Judy Mowatt

The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features Judy Mowatt. All her albums including two collections of earlier material. Many bonus songs were added to her solo career albums.

Judy Mowatt is probably most known for the partaking in the I-Threes, the backing band of Bob Marley. But before she was in the I-Threes she was the lead singer of another group, The Gaylettes. And while becoming part of the I-Threes she would still pursue a solo career. Her backing vocals are sung by a group called Light Of Love, consisting of Anicia Banks, Joy Tulloch, and Sharon Tucker. You will first find two compilation albums of songs she made with The Gaylettes and on her own under various aliases.

Judie Mowatt - We Shall Sing

01. Silent River Runs Deeo

02. I Like Your World

03. Here Comes That Feeling

04. If You Can't Be Good, Be Careful

05. I Shall Sing

06. Take A Change

07. That's How Strong My Love Is

08. Son Of A Preacher Man

09. Groovin'

10. Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday

11. The Gardener

12. Cry To Me

13. Something About My Man

We start with two albums that compile the songs that Judy Mowatt sang together with the Gaylettes between 1967 and 1973. Conventionally you will find one album which lists 18 songs of this period, called We Shall Sing. I have found a few more songs to be added and have thus split everything up into two albums. We Shall Sing is the first we shall discuss. Judy Mowatt would sing a lot of cover songs while singing lead vocals for the Gaylettes, just as other Rocksteady groups did, such as The Wailers for instance. The first song, 'Silent River Runs Deep' is a song they wrote themselves and is truly an amazing opening of this album. "Hold me, come on and squeeze me, kiss me, one more time, 'cause 'I Like Your World', I'll be your girl from now on". A brilliant follow up to 'Silent River Runs Deep. 'Here Comes That Feeling' is a Brenda Lee song but perfectly chosen by The Gaylettes to fit there quality repertoire. Joe Sullivan sang 'If You Can't Be Good, Be Careful', and now Judy Mowatt sings her version. Van Morrison, "Van the Man", composed 'I Shall Sing' and many singers have made their cover version. Art Garfunkel, Boney M, Miriam Makeba, fellow I-Threes singer Marcia Griffiths and also Judy Mowatt with The Gaylettes. 'Take A Change' builds up slowly and is a typical Rocksteady love song. Not Lovers Rock but Lovers Rocksteady. For that we've got another title following called 'That's How Strong My Love Is', a song they cover from Otis Redding, but who himself covered it from O. V. Wright. This is where The Gaylettes leave Rocksteady altogether and sing Soul. Probably the best known cover song that Judy Mowatt sang is 'Son Of A Preacher Man', made famous first by Dusty Springfield. I personally like this version of The Gaylettes better but I might be slightly biased in favour of any Rocksteady track. Yet another cover song is 'Groovin'', a song by The Young Rascals. 'Groovin'' is a mellow soul track. It must be clear that The Gaylettes like soul, as the cover Motown 'Yester-Me, Yester-You, Yesterday'. It must be noted that this song was first recorded by a woman, Chris Clark. This time The Gaylettes use a funky Rocksteady rhythm. The following two songs are not originally found on We Shall Sing. They are two other singles that The Gaylettes sung in the period which is covered by We Shall Sing and Rescue Me. 'The Gardener' is a beautiful song, "we're in charge of this garden of life in which the flowers of true love grows" and "we're the gardeners, in this life, let's move out the hatred and give love some rise". 'Cry To Me', first sung by Solomon Burke but later covered by others, for example the Rolling Stones, now finds its place on We Shall Sing. 'Something About My Man' featured twice on this album originally, as different versions, of which one I have moved unto the album Rescue Me. The other version normally found on this album is replaced by a version that is a bit faster but sounds a bit brighter.

Judie Mowatt - Rescue Me

01. Way Over Yonder

02. It Must Be Him

03. Something About My Man

04. I Love You

05. Rescue Me

06. Emergency Call

07. Mellow Mood

08. Zip-A-Dee_doo-Dah

09. Heartaches I Can't Take

10. She Didn't Know

11. Surround Yourself With Sorrow

12. How Come You Come (ft. Lee Perry)

13. In Paradise (ft. Jackie Edwards)

14. Joy To The World

 

