Promotional Information

An analysis of the music and lyrics of one of the most transcendent figures in popular music, Bob Marley.

About the Author

David Moskowitz is Assistant Professor of Musicology at the University of South Dakota. He is the author of the Greenwood reference book, The Encyclopedia of Reggae and Caribbean Music.

Reviews

Moskowitz writes from an enthusiastic, uncritical perspective, often sounding like an old friend of Marley and referring to him as Bob; for example, in the introduction he writes that the study focuses on the 11 Island/Tuff Gong albums released during Bob's life. In short, the style is straightforward, factual, and uncluttered by critical theory. Although Moskowitz likely traveled to Jamaica to visit Marley pilgrimage sites, he bases this reexamination of Marley's life and lyrics on the recordings themselves rather than on probing skeptical research. Organized chronologically by album, this book is situated somewhere on the boundary between serious scholarship and popular writing….[i]t is one of the better efforts among the dozen-plus titles already available on Marley and his songs….Recommended. Lower-/upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, general readers.
*Choice*

Moskowitz offers an exhaustive look at the words and music of all of the major releases by the late reggae superstar, Bob Marley. Major events of Marley's life are interspersed with analysis of his music and connected, somewhat superficially, to his songs. However, considering the great number of books about Marley, this one ranks among the best in its analysis of the song lyrics and its documentation of the musicians, producers, and instrumentation for most Marley sessions. With its comprehensive 23-page discography of singles and albums, informative chapter-by-chapter footnotes, and extensive bibliography of Marley and reggae-related titles, this will be of interest to music historians and determined fans….Recommended for comprehensive reggae collections and academic music libraries.
*Library Journal*

Reggae singer Bob Marley died before he was 40, but his music lives on and his album Exodus was deemed by Time Magazine the most important of the 20th century, so The Words and Music of Bob Marley is certain to be an ongoing, popular pick for any college-level music library serious about representing lasting artists. A chronological arrangement provides a blend of biography and music analysis, following the developing themes of Marley's works and presenting the histories of his albums and songs which made headlines and drew important links between new and traditional concepts. Any definitive Marley collection needs this.
*The Bookwatch*

Moskowitz examines the life of reggae musician Bob Marley, the first third world superstar, as it relates to the production of his music. The treatment is chronological and includes discussion of the mechanics and personnel of the recording sessions, events that influenced Marley's writings, and (most prominently) musical structures and lyrical themