News

1973 was a landmark year for Bob Marley.  His band, The Wailers, released their sixth studio album in October to critical acclaim and commercial success.  Burnin’ earned a Gold sales certification in the U.S. and eventually an induction into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.  The album introduced “Get Up, Stand Up” as well as the future Eric Clapton hit “I Shot the Sheriff.”  But Marley and The Wailers weren’t resting on their laurels around the time of the album’s release.  On October 24 – five days after Burnin’ hit stores – producer Denny Cordell (Leon Russell, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers) recorded the band live at Hollywood’s Capitol Tower.  Now, that long-lost concert is coming to CD, DVD, and vinyl from Tuff Gong and Universal’s Mercury Studios.

Bob Marley and The Wailers’ The Capitol Session ’73 arrives on September 3 in multiple formats including CD, DVD/CD, 2LP pressed on green marble vinyl, and digitally.  “Stir It Up” is streaming now on YouTube.

Cordell received Marley’s blessing to record a dozen songs at Capitol, and shot the concert with four cameras.  The recently-discovered footage has been restored for this release, preserving Marley, co-founder Peter Tosh, Joe Higgs, Aston Barrett, Carlton Barrett, and Earl “Wya” Lindo at the peak of their powers.  While The Wailers had the clout of Island Records behind them, they had suffered a blow when Sly and the Family Stone dropped them from a touring slot.  Their power was unmistakable, however, and The Capitol Session preserves their powerfully charged performances of a number of songs from Burnin’ (“Get Up Stand Up,” “Burnin’ and Lootin’,” “Put It On,” “Duppy Conqueror,” “Rasta Man Chant”) as well as its equally remarkable predecessor, 1973’s Catch a Fire (“Slave Driver,” “Midnight Ravers,” “Stop That Train,” “Kinky Reggae,” “No More Trouble”).

The Capitol Session ’73 looks to be another worthwhile addition to the Bob Marley canon.  Not long after the session was recorded, Peter Tosh left the group; Marley relaunched the band as Bob Marley and The Wailers for 1974’s Natty Dread.  It was their first LP without Tosh and Bunny Wailer (who also left in the wake of Burnin’).  It’s due on September 3 from Tuff Gong and Mercury Studios.  You’ll find pre-order links below.

Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Capitol Session ’73 (Tuff Gong/Mercury Studios)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP Green Marble Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

1. You Can’t Blame the Youth
2. Slave Driver
3. Burnin’ and Lootin’
4. Rastaman Chant
5. Duppy Conqueror
6. Midnight Ravers
7. Put it On
8. Stop that Train
9. Kinky Reggae
10. Stir It Up
11. No More Trouble
12. Get Up Stand Up
13. Duppy Conqueror (DVD-Only Bonus)
14. Rastaman Chant (DVD-Only Bonus)