Saturday 22 September 2012

Saturday Scratch #11

In 1970 Lee Perry devoted much of his attention to writing with and producing Bob Marley & the Wailers. With 'Duppy Conqueror' already a hit, Scratch led The Upsetters through the not hugely dissimilar 'Earthquake', an instrumental he intended to use as a future Wailers backing track. On this occasion, however, a pre-'Double Barrel' Dave Barker ended up vocalizing the cut with close harmony assistance from just the one Wailer - Bunny. The following year, Perry re-visited the rhythm, and it's original title, for a double-tracked toast from the man Joe Strummer would one day come to call 'the mighty U-Roy'.

A kindly soul out there in cyberspace has put the two versions together for our aural delight. Enjoy them and your weekend.



Previously on Saturday Scratch.

3 comments:

Old Pa's Corner said...

No confusion here ...what a little gem!

The Swede said...

Certainly is OPC, and it's interesting to hear Bunny harmonizing with someone other than Peter and Bob.

Anonymous said...

Very close to 'Duppy Conqueror' indeed. Scratch knows how to mine a good rhythm. Dave will be forever a hero for 'Double Barrel' and 'Monkey Spanner'.

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