The second album of Judy Mowatt with The Gaylettes is Rescue Me. I have made the album art myself. This album contains the remaining tracks that you will usually find on We Shall Sing including some extra ones which Judy recorded under various names, such as Julian, Julie Ann, or Judy of the Gaylettes. The first one is a cover version of Carole King's 'Way Over Yonder'. Judy gives it her own swing with a nice Rocksteady rhythm., her voice kills the track, I mean that positively. 'It Must Be Him' is 'Seul Sur Son Étoile' by Gilbert Bécaud, a French song first covered in English by Vikki Car, and later by Judy Mowatt and The Gaylettes. Mowatt sings it equally beautiful, if not better. You had already heard a version of 'Something About My Man' on We Shall Sing. The one featuring on Rescue Me is more easy and slow. The name of the song is also known as 'He's Kind Of Jealous'. The song 'I Love You' is one covered from Donny Hathaway. He called it 'Je Vous Aime (I Love You)' but since there are no actual French lyrics in the song I chose for the title 'I Love You'. I have titled the album after the song 'Rescue Me', a song they sang after Fontella Bass. Once again you might find yourself impressed by the version of The Gaylettes. 'Emergency Call' is not a cover song and is probably one of the latest songs recorded before starting to work on a solo album.  As well as the version of  'Mellow Mood' it was recorded in 1973. It is also the title of the first solo album by Judy Mowatt. 'Emergency Call' is a good title relating to the name of the album. 'Mellow Mood' is the first occasion that Judy Mowatt sings a Bob Marley song, even before singing background vocals of The Wailers. 'Mellow Mood' can be found in the discography of The Wailers on the Roots Reggae Library on Rock To The Rock as well as Life Line, a slow and faster version. 'Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah' is a Disney song by James Baskett, playing Uncle Remus in Song Of The South. The song is as old as 1946. A very female voiced presentation is 'Heartaches I Can't Take', "baby, the end is near". She can take headaches, toothache, but these heartaches are just too much for her. Judy called it 'She Kept On Talking', but the original title is 'She Didn't Know' by Dee Dee Warwick, a beautiful song. A woman confronts her husband with another woman who she has met at a party. Another great Soul song converted to Rocksteady. 'Surround Yourself With Sorrow' is a song by Cilla Black and was also recorded in Italian under the name 'Quando Si Spezza Un Grande Amore'. Once again the performance of The Gaylettes is just as good as the originals. The Gaylettes find themselves two male singers to sing with for the next two singles which I've listed on Rescue Me. "'How Come You Come' when I come" is together with Lee "Scratch" Perry. 'In Paradise' with Jackie Edwards might as well be the best track on this album, but that is for you to decide. 'In Paradise' and 'Joy To The World' appeared on Tighten Up! Volume 5 of Trojan Records. 'Joy To The World' is also known as 'Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog' and was a song by Three Dog Night.

Judy Mowatt - Mellow Mood 

01. Mellow Mood

02. Love Seed

03. I'm Alone

04. What An Experience

05. Mister Big Man

06. Pour Sugar On Me

07. You Were To Good For Me

08. Just A Stranger Here

09. Rasta Woman Chant

10. The First Cut Is The Deepest

11. Never Let Me Go 

We find ourselves at the start of the first solo album by Judy Mowatt, rather than the previous two compilation of songs. I think the album art has been made much later than the original release of Mellow Mood because Judy Mowatt looks older than she was in 1975. The first song, 'Mellow Mood', is both a cover of a song she had made earlier with The Gaylettes, as well as a cover of Bob Marley's song with The Wailers found on Rock To The Rock and Life Line. This album was released in 1975 by which Judy had already formed the I-Threes with Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths. They appeared on Natty Dread for the first time as the Bob Marley background vocalists. Mellow Mood was released on Tuff Gong.  "Let your 'Love Seed' and let it grow, for as you do so, you reap what you sow", thus love. Give love to others in your live and you will receive it back from them. "Time waits for no man". Judy has not lost her Soul displayed in her earlier recordings, she proves with 'I'm Alone'. The sad song where she sings "I'm so sick, I'm so tired, I'm so bitterly left alone". She was supposed to be together with a man but he has found himself another lover, no more Bonny & Clyde. He had promised her the earth but he dished her dirt. "I'll never trust another man" she sings. She has not yet fully drifted into the Reggae movement but likes to sing songs in the style of the former 'I'm Alone' and like 'What An Experience'. Her live has been lighted up recently, it has taken a turn for the better and her heartaches have been gone. She tells 'Mister Big Man' that her own time has come and Mister Big Man's time is over. No more living in the ghetto and no more hunger. She has been hurt physically and emotionally and  puts it to a halt. A personal favourite of mine is the flute melody of 'Pour Sugar On Me', "don't stop baby don't stop, keep your sugar coming, 'cause you pour sugar on me, now tell me that you love me, that's all I want to know". Not as in "you were too good for me, I didn't deserve you", but rather as in "you felt you were better than me", so 'You Were Too Good For Me'. Having travelled a long way but without the intention of staying Judy Mowatt sings "I am 'Just A Stranger Here'". She displays a strong high pitched shout which never becomes false. Finally some real strong Reggae identification on Mellow Mood, the 'Rasta Woman Chant'. This is Judy Mowatt moving away from the Soul and Rocksteady, pulled towards Reggae. "My man works so hard, till in the sun all day, while I'm being in the cotton fields and getting ready to lamber me, the sound of chains around me, looking around I would see my man bound in chains, is getting sick with pain and agony". They're both working as slaves and while she is getting a beating, all her man can do is watch and he is filled with pain. "Whoy, whoy, whoy, whoy" for the physical pain she feels. Although calling it 'First Cut' herself, the song is 'The First Cut Is The Deepest', written and performed by Cat Stevens, as well as performed by Rod Stewart. 'Never Let Me Go' is a bonus single on the Roots Reggae Library. Whereas 'Rasta Woman Chant' and 'The First Cut Is The Deepest' were moving Mowatt towards Reggae, 'Never Let me Go' is not yet in that realm.

