I think they are trying to play it like reggae, they just didn't know how. They got the shuffling guitar, and the drum's tone is right, they just can't get the feel. Both John Lennon and Paul McCartney talk about trying to get a reggae sound in some of their songs in the early seventies, but they just couldn't nail it. The Wings' song Love is Strange was supposed to sound reggae but didn't.
Another song kind of in that direction is the hit Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc. On the other hand, whatever the result is, I've always really loved that song. And I say that as a huge reggae fan.
With this song Clapton introduced me, as well as countless other Rock fans to the incredible music of Bob Marley. I was in junior high school when this came out. I think it was in '76. It was a huge hit.
@@nets3 All those years kind of meld together in my mind. It was still going strong in the playlist in '76. I was 11 in '74. I don't think I was listening to rock stations then. But that is good to know. Thanks.
100% Reggae.. THIS is why CLAPTON is one of the greatest Musicians of all time!! Just the breadth and depth of his styles technical ability and records he's both written or recorded is probably about the most diverse you'll ever come across from Blues, to Rock, to Country to reggae to Classical versions of his songs when he played at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra! The man is a GENIUS AND A LEGEND! GOD BLESS HIM! 👍🎸😎🏴
@@ice-iu3vv While his voice may not have the full accent, this is STILL Reggae. This song, along with a couple from WAR, helped popularize Reggae music in the US. 📻🙂
I, being an old fart and male, identify most of the times with Brad. But there are times when Lex, with the wonderful weirdness of her mind, goes off into another place that makes perfect sense. Brad keeps a pretty good poker face, so when he cracks that I get big clues. Lex wears her heart on her sleeve and is a pleasure to watch. Please, y'all two, keep reacting to the stuff that was popular when I was working my guardian angel overtime.
This is 100% a reggae tune, originally written and performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers. His cover of this tune basically introduced Marley to US/Euro audiences.
@@melanieshannon122 It would seem with Jamaica being a former colony that England was quite aware of Bob Marley and reggae. I am surprised that the US was not.
@Marie Gold Totally not true and a stereotype. SOME Americans are not receptive to other cultures, but many (most) are. We have most of the world's cultures represented here by so many immigrants. Look at the music reaction videos.....a lot of interest. Now Americans are often ignorant but that is nothing learning can not cure.
I've never heard Lex so far off the mark, and Brad got it. For the record, this recording precedes disco by about 3 years. It is definitely reggae, although smoother than Bob Marley's original. As with most (all) things Clapton, best sampled live. He turned this song into an absolute show stopper, always with a mind blowing extended solo.
correct except that you didnt mention blues, and this performance, as well as nearly all of clapton's stuff, is more blues than anything else. yes it precedes disco by 2 years (1974-76) but its only as reggae as a bob marley cover would have to be. its more than anything else blues in feel, form, and tonality.
Brad & Lex, you'll love his "Forever Man", "After Midnight" and "Nobody Knows You, When You're Down And Out"!!! This is a Bob Marley cover. Any song of Bob's 'Legend' album (Greatest Hits) is great!! edit- Sounds like Eric was channeling Bob's vocals! That's the reggae sound!
When I think of I Shot the Sheriff this is the version that comes to mind. Clapton did great covers and made them his own. After Midnight, Cocain, Knocking on Heaven's Door, all the old blues classics. I like other Bob Marley songs like Is This Love and Jammin.
Lol. How are you not picking up the reggae, Lex?? This is 100% strongly reggae, island vibes. Desert? Las vegas? No. The music, singing style, beat/rhythm, bass guitar beat, drumming style, cover (Bob Marley), etc is all reggae. Funky? Soulful? Yes, but definitely reggae. Close your eyes and you can picture Marley. Have you not listen to enough reggae to pick up the characteristics of reggae? Brad is right, he has a good ear for reggae. He even picked up on the influence from The Clash (reggae punk) video recently. A little ska, too.
You don't know what reggae is if you think this is '100% strongly reggae'. I had lots of Jamaican friends in the 70s/80s and they didn't even consider Bob Marley as reggae, just pop music.
Idk. I see this song by Clapton & many by Bob Marley in a lot of other people's playlists under reggae. I guess there is a more discerning audience out there for reggae.
Brad, you're right on this one. I heard the reggae inflections, too. I agree with Lex about the setting, though. As soon as she said, "...the desert," I was right there. Great reaction.
