"Marley may hold the crown, but Peter Tosh was a king in his own right. Many have argued that Tosh represented the grittier, rougher side of the music, in contrast to Marley's more accessible sound, and this is not far from he truth. But Tosh had plenty of catchy melodies to offer as well.
As live documents go, you don't get any better than this: the sound makes you feel like you are really there in the club... you can almost smell ganja smoke coming out of your speakers! And the songs, a little slowed down from the studio versions, lose none of their vibrancy. In fact, some of them benefit from the slower, longer delivery.
As an overall aural picture of the reggae sound, this is a fantastic example for neophytes and devotees alike. It is also a phenomenal live recording of a rebel in his prime."
Recognize this classic... audience with a prophet
ifutureman | 03/04/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"First, the band. Word, Sound, and Power is the name and that's exactly what they bring. With Sly and Robbie as the best ryhthm section in reggae, 3 guitars, and 2 keyboards, the sound is so full and powerful that I struggle to find a comparison. The are technically magnificent and the simmering fury that they play with comes right through the speakers.
Next, the vocals. Do not believe they are inferior. Tosh is singing with emotion, conviction of his beliefs, and power. He is singing for an audience, not the studio, so the vocals won't be "perfect". Forget it. The pure power of the performance more than makes up for it.A must buy for hardcore fans. A should buy for those interested in hearing great live music that will move you."
Great Songs Performed By A Great Band
Paul Beaulieu | Montreal, Canada | 05/31/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In my view, though Peter Tosh composed some great songs, they don't seem to be captured well enough on his studio recordings, even "Equal Rights". When I want to enjoy Tosh at his best, I turn to "Captured Live" and to this recording. Instrumentally, this is simply amazing- great songs performed by a great band. The only slighty weak point here is the vocals- Tosh's own vocals are quite good, but the backing vocals don't match the harmonies of the Wailers (before or after Tosh's departure)."
Tremendous live document
Patrick G. Varine | Georgetown, Delaware | 02/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have a couple of Tosh shows live on CD; they are pretty tough to come by, at least in terms of concert bootlegs. I think I have one from '74, '78 and now this, which might be the best of the lot.
Tosh's Word, Sound and Power band must have been a helluva group to listen to live, and that comes across very well in this recording. Along the lines of a fellow reviewer, you really can almost see the herbsmoke wafting through the air and being pushed around by the fat thump of Robbie Shakespeare's bass.
The band feels very loose-but-tight on this record, as they skank through an instrumental intro and settle into the hypnotic groove of 'Igziabeher.' Using two lead guitars and two keyboards (unheard of at the time) allowed the band to enter a number of different moods when it suited them: full-on rock, with the guitars swirling around one another, heavy, heavy dub, with Robbie and the percussion taking over, as well as just plain old roots reggae, sending home Tosh's messages of African consciousness and equal rights as only one of the most powerful collections of musicians could.
I also enjoy this one because it's got some different songs than the usual Tosh set (you know, 'Legalize It,' 'Ketchy Shuby' ... they're great, but they're on EVERY live album). No 'Legalize It' here, and there is the addition of 'Mark of the Beast' and 'Babylon Queendom,' along with slower, more-psychedelic versions of my favorite Tosh anthems, 'Stepping Razor' and 'Burial.'