Judy Mowatt - Black Woman

01. Strength To Go Through

02. Concrete Jungle

03. Slave Queen

04. Put It On

05. Zion Chant

06. Black Woman

07. Down In The Valley

08. Joseph

09. Many Are Called

10. Sisters' Chant

11. Hail Selassie I

12. Glad Song

By many labelled the best female Reggae album of all time and I would argue no different. Judy Mowatt has stepped with both feet into the Reggae movement. These are all heavy loaded lyrics chanting for the right of woman as well as expressing love for Rastafari and brethren. "Drifting away, you're sinking today, life line is out, don't panic don't shout", the story of the prodigal son, who needs to have the 'Strength To Go Through', and so should you. There has never been a better cover of a Bob Marley song than 'Concrete Jungle' by Judy Mowatt.'Concrete Jungle' is probably my favourite Bob Marley song in the first place, but that means I'd only raise the bar higher for a good executed cover of it. Judy Mowatt moves me by playing the song melodic and calm at the same time. There is no rush in her tempo, brilliant, in great appreciation of the original song on Catch A Fire. Earlier versions can be found on The Wailers Keep On Skanking and Life Line. Where Bob sings "men you've got to do your best", Judy sings "men and women have to do their best" and later sticks to only "a woman has to do her best". What follows is a song that brings up female beauty of black woman. "Your black lips red, your eyes faint blue, you don't know yourself, and that's not true". She tells the 'Slave Queen' to "remove the shackles from your mind", using poetry like Bob Marley did in 'Concrete Jungle'. She sings to the African queen and to all queens. "Feel them spirit" can only be the start of 'Put It On', "Lord I thank you" and "feel alright now". The oldest version of the song can be found on Ska album Simmer Down of The Wailers. It is sung by Bob Marley again on Rock To The Rock and Soul Revolution. Eventually it was decided to be recorded for Burnin'. "In this world there is pure confusion, people dying of sufferation". But in Holy Mount Zion there is none of that. Freddie McGregor has written 'Zion Chant' for Judy Mowatt. "Going home to Holy Mount Zion, join the light, don't need no baggage, marching on African children". If you thought that 'Slave Queen' was a strong female voice in the Reggae world than have yourself a go at 'Black Woman'. "We are forsaken once in the plantation, lashes to our skin, on auction blocks with a chain and called handled merchandise, carnally abused and won't we were refused, and thrown in the garbage bin, but no need for that now, free yourself of that now and help me sing my song". This is the heaviest track on the album and Judy rightfully named the album after it. "black woman, black woman, I know you've struggled long, I feel your afflictions, to you I dedicate my son". It is said to be written by Bob Marley, 'Down In The Valley'. "I wanna leave from a Babylon into my father's land, we've been down in the valley much to long and we never get weary yet". If Bob Marley did indeed write it he penned down another beauty of a song. The trumpet also plays a vital role. "Singing Lord Jah, Ethiopia" and "came off the way from Zion into this strange land, say they kill Lumumba for his own land but they couldn't kill the Rastaman". 'Joseph' is another song that sticks out in which Mowatt declared brotherly love to Bob Marley. "Through you I gathered my first inspiration for writing my songs into the light of salvation". It is unique because it is one of the few tributes to Marley written while he was still alive and kicking. "You are a father, a brother, one that I never had". "They don't know you're here for a purpose", "Joseph, we love you". Perhaps the beautiful poem written for Bob Marley. The lyrics for 'Many Are Called' are taken straight from the book of Matthew. "Many are saying brother love, many are saying sister hail". The 'Sisters' Chant' is another song in the category of 'Slave Queen' and 'Black Woman', female rights. "Oh Jah, let the sisters walk with thee, oh Jah, let us communicate with thee" because there is "temptation, frustration, desolation". Women should always be protected because they carry our future. On an album called The Twelve Tribes Of Israel: Showcase Volume One released in 1980 one Judy Mowatt song featured called 'Hail Selassie I'. "Reading through my Bible I'll tell you what I see",she was a member of The Twelve Tribes Of Israel, like Ijahman Levi. This song and the next are two exclusive additions on the Roots Reggae Library to Black Woman. The album that follows Black Woman is one that would later be released again under another title, as three of the ten tracks would be the same. Rather than dumping them all on one album, the first of these three songs features as a bonus on Black Woman, 'Glad Song'. The choir singing in the song is wonderful and the song fits the album well. There are various different versions of the album art of this album.I used to have the album where Judy is looking to the side as a wallpaper in my room.