His MOST Uplifting Song & The Absolute BEST Way To Start Your Day,, Robert Nesta Marley "Three Little Birds"...R.I.P. Bob..Thanks For ALL You Gave Us..Gone But Definitely Not Forgotten..One Love For True..Rastafari 🙏 ❤
Clapton had been in the UK when reggae gained popularity there in 1968 (see "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" by the Beatles, which is technically ska [a transitional style that links calypso and reggae]), so it makes sense he'd adapt reggae for a wider American audience. But yeah, those keyboards are a fair distance from a steel drum, lol. Fun song, though. Another famous Clapton cover is "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", which is originally by Bob Dylan, but Bob's version is very bare. (The music is buried in the mix, and there's an odd echo effect on the vocal.) Clapton turns it into a straight-up rocker and paves the way for the later Guns'N'Roses version. Worth a listen.
It's coming on to summertime now I'm definitely booking a flight back home to Barbados 🇧🇧 listening to this really makes me miss home lol fun fact this song is really about people being evil towards each other so the I shot the sheriff part is metaphorical.
Recommended: 54-46 (That Was My Number) by Toots and the Maytals. I think this tune may be what stylistically is actually called “rocksteady”, and is definitely less morbid, but speaks along the same terms.
Granted, music is all crossover, but this, and to some degree a lot of Police recordings, were direct reggae lifts. Marley had been in London to record for Island Records the previous year, so more than coincidental. The only no. 1 record for Clapton, and a source of contention for Marley, who was angered when this version got more play in Jamaica.
This song was a huge hit for Clapton. It went to #1 and was all over the radio in the US in the mid 70s. It would be several more years before Bob Marley found fame in the US. I think in the UK too Marley wasn't yet a big star when Clapton released this. I prefer Bob Marley's version but like them both. The whole Clapton album, 461 Ocean Blvd., is worth checking out.
This is a much better version than Bob Marley from the background singers to the emotional emphasis he puts in the song makes the storytelling a bit more believable.
Is this really true that Marley wasn't a big star in the mid 70s in the UK? I really would like to know since it suprises me since the UK had almost from the 50s on strong carribean influnces due to the ex colonies. For me Bob's version is the better one especially live & it is also the more known one in Germany at least for people of my generation (35).
@@n_other_1604 From the little bit I've read it looks like Marley really started to become famous in the UK just after the Natty Dread album came out, which was one album after the one with "I Shot the Sheriff" -- Burnin. Burnin apparently was a bigger success in the US. It looked like Marley might become a star first in the US, but Bob Marley and the Wailers were kicked off their tour opening for Sly and the Family Stone supposedly because they were too good. I think Caribbean music was more popular in the US than Europe prior to the 1970s, but I'm really not sure. Caribbean and Latin American music had a huge influence on American music -- especially the Brazilian and Cuban influence on American jazz but on pop music too during and after WWII -- like Harry Belafonte and many others. Maybe there is some British music earlier than the 1970s that has some Caribbean influence but I'm not aware of it.
@@saturnnet1627 Absolutely disagree. Clapton's version is infectious but it sounds like a slick pop song. Marley's version sounds like the invention of a new kind of music. No way I agree Clapton's version captures the emotion of the song. It's too happy and too much of a good time song. Marley's version really sounds like it's about a wanted man.
Bob Marley version is better by a mile. Eric Clapton is a bland artist. There is no spirit or fire in Clapton. When you shot a Sheriff you shouldn't sound like you are singing a soft rock ballad.
This is the very notion that split the Wailers, who were three main vocalists with theoretically equal status accompanied by a band consisting of what we would refer to as session musician when 'Sheriff' was first recorded for the " Burnin' " album. Label boss Chris Blackwell was determined to highlight Marley to the virtual exclusion of Peter 'Tosh' McIntosh and Neville 'Bunny' Livingstone, neither of whom was prepared to "sell-out" just to fulfil Blackwell's strategy to appeal to a majority White mainstream. Blackwell's plan to change the act's name to Bob Marley & the Wailers, relegating Tosh and Bunny to harmonies, apparently contrary to Marley's wishes, was the final straw. The disgruntled pair quit to pursue solo careers, at which point three female soloists coalesced to become 'I-Three' (or The I-Threes, since the target audience didn't get it), who performed backing vocal duties on the live version of 'Sheriff' that became the single. Judy Mowatt, Marley's wife Rita and Marcia Griffiths had each been recording artists in their own right and continued to be so when not backing Marley. Indeed Griffiths had a big hit long before anyone outside Jamaica had heard of Bob Marley, since she had been half of Bob & Marcia (with Bob Andy), who had a 1970 Top 5 hit in the UK with their cover of Nina Simone's 'Young, Gifted and Black'. Members of the backing band that performed as The Wailers also continued to work for other artists in Jamaica. Island Records' third Wailers album, Natty Dread, the first as Bob Marley & The Wailers, effectively launched Marley, vindicating Blackwell and leading to the 1975 concert at which the better-known Marley version of I Shot The Sheriff was recorded. However, the original studio cut had appeared on Island's second Wailers album, Burnin', two years earlier before the Blackwell-inspired schism.
