[troutman]

With the 4th pick in the draft, troutman's K-Tel Sound Explosion, selects in the World Category, from St. Ann Jamaica, ROBERT NESTA MARLEY:


http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p...1:0ifpxqq5ldte

Reggae's most transcendent and iconic figure, Bob Marley was the first Jamaican artist to achieve international superstardom, in the process introducing the music of his native island nation to the far-flung corners of the globe. Marley's music gave voice to the day-to-day struggles of the Jamaican experience, vividly capturing not only the plight of the country's impoverished and oppressed but also the devout spirituality that remains their source of strength. His songs of faith, devotion, and revolution created a legacy that continues to live on not only through the music of his extended family but also through generations of artists the world over touched by his genius.



One of the few songs in Bob Marley's discography without the characteristic reggae rhythm, the acoustic protest song "Redemption Song" closed the final album released during his lifetime. Echoing several of Marley's favorite themes (empowerment, psychological as well as physical freedom), "Redemption Song" includes surreal yet powerful images reminiscent of Bob Dylan's mid-'60s work. Marley calls up the history of slavery in the first verse with talk of pirates and merchant ships, then applies it to the present day by reminding listeners that "mental slavery" still takes place. Finally, Marley leaves us with the thought, "Won't you help to sing, these songs of freedom/cause all I ever had, redemption songs."



"No Woman, No Cry" is Bob Marley's touching reminiscence of growing up in the middle of deep poverty in the Kingston ghetto known as Trenchtown. Though he wrote it himself, Marley credited the song to V. Ford (aka Tartar), a man who operated a kitchen that kept numerous children (including Marley himself) from starving to death. In the song, Marley sits with his friends, observing the hypocrisy of the rich amidst the generosity of the poor. He ends the song attempting to cheer up his friends with the words, "Ev'rything's gonna be alright." Released on 1974's Natty Dread, "No Woman, No Cry" became Marley & the Wailers' first British hit and introduced thousands of listeners to reggae's crown prince.

Quite honest, we had to take Bob in the first round. You know what? Everyone would have put Bob first in the world category. Put it this way - Bob was the most famous person in the world; more famous than Presidents, Popes or Pele.