Judy Mowatt - Only A Woman

01. You're My People

02. Only A Woman

03. Trade Winds

04. Think

05. Got To Leave The West

06. I Am Not Mechanical

07. On Your Mark

08. Big Woman

09. You'll Want Me Back

10. King Of Kings

11. Mister Dee Jay

12. Get Happy

Before Only A Woman was released in 1982 there was a release of Mr. Dee-J, or Mister Dee Jay in 1981. That album contains seven tracks that are the same on Only A Woman. From the three songs that are unique on that album 'Glad Song' was added to Black Woman and the other two are found as the last two tracks on Only A Woman. Judy Mowatt speaks up for her people in 'You're My People'. "Now we must organise, centralise, that's what our Father say, now we must be unified, stand aline that we will be on our way, today". The song is sometimes called 'My, My People'. "We're not weak, we are strong, we've been held back for two long, from the train of womanality". 'Only A Woman' is another effort of Judy Mowatt to discuss the feminine topic and to tell us where she stands on it. "We're not made of stick and stones" and "the time has come for us to take a stance". The chorus "don't treat us inhuman, just because we're only woman" is easily remembered. Just as 'The First Cut Is The Deepest', 'Trade Winds' was sung by Rod Stewart. But just like 'First Cut', it is not originally by Rod Stewart. 'Trade Winds' was first sung by The Three Degrees. It was written by the duo Ralph MacDonald and William Salter. It is not Reggae which is why I am less of a fan of 'Trade Winds'. 'Think' on the other hand is very much Reggae. "Exercise your mind 'cause you don't know what's going to happen to you tomorrow" because "it can be pain or sorrow, today you're up, tomorrow you're down, the earth is always spinning around" so please "think, think, think". Judy's voice is perfect for this song. "We've been down here for more than 400 years" in Jamaica and it is time for repatriation. "We've 'Got To Leave The West' 'cause the West must perish, there's a better land where our fathers stand", yes "the time is now". She asks "how can we give up a continent for an island?" "I see hatred, I see jealousy, brotherhood is dying, love is our only answer". You can not simply push a button to turn Judy Mowatt on or off. She is only human, and a woman, 'I Am Not Mechanical'. She needs love to feel strong. 'On Your Mark' is a peculiar song but I think it is a very catchy chorus. The male in the background counting adds to the diversity of this song. "Take it easy, don't be hasty", "right on the groove, get set, and wey we go". For 'Big Woman' Judy uses a bit of David Seville's 'Witch Doctor', although she changes the words of the original spell, and sings a different song about a big woman in town who sings "money I ain't got any, loving I've got plenty". 'You Don't Care' is what the ninth song is called on Only Woman, but it is written by Curtis Mayfield of The Impressions as 'You'll Want Me Back'. It's already to late for getting either Curtis or Judy back. The line "you'll want me back" is not actually heard in the track which is why I stick to Judy's title 'You Don't Care', in a similar fashion to the track of The Techniques, a Rocksteady group who also covered this song. "King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Elect of God, Light of this World, our Creator, Selassie I". the 'King Of Kings' is the "one who took us out of Egypt, led us across the Red Sea, one who destroyed our enemies so that his people could be free" and much more. A calm and beautiful song. The last two tracks were taken from Mister Dee Jay and were cleaned up in terms of the disturbance heard in the beginning and end of this song. The same was done earlier for 'Glad Song' which featured on Black Woman. 'Mister Dee Jay' is the title track of the album that was released in 1981 which was very similar to Only A Woman. She asks him to play a song and after it we hear 'Get Happy', "get in the mood, get right". You create your own environment and it is best if it consists of love and happiness. A year later Judy would appear live on stage with Peter Tosh in New York singing together the song 'One Love'.

