CD Review

Is It Rolling Bob?  A Reggae Tribute to Bob Dylan

Ras/Sanctuary Records Aug 2004

Gather round reggae, wherever you roam, and admit that the waters around you have grown.  

Reggae music has come a long way in the past 40 years, and the latest release by Ras Records, “Is it Rolling Bob? A Reggae Tribute to Bob Marley”, is as much a tribute to the legend Bob Dylan as it is a great showcase of the talent within the genre of reggae music.

Tributes to any artist, much less one the stature of Bob Dylan, are a tough task on any level, but Gary Himelfarb, founder of RAS Records, has done a remarkable job on both paying tribute the legend of Bob Dylan and, at the same time, showcasing the talent of reggae within the same album.

Bob Dylan’s music lends itself very quickly and easily to the reggae genre, and a backing band, handpicked by Mr. Himelfarb, featuring the talents of drummer Sly Dunbar, keyboardist Robbie Lyn and guitarist Earl “China Smith”, helps to give justice to the unique brand and musical style which Bob Dylan has given to the world.   The talented band helps to give the polished quality which proves to be a powerful foundation to help support the album.

Bob Dylan’s socially conscious music melds easily into the reggae genre.  Promoting social activism and awareness, and speaking for the oppressed, Bob Dylan has throughout the course of his career given logic to some of societies larger social issues.  Reggae also shares these same values, and the combination of Reggae with Mr. Dylan’s music enhances and gives additional joy knowing that the two are so closely intertwined.

The harmonica in certain ways defines Mr. Dylan’s music, who gave his harmonica talents to songs like Bob Marley and The Wailers  3’Oclock Road Block, and Lee Jaffe does a tremendous job of applying his skills.  Lee Jaffe, , helps to complete the circle of tribute to Mr. Dylan from the reggae world.   In addition, such talents as saxophonist Dean Fraiser and bassist Glen Brown can be found on the album.

A star studded reggae lineup lends further support of a successful tribute to this musical legend, who has been considered by music historians as one of the more influential contributors to music in the 20th century.  Gregory Isaacs, Luciano, Apple Gabriel, Don Carlos and Sizzla, just to name a few, are legends of reggae who give their efforts for the great Bob Dylan.

Mr. Himelfarb’s most remarkable accomplishment in this tribute to Bob Dylan is the symbiotic matching of reggae artists to the variety of musical styles portrayed in Mr. Dylan’s music.  Remaining true to their own styles, it is no less significant to observe how easily the many various styles of reggae performers lend themselves to so much of one man’s music.

The selection of Sizzla to perform “Mediterranean Homesick Blues” is a perfect example of this relationship.  Sizzla, one of reggae’s dancehall kings, applies his dancehall style to Mediterranean Homesick Blues, which has a more particular upbeat and rapping style on the original, and helps to espouse the diversity of musical styles Bob Dylan has shown throughout his career.

“Knocking on Heaven’s Door” lends itself to Luciano’s more spiritual rootsy style.  Originally done in 1973, Knocking on Heaven’s Door is a song you might have expected Luciano, aka Jah Messenger, to have written and performed on his own.

“Is It Rolling Bob? A Reggae Tribute to Bob Dylan” is a great tribute to Mr. Dylan and an album worthy of all music fans. Fans of Mr. Dylan will take special pleasure with it, and for reggae fans it’s an educational experience for music outside of the realm of the reggae.  And, for all fans, big or small, young or old, it’s great reggae music.

Reviewed by Larry Leiber, Reggae Movement