Wayne Perkins Speaks: “Concrete Jungle”

[Historian]

Alabama-based (Muscle Shoals Sound Studio) session guitarist Wayne Perkins was responsible for that brilliant lead guitar solo on Chris Blackwell’s re-mix of the Bob Marley recording, “Concrete Jungle”.

Here, in this YouTube video, Perkins speaks about his role in this masterful effort by Blackwell to take reggae to an international audience:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVgzsswMoIA

Check from about 8:33, which will lead you into the interview.

[Islandman]

Very interesting Historian, I ended up watching all 3 parts of the documentary. I enjoyed how they broke down each track and explained their thought process at the time.

One point Blackwell made about the album that is worth noting, was that with the hindsight of what Bob eventually became he would now say some of the original tracks were better, BUT they did not fit what he was trying to do with the album at that time.

[Islandman]

I would recommend that forumites watch the full documentary at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTk0849NU10

[Historian]

Thanks, I'man

Very interesting Historian, I ended up watching all 3 parts of the documentary. I enjoyed how they broke down each track and explained their thought process at the time.

One point Blackwell made about the album that is worth noting, was that with the hindsight of what Bob eventually became he would now say some of the original tracks were better, BUT they did not fit what he was trying to do with the album at that time.

Yep, you are certainly correct: the entire documentary is indeed very interesting and revealing.

I actually considered posting the documentary in its entirety, but then changed my mind. “Concrete Jungle” is probably my favorite Marley song, and this is why I just focused on that. But you are right, the entire documentary is interesting, and I am happy you posted the links.

Blackwell’s focus at the time, of course, was in reaching a rock audience and a more mainstream audience with the “new” genre, reggae. In this, he obviously succeeded (black America, to this day, is the reluctant sheep in the worldwide flock).

We have seen other reggae acts occasionally incorporate a rock sound in this effort to reach a wider European, etc. audience. People like Burning Spear, Peter Tosh, and Dean Fraser’s 809 Band, and more recently Morgan Heritage (their Holland, etc. tour a couple of years ago) have, to some extent, done this. The bottom (bass, drums and keyboards) is always firmly reggae but an obvious effort has occasionally been made in the case of the lead guitarists to achieve that blues-rock edge.

[Assasin]

I hope you know throughout the process Bob had total control and made sure his input was there and never gave up his cutting edge and belief. He addes stuff to the music, not taking the most important sounds away.Too many times the sound has been watered down to where it is neither reggae, rock or have no appeal whatsoever.

Very good documentary.

[Historian]

'Sass....

I hope you know throughout the process Bob had total control and made sure his input was there and never gave up his cutting edge and belief. He addes stuff to the music, not taking the most important sounds away.Too many times the sound has been watered down to where it is neither reggae, rock or have no appeal whatsoever.

Very good documentary.

‘Sass, I understand what you’re saying, and to a very great extent you are certainly correct.

However, do not underestimate the contributions of bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett and keyboardist Tyrone Downie to many of Bob’s recordings as far as arrangement was concerned!

Also, in Bob’s early recordings, the very eccentric Lee Perry was not simply a passive producer (for example, which other recording producer anywhere in history has allegedly burnt down his own recording studio!!!)! Perry was instrumental in shaping the early sounds of Bob Marley and the Wailers at the start of the 1970s. Perry therefore made crucial recording decisions, which is why he was hired in the first place.

Also, Chris Blackwell made several important independent decisions during the very early years at Island Records.

So while you are certainly largely correct about Bob Marley in your statement, remember that his primary gift was lyrics -- the writing of excellent poetry/songs. However, we can never be fully certain of the role of others behind the scenes in the arrangement of the music.

[Assasin]

Well said. Without a doubt the influence of Family man, Tyrone, and Scratch was very influential. Scratch was terrific and still doing his stuff although not a 100% here.

What I am saying is at the stage of this album, Bob was excited about including some new sounds but he wanted to make sure he had control. You could see base on this, that Bob was not a stay behind guy and let others have all the say.

Respect sah. That kind of studio work is lacking today in many quarters.