Judy Mowat - Working Wonders

01. Black Man, Brown Man

02. Working Wonders

03. Lovemaking

04. Let's Dance

05. So Many Eyes

06. Mother Africa

07. Ethiopia Salaam

08. Hush Baby Mother

09. Traveling Woman

10. King's Highway

11. Reasons

Even though Black Woman is the best known Judy Mowatt album, there are a few others that are definitely worthy of the title "good Reggae album". Working Wonders is one of them. The beautiful and elegant Judy Mowatt starts of with a very nice musical introduction of the song "'Black Man, Brown Man', yellow man, red man, tanned man" but she sings "black woman, brown woman, yellow woman. red woman, tanned woman just as well, she sings about lovers and about coming home. The song was written by Taj Mahal, an American songwriter who sang the song with Ziggy Marley later in his career. Such a sweet opening of Working Wonders. In 'Working Wonders' itself she sings about her man who she can't live without, "my man's got his hands out and he keeps on working wonder". 'Lovemaking' sounds very different and she uses a different voiced tone. "I'm a different kind of woman, I'm not up to any tricks". I like the way she sings this rather different than usual songs. Sangie Davis wrote 'Let's Dance' for Judy Mowatt. He was the one who was partially responsible for 'Wake Up And Live', as well as singing 'Jingling Keys' himself on a rehearsal session, a personal favourite of mine. "Sweet music make you feel irie, yeah". The song features a dub section at the end. "'So Many Eyes' watching I, wanna see I fall, there ain't no love in them, no love at all, they're trying their best to overthrow I, digging pits in my way, but the statues that I live by, will guide I along Jah narrow way". She will keep on fighting and never give in to the battle of freedom. 'So Many Eyes' is truly a great song. She can taste the sweet taste of victory. We hear the waves washing ashore in  Mother Africa'. Repatriation is the theme as it was in 'Got To Leave The West'. Children want to come home to Africa and they are on their way. "Our souls are born in Africa". Once in Africa their will be no more separation of people like there is in Jamaica. Ready for the arrival she sings 'Ethiopia Salaam' and sends her greetings to mother Africa. She sings about Selassie like any a Rasta would do. After nine months of hell Judy sings "'Hush Baby Mother', things will be better tomorrow". The male background vocals are wonderful on this song and you might wonder why such backing vocals are not heard more often. Male artists often employ female background vocalist but it works very nice the other way 'round as well. "Many miles away, across the sea, my home is waiting there, come along with me, we can make it, you and me, I'm a 'Travelling Woman'. Realise that this song too is about returning to the motherland. It is originally a song by The Techniques called 'Travelling Man'. Note that 'You Don't Care' on Only A Woman was also sung by The Techniques. "I'm walking, talking, shouting, the 'King's Highway', what a happy day". She went to the palace and she saw no weapons, just the truth. Working Words has ten songs on its playlist normally. On the Roots Reggae Library you will find an added single called 'Reasons'. There is a time for everything, but right now we should give thanks and praises and enjoy the fruits of the season. Make a nice blend of live  

Judy Mowatt - Love Is Overdue

01. Sing Our Own Song

02. Love Is Overdue

03. Try A Little Tenderness

04. Long Long Time

05. Rock Me

06. Get Up Chant

07. Screw Face

08. Hold Dem Jah

09. One More Minute

10. Who Is He

The first of three love-titled albums, Love Is Overdue. "We will 'Sing Our Own Song'" and "we will fight for our right to be free" and "we will build our own society", "the voice of our forefathers", written by UB40. Sing Our Own Song is also the name of a compilation album of Judy Mowatt. She sings "amandla awethu", "power to the people", a Zulu and Xhosa outcry of the ANC against the South African Apartheid system. It will not be the only cover song on Love Is Overdue. Hopefully you will find true love, happiness and peace of mind. "You need strength, you need hope, promises don't mean a thing, you need love, to soothe your soul". 'Soothe Your Soul' is the name of a song and album by Bankie Banx. But this is definitely 'Love Is Overdue'. No response at your phone call can make desperate, especially when you love has been something long wanted. Going back to We Shall Sing we had heard a cover version of 'That's How Strong My Love Is'. Are you ready for another Otis Redding cover song? I hope so, because we are going to 'Try A Little Tenderness'.She still likes to keep a soul track or two within her repertoire rather than going full Reggae. That continues in 'Long Long Time'. "It's been a long long time since we've had good times together". I prefer to hear Reggae like "come on and 'Rock Me' some more, come on and rock me on the floor", yes "come ah, come ah, come ah, come on". She's been searching a long time for the right love but seems to have found it now. She then rocks 'Get Up Chant', "let's unite all the nations together", singing about the God of creation and Gabriel. "No more pain from the slave drivers hands, no more plagues devastating our lands, no more ponder of the present pains, the Lion of Judah shall break every chain, lift your brothers out of the dust, 'cause the Father's love, his love is a must". "Comfort to the mind it comes with meditation, message to the soul in the book of Revelation, forever lives the man who understands, we'll all chant and praise in the promised land, holding each other hands to be free, free from hate, poverty". I am a huge fan of the lyrics in this song as you might have noticed. Judy noted the title of 'Screw Face' as 'Screwace', but I prefer sticking to original titles. This is of course a cover of the song by The Wailers with Bob Marley on lead vocals. You can find the song on Satisfy My Soul Jah Jah and Soul Adventurer. "Remember Jah when you're sick, or when you're in great trouble", she begs Jah to "show dem" and to 'Hold Dem Jah'. The style of this track is towards Dancehall. She asks for 'One More Minute', or maybe an hour, a second or a day, "mummy wait, just a little bit, maybe he will quit". An uptempo track that is solid. At the end of the track she sings "mummy wait, just a little bit, I know your son will quit". The last track is a devotion to God, 'Who Is He'. He is the one that fills her with the songs she sings. "The moon and stars is recording our story, they are photographers of the night".