Vegas? That's really harsh. This isn't a lounge singer version. As others have said, his vocals still have a lot of reggae in them. With more of a funk sound. Radio stations just wouldn't play Marley, but this Clapton version brought Marley to the attention of the public.
I have to agree with Brad about Clapton putting on a bit of a Jamaican accent here. I was thinking that before he suggested it and I was surprised because I never noticed it before. But, I haven't really heard this since it came out, and that was before I listened to a lot of reggae.
My mother, who at the time was probably a few years younger than I am now, heard this song once when I was playing it at the house and was dancing around dusting, singing, "I shot the sheriff!" In her later years (she lived to be 92), she really enjoyed all the music of Bob Marley, who wrote this song. Clapton had a much bigger hit with it than Marley did, though. This album came out during my college years and was HUGE then; everybody who knew anything about music had Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard album.
After Cream, Clapton was trying to reinvent his career. He went to Florida and the album was very influences by the relaxed vibe there. The album 461 Ocean Boulevard is amazing. By the way, it was Clapton who suggested to The Bee Gees to come to Florida when they wanted to reinvent their career. And the rest is history
My principal in high school was named John Brown. We used to sing this to him all the time. He ended up being a really good man. Here's to you old friend. Love ya,and look back on you fondly.
There was a 70's love affair with reggae, with acts like Neil Diamond, 10cc, Johnny Nash, Paul Simon, Three Dog Nite (had a #1 hit), Pretenders, Elvis Costello, Gràham Parker, Blondie etc having a go at it.
Jah mahn, Mr. Clapton paying homage to Mr. Marley. Eric is going his best Jamaican accent, but it doesn't truly work. But good enough. Maybe next you could do Clapton's song "Motherless Children", from the album 461 Ocean Blvd.
From what I hear, it's reggae, but played with blues instruments and blues sensibilities. The vocals are obviously reggae styled. There's a gospel organ occasionally in the background.
I live opposite a public house which has live music at the weekend. .Mostly it`s awful, going on till midnight and I have to put the pillow over my head . The exception was one night when someone was playing a cover of this song and it was SO GOOD that I went downstairs in my nightwear and stood on my front step to listen . A wonderful song ,whoever performs it
I heard this a lot when it came out but not in a long time, because I usually hear the Bob Marley version. I am a huge Bob Marley fan and have literally listened to every song in his collection multiple times and I've listened to about five of the albums over and over again so many times over the years including recently. I own all of his albums including even the really really early stuff and there are some bangers on those as well; it's just lower sound production values but that's fine with me. My take on whether this sounds like reggae or not is a bit more nuanced maybe than just saying it does or it doesn't sound like it. It is funny though, but when I first heard it as Eric Clapton doing it just now, a vision of the American Southwest immediately leapt into my mind, although not in Vegas, just somewhere out in some small desert town. But I think musically it's very close to the Bob Marley version; it just has the Eric Clapton blues treatment on it. I definitely love the funky bass and that organ. But vocally, no he doesn't have the Jamaican Rasta accent, but in terms of his phrasing and vocal mannerisms? He's totally channeling Bob Marley. It's really close. I have a hunch he probably really loves Marley. And the overall sound of it, even though it's through a blues filter, still sounds pretty close to the original to me and of course it's got the unison singing in the chorus which adds to that as well. It's a good take on it. Here is one of my favorite early Bob Marley songs which I guarantee you will never hear on the radio ever. But it was very popular when it came out in Jamaica and later became popular here to Bob Marley fans once they became aware of him. He had that revolutionary streak in him even way back then. And perhaps even more so actually. This song uses code words and poetry and was basically a call to action to quit putting up with the system and do whatever it takes to throw the yoke off. I doubt you would react to it but it's definitely worth a listen if you like Bob Marley at all. It's quite a bit of history. I love it. It's not the really early stuff but it is from his 1973 album, Catch a Fire. m.th-cam.com/video/0Ev_cSkMV5M/w-d-xo.html
A good mix of blues-funk and - yes - reggae. Reggae was a big influence on British music in the mid to late 1970s and early 1980s - some punk and new wave bands also added reggae to their style (check out some music by The Clash and The Police), and there was a revival of a reggae-like style called ska about the same time (listen to something by The Specials or Madness).
