it from grow. We gwaan smoke it cause we know
the use of it”. The lyrics of 'Legalize It' speak for themselves and need no
further comment. The song was banned in Jamaica. 'Burial' was recorded as
'Funeral' by The Wailers in their early years. Peter re-wrote it in 1974 and
added a few extra lines. We will hear a much older sounding song, 'Watcha Gonna
Do' which again touches the subject of legalization herb, as it is about
the accusation of smoking marijuana. 'No Sympathy' was featuring on Burnin',
though the song on this album is an alternative version. 'Why Must I Cry' has
that positive vibe combined with a sad perspective in its lyrics that reggae is accustomed to. You will not
hear Peter sing a great deal of sad songs so it is quite unique in that
light. Most of his songs are serious and describe conditions in the world that he is dissatisfied with, but 'sad' would not be the right connotation. 'Igziabeher' are various nyabinghi chants that Peter incorporates in a
song to address Jah, his Rastafari God. 'Ketchy Shuby' is a variation of
cricket which evolved in Jamaica. According to some, not all lyrics in the song describe this form of cricket, and might refer to other things. In reggae music, you will often hear lines
about not knowing what you'll miss until its gone, as in Peter's
'Till Your Well Runs Dry'. The sarcastic 'Brand New Second Hand' had been recorded earlier by
The Wailers. Peter often played word-games in his lyrics such as here. A very interesting track which I have added to this album is 'Hammer'. It does not feature on this album originally, and neither do the two tracks that follow. 'Hammer' had been a rare song recorded by The Wailers, and is found on the Soul Rebel album in their discography. What makes this song interesting is that it was Bob Marley who sung the lead vocals for the song in the time of The Wailers, and now we hear Peter Tosh. 'Babylon Queendom' was recorded by Peter personally, and would get a later follow up on his last album. He warns the downpressor that their time will soon come 'Jah Man Inna Jamdung' is another rare song.
As has been said earlier,
Peter Tosh had a few central themes. We had been introduced to the first with Legalize
It. The Equal Rights album brings some strong follow-ups. Peter would continuously
address the issue of equal rights and justice throughout his life. The album
will start playing Peter's tune of 'Get Up, Stand Up'. He had written it
together with Bob. During Bob's performance at the Starlight Theatre in Burbank
Peter suddenly appeared on stage during 'Get Up, Stand Up'. Peter had been
playing at the other end of town. It would be the last appearance of the two
playing together live on stage. 'Downpressor Man' further introduces the theme
of the album. A regularity in Peter's use of words was downpression, opposed to
oppression, which to him seemed to have a positive connotation while there is nothing
positive about its meaning. As The Wailers, the song had been played in different tempos and was first called 'Sinner Man', then 'Oppressor Man' and later 'Downpresser'. Other examples of Tosh his play of words were "city" as "shitty", a "system" becoming a "shitstem" and "inequity" is transformed into "outequity". The same goes
for "information" as "outformation", "ineffective" becomes "defective" and
"technologies" "tricknologies". Please listen carefully to
the opening lines of 'I Am That I Am' which clearly depicts Peter's
constant state of mind. On the one hand a relaxing vibe, but nevertheless deadly serious in
his words. It is his interpretation of "ehyeh asher
ehyeh". 'Stepping Razor' was originally a Joe Higgs song. Note the
"don't watch my size" line, whereas Joe Higgs was a short man and Peter
Tosh over 190 cm tall. Peter himself was considered a "stepping razor"
because of his short-tempered personality. He had originally recorded it with
The Wailers, but re-recorded it for the Jamaican movie Rockers. We then get to 'Equal Rights'. Perhaps you
recall the One Love Peace Concert in which, amongst others, Bob Marley had a role. Peter did too, and
during his time on stage he continuously addressed the leaders of Jamaica who were
present at the time. First of all, he did not agree with the concerts name;
"This concert here, well them say it's a peace concert. I wonder if many
people realize what the word peace mean. You see, most intellectual people in
society think the word peace means coming together. Peace is a diploma you get
in the cemetery. On top of your grave that is marked, 'here lies the body of
John Strokes, rest in peace'. And I know many of you little brothers wouldn't
like to hear your daughter say, she's going to give away a little peace. So you
can imagine how defective peace is. This is an integration concert." Back
to the song, the previous lines are translates into Peter singing that he does
not want peace until justice is done to his people. For 'African' I'd like to
refer to a speech given by Peter at his 1980 concert at Toronto; "don't
let the world of fantasy and delusion carry your minds away. I see lots of
brothers and sisters come to these places and become Canadians. But learn this!