Judy Mowatt - Look At Love

01. Fly African Eagle

02. Watchdogs

03. Groovin'

04. Guilty

05. Candle In The Window

06. Jah Live

07. Tomorrow Nation

08. Skin Of My Skin

09. Look At Love

10. Lioness In The Jungle

11. Day By Day

12. Warrior Queen

13. Never Get Away

14. After The Party (ft. Cocoa Tea)

Five years after Love Is Overdue comes Look At Love. She starts by singing about Africa, "love to my friends in Nigeria, peace in Soweto, peace in Namibia, all over Africa", 'Fly African Eagle', Judy sees a new Africa rising and the world is watching it. "I'm longing for my people" in Africa because, she sings about herself and those around her, "it's a long time they left home". Even though you have tried to close both your ears and eyes it is impossible to be ignorant of the blasphemy around you."Give thanks for your protection, your 'Watchdogs' of the night, who hold the hungry wolves at bay and keep them out of sight". These first two tracks are not deep Roots Reggae but they are nice nonetheless. 'Groovin'' is a new version recorded by Judy Mowatt after the song she had sung with The Gaylettes the song on We Shall Sing. It is a song that was composed by The Young Rascals. A crime against the poor little ones in 'Guilty' which sounds completely different from what we've heard from Judy Mowatt so far. It might be a bit similar to the style of 'Hold Dem Jah' on Love Is Overdue. But it is not only Judy's voice that is different, it is the music and the introduction as well. Switching back to a more cool and calm style she sings "there's a candle burning in my window tonight, in case he does come home, he might see the light, there's a fire blazing in my soul tonight". 'Candle In The Window' is emotional. She keeps on preparing dinner for two even though her man is away fighting on the frontline for liberty. After 'Mellow Mood', 'Concrete Jungle', 'Put It On' and 'Screw Face' the following cover of a Bob Marley song you will hear of Judy Mowatt is 'Jah Live' and I am delighted that she choose to sing it. What a beautiful song this is which Bob performed live at the One Love Peace Concert. You can find it as a bonus track on Rastaman Vibration if you have the Roots Reggae Library version of that album. "Fools say in their hearts Rasta your God is dead, but I know, I'm sure, there's a doubt in my mind, dread it shall be dread ah dread". Are you playing a game? What is your name? "What have you been doing? Can we talk about the children?" Spare me a minute to talk about the 'Tomorrow Nation'. With that we return to the style we heard in 'Watchdogs'. Lost, "strolling up the wrong street", you look like you are a stranger. Not 'Just A Stranger Here' as on Mellow Mood but 'Skin Of My Skin', "blood of my blood", "come on back to your culture". A heavy beat for the title track 'Look At Love'. Judy wants to build her own reality with love because can make working wonders. We have heard that before for sure. Love is growing bigger and stronger than ever. The vibes are taking over! She turns into a roaring lioness, a 'Lioness In The Jungle'. Don't involve her in tribal wars because she is a fearless defender "so don't put I 'pon your political agenda". In the love song 'Day By Day' "people just don't seem to realise, so all they do is try to criticise". There is a clip in a documentary in which Judy sings 'Warrior Queen', where it is called 'Black Warrior Queen'. This video is highly recommended. "Great black warrior Queens, in history we have seen, great black warrior Queens", "Harriet Tubman, she led her people through the underground railroad, Amy Garvey, a loyal woman by Marcus' side, condemned the system of slavery, and the list goes on and on". "Though not stars of our history books no one can deny she was a mother, a rebel, a warrior, a leader, a teacher, a wive" and "to the needy she was a tower of strength in the struggle for equality and justice she dedicated her life". Though not on a Reggae beat, this is a very important song. "Nanny of the Maroons have the British confused by the schemes that she used, Queen Makeda once ruled Ethiopia, Rosa Parks showed us the way to the front of the bus, Mary Bethune built a college from nothing for her people, and the list goes on and on". A parody on 'Down In The Valley' from Black Woman she sings "never get weary yet, I've been down in the valley for a very long time" on 'Never Get Away'. In 1991 Judy Mowatt made a single with Cocoa Tea called 'After The Party'.This has been added to this album as a bonus track.

