The Roots Reggae Library brings to you Reggae music in unique collections. This edition features the discography of The Visionaires, a group that recorded only a single album.
I came across The Visionaires after a fan of the Roots Reggae Library asked me if I had their one album in my collection. I did not at first, but soon found it. I liked the record quite a bit so I felt inclined to publish it at the Library. They are a harmonious vocal group. The names of these three musketeers are Audley Watson, Basil Gayle and Winston Dudney.
The Visionaires - To Have A Home
01. To Have A Home
02. Travelling On
03. Marcus Garvey
04. Embarrassing
05. How Long Oh Lord
06. My History
07. African Princess
08. Little Herb Spliff
09. Sky Gazing
10. Standing On The Hillside
Recorded at Tuff Gong Studios and released by The Twelve Tribes Of Israel Music Recording & Publishing Incorporated is To Have A Home, the single album ever released by The Visionaires. Interestingly, Freddie McGregor participates on this album playing some of the drums. The track 'To Have A Home' could have been called 'Some Of Us' too. "Some of us have nowhere to rest our heads" is one of the lines we here them sing. "Wicked men don't you see that people need some care", especially the sufferers. They call to Jah for their rescue in 'Travelling On' when they are faced with trials and tribulation, or when they are in distress. Jah is asked to save them from all evil. "Travelling on the righteous track, never looking to turn back". "Although the road be rough and rocky, yes we're gonna trod it still". My favourite song on this album is 'Marcus Garvey'. "The philosophy of Marcus Garvey should be taught in the school classes, should be taught in the marketplaces". "Teacher it about Marcus Garvey, he was a very great man, but they try to hide the main things that Marcus Garvey prophesied". "Teacher it is time to know more about the philosophy of Marcus Mosiah Garvey". It's difficult for me to stop listening to it. Although I must say that the beat of 'How Long Oh Lord' is a very good one. The Visionaires are asking Jah about casting his judgement for the blood of the saint. I have two favourite songs on this album. You may have already figured out that one is 'Marcus Garvey', but the other one starts to play now. "I can trace My History right back, even before the days of slavery, when Africa was ploughing with plantation, we never knew Western civilisation, but them came in our land and they saw that it was grand, and so they made a plan, just to take a stand, by I can still hear them sounds of those distant drums, they're calling us home to mother Africa". The playing of the drums is then asking them to come home. Sweet, black 'African Princess' is "the most beautiful woman that God ever made". Attractive to behold, like silver and gold, and other rhymes are to be found in this song. Our mind switches from women to smoking. We are lighting a 'Little Herb Spliff'. "You commin' and you bossin' up my head for a little herb spliff". The sound of this song is nice and laid back. While we're smoking that herb spliff we should not involve ourselves in 'Sky Gazing'.because we could realize "that God is right here with you". So stop gazing at the sky and listen to the piano tunes of this little song. Lastly we are 'Standing On The Hillside', "looking in the valley, that twelve tribes shall be on the mountain top". They sing this "for in the days of famine when there is no food to eat, the days of desolation there is no peace on earth".
Studio Albums
««««« (1982) To Have A Home
Where can I get this album please ?
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