I heard this song when my mother brought it one on a 45. I did not hear the Bob Marley original until about 15 years later. It also make me think about the EMPD sample of the Clapton version on Strictly Business
It’s still reggae. It’s just more technically sophisticated and played by some serious professional musicians. Clapton did something almost no other rock artists did. He used a whole orchestra to back him up. And he played a lot of different genres. Rock, blues, reggae and even country. Check out Tulsa Time.
You guys should try some punk reggae crossovers like Stiff Little Fingers cover of Bob Marleys "Johnny Was" or the Ruts original "Jah War". Or maybe the Clash and "Armagideon Time".
to me, this is one of the covers that outshines the original. I mean, you can never take away the original concept from Bob Marley. But man this version kicks some serious booty.
It’s funk reggae. I can understand why Lex would feel the disco (there is some underlying electric drum and keyboard), but Clapton is 1000% doing a Jamaican accent and the guitar riff is all reggae
A real Reggae heartbeat in this version with a great funk vibe. Eric Clapton is one of the true greats, check out 'Layla, Change the World & Father's Eyes'
Eric Clapton, being a British artist, would have sounded reiculous, had he tried to sound like a Jamaican singer. He just sang it as he would sing any other song, in his own voice. This is an excellent version. Brad, you the man.
I was suprised when I found out that Clapton covered & almost shocked when I heard that his version is mor known at least in the US. For me Bobs live version is the best although Claptons is nice as well & for germans (35) of my generation is Bob's version by far the mor known.
I'm with Brad on this one. There is still a strong reggae vibe here. No disco. Funky and bluesy. Brilliant.
Ditto
100%
I think they are trying to play it like reggae, they just didn't know how. They got the shuffling guitar, and the drum's tone is right, they just can't get the feel. Both John Lennon and Paul McCartney talk about trying to get a reggae sound in some of their songs in the early seventies, but they just couldn't nail it. The Wings' song Love is Strange was supposed to sound reggae but didn't.
Another song kind of in that direction is the hit Dreadlock Holiday by 10cc. On the other hand, whatever the result is, I've always really loved that song. And I say that as a huge reggae fan.
No disco. Disco is an overused term.
With this song Clapton introduced me, as well as countless other Rock fans to the incredible music of Bob Marley. I was in junior high school when this came out. I think it was in '76. It was a huge hit.
1974
@@nets3 All those years kind of meld together in my mind. It was still going strong in the playlist in '76. I was 11 in '74. I don't think I was listening to rock stations then. But that is good to know. Thanks.
It was in 74 ...
I remember hearing this song in ‘74 or ‘75.
@@chrisa4695 1974, i think it was in the album 461 ocean boulevard. "please be with me" was my favorite track.
100% Reggae.. THIS is why CLAPTON is one of the greatest Musicians of all time!! Just the breadth and depth of his styles technical ability and records he's both written or recorded is probably about the most diverse you'll ever come across from Blues, to Rock, to Country to reggae to Classical versions of his songs when he played at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic orchestra!
The man is a GENIUS AND A LEGEND!
GOD BLESS HIM! 👍🎸😎🏴
90% blues actually. the ORIGINAL was 100% reggae.
@@ice-iu3vv
While his voice may not have the full accent, this is STILL Reggae.
This song, along with a couple from WAR, helped popularize Reggae music in the US.
📻🙂
Lex is a national treasure. She must be protected at all costs.
She's badass
Yes
Read that before...
She has the music in her soul, and a childlike joy when hearing new things.
Dude is 100% right. A tinge of reggae in the vocals. Clapton does not enunciate this way normally.
More than a "tinge" of reggae ... Not disco !!!! Written by Bob Marley ... He was not disco ....
I, being an old fart and male, identify most of the times with Brad. But there are times when Lex, with the wonderful weirdness of her mind, goes off into another place that makes perfect sense. Brad keeps a pretty good poker face, so when he cracks that I get big clues. Lex wears her heart on her sleeve and is a pleasure to watch. Please, y'all two, keep reacting to the stuff that was popular when I was working my guardian angel overtime.
The minor details of this song is the reason why this song song will never get boring the cowbell the funkyness and that damn good old organ sound
This is 100% a reggae tune, originally written and performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers. His cover of this tune basically introduced Marley to US/Euro audiences.
Did not know that.
Me either..
to the US but not to Europe
@@melanieshannon122 It would seem with Jamaica being a former colony that England was quite aware of Bob Marley and reggae. I am surprised that the US was not.
