I Called You On The Phone But You Started Talkin' 'Bout The Weather

Listening again to Lee 'Scratch' Perry's "final creative act", a remix of Love Died In Our Arms by Dot Allison, I was reminded - as I am, hearing any of his work - of his enduring musical genius. 

I'm inevitably drawn back to 1969 album, The Upsetter, a showcase for Perry's production skills and mostly featuring his studio band The Upsetters, along with a couple of guest spots from Busty Brown (aka Clive Smith) and The Muskyteers (better known as The Silvertones). A 2003 CD reissue was bolstered by 8 bonus tracks, including more of The Upsetters plus Carl Dawkins and David Isaacs, also known to his folks as Bruce Bennett.

The original and expanded album is a mix of instrumentals, cover versions and vocal tracks and is guaranteed to put a smile on my face and spring in my step. I love reggae and dub all year round, but it seems especially apt as spring arrives with the promise of summer to come. 

 

Looking outside, I don't think the weather got the memo, so today's selection of cuts from The Upsetter's 2003 edition - 10 songs in under 30 minutes - should bring some sunshine into your life, whatever the conditions outside.

1) Thunderball: The Upsetters

2) Endlessly (Cover of Brook Benton): The Muskyteers

3) Hard To Handle (Cover of Otis Redding): Carl Dawkins

4) Tidal Wave (Cover of 'He'll Have To Go' by Jim Reeves): The Upsetters *

5) Untitled Instrumental: The Upsetters

6) Soulful I: The Upsetters **

7) Night Doctor: The Upsetters

8) Slow Motion Version 2: The Upsetters

9) Since You Are Gone: David Isaacs

10) Kiddy-O (Cover of 'Kiddio' by Teddy Randazzo): The Muskyteers

 

* The vocal version of He'll Have To Go, featuring David Isaacs, features on the 2003 expanded reissue.

 

** Soulful I is an instrumental version of track 9, Since You Are Gone.

 

The Upsetter (1969): 1, 4, 6, 7, 10

The Upsetter (2003 reissue): 2, 3, 5, 8 ,9

 

I Called You On The Phone But You Started Talkin' 'Bout The Weather (29:26)