Judy Mowatt - Rock Me

01. Simmer Down

02. Rock Me

03. Guava Jelly

04. Zion Chant

05. Bubbling

06. Lean On Me (ft. Jack Radics)

07. Life (ft. Angie Angel)

08. Mad, Mad World

09. I Shall Be Released

10. House Of Fire

11. Victory Is Near

12. God Bless The Children
13. Zion Chant

You might remember that we had a song on Love Is Overdue called 'Rock Me'. We will get to that in a bit. First we hear a remake of 'Simmer Down' by The Wailers. Just like Bunny Wailer did she shifted the track around a bit. It sounds quite different from the original but all the lines are there. 'Simmer Down' is found on the Ska album Simmer Down by The Wailers. There are quite a number of cover songs on this album. Like I said, she sings 'Rock Me' which she had performed herself first on Love Is Overdue. The version on this album is different than that first recording. We all know that "Ooh baby, here I am, come rub it on my belly like 'Guava Jelly'" was written by Bob Marley for The Wailers. Two different versions of that song are found on the Rocksteady albums Satisfy My Soul Jah Jah and Soul Revolution. On Black Woman we heard 'Zion Chant' for the very first time. The song on Rock Me sounds completely different from that in its verses but in the chorus we have some recognition of the old recording. Freddy McGregor had written the lines for this song. "Going home, holy Mount Zion, join the light, don't need no baggage". 'Bubbling' is not a cover of any song. So much for the Reggae sound though, because she parted from that for 'Bubbling'. Please call Jack Radics if you are in need of a friend. "'Lean On Me' when you're not strong, I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long 'till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on" they sing together at once. Not much is left intact from the original song by Bill Withers. Angie Angel, who sang 'Rub-A-Dub' with Bunny Wailer on Combination comes on the podium to sing 'Life' with Judy Mowatt. Rock Me was also released under the name Life in Jamaica. "Modernisation has reached every nation" and because of it we are living in a 'Mad, Mad World'. We hear a bit of the type of Reggae vibe we heard often on Look At Love. "When will this war be over" Mowatt asks. "Any day now 'I Shall Be Released'" is the song from the perspective of a prisoner, written by Bob Dylan. Judy Mowatt offers the song a Reggae beat. You are only hurting yourself in 'House On Fire'. There is no water so the whole house will probably down. Although the song was not sung by anyone else previously it was written by Yeshemabeth McGregor, the daughter of Judy Mowatt and Fredie McGregor. Don't surrender! 'Victory Is Near'! "Believe me when I tell you!" The song is written by Owen Iblaka Ellis, and so was the song 'Life'. Judy refers to him as "Owen Blacka". A song by The Staple Singers, written by Jimmy Holiday, Judy Mowatt sings a cover of 'God Bless The Children'. Once again a non-Reggae song that Judy transformed somewhat. 'Zion Chant' is a single added from Reggae Hits Volume 16 where Judy Mowatt sings the iconic song from Black Woman in a Dancehall rhythm.

Judy Mowatt - Love

01. The Gardener

02. Turn, Turn, Turn

03. Ooh Child (ft. Yeshemabeth McGregor)

04. Standing In The Gap (ft. Terrence Harold)

05. I Want To Be More

06. Oh Happy Day

07. Lamb Of God

08. I Want To Thank You (ft. Various Artists)

09. Thank You Lord

10. Show Love

11. Arise

12. I Will Survive (ft. Madlock) 

Judy Mowatt turns herself away from the Reggae she used to play and becomes more fond of Gospel. She becomes a Christian as well. There are two versions of the order of tracks on this album. The Japanese release of the album starts with the song 'Show Love', which will come much later on the tracklist I present to you here. Prepare for many a cover song on the album. On the Roots Reggae Library we start with 'The Gardener', a single that she had sung with The Gaylettes. Though normally not appearing on We Shall Sing, it has been placed on it as a bonus on the Roots Reggae Library. "Give Love some light" is what she sings and therefore it fits the album well. Like on the bonus 'Reasons' on Working Wonders Judy sings how there is a time for everything in 'Turn, Turn, Turn', also called 'Turn! Turn! Turn!'. Refrain from temptation and focus on love and peace. 'Turn, Turn, Turn' is a single from 1965 by The Byrds,Yeshemabeth McGregor was mentioned as the writer of 'House On Fire' on Rock Me. She is the daughter of Judy Mowatt and Freddie McGregor. She sings 'Ooh Child' with Judy Mowatt. Yeshemabeth even sings about her mother in the song. The original song is by The Five Stairsteps, released in 1970. Ijahman Levi also called one of his daughters Yeshemabeth. 'Standing In The Gap' is a song by Babbie Mason from the early 90's. Judy Mowatt sings a cover of it together with Terrence Harold, also known as Fahrenheit. 'I Want To Be More Than An Ordinary Servant' is a Jamaican Gospel song that was performed by artists such as Martins Heritage, Regina Wingate, and now Judy Mowatt. 'Oh happy Day' is an old Gospel song from 1967 by the Edwin Hawkins Singers. And yet another Christian Gospel classic is 'Lamb Of God', sung by people such as Sarah Reeves, Twila Paris, Cece Winans and Donny McClurkin. Once more Yeshemabeth McGregor, as well as Papa San, a Jamaican Ragga DJ, who sing Alicia Myer's 'I Want To Thank You' with Judy. Even though Judy has started dedicated her life to Jesus there is still time for a Bob Marley cover on this album as well. 'Thank You Lord' "for every little thing" from Selassie Is The Chapel and Soul Adventurer, the Rocksteady albums of The Wailers. "We have got to find a solution for the next generation" because "brother taking brother's life" for no reason. I like 'Show Love'. As far as I know it is the only original song by Judy Mowatt on this album together with 'Arise', which comes next, not counting 'The Gardener'. But 'Arise' is not originally from this Love album, it has been added as a bonus, it is a single found on another various artists album, New Era Reggae.. There are four songs that have different remixes at the end of the album. These are 'Standing The Gap', 'I Want To Thank You', 'Ooh Child' and 'Turn, Turn, Turn'. These have been removed from the Roots Reggae Library version of the album. Instead you will find the hit song of Gloria Gaynor 'I Will Survive' added to the album as a second bonus song, which she sings with Matlock. 'I Will Survive' is a single that featured on Positive Runnings: A Celebration Of The Jamaican Bob Team. Not Bob Marley, but the Jamaican bobsled team.