@Marie Gold Totally not true and a stereotype. SOME Americans are not receptive to other cultures, but many (most) are. We have most of the world's cultures represented here by so many immigrants. Look at the music reaction videos.....a lot of interest. Now Americans are often ignorant but that is nothing learning can not cure.
Man I love the organ.
I've never heard Lex so far off the mark, and Brad got it. For the record, this recording precedes disco by about 3 years. It is definitely reggae, although smoother than Bob Marley's original. As with most (all) things Clapton, best sampled live. He turned this song into an absolute show stopper, always with a mind blowing extended solo.
You’re on point.
correct except that you didnt mention blues, and this performance, as well as nearly all of clapton's stuff, is more blues than anything else. yes it precedes disco by 2 years (1974-76) but its only as reggae as a bob marley cover would have to be. its more than anything else blues in feel, form, and tonality.
Clapton's cover made the world notice Marley, he was a superstar after that .
It's the delivery of the lyrics that give it the illusion of an accent I think
This is the version I heard as a kid in the 70s. Love this version.
Brad & Lex, you'll love his "Forever Man", "After Midnight" and "Nobody Knows You, When You're Down And Out"!!! This is a Bob Marley cover. Any song of Bob's 'Legend' album (Greatest Hits) is great!! edit- Sounds like Eric was channeling Bob's vocals! That's the reggae sound!
And 'bad love' and 'miss you'
I like Forever Man for his vocal growl and guitar growl.
When I think of I Shot the Sheriff this is the version that comes to mind. Clapton did great covers and made them his own. After Midnight, Cocain, Knocking on Heaven's Door, all the old blues classics. I like other Bob Marley songs like Is This Love and Jammin.
I think his vocals definitely sound like he's putting a little reggae on it.
Eric is English and he could be in the islands because Jamaica was a British colony at one time. Lots of backstory with the British Empire!
My first concert in 1974. Nassau Coliseum, the 361 Ocean Blvd Tour. I played the album the other day in my garage.
Eric is one of my favs. Omg I was born in the 70’s but raised in the 80’s. Everyone needs to listen to Eric!!! Thank you beauties ❤️
I remember this song and lay down sally. This was back in the 70's when a artist would have so many flavors of music!
Lol. How are you not picking up the reggae, Lex?? This is 100% strongly reggae, island vibes. Desert? Las vegas? No.
The music, singing style, beat/rhythm, bass guitar beat, drumming style, cover (Bob Marley), etc is all reggae. Funky? Soulful? Yes, but definitely reggae. Close your eyes and you can picture Marley. Have you not listen to enough reggae to pick up the characteristics of reggae?
Brad is right, he has a good ear for reggae. He even picked up on the influence from The Clash (reggae punk) video recently. A little ska, too.
You don't know what reggae is if you think this is '100% strongly reggae'. I had lots of Jamaican friends in the 70s/80s and they didn't even consider Bob Marley as reggae, just pop music.
@@Derry_Aire lol, Ok......
Idk. I see this song by Clapton & many by Bob Marley in a lot of other people's playlists under reggae.
I guess there is a more discerning audience out there for reggae.
@@RandomPau Yes. There's reggae (and Dub) then there's Pop Marley.
Yes, there is a hint of reggae in the voice
Brad, you're right on this one. I heard the reggae inflections, too. I agree with Lex about the setting, though. As soon as she said, "...the desert," I was right there. Great reaction.
This is how I learned about Bob Marley. This song was so cool, and different when it came out.
the transition from fun rock to story rock
His MOST Uplifting Song & The Absolute BEST Way To Start Your Day,, Robert Nesta Marley "Three Little Birds"...R.I.P. Bob..Thanks For ALL You Gave Us..Gone But Definitely Not Forgotten..One Love For True..Rastafari 🙏 ❤
Clapton had been in the UK when reggae gained popularity there in 1968 (see "Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da" by the Beatles, which is technically ska [a transitional style that links calypso and reggae]), so it makes sense he'd adapt reggae for a wider American audience.
But yeah, those keyboards are a fair distance from a steel drum, lol. Fun song, though.
Another famous Clapton cover is "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", which is originally by Bob Dylan, but Bob's version is very bare. (The music is buried in the mix, and there's an odd echo effect on the vocal.) Clapton turns it into a straight-up rocker and paves the way for the later Guns'N'Roses version. Worth a listen.
Eric gives us 'reggae light' but the song has some nice texture in the voice and the backing vocals ... nice job Eric
I definitely hear the Reggae in his voice, brad.
