The Goo 1
MICK HERRITY Marley Film Review The reviews for ‘
One Love’ have been less than favourable. In this article I will point out why, in my opinion, the film is a wasted opportunity that leaves a sour taste in the mouth of true supporters of Marley and reggae music in general. For one, this is not a biopic. It is about two years in Marley’s life. These two years created the legend that hangs over Marley’s memory all over the world. Aspects of Bob’s past are hinted at without any detail or exploration of the characters. Lies are told, like the portrayal of a gun toting recording studio 1 owner, Clement ‘Coxone’ Dodd. Sheer fabrication; Dodd never carried a gun. Dodd looked after Bob, provided a home for him. It is true that The Wailers never saw royalties from their recordings with Studio 1, however most artists who were treated similarly by Dodd, still spoke highly of him and the opportunities that he gave them. Dodd’s portrayal was a settling of a score. The main problem with the film is that Rita Marley had far too much influence on what went into the film and what was left out. As such her own involvement in Wailers affairs was grossly overstated. Both Bunny Livingston and Peter Tosh are left out of the film, save for the auditioning at Studio 1 records. Also there is too much emphasis on Chris Blackwell in Marley’s personal life. There is no contextualizing The Wailers growth in Jamaica with their contemporaries and the movement in Jamaican music from Ska, through rocksteady and then reggae. The Wailers were huge in Jamaica between 1963 and the Lee Perry era that preceded the international success under Blackwell. That period in Jamaica is largely ignored. Why? Because Rita Marley wants to perpetuate the legend that Bob Marley became rather than the story of the man. For all the above the film, despite some nice musical interludes, fails to deliver the film that Marley deserved. My only hope is that people who view the film knowing very little about Marley are interested enough to go back before the Blackwell years and seek out the discography of The Wailers, when they were at their creative best between 1963 and 1972. A few things on in Dublin: The Bionic Rats now have a residency in The Grand Social. They will be playing 14th and 28th April. Get there early because the place gets packed. Be warned the crowd have been known to drink the place dry. Great atmosphere and one of the most supported bands in the city. Not much happening sound system wise. However watch out for notices of upcoming gigs in The Dub Club, which runs a club every 2 months in the C.I.E. hall in Inchicore. Hosted by Still Aggro with Revelation Sound providing the custom built sound system. Rub A Dub Hi Fi are running a benefit night ‘’Dub For Palestine’’ at Juno, 58 Dorset Street on 6th April with various guest selectors starting at 8.00pm. PAGE 42