A live tribute to Marc Bolan and a less-than-impressive gig by Ziggy Marley reviewed.
MARC BOLAN
Celebration
Liberation Entertainment
***
This is an odd release in that it's footage from a Bolan tribute concert held in London last year. A bunch of interesting (and, at times, surprising) names showed up to play Bolan and T.Rex hits. T-Rextasy are renowned as one of the best tribute bands around, and they put in a superb performance. Other guests include Blondie's Clem Burke, Dr Robert (from The Blow Monkeys) and Marc Almond. The highlight has to be Shakin' Stevens reprising his cover version of Chrome Sitar. Sometimes you forget just how many great hits Bolan was responsible for, so this is a timely reminder.
BRIAN BOYD
ZIGGY MARLEY
Love Is My Religion Live
Tuff Gong
**
Bob Marley's contribution to rock and pop music was immense, and he has been virtually an impossible act for other Jamaican artists to follow. Even his most high-profile sons, Damian and Ziggy, have languished in their father's shadow, with Ziggy in particular alienating Marley purists by recording on the strength of the family lineage.
You can see why he has angered such fervent fans: from the blatant filching of iconic stances and poses to crowd-pleasing renditions of Rastaman Vibrationand Jammin', this Ziggy just doesn't play the guitar, he bloody well smothers it. The result here is a bog-standard gig of largely charisma-free reggae tunes. Extra features include videos for Love Is My Religionand Into the Groove.
[ www.ziggymarley.comOpens in new window ]
TONY CLAYTON-LEA
