Babylon By Bus

---

---

Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Bob Marley's second live album, Babylon By Bus, from 1978, had to be pretty damned good to match the incandescence of 1975's Live!. But with glorious performances on songs like "Punky Reggae Party", "Is This Love?" and "Jamming", they came close to equalling it. Maybe there wasn't quite the same amount of inspiration, but the Wailers had matured into a tight unit with Marley the charismatic leader, as this set shows well. And with Marley still at the height of his writing powers, there wasn't a dud song in the bunch. Not so much bus travel as limousine listening. This specially remastered edition makes the glory of the original release even clearer. --Chris Nickson

---

Customer reviews

review by: lawrence_of_london date: 2007-02-08 rating:
Bus broke down...
Sooooo disappointed with this album, which I bought unheard. The wonderful rhythms of the pre and early Island recordings are totally missing -- the sound it cluttered and rushed. Agree with reviewer "R.E.A" -- best to give this a miss but do buy the "Live! at the Rainbow" album to hear Marley in far better form than this.

---

review by: richiesantana date: 2006-03-12 rating:
PLease read this first
This is one of the best live live albums of all time - it is absolutely electric. Some of the best of Sir Bob's tunes are magnificently recorded here, with all the live wire energy of a concert recording. Tracks such as the legendary 'concrete jungle' and 'punky reggae party' are presented here with even more zest than the orignal studio recordings. The audience reaction to the fabulous experience it must have been is hard to compare with any other live album. People rave about the Live at the Lyceum but this has to be heard to be believed. This may be the best £8 pounds you ever spend.

---

review by: Magic Rat date: 2005-03-02 rating:
Give it a listen !
Always considered the poor relation of the peerless "Live At The Lyceum" from 1975, this album definitely lacks the atmosphere and sheer "vibe" of its predecessor (it is not taken from one gig for a start), but there are some great cuts on here that demand your time.

"Stir It Up" is here, complete with seductive dub ending. "Positive Vibration" positively rocks. "Puny Reggae Party" even more so.

"Kinky Reggae" does not hit the heights of the 1975 recording, but there is a superb, extended "Is This Love" here, and, of course, the rumbling, insistent "Exodus". There is a bit of a "stadium rock" feel to this album, unfortunately, which pales in comparison to the earthy sweatbox feel of the Lyceum three years earlier. Do not allow this to blind you to the delights of this album, however, The Wailers are at their most professional here and their efforts deserve your time.

---

review by: R.E.A. date: 2002-02-01 rating:
Not The Best Live Album Nor His Best!
Everything by this album sound rushed. Every song fly on by at the speed of light, and one never get the feeling that this is music to 'relax' by. But, then this was Bob's most commercial period, and the first sign of his downfall. It became a little uninteresting after Babylon (Earth) By Bus.


review by: date: 2001-09-30 rating:
Positive Vibrant Stunning
From the opening "Greetins in the name of"..lead into Positive Vibration through to infectious Jammin', this CD makes up for all those who never got the chance to see him live. Longer than the earlier "Live " this takes in the Clash inspired "Punky Reggae Party" to the challenge to Lively Up Yourself. I defy anyone to listen to this and resist the urge to dance along. Or at least smile. The world was a darker place after he died but his legacy will always live on.

---

Similar products

Uprising
Natty Dread
Live At The Lyceum
Rastaman Vibration
Kaya

---

Similar categories

Music . Styles . Pop . General AAS
Music . Styles . Reggae . Roots & Rocksteady . Marley, Bob
Music . Styles . Reggae . Roots & Rocksteady . General AAS
Music . Styles . Reggae . General
Music . Styles . Reggae . General AAS
Music . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . CD . CD Album

---