If you take a banana from Jamaica, and you take it to England. It is a
banana." Peter expresses his love for Rastafari and the importance of it in his life with 'Jah Guide'. "The
truth is I was full of fear, lots of fear, for the evil that exists around me 360 degrees but there is something within me that was born inside me that is
called determination and I know it has more power than fear." Peter,
naturally opposed the apartheid regime in South Africa, sings about the white
superiority robbing the resources of his black brothers in 'Apartheid'. On The Wailers discography '400 Years' features on Soul Rebel and we have previously heard it on Catch A Fire. It fits this
solo career album perfectly. Even though the song had been recorded earlier, it
perfectly describes Peter's feelings. Hence his words at the One Love Peace
Concert where he says that those who rule Jamaica "with them big bank
account in Switzerland" do nothing to change the situation of the poor and
suffering. He complains that the shitstem set up by early continental settlers
and slave-owners is still in place today. "I and I have to set up this
country here, and eliminate all those shitstem that black people don't live in
confusion. Cause hungry people are angry people! I am not a politician but I
suffer the consequences!" were Tosh's legendary words. The version on Equal
Rights is different from any we have heard previously. Bob and Peter shared a common goal and a message. Where Bob had
sung about human vampires in 'Duppy Conqueror', Peter sings 'Vampire', an addition to the original album. This
track will later be re-recorded and featuring on another album. Also an addition here is 'Know Them Wicked' which is a new version of 'Mark Of The Beast' which Peter had previously recorded, and can be found on More Axe, an album in the Rocksteady collection of The Wailers.
Bush Doctor was released a year later. It opens
with a duet of Peter Tosh and Mick Jagger, the well known Rolling Stones
artist, 'Don't Look Back'. The album appeared on the Rolling Stones label. A very amusing version of this song can be found with video material on Youtube. 'Pick Myself Up' can be seen as a combination of Bob's 'Wake Up And Life' and 'Lively Up Yourself'. 'I'm The Toughest' might seem
quite egocentric. He once said that, "in this society I am classified as
illegitimate but that does not make me lose faith within myself", "I
came from a poor family, my mother was not capable of providing for a proper
schooling. Grow up with no education but at the same time my ambition and
determination and my hopes and aspirations and my inner concept of creativity
that was born in me, assuring me to help myself, and I did." Peter was
raised by his aunt, although Peter's personality would have you believe that he
raised himself. An extremely self-reliant, self-dependent entity, Tosh fought
for those who could not fight themselves. 'Soon Come' is much more mellow.
Experienced Tosh listeners, please note the added last verse on this reissue
version of the song. In 'Moses The Prophet' he takes mention of a series of biblical
characters. After that turning back to the issue of legalization of herb with 'Bush
Doctor', the title track. The Bush Doctor album was recorded after Peter
had been arrested for possession of herb, taken to jail where he was brutally
beaten, leaving him thirty stitches on his head. Peter, in disbelief, sings a
tribute to "the healing of the nation", "for the motivation of
the mind of men". It starts with a health warning for cigarettes, 'Bush Doctor' is followed by 'Stand Firm'. Peter said
"I know that man don't have to die. It's how you live, it's what you
think, it's what you do, that makes man die. And because I have learned that I
have to keep on the road of life. And because I know all these things I have to
still stand firm." "When I look into the blue water of the ocean I
see the truth, when I look into the skies I see the truth. When I fill my lungs
with fresh air I feel the truth. It is only the truth that can make a man free.
