Search - Bob Marley :: Chances Are

A Marley Footnote

Bill Anthony | North Texas United States | 03/13/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although this album doesn't come close to the quality of his other work, it is enjoyable for Marley fans and has become an important part of the Wailers' complete recorded legacy. These songs were recorded for the JAD organization between 1968 and 1972. In 1981 they were overdubbed for a more modern sound and released as this album, "Chances Are".
The tracks (as they appear here) are currently available on the CD's "Black Progress" and "Soul Almighty" on the JAD label - both are subtitled "The Formative Years". The original recordings (without the overdubs) are available on the 8 CD series on JAD called "The Complete Bob Marley and the Wailers 1967-1972". The 8 CD set is far from "complete" but that's another review !"

A Unique Entry In The Bob Marley Discogpaphy.

Marley | Long Island, NY | 08/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chances Are marks a unique entry in the Bob Marley discography. These early recordings made during the formative years of The Wailers on The JAD label demonstrate the beautiful vocal haromies of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Released in Jamaica under the title "Soul Almighty" it became a huge hit on the tiny island nation and marked the beginning of the reggae craze that swept Jamaica and eventually spred to The UK and the world at large. When the rights to these recordings were purchased by Atlantic Records, their audio engineers went about the process of sonicly cleansing the hiss and distortion of the original recordings and later over-dubbing layers of new instumentation.



If you have both the JAD Records version and the Atlantic Records CD, listen to a side by side comparison as I have. The contrast is startling and will make you an instant believer. Chances Are is one of the finest examples of the early reggae sound that The Wailers honed and perfected during their tenure at Island/Tuff Gong under the deft production of Lee "Scratch" Perry. More than just a curio or novality these JAD recordings made between 1968-1972 represent some of the groups very best songwriting and exquisite vocal harmonies. Long out of print and extremely hard to find Chances Are is nonetheless worth seeking out. Perhaps Atlantic Records would be wise to reissue it and any other recordings by The Wailers they might have in their vaults. I for one would love to get my hands on them."

Hidden Treasure?

dpc915 | Ossining, NY United States | 03/04/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is sort of a hidden gem in the Bob catalogue.....now I gave it three stars so people who know his classic Island recordings don't get dissappointed....but this is a fun album, a bit lo-fi and I wasn't aware that they had overdubbed or modernized this back in 81, so its like Bob Marley's "Crash Landing" (Hendrix fans might've just cringed). I love this CD and not sure why they no longer make it!

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