It's coming on to summertime now I'm definitely booking a flight back home to Barbados 🇧🇧 listening to this really makes me miss home lol fun fact this song is really about people being evil towards each other so the I shot the sheriff part is metaphorical.
Vocals are definitely reggae. He sounds so like Bob. And the beat has that reggae beat for sure. Love both.
Absolutely a tinge of reggae in the vocal and even more in the instrumentation. It's blue-eyed reggae.
Recommended: 54-46 (That Was My Number) by Toots and the Maytals. I think this tune may be what stylistically is actually called “rocksteady”, and is definitely less morbid, but speaks along the same terms.
Brad is right about the vocals sorry Lex.
Total reggae vibe
This is the version I heard first, in 97 or 98, only found the original Bob Marley years later.
Reggae has the accent on the offbeat and you can hear it clearly here.
Granted, music is all crossover, but this, and to some degree a lot of Police recordings, were direct reggae lifts. Marley had been in London to record for Island Records the previous year, so more than coincidental. The only no. 1 record for Clapton, and a source of contention for Marley, who was angered when this version got more play in Jamaica.
A true legend. Clapton is so awesome. If you want to hear him playing some amazing blues listen to sound track of movie Rush from 1991.
I agree with Brad 100%
yes, a fusion of reggae, blues and funk.
you folks must watch eric clapton, BB king, robert randolf do "the thrill is gone" at the chicago 2010 festival. You must!
This song was a huge hit for Clapton. It went to #1 and was all over the radio in the US in the mid 70s. It would be several more years before Bob Marley found fame in the US. I think in the UK too Marley wasn't yet a big star when Clapton released this. I prefer Bob Marley's version but like them both. The whole Clapton album, 461 Ocean Blvd., is worth checking out.
This is a much better version than Bob Marley from the background singers to the emotional emphasis he puts in the song makes the storytelling a bit more believable.
Is this really true that Marley wasn't a big star in the mid 70s in the UK?
I really would like to know since it suprises me since the UK had almost from the 50s on strong carribean influnces due to the ex colonies. For me Bob's version is the better one especially live & it is also the more known one in Germany at least for people of my generation (35).
@@n_other_1604 From the little bit I've read it looks like Marley really started to become famous in the UK just after the Natty Dread album came out, which was one album after the one with "I Shot the Sheriff" -- Burnin. Burnin apparently was a bigger success in the US. It looked like Marley might become a star first in the US, but Bob Marley and the Wailers were kicked off their tour opening for Sly and the Family Stone supposedly because they were too good. I think Caribbean music was more popular in the US than Europe prior to the 1970s, but I'm really not sure. Caribbean and Latin American music had a huge influence on American music -- especially the Brazilian and Cuban influence on American jazz but on pop music too during and after WWII -- like Harry Belafonte and many others. Maybe there is some British music earlier than the 1970s that has some Caribbean influence but I'm not aware of it.
@@saturnnet1627 Absolutely disagree. Clapton's version is infectious but it sounds like a slick pop song. Marley's version sounds like the invention of a new kind of music. No way I agree Clapton's version captures the emotion of the song. It's too happy and too much of a good time song. Marley's version really sounds like it's about a wanted man.
Bob Marley version is better by a mile. Eric Clapton is a bland artist. There is no spirit or fire in Clapton. When you shot a Sheriff you shouldn't sound like you are singing a soft rock ballad.
Clapton definitely gave it a reggae twang in his vocals and the backing vocalists
Eric Clapton "Motherless Child" & "See What Love Can Do"...Classics.
The original is by reggae legend bob Marley and his backing band the wailers
This is the very notion that split the Wailers, who were three main vocalists with theoretically equal status accompanied by a band consisting of what we would refer to as session musician when 'Sheriff' was first recorded for the " Burnin' " album. Label boss Chris Blackwell was determined to highlight Marley to the virtual exclusion of Peter 'Tosh' McIntosh and Neville 'Bunny' Livingstone, neither of whom was prepared to "sell-out" just to fulfil Blackwell's strategy to appeal to a majority White mainstream. Blackwell's plan to change the act's name to Bob Marley & the Wailers, relegating Tosh and Bunny to harmonies, apparently contrary to Marley's wishes, was the final straw. The disgruntled pair quit to pursue solo careers, at which point three female soloists coalesced to become 'I-Three' (or The I-Threes, since the target audience didn't get it), who performed backing vocal duties on the live version of 'Sheriff' that became the single.