It is only the truth that can make a man live." 'Dem A Fi Get A Beatin''
is a re-recorded version of the song that had earlier been released under The
Wailers. The rhythm is completely different from the original version. 'Can't Blame The Youth', as Peter explains how he believes that indoctrination is the root of many problems. If the youth is being taught the history of evil men such as Christopher Columbus, Francis Drake, Vasco da Gama and Henry Morgan and are brought up by the principals of pirates, it is no wonder that they fire up their guns in the same way. This song too had featured in The Wailers portfolio. 'Lessons In My Life' is a song that would be recorded again for a later album, but few know that it had been recorded as early as this, under a different melody. The album comes close to an end with the rare 'Tough Rock, Soft Stones' which is a mellow instrumental song reflecting 'I'm The Toughest', but some tunes have been added. 'Creation'
is a song which has been used as the introduction of many of his concerts.It is a long, slow chant to Rastafari. It is the original end of the album. 'Tough Rock, Soft Stone' was addition, the same way as on Proverbial Reggae of The Gladiators, where the original end of the album is still intact, but the song before that is an album addition by the Roots Reggae Library.
Another year passed, and our ears
were filled with Mystic Man. It is the second album on the Rolling
Stones label. In 'Mystic Man' Peter describes his Rastafari way of life. He
opens a vacancy in 'Recruiting Soldiers', but it is meant mentally, musically,
rather than physically. Lyrically it is equivalent to Bob's 'Jah Live', as it was
recorded after the death of Haile Selassie. 'Can't You See' is a rock-oriented
cover of an old song Tosh made with The Wailers in 1969. That song can be found in the Rude Boy album, which is the Ska version of the song. On More Axe it features on a Rocksteady rhythm. The tough 'Jah Seh No'
features next. It is another song dedicated to Haile Selassie. Talking about tough, 'Fight On' continues in the same style as
we had heard in 'Recruiting Soldiers' in which Peter once more calls for his
people to unite and free Africa. On the album cover it is noticeable that the
skin on his hands is far from smooth. Apart from his hands, Peter tells that
"when I was about seven years old I cannot forget how the devil tried to
blind me with barbed wire. I heard my parents call. Running very fast, I
clashed with the wire. Two barbs, could be three or more, stucked in my eyelid,
right on the surface of my eyeball. I wept blood from my eyes. I looked in the
mirror and I saw how my two eyelid was slid open. Open so wide I could see
through them. That was one of the first major pit of destruction that the devil
put before my feet so I would not see the ails, the corruption, the filth, the
shit, the destruction, the lies, the hypocrisy, we live day after day."
"Light up your spliff, light up your chalice, we're gonna smoke it ina
'Buk-In-Hamm Palace'", where we can hear Peter be the rebel that he was.
'The Day The Dollar Die' is a reflection upon the situation in which Jamaica is
in at the time, having to deal with the problems created by international
trade. In order to more fully understand the subject I would recommend watching
Life And Debt. "Do you know what is
happening? Everyone is suffering from this great thing called 'ego'. Everybody is busy involved in himself. The respect for humanity has been lost.
No man respects his fellow man again. Every man loves big bumboo money in him
back pocket. Every man loves material things more than his brother" In
'Crystal Ball' Peter predicts what the future has to hold for us. 'Rumours Of
War' has a much softer melody which does not put off the message. The song is
lesser known than other songs on the album. 'Rumours Of War' might be new to some, the following two songs which I have added to the album will be even more likely to be heared for the first time. 'Handsome Johnny' has Tosh
Wanted Dread & Alive
was released in two
different versions. One to serve the American music industry, another to serve
the European. In this discography I have combined them as one album. First,
Peter is 'Coming In Hot'. Next up is a duet he sung with Gwen Guthrie, 'Nothing
But Love'. Reggae is what runs through Peter’s body, as he sings in
'Reggaemylitis'. He first thinks he is ill, but after the docter tells him he is addicted to the music, he no longer wants any cure. 'Rok With Me' makes Peter continue the positive vibe of
reggae. In 'Oh Bumboo Klaat' Peter tells his story of how Jah assured him that
he had to use this word to free himself. "I was attacked by evil forces,
spiritual evil forces that caused my mouth to cease from function, caused my
hands and legs to cease from moving. It was only my mind that was at function
and my two eyes and I was on the brink of what you call death. I was wondering
if I was paralyzed. At that moment it caused me to make some inner
communication, cause that was the last resort. So I made some inner
communication and that inner communication caused me to get more confidence
that there is a creator that dwells within man. So I begin to ask him this
question, what must I do, ask, what should I do? Just lie in this bed and get
up tomorrow and wind up dead. The spirit say move your bumbooklaat! Me say
what? He say don’t hesitate you’re on the countdown, in the countdown it’s like
a hard tree. And when one, as I say, move your, when I say bumbooklaat! and
fire out like bumbooklaat immediately every spell was released." The use
of the word in Jamaica is very controversial, "bumboklaat" and
"raasklaat" are two forbidden patois words in Jamaica. All in all he
was not a friend of Jamaican authority which he sings about in 'Wanted Dread
& Alive'. Peter has been arrested numerous times during his lifetime.
