Wonderfully Done!!!
Achis | Kingston, JA/Philipsburg, SxM | 11/15/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased the European version of Anthony B's Live on the Battlefield, and it has been in and out of my cd player for the last 2-3 years. All these years later and it has finally been made available to reggae fans on this side of the pond, and be you one of these said fans, you need do yourself a favor and scoop this one up.
When I got this one, I remember the first thing that I said is what an excellent idea, take an artist in his prime, who has not a problem getting an album released (case and point on the same day this one is released, he has another one out) and do something different with him. A double live album is quite a change in reggae music as it seems only the older artists (i.e. Marley, Burning Spear, Dennis Brown etc.) can have such a project. Live albums at all: Can you remember the last one done top notch from a modern artist? Sizzla's had a live disc on his Words of Truth album, Bushman, Luciano, Everton Blender. . . and I'm stuck right there, I'm sure there are more, but the shelves of reggae music are not overflowing with an abundance of live reggae pieces, and the live album (particularly in reggae music) is often easier to appreciate than your typical studio production.
Anthony B (as always) delivers a fine performance; this one in front of a large audience in Toulouse, France. Beautifully backed by the Star Trail Band, B rips through many of his hits. The first disc here is absolutely loaded with the hits that his fans will know like the back of their hands. Universal Struggle, Raid The Barn, Mr Heartless, Swarm Me, and of course Fire Pon Rome. If you forced me to pick a favorite, I'd have to say that Raid the Barn is the peak of the first disc, but definitely, its a cd that you let play completely through, no filler.
The second disc is a little more laid back than the energetic first one. And you get such tunes as Prophecy a Reveal, Damage, Jerusalem, Storm Winds, and what is in my opinion the best tune on disc 2, Fireman. (Love the performance of the seminally wicked Give Thanks as well). The album is also much of a dedication to the late great 'Steppin Razor' Peter Tosh and B delves into covers of Johnny B Good and Equal Rights from Tosh.
Overall, if you are fan of Anthony B, then Live on the Battlefield is a necessity for you. Fans of modern roots reggae as a whole might well be in the same boat, I love the idea of this album (which seems so simple, but is so rarely achieved) and it is carried out to near pefection. Truly excellent piece from one of modern roots reggae's greatest sons.
"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1