Search - Johnny Clarke :: Authorized Version

Timeless classic

Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 12/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, along with others by people like U-Roy, I-Roy, Yellowman, Peter Tosh and of course Bob Marley, formed part of the soundtrack to my adolescence. After having it on tape for practically 30 years, I finally just got it on CD and I love it now as much as I did the first time I heard it.



Johnny has a beautiful voice and a plaintive tone that blends excellently with the old-school reggae beats. Tunes like "Roots, Natty Roots, Natty Congo", "Legalise It" (I love the deep piano riff that comes just before he tells us that "Judges smoke it", LOL), "I'm Still Waiting", "Crazy Baldhead", "Give Up The Badness" and "Academy Award Version" will live forever. In my heart, anyway.



Jamaican popular music has changed a lot over the years and it's people like Sean Paul that are the international stars of today. But it was Johnny Clarke in my day and it still is now. For anyone who's interested in how pure dub-style reggae was made back in the day, I urge you to give this one a try. You won't regret it."

Mr. Clarke should be a household Name...

Nico | subterranean | 10/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My only grunt is why is Virgin Front line being so shy with the linernotes. There are none. They were missing in vinyl days too. I want them to tell me a little story about Johnny's Authorized Version. Is it great? Yes, I've got good ears, so I know that, but I've got good eyes too. So give me some words!"