Judy Mowatt, Marley's wife Rita and Marcia Griffiths had each been recording artists in their own right and continued to be so when not backing Marley. Indeed Griffiths had a big hit long before anyone outside Jamaica had heard of Bob Marley, since she had been half of Bob & Marcia (with Bob Andy), who had a 1970 Top 5 hit in the UK with their cover of Nina Simone's 'Young, Gifted and Black'. Members of the backing band that performed as The Wailers also continued to work for other artists in Jamaica.
Island Records' third Wailers album, Natty Dread, the first as Bob Marley & The Wailers, effectively launched Marley, vindicating Blackwell and leading to the 1975 concert at which the better-known Marley version of I Shot The Sheriff was recorded. However, the original studio cut had appeared on Island's second Wailers album, Burnin', two years earlier before the Blackwell-inspired schism.
@@way2deep100 Legalize it!!
One of the background singers was Yvonne Elleman who was a solo artist as well. She got radio play in the 70's.
Brad is right on this one.
Bob Marley RIP you goddamn Legend!!!
Lex.. you trippin'.. this is pure reggae mon.. I and I say everting irie 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
Yes you mention reggae, Bob M
Vegas? That's really harsh. This isn't a lounge singer version. As others have said, his vocals still have a lot of reggae in them. With more of a funk sound. Radio stations just wouldn't play Marley, but this Clapton version brought Marley to the attention of the public.
After this, you probably should find some Marley, Peter Tosh, etc.
I have to agree with Brad about Clapton putting on a bit of a Jamaican accent here. I was thinking that before he suggested it and I was surprised because I never noticed it before. But, I haven't really heard this since it came out, and that was before I listened to a lot of reggae.
The rhythm is definitely Reggae.
My mother, who at the time was probably a few years younger than I am now, heard this song once when I was playing it at the house and was dancing around dusting, singing, "I shot the sheriff!" In her later years (she lived to be 92), she really enjoyed all the music of Bob Marley, who wrote this song. Clapton had a much bigger hit with it than Marley did, though. This album came out during my college years and was HUGE then; everybody who knew anything about music had Clapton's 461 Ocean Boulevard album.
It's like listening to the Pat Boone version of a little Richard song
After Cream, Clapton was trying to reinvent his career. He went to Florida and the album was very influences by the relaxed vibe there. The album 461 Ocean Boulevard is amazing. By the way, it was Clapton who suggested to The Bee Gees to come to Florida when they wanted to reinvent their career. And the rest is history
My principal in high school was named John Brown. We used to sing this to him all the time. He ended up being a really good man. Here's to you old friend. Love ya,and look back on you fondly.
There was a 70's love affair with reggae, with acts like Neil Diamond, 10cc, Johnny Nash, Paul Simon, Three Dog Nite (had a #1 hit), Pretenders, Elvis Costello, Gràham Parker, Blondie etc having a go at it.
Jah mahn, Mr. Clapton paying homage to Mr. Marley. Eric is going his best Jamaican accent, but it doesn't truly work. But good enough. Maybe next you could do Clapton's song "Motherless Children", from the album 461 Ocean Blvd.
I definitely hear what you hear Brad, much love to both of ya!
Vocals are actually reggae inspired, at least partially.
From what I hear, it's reggae, but played with blues instruments and blues sensibilities. The vocals are obviously reggae styled. There's a gospel organ occasionally in the background.
Never heard this version before. Love it!
I live opposite a public house which has live music at the weekend.
.Mostly it`s awful, going on till midnight and I have to put the pillow over my head .
The exception was one night when someone was playing a cover of this song and it was SO GOOD that I went downstairs in my nightwear and stood on my front step to listen .
A wonderful song ,whoever performs it
1974 and well ahead of its time. I was 15, and I'm 63 now. It's still exciting music.
I hear the reggae tinge in the vocals too, Brad 👍🏼
I remember when this was new, scratching my head lol. But I “got it” pretty quick. Brad “got it”.
Aloha, ahhh...Slowhand...reminds me of my High School daze...
Not in Vegas, but close ! 461, Ocean Boulevard, L.A.
I swear you could write quite a few movies based on the songs of Bob Marley and the wailers
I heard this a lot when it came out but not in a long time, because I usually hear the Bob Marley version. I am a huge Bob Marley fan and have literally listened to every song in his collection multiple times and I've listened to about five of the albums over and over again so many times over the years including recently. I own all of his albums including even the really really early stuff and there are some bangers on those as well; it's just lower sound production values but that's fine with me. My take on whether this sounds like reggae or not is a bit more nuanced maybe than just saying it does or it doesn't sound like it. It is funny though, but when I first heard it as Eric Clapton doing it just now, a vision of the American Southwest immediately leapt into my mind, although not in Vegas, just somewhere out in some small desert town. But I think musically it's very close to the Bob Marley version; it just has the Eric Clapton blues treatment on it. I definitely love the funky bass and that organ. But vocally, no he doesn't have the Jamaican Rasta accent, but in terms of his phrasing and vocal mannerisms? He's totally channeling Bob Marley. It's really close. I have a hunch he probably really loves Marley. And the overall sound of it, even though it's through a blues filter, still sounds pretty close to the original to me and of course it's got the unison singing in the chorus which adds to that as well. It's a good take on it.
