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Many Rivers to Cross – The Best of Jimmy Cliff

Released on 21 July 2003.

"Featuring 25 of his best known works from his initial ten years in the music business, this collection illustrates his development as a major talent - from teenage prodigy to Third World superstar. Included are many Ska titles that receive their first issue on CD."



Now the first thing I have to say about this album is that it contains one of the most heart rendering and gut wrenchingly soulful things ever – period, and that is Many Rivers to Cross. Not ska not reggae just universal, to church organ, sparse instrumentation and gospel choruses. Tears every time, and yes do play it at my funeral and weep.

Whatever else you get from this album, whichever order you listen to it, whichever ones bring back happy bouncy memories nothing will get close to what happens when this track kicks in. The world just stops.

The rest is pretty groovy to from popular singalong ska into reggae – Miss Jamaica, Wonderful World, emerging roots, political commentary (Vietnam, a great track), and humour (One eyed Jacks). We run pretty much a decade from really early stuff in 1961. The ones you know you will know, the ones you don't probably will not add an awful lot.

The ones I like are Hard Road to travel from 1969, pleading vocals and fast paced riddim. Suffering of course is also quite well known and one of the best but didn't reach the heights as the top stuff, as I recall, of The Boogie Woogie and humour of 1962 and Gold Digger.







Wonderful World, Beautiful People -

  King Of Kings -

  Many Rivers To Cross -

  Miss Jamaica -

  Vietnam -

  Hurricane Hatty -

  You Can Get It If You Really Want -

  You Are Never Too Old -

  Hard Road To Travel -

  One-Eyed Jacks -

  Bonga Man (A Come) -

  The Man -

  Give A Litle Take A Little (aka Give And Take) -

  The Prodigal -

  Time Will Tell -

  Gold Digger -

  Sufferin' (In The Land) -

  My Lucky Day -

  Since Lately -

  I'm Free -

  Come Into My Life -

  Miss Universe -

  Let's Dance -

  I'm Sorry -

  Dearest Beverley -





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