Several of his confrontations were because he was found guilty of the
possession of herb. His next 'Rastafari Is' is a chant to hail Jah, which he
magically performs at the Captured Live album. Keeping in mind Peter would
later be assassinated by a close friend the song 'Guide Me From My Friends' is
a strake at the heart. These lyrics linger on while listening to a good follow up,
'Fools Die'. Then 'The Poor Man Feel It' fills the album further with sad
lyrics. The court case of 'Cold Blood' is a true expression of Peter’s
feelings. Strong as this album is, it ends with 'That's What They Will Do'
which should remind of 'Guide Me From My Friends'. Both songs, after his death,
have a special meaning for Tosh fans. In the next few years Peter would record
two live performances on the Jamaica World Music Festival and in Los Angeles on Captured
Live. These performances are very energetic and great albums for exploring
more of his live work.
After some touring Peter
returned with the Mama Africa album in 1983. The masterpiece starts with
the title track, 'Mama Africa' which is as the name suggests a tribute to
Africa. A depiction of Africa is seen on the album cover in which Peter's head
is placed around the geographical location of Ethiopia, the promised land. With
'Glass House' he forces an open door, but the song is strong nevertheless. 'Not
Gonna Give Up' perfectly describes the motto of Peter Tosh, he'll never give up
nor give in. 'Stop That Train' had earlier been recorded together with The
Wailers and was a very prominent song on Catch A Fire. 'Johnny B. Goode'
is the cover of the song originally made by Chuck Berry. A clip was made for
the song with Peter featuring in various shots. It is a unique song in Peter’s
discography as the reggae genre is lifted to another level. 'Where You Gonna
Run' builds upon 'Downpressor Man' from Equal Rights, "It is only
the truth that can make a man free, it is only the truth that can make a man
live." The politically aimed 'Peace Treaty' and the reality check in 'Feel
No Way' give the album a sound that refreshes. He had sung 'Maga Dog' long before
the production of this album but revised it for it to be included. As we had
heard in Wanted Dread & Alive Peter was very aware of the danger of
people knowing him too well, who would "turn around and bite you".
Two older versions can be found on earlier mentioned Can't Blame The Youth and
on The
Toughest,
which are collections of older Tosh work. When interested to delve deeper into
Peter's history it is advisable to start listening right after the next and
last studio album. More than Can't Blame The Youth and Black Dignity this
album contains songs that can't be found on other albums.
After a prolonged silence
we heard again from Peter in 1987 with No Nuclear War which would be his
last produced album. This album too kicks off with the title track, 'No Nuclear
War'. Even though one has to keep in mind that the conditions in the world were
different at that time, many of the issues mentioned still have a high
frequency of discussion at present time. Peter, in an interview, said that the
situation is one in which the world is being held ransom by what they call two
superpowers. "And as defender of the universe, I don't hope to or intend to
sit down and play dumb. I am a spokesman for the Almighty". There has
already been mention of the One Love Peace Concert and we return for it
explains the next song further. Many reports of the concert only briefly
mention Tosh's speeches on stage. Although the legalization of herb was
definitely an important issue for Tosh, he also addressed other issues that he
felt were critical to a more just society which we will discuss at later songs
in the No Nuclear War album. "Hassled by police brutality, times
and times again a fi run up and down for what? Fi just have a lickle spliff
inna me pocket, or have a round a herb, or a go buy a draw, ya go buy a draw ya
fi a tense, and cock ya batty and all them bloodbat until ya come back,
because, police could a back your broadblack when ya down the road". Peter
had to pay an awful price for the frankness of his speech as weeks after the
concert he suffered a severe, life threatening beating by the police as a
reaction to the remarks made on stage, as referred to in the discussion of the Bush
Doctor album. In 'Nah Goa Jail' he sings he is tired of going to jail for
the possession of "ganja". In 'Cold Blood', on Wanted Dread &
Alive Peter had already shared his view on the subject. At the One Love
Peace Concert Peter further addressed the members of parliament; "we
can't make the lickle pirate them come here and rob up the resources of the
country. Because that is what them been doing long, long, bloodbat time".
