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Bangarang – Best of Stranger Cole 1962-1972

Released on 18 August 2003.

Despite Stranger's standing as one of the genuine greats of the golden age of Jamaican music, this double CD presents the first ever-serious retrospective of his work. Featuring 54 of his best-known recordings, cut during a period when he was a regular fixture on the Jamaican charts, this long overdue collection illustrates why the work of Stranger Cole is so highly regarded by Ska and Reggae fans the world over.

 

Another journey through Jamaican history starting off at about Independence time. Right through to 1965 it was predominantly cut for Duke Reid and is pretty typical of his output of the time utilising extensively Baba Brooks . Stranger Cole, who now resides in Canada, is well respected and the hits flowed starting with an early ska masterpiece Rough and Tough. In the early days his output was enhanced, as it often was generally, with duets with predominantly Patsy Dodd and also sometimes with Ken Boothe. Most of the songs were also Cole's own but I'm not sure that they particularly stood out.

For me the output got better on the move to Sonia Pottinger in about 1965, the songs were still Cole's but the emerging sound is better suited to him. Bouncier rocksteady rhythms with Cole's vocals not too much to the forefront. The observant street commentary, with the vocal harmonies of his Conquerors, Drop the Ratchet is a fine tune – a southern soul style emerges too, plus the obligatory duets with Patsy Dodd of which Tell it to me is particularly good with male group harmonies.

By 1967 Stranger was starting to produce his own material and was joined regularly by Gladstone Anderson. A hit emerged with Joe Gibbs Just like a River (with an equally good reverse side) but the self produced Now I know is equally as good. In fact this period is rich with good songs and Stranger's own personal stamp and (sort of echoey vocal) style was becoming instantly recognizable and distinctive.

Then late 1968 Bunny Lee hit with Bangarang, the title track, melodious, infectious, with restrained vocals and easy prominent sax and a huge hit. In a sense this was a 'mix' record in modern day parlance. In a sense also it is an oddball track and shouldn't really over ride everything else to be the title track as it is atypical, but nonetheless a great track.

He then continued where he left off, own songs, own production slightly changing beat as we moved to towards the 70's. Life can be beautiful and we two (though only a minute and a half long) being good songs for me. However the highlight undoubtedly was Pretty Cottage, a glorious laid back groove and big sound of the skinhead era as I recall. Top tune.

Stranger as I have mentioned did build a sound of his own because when he worked for other produced say Clancy Eccles or JJ Johnson the sound on the vocals was completely different. The final tracks take us up to 1972, the tracks and the popularity was sparser, though These Eyes is a great tune.

Apparently Stranger is alive and well, and still putting stuff down in Canada.

 

2-CD SET

  DISC 1:

  Rough And Tough

  Miss Dreamer

  When You Call My Name (& Patsy Todd)

  Till My Dying Days

  Stranger At The Door

  Uno Dos Tres (& Ken Boothe)

  Conqueror -

  Oh Oh I Need You

  Tom, Dick And Harry (& Patsy Todd)

  Boy Blue

  Hush (& Ken Boothe)

  We Are Rolling (Under The Tree Of Life) (& Ken Boothe)

  Yeah Yeah Baby (& Patsy Todd)

  We Two Happy People (& Patsy Todd)

  Come Back (& Patsy Todd)

  Koo Koo Doo (& Owen & Leon Silveras)

  Run Joe

  Make Believe

  Love Your Neighbour

  We Shall Overcome (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Drop The Ratchet (& Conquerors)

  Oh Yee Mahee (& The Conquerors)

  Give Me The Right (& Patsy Todd)

  Tonight (& Patsy Todd)

  Tell It To Me (& Patsy Todd)

  Your Photograph (& Patsy Todd)

  Down The Train Line (& Patsy Todd)

  DISC 2:

  Just Like A River (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Seeing Is Knowing (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Over Again (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Love Me This Evening (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Darling Jeboza Macoo

  Now I Know (& Gladstone Anderson)

  If We Should Ever Meet (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Try Me One More Time (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Last Flight To Reggae City (& Tommy McCook)

  Bangarang (& Lester Sterling)

  When I Get My Freedom

  Life Can Be Beautiful

  My Love (& Patsy Todd)

  Give It To Me

  What Mama Na Want She Get

  We Two

  Glad You're Living

  Help Wanted

  Pretty Cottage (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Everything With You

  Lift Your Head Up High (& Gladstone Anderson)

  (Where Will You Be) Tomorrow (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Make Good (& Gladstone Anderson)

  Run Up Your Mouth (& Gladstone Anderson)

  These Eyes (aka Crying Every Night)

  My Confession

  I Want To Love You

 

 

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