Here is one of my favorite early Bob Marley songs which I guarantee you will never hear on the radio ever. But it was very popular when it came out in Jamaica and later became popular here to Bob Marley fans once they became aware of him. He had that revolutionary streak in him even way back then. And perhaps even more so actually. This song uses code words and poetry and was basically a call to action to quit putting up with the system and do whatever it takes to throw the yoke off. I doubt you would react to it but it's definitely worth a listen if you like Bob Marley at all. It's quite a bit of history. I love it. It's not the really early stuff but it is from his 1973 album, Catch a Fire.
m.th-cam.com/video/0Ev_cSkMV5M/w-d-xo.html
A good mix of blues-funk and - yes - reggae. Reggae was a big influence on British music in the mid to late 1970s and early 1980s - some punk and new wave bands also added reggae to their style (check out some music by The Clash and The Police), and there was a revival of a reggae-like style called ska about the same time (listen to something by The Specials or Madness).
I heard this song when my mother brought it one on a 45. I did not hear the Bob Marley original until about 15 years later. It also make me think about the EMPD sample of the Clapton version on Strictly Business
Clapton kept the lyrics true to the original way it was written, and the feel of the music. I think that is where everyone is hearing the Reggae most.
Eric puts on a good show...another professional.
they both classics..this was played on the radio for decades.heard it 200 times
I agree with Brad.
If you want to hear some reggae from the 60's try Desmond Dekker and the Aces. The song is called Israelites.
It’s still reggae. It’s just more technically sophisticated and played by some serious professional musicians. Clapton did something almost no other rock artists did. He used a whole orchestra to back him up. And he played a lot of different genres. Rock, blues, reggae and even country. Check out Tulsa Time.
I can't hear Clapton's version without thinking of EPMD sampling it for Strictly Business.
Was gonna say same thing! “Don’t get too cool because you might get shot”
Clapton's cover of "Stone Free" on the Hendrix tribute album is the best song I've ever heard him do.
I grew up listening to this on the radio, like top hits of the time. \m/
You guys should try some punk reggae crossovers like Stiff Little Fingers cover of Bob Marleys "Johnny Was" or the Ruts original "Jah War". Or maybe the Clash and "Armagideon Time".
Definite reggae vibes.
to me, this is one of the covers that outshines the original. I mean, you can never take away the original concept from Bob Marley. But man this version kicks some serious booty.
It’s funk reggae. I can understand why Lex would feel the disco (there is some underlying electric drum and keyboard), but Clapton is 1000% doing a Jamaican accent and the guitar riff is all reggae
This came out in 1974. I was starting college the fall if '74 and this was a big hit at that time.
It is in 3/4 time which is a reggae syncopation .... that's why it feels "reggae ish" 😊
A real Reggae heartbeat in this version with a great funk vibe.
Eric Clapton is one of the true greats, check out 'Layla, Change the World & Father's Eyes'
Great reaction guys
Eric Clapton, being a British artist, would have sounded reiculous, had he tried to sound like a Jamaican singer. He just sang it as he would sing any other song, in his own voice. This is an excellent version. Brad, you the man.
Eric moved and recorded in Miami where he was influenced by all kinds of sounds...R & B....reggae...Brilliant album 461 Ocean Blvd.
Brad is right
LOVE LOVE LEX'S REACTION BRAD, VERYYYYYY COOL! :) SHE REALLYYYY LOVES THE GOOD ROCK MUSIC, I CAN TELL, I MEAN I'M SURE YOU DO TOO :)
Definitely has Reggae style going in his voice. I think he was trying to pay homage to Bob Marley while covering his song.
It is from the LP ""461 Ocean Boulevard" Miami. It got airplay before the Wailers.
Blast from the past, i was 6 or 7. I always thought this was a bob marley song! Remember this song because i grew up on sheriff's mountain.
I was suprised when I found out that Clapton covered & almost shocked when I heard that his version is mor known at least in the US. For me Bobs live version is the best although Claptons is nice as well & for germans (35) of my generation is Bob's version by far the mor known.