The first time I got in contact to reggae music was around 1974 when I saw The Harder They Come in a late night special repetory cinema in my hometown. I have to admit that my English wasn't that well at this times and I sat there reading subtitles most of the time. But it wasn't necessary because you will understand the story anyway even if you don't understand every word. The story is simple and based on the life of rude boy Vincent 'Ivanhoe' Martin adapted into the 70's life in Kingston. The Jamaican singer Jimmy Cliff plays in it Ivanhoe Martin, a young man who comes from the country to the city of Kingston and dreams of a career as a singer. Finally, after different approach difficulties he finds a producer (who stands on behalf for the large part of the Jamaican producers at that time). After him this pays only extremely meagerly, Ivan starts to earn his money with trade of the marihuana which is also unlawful in Jamaica. Accordingly he gets during conflict with the system what makes to him the life difficult – he is shot in a battle with the police. A simple and credible story but what fascinated me most was the soundtrack to this movie. Me and me mates have heard that there was a very special music over in Jamaica but never listened to any song. Jimmy Cliff and this movie introduced me to reggae and made me investigate more of this. Still then from time to time a reggae or dub record will find the way to my turntable and I enjoy it.
Jimmy Cliff - Pressure Drop
Jimmy Cliff - Johnny Too Bad
Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come
Jimmy Cliff - You Can Get It If You Really Want
3 Kommentare:
Some top tunes Walter from I film I have actually seen1
The film is not a patch on the music
Great songs form a fabulous soundtrack LP - unfortunately, Pressure Drop is actually by the Maytals and Johnny Too Bad is by the Slickers
You're right plasticsun I should have name the artists correctly .
Kommentar veröffentlichen