This, combined with the issues of the South African apartheid regime resulted
in 'Fight Apartheid'. "It was like I was born in South Africa, because of
the environment I was born, because of the philosophy that they preaches
inoculates the youth, African youth, with inferiority complex in as much as I
was taught that when you’re white you’re perfectly right, when you’re brown you
can stick around, but if you’re black, stay in the back. Every morning going to
school my grandmom used to wake me up and she would always want me to comb my
hair, but I could comb my hair for fifteen hours when I finish it would be the
same and they would always curse and say natty pat head boy." We have
heard 'Vampire' on Equal Rights. Here is an updated version. 'In My
Song' is one of Peter's tributes to Jah. He warns we should always be careful
not to get hurt by your fellow man in 'Lessons In My Life'. As he did 'In My
Song' Peter is to 'Testify' his belief in Haile Selassie. We are to 'Come
Together' and learn to love one another would be his final message on the
original album. 'Mystery Babylon' is a song that was not included in any album.
As it was recorded around 1984 it has been redirected to No Nuclear War.
Flute player Chris Hinze from The Netherlands came to Jamaica in the late 70's in order to record an reggae sounding production as he had always sought distant musical roots and styles. During his introduction to the music scene of the island he met Peter Tosh. They recorded the Word Sound And Power album in cooperation with various other artists. The album was later released under the names of Bamboo Reggae and Kings Of Reggae. On these albums, the rhythm has been edited to sound more "reggae-like". In my opinion this is ridiculous, as it wasn't meant to be recorded that way. Like Eric de Boer once said, "it is like telling a baker how to bake bread", referring to the idea of editing Tosh's work. So we treat those albums as nonexistent. Word Sound And Power is an astonishing album with a set of lively rhythms. Negril is another instrumental album by Peter Tosh, recorded with various other artists. The album simply doesn't need any words sung. Another instrumental album of Peter Tosh, Sun Valley which contains several songs Peter had made just to explore more of the possibilities of music.
Peter Tosh & Eric Gale - Negril
01. East Side, West Side
02. Negril Sea Sunset
03. I Shot The Sheriff
04. Rasta
05. Lighthouse
06. Negril
07. Red Ground Funk
08. Honey Coral Rock
Peter Tosh - Sun Valley
01. Evil People
02. Apollo 11
03. Field Marshall
04. Whistling Jane
05. Green Duck
06. Sun Valley
07. Selassie Serenade
08. Moon Dust
09. The Crimson Pirate
10. No Partial
11. Ambitions Beggar
12. The Return Of Al Capone
13. Pepper Seed
14. Pomper Room
Studio Albums
««««« (1976) Legalize It
««««« (1977) Equal Rights
««««« (1978) Bush Doctor
««««« (1979) Mystic Man
««««« (1981) Wanted Dread & Alive
««««« (1983) Mama Africa
««««« (1987) No Nuclear War
Instrumentals
««««¶ (1970) Sun Valley
««««« (1975) Negril
««««« (1980) Bamboo Reggae
Original Date Of Publishing: June 2012
Thank you for the Peter Tosh material. I have a few albums on vinyl, but it's cool to have them on mp3 for the headphones while at the gym. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this good archive of Tosh info, he has always been one of my great teachers in life!
ReplyDeleteGood work. The Wailers link at the top points to crucial-reggae.com and does not work.
ReplyDeleteRespect to the mystic man .i love his tunes . Expecially his militancy. He incarnates each day
ReplyDelete
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