For the seasoned fan of Bob Marley, or a new recruit, this DVD is a must have! This concert was performed at basically the pinnacle of Bob's career in late 1979, not long before his death. It includes all his top songs and is done so superbly - it brought me back to my teens(!) when I was lucky enough to have attended his last concert in Toronto.
This concert features a great performance by the Wailers (esp. Junior Marvin on lead guitar and the I-Threes (unfortunately minus Marcia Griffiths absent from that show)). The Barrett brothers and 'Seeco' Patterson are strong, Al Anderson is there too, but doesn't come into view much, with Marvin definitely taking a lead role. Due to camera angles, Tyrone Downie and Wya Lindo (keyboards) are not too focussed on in the close-ups, but you hear them loud and clear.
The venue in Santa Barbara is perfect for the concert, and it makes you wish you were there! It is amazing how few black fans there are in attendance, and like the host/producer of the DVD says in a very interesting interview and documentary which accompanies the concert, it is strange how Bob was never that popular with U.S. blacks during that time. Certainly, I feel that the Reggae scene began to loose its edge with the death of Bob Marley, as the younger crowd seemed to start to favour the negative and crude style of dance hall and rap. It's a shame that so many young kids missed out on the positive, upbeat message of Bob Marley and the Wailers.
For this reason alone, I recommend that this DVD be shown to the youth, so that they can learn a bit more about the man, the band, and the roots of Bob's Rastafarian beliefs. It's a great short history on the subject. Listen to the simple and true lyrics which can be practically applied to the world of today.
This concert was a classic - so I recommend it whole-heartedly. "Wake Up and Live" with a "Positive Vibration" !
