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Ex-Beatle recruits Sizzla, Lady Saw, Cherine Anderson
Ex-Beatle recruits Sizzla, Lady Saw, Cherine Anderson for remix
Basil Walters, Observer staff reporter
Friday, June 29, 2007
Former Beatle Paul McCartney has crossed over into dancehall with the release of a single on the heels of his new album, Memory Almost Full. The remix single, Nod Your Head, is produced by Sly and Robbie and features Sizzla, Lady Saw and Cherine Anderson.
The album, which should have all the niche markets nodding, is produced by David Kahne who was head of Columbia Records' A&R (artistes and records) department.
McCartney is often described as one of the most influential contributors to the history of rock music, but the rave reviews of Memory Almost Full suggest that Paul McCartney is far more significant than that. He has written over 50 top-ten hits, released well over 30 non-Beatles albums and was inducted eight years ago in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But perhaps what in time may prove to be his most notable achievement is not as his website implies, the marrying of a supermodel half his age, but his current flirtation or infatuation with dancehall music.
Following in a long celebrated tradition of reggae/rock fusion for which Bob Marley is noted, influencing the likes of Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, and the Police to mention a few, McCartney reaching out to dancehall can be seen as an appropriate acknowledgment that this Jamaican music genre is the missing ingredient in his almost full memory.
And what better way for the former member of the Beatles (the group whose music was quite popular in Jamaica), to complete the cycle, than to meet with this dynamic dancehall's triumvirate in Sizzla, Lady Saw and Cherine Anderson along with the twin icons of the Taxi Gang whose musical magnetism is international.
There is the hope that in the not-too-distant future, a world tour, or at least, repeat the rounds he made recently appearing in gigs at a Hollywood record shop, following shows in London and New York, attracting scores of fans performing classics like Long And Winding Road, Hey Jude and Get Back, except this time round include these pre-eminent dancehall performers. One sure way of having everyone nodding their heads.
Basil Walters, Observer staff reporter
Friday, June 29, 2007
Former Beatle Paul McCartney has crossed over into dancehall with the release of a single on the heels of his new album, Memory Almost Full. The remix single, Nod Your Head, is produced by Sly and Robbie and features Sizzla, Lady Saw and Cherine Anderson.
The album, which should have all the niche markets nodding, is produced by David Kahne who was head of Columbia Records' A&R (artistes and records) department.
McCartney is often described as one of the most influential contributors to the history of rock music, but the rave reviews of Memory Almost Full suggest that Paul McCartney is far more significant than that. He has written over 50 top-ten hits, released well over 30 non-Beatles albums and was inducted eight years ago in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
But perhaps what in time may prove to be his most notable achievement is not as his website implies, the marrying of a supermodel half his age, but his current flirtation or infatuation with dancehall music.
Following in a long celebrated tradition of reggae/rock fusion for which Bob Marley is noted, influencing the likes of Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, and the Police to mention a few, McCartney reaching out to dancehall can be seen as an appropriate acknowledgment that this Jamaican music genre is the missing ingredient in his almost full memory.
And what better way for the former member of the Beatles (the group whose music was quite popular in Jamaica), to complete the cycle, than to meet with this dynamic dancehall's triumvirate in Sizzla, Lady Saw and Cherine Anderson along with the twin icons of the Taxi Gang whose musical magnetism is international.
There is the hope that in the not-too-distant future, a world tour, or at least, repeat the rounds he made recently appearing in gigs at a Hollywood record shop, following shows in London and New York, attracting scores of fans performing classics like Long And Winding Road, Hey Jude and Get Back, except this time round include these pre-eminent dancehall performers. One sure way of having everyone nodding their heads.
