Post by messenger on Aug 12, 2004 19:51:20 GMT -5
Positive vibration
Bob Marley's sons carry on his legacy -- and create one of their own
By R.J. DeLUKE, Special to the Times Union
First published: Thursday, August 12, 2004
It has been 23 years since Bob Marley succumbed to cancer, but the universal appeal of the reggae legend's music -- his ability to embrace Jamaica's varied musical styles and several strains of American pop as well -- remains steadfast.
The spirit of that music is carried on by his sons, who have put together a concert tour that stops at the Berkshire Music Glen in Pittsfield, Mass., on Sunday. The "Bob Marley: Roots, Rock, Reggae Festival" marks the first time the icon's family has officially collaborated on a coast-to-coast tour under the banner of their father's name.
Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Ky-Mani and Damian Marley will perform their own music as well as their father's, joining a bill that includes the legendary Toots and the Maytals as well as rising hip-hop and neo-soul acts such as Nappy Roots, Slightly Stoopid, Looner and Stone Love.
"Our father's music is humanitarian music," said eldest son Ziggy Marley, 35, just before a rehearsal in Portsmouth, Va., where the tour kicked off last weekend. "Anywhere you go in the world, there's that oneness and equality for all" in the music. Working frequently with the Melody Makers, Ziggy has nine studio albums (and three Grammys) to his credit; his latest, the solo album "Dragonfly," was released in 2003.
Like their father, the brothers perform "music that uplifts and does more than entertain," said Ziggy. "It's medicine, that's what matters. It's music that serves a higher purpose."
"We want to spread the music all over the world," added Julian Marley, 29. A self-taught musician on bass, drums and keyboards, he has three albums under his own name; "Time & Place" was released last year.
Stephen Marley, a longtime member of the Melody Makers, will release his own solo debut album in the fall on the Motown label. The youngest sibling, Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, saw his second solo album, "Halfway Tree" (which was co-produced by Stephen) win the Grammy Award for reggae album of the year in 2001.
The tour is the result of years of discussion. "A special thing goes on when all the brothers play together," Julian said. It's happened in jam sessions at studios and at home, but never on stage until now.
The brothers help each other out on their individual recording projects. "We support each other 100 percent," said Ziggy. There's not rivalry, "except when we play dominoes or video games."
They're all comfortable with being sons of a legend, and with carrying on the tradition and taking the music to the world. "Right now, the music business isn't doing a lot for musicians," said Ziggy. "A lot of touring and interaction with the audience is more important than the record company. Take it right to the people."
"Music is a very important part of society," Ziggy said, noting how it reflected turbulent times in the 1960s and tamer times in the '80s. He's troubled that music today "reflects materialism, a lot of sexuality, a lot of selfishness. It doesn't reflect spiritual concern or social concern."
The Marley Brothers want to portray those positive elements in their reggae music, which contains R&B, hip-hop, jazz and the other genres they heard while growing up. Ziggy believes his father would have liked some hip-hop: Bob Marley was open to all good music, but he was especially partial to lyrics "that have meaning, not just frivolous words."
Just as their father listened to Ray Charles, the Drifters and Curtis Mayfield, the sons range widely in their listening habits. "We check out Norah Jones, Outkast -- any group that's original and unique, I check it out," said Ziggy. '
The Marley men are careful to wear their father's legacy with respect, but not too much gravity.
"We're all Bob's sons -- there's no getting around that," Ziggy said. "We don't sit around thinking we have to get away from our father. You guys (in the media) do that. We just play music."
MARLEY & SONS INC.
"BOB MARLEY ROOTS ROCK REGGAE FESTIVAL"
With: The Marley Brothers (Ziggy, Stephen, Julian, Damian and Ky-Mani), Nappy Roots, Toots & the Maytals, Looner, MC DJ Stone Love and Slightly Stoopid
When: 2 p.m. Sunday; gates open at 12:30 p.m.
Where: Berkshire Music Glen, Bousquet Ski Area, Pittsfield, Mass.
Info: (800) 594-8499
