Bob Marley and The Wailers
Catch A Fire (50th Anniversary Edition)
(Island Records)
★★★★

THIS nicely packaged three-CD set serves up an expanded version of the trailblazing 1972 album which helped to establish Bob Marley as a major creative talent and brought the distinctive delights of reggae to the attention of the mainstream rock fraternity for the very first time. 

The fascinating bonus tracks on offer here include extended versions of Wailers’ gems such as Slave Driver and 400 Years and the first official release of the live recording of the group’s concert at London’s Paris Theatre in May 1973. 

Half a century later reggae seems to have slipped back into the shadows once again, but Catch A Fire remains one of the most vital and compelling collections  that have been produced in this or any other genre.

Stackridge
Mr. Mick
(Esoteric / Cherry Red)
★★★

THE recording and release of this ambitious concept album from amiable West Country prog-rock merchants Stackridge was fraught with difficulties before it finally appeared on the market in seriously truncated form in 1976. 

The original version of Mr. Mick had featured a story and narration penned by children’s author Steve Augarde but Rocket Records rejected it out of hand and the track listing had to be totally rejigged before they would allow it to finally see the light of day. The album was critically well received nonetheless but record sales were disappointing and, worn down by the whole experience, Stackridge sadly gave up the ghost soon afterwards. 

This expanded CD reissue from the good people at Cherry Red also finds space for the original, unreleased version of the album, leaving listeners to decide which of the two competing artistic conceptions they prefer.

Francis Dunnery
The Blues of Tombstone Dunnery Vol 1 
(Self-released)
★★★

CUMBRIAN singer and guitarist Francis Dunnery is probably best remembered these days for his musical exploits with prog pop merchants It Bites during the latter half of the 1980s, most notably their Top 10 singles success from 1986, Calling All The Heroes. 

This brief glimpse of fame and fortune wasn’t destined to last too long, however, and the original incarnation of the band finally gave up the ghost in 1990. 

Dunnery has occupied himself since then by tackling a variety of interesting solo projects as well as working as a trusted sideman with rock luminaries such as Robert Plant and Carlos Santana. 

This eclectic musician’s latest album serves up his sublime celebration of the delights of the blues genre via 12 freshly minted tracks led by Take My Joy Away, She Left Me With The Blues and Riding On The Blues Train.