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Reggae Cover Versions

SA Rock Digest, 27th May 2002

Just as we thought the sugar man had made all our questions disappear, we discover that a number of 70s reggae stars have been recording Rodriguez songs and in some cases even giving themselves the composer credits.

Jim Hori wrote recently:

Here is the section of the liner notes from the compilation "Blood and Fire - Niney and Friends 1971-1972" (Trojan Records TRLS 263) written by Steve Barrow which mention Rodriguez: "Shortly after the sessions which brought forth the music on this compilation, Niney prouced a hit for the great Jamaican soul singer Ken Boothe (a version of the US singer-songwriter Rodriguez' 'Silver Words'). He was also successful with another soulful vocalist Delroy Wilson ('Rascal Man', included here, and a cover of Rodriguez again with 'Halfway Up the Stairs)."

This inspired John Samson to start some Reggae Sun Splash surfing and he discovered a list of covers of 'Silver Words'.

John writes:

Here's a link to a page that will give you a list of releases called 'Silver Words'. However, it often credits the song to Boothe/Brown.
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=HSILVER|WORDS

I've checked the following artists who have covered the song: Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Richie Stephens, Ken Boothe, Mafia & Fluxy, Bob Andy (of Bob & Marcia fame). They are all reggae covers and all sound quite similar.

I found another 2 (presumed to be) covers of 'Silver Words' to add to the list. These are by Winston Reedy and Tyrone Taylor.

I found a download of the Ken Boothe version:
http://www.btinternet.com/~ranksreggaerevival/mp3_page.htm {this is a one minute MP3 - ed}

Delroy Wilson's version of 'Halfway Up The Stairs is included on an album called 'Rock On: Greatest Hits of The Observer Label' and can be found at:
http://www.rounder.com/Album.asp?catalog_id=6346

Brian Currin writes:

This is Reggae: I found a CD in Look and Listen at Canal Walk in Cape Town this week, titled 'This Is Reggae - Rhythm Addict' which included the Ken Boothe version of 'Silver Words' (though the line "it's not what I'm smoking" has been neatly edited out). Ken Boothe was the Jamaican who had a UK number 1 hit in 1974 with his cover of Bread's 'Everything I Own'. This compilation CD also includes a number of other reggae greats like Bob Marley, John Holt, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals and Inner Circle.

Is there no end to the mystery that is Rodriguez?

"...questions fell, but no-one stopped to listen..."

Would everybody who owes Rodriguez money (and that includes US rapper Nas) please form a queue on the right...

-- SA Rock Digest, May 2002

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