Sanctuary Records Group - Trojan
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Everything I Own The Best of Ken Boothe
Released on 23 June 2003.
Focusing on the best of Ken's post Rocksteady work, 'Everything I Own' gathers 25 of his most popular sides from the late sixties and seventies, including his two smash UK hits, 'Everything I Own' and 'Crying Over You'. By so doing, the compilation provides the ideal introduction to the works of a man who remains a hugely influential and inspirational figure in Jamaican music |
One of the great voices of 70's reggae popularised by the massive Everything I Own, the title track A cover in itself but also Ken's version has been covered as his is probably the best known version of the song.
A name and a voice that first came to my attention in the 70's, in Tighten Up days, I suppose, especially Freedom Street. But there is earlier material on here, cut for Sonia Pottinger in 1968, Say You, lady with the Starlight and Can't see you. The first and last of these are fine Ska of the day but not really strong enough to sugest what would evolve. Then to Old Fashion Way, I'm not for sale and Why Baby Why for a variety of producers. You can almost feel a greater strength emerging with each cut. I particularly like Old Fashion Way for Keith Hudson as he always had a certain individuality about him. But the Leslie Kong tracks probably emerged the strongest through to Freedom Street and so on.
By 1972 through 1973 things were coming thick and fast with Lloyd Charmers at the controls, the arrangements were mellow and the voice was stronger, more prominent, more upfront such as Ain't no Sunshine. There were plenty of strong covers like this, all great soul standards, particularly strong is Is it because I am black. I love the gritty strained soulful vocal on tracks such as Nature Planned it and Let's Get it On. Some roots was also creeping in on Ken's own song Black Gold and green, not particularly strong but checking in on what was going down. Of his own songs Leaving Me is much better.
Then the big hit in 1974, and from the tracks from then on Everything I own is by far the best.
Everything I Own |
Artibella |
(That's The Way) Nature Planned It |
Freedom Street |
Ain't No Sunshine |
Say You |
Love Don't Love Nobody |
Old Fashioned Way |
Is It Because I'm Black |
Now I Know |
Freedom Day |
Speak Softly Love (Theme From 'The Godfather') |
You're No Good |
Black God And Green |
It's Gonna Take A Miracle |
Let's Get It On |
Lady With The Starlight |
Let Go |
I'm Not For Sale |
(You're) Leaving Me |
Why Baby Why |
Out Of Love (aka The One That Love Forgot) |
Silver Words |
Can't You See |
Crying Over You |
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