Search - Peter Tosh :: Honorary Citizen (Repackaged)

A little disappointed

02/01/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Tosh was an amazing musician who delivered a powerful message about oppression, justice, and rightousness. While his message was not elevated to the level of Bob Marley's due to his militant approach, Peter's message was very important. Due to this standing, I was expecting an amazing box set. My expectations were both met and disappointed in different ways. Artistically, this box set is the best we may ever see. The artwork in the accompanying insert can be studied for hours. Musically, this box set could have been better. Don't get me wrong, all of Peter's music had its place and is well deserving of recognition, both musically and lyrically. CD1 is the highlight of this box set. Unreleased material and very early recordings make up this disc. We are treated to Peter's early fire for Rastafari, and can see his evolution of this passion and rejection of Christianity. These songs are treasures for any Reggae fan. Disc 2 was disappointing due to the fact that the live material picked here is highlighted in different form elsewhere. Most of these songs were released live from different venues on Captured Live or the VHS recording at the Greek Theatre in LA. I was hoping for a little more diversity in the selection of songs here. As for the spoken words, those chosen here focus on the pornography in Southern Cal. Pointless! If you do care to hear more of Peter's message outside of his music, rent the Red X Tapes on VHS. This autobiography/documentary is amazing, and will teach you more about Rastafari than any other source. They should have put another song in this time slot. CD 3 was also a disappointment in meeting my grand expectations. While this greatest hits disc is good, there are numerous Tosh Greatest Hits CD's out there with basically this same lineup. What about Peter's stellar performances of Mama Africa, Jah Guide, I am that I am, or Pick Myself Up to name a few? And where are songs from the formally hard to find Mystic Man CD? No Buck In Hamm Palace? The CD is capped by a very disappointing tribute song called Honorary Citizen. For an introduction to Peter Tosh, this box set is great. For experienced Tosh fans, tape CD 1 from your friends because you probably have most of CD2 and CD3 elsewhere."

Gone But Not Forgotten

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 07/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the true masters of reggae, Peter Tosh is akin to Keith Richards or John Lennon, not the frontman but as a powerful and gritty a member of the band as he is supreme. As everyone is familiar with Paul McCarthy, Mick or Bob Marley not always are their right hand men as well known. Peter Tosh had the pesence to go alone but arguably was at his best as a member of the now world famous Bob Marley and the Wailers. Most fans of reggae know quite a bit about Peter Tosh as he was an integral part of the sound of the Wailers that internationalized reggae. Part of his appeal was his persona but his strength was his writing and playing music from deep within his militant soul. All his hits are in this box set and they are organized in a listenable manner beginning with his lesser known early efforts and choice live and classic hits. There are many favorites to choose from, the best are all here. If you're new to Peter Tosh or just familiar with "Get Up Stand Up" than you're in for a treat as he delivers his message with conviction. If you're an old fan than you will enjoy having all his music in a box set at your disposal, upon first listen it will be like meeting an old friend. Great vintage classic Tosh that proves the longevity of the artist beyond the grave and that old school survives for the young lions to blaze a new trail."

Perfect set

Enrique Torres | 08/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own a few boxed sets but Honoray Citizen gets by FAR the most listening time of any in my collection. Perfect for Sunday mornings. Its not comprehensive, and anyone who wants all of Tosh's songs probably won't want it, but if you want a beginning to end solid record by one of the greatest (and overshadowed at the same time) musicians--that's right not just reggae, musicians, PERIOD, then I recommend this.Disc 1 is packed with great older tracks, starting in the late 60's as ska began to morph into another beast. As the disc plays Tosh's skills are patently obvious, showcasing his own songs with (and without Marley) before anyone outside Jamaica knew who Bob Marley was. Disc 2 is Tosh's live stuff. If you come from the same camp I come from, you might be a little leary of this if you heard that Sly and Robbie aren't in the lineup of Tosh's band during these recordings. Don't be. These live songs, taken from different shows, are an incredible homage to Tosh's presence, and some of the dialogues he rattles off between songs are spine-tingling. Not only could the man sing, he smoked (no, uh pun) as a guitar player! The boxed set is worth it for the live version of "Rastafari Is" alone.Disc 3 is perhaps the weakest. Then again, you have to have the greatest hits *somewhere* on a boxed set. It does a solid job of showing Tosh as a political leader through music. If you haven't heard these songs before, they're great, and if you have, and you don't have his other records, its nice to have all these classic tunes in one place. I've got two criticisms of this incredible package. 1) Take the totally cheeseball dedication song that was written not by him but "in honor" of him OFF the boxed set. He honors himself best through his own music. 2) Please put "I am that I am" somewhere in this boxed set. It's the one song that really seems sad to have been left off.....Those 2 nitpicks aside, this set blew me away..."