Sanctuary Records Group - Trojan

Back to Sanctuary/ Castle Music Review Menu - reviewed

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



.

Visitors:

Bravenet.com