Judy Mowatt - Something Old, Something New

01. Who Is He

02. Victory is Near

03. Many Are Called

04. I Sing Praises

05. Heal Our Land

06. Blood Washed Pilgrim

07. Fear Not

08. Revival

09. I Don't Wanna Stay Here

10. Strength To Go Through

11. Mother's Call

12. Blood Medley

13. I Praise You Mighty God

14. Hold Dem Jesus

15. Don't Stop

16. King Of Kings

17. Jah Love

Judy Mowatt's last album is Something Old, Something New. Even though she has turned towards the Gospel side of music she does sing a number of old tracks. She kicks that off with the first song 'Who Is He' which was the last song on Love Is Overdue. On Something Old, Something New her voice has matured, but the song itself has not changed. She takes the next song from Rock Me, 'Victory Is Near', a song that was written by Owen Iblaka Ellis. On this version she sings about Jesus being our salvation and being the Conquering Lion. All the way back to Black Woman we hear 'Many Are Called' one more time. Be aware of the wolf in sheep clothing! She ends the song different than the Black Woman version singing some Dancehall inspired lines, "gimme me freedom make we gwan ah me father, hail Jah man we want fe step out of Babylon". Even though many people said that Judy wouldn't make it, the Lord has always supported her and therefore she wants to thank him, 'I Sing Praises', thanking him for sending Jesus. Where her teenage mum was not fully able to support her, God did. The song definitely has a Reggae ring to it. We need Jesus because there is trouble all over the world. People should be humble and turn from their wicked ways. 'Heal Our Land' Lord, she begs. Please hear her cry and turn the nation back to where it belongs. In 'Blood Washed Pilgrim' she sings about the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego, where the furnace was heated seven times. "Times of victory, crowns of glory". "You are my saviour, you're my lord and I belong to you, you came and bought me with your blood, you paid the price for me" and "I'll go where you lead me", so 'Fear Not', "the battle is not mine but it's the Lord's". Get ready because we will be marching to victory "with power in our hands" and God is going to send a 'Revival' all over this land. Please be prepared Mowatt asks. She knows that Jesus is coming back and sings 'I Don't Wanna Stay Here'. It is ironical that she used to be a strong empowered Rasta woman believing that Haile Selassie was Jesus returning to this earth. Now she is singing that Jesus still has to come back. "I lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help" like on Ijahman Levi his song 'Arkart' off the album with the same name. The lifeline is out once again, 'Strength To Go Through', the song from Black Woman. We stay on that album to here a different kind of lyrical version of 'Sisters' Chant', now a 'Mother's Chant', asking the Father to be communicated with. There is power in the blood, the blood of Jesus, so a 'Blood Medley' she sings. It washes away her sins and makes her whole again. It is quite clear that she has grown quite fond of Jesus. Even more so when she sings 'I Praise You Mighty God', where she does call him King of Kings. Both 'Blood Medley' and 'I Praise You Mighty God' sound very happy tuned which is a bit strange on the ears being Christian Reggae songs. Do you remember 'Hold Dem Jah' from Love Is Overdue? It is now changed to 'Hold Dem Jesus'. Staying in style with the original title of the song I changed 'Hold Them Jesus' into 'Hold Dem Jesus'. The song 'Don't Stop' is a Rock song by Fleetwood Mac, written by Christine McVie, vocalist and keyboard player. The Judy Mowatt version featured on Reggae Rocks: A Tribute To Rock 'N Roll. Other songs taken from that album were 'We Can Work It Out' by Steel Pulse and 'Blowin' In The Wind' by The Abyssinians. 'King Of Kings' is a song of Only A Woman. I found another version of the song and felt that it would well fit Something Old, Something New, being something old. You won't be surprised to hear that this time the song focuses on Jesus, rather than Selassie. 'Jah Love' is a single released in 2012. By lack of a later album it has been added here as a bonus track. On Blowin' In The Wind: A Reggae Tribute To Bob Dylan Judy sings the song 'Knockin' On Heaven'. It will be the last Judy Mowatt song in this discography. She sings it beautifully.

Studio Albums

««««¶ (1967 - 1973) - We Shall Sing
««««¶ (1967 - 1973) - Rescue Me

««««« (1975) Mellow Mood
««««« (1979) Black Woman
««««« (1982) Only A Woman
««««« (1985) Working Wonders
««««« (1986) Love Is Overdue
««««« (1991) Look At Love
««««« (1993) Rock Me
««««« (1998) Love
««««« (2002) Something Old, Something New 

Original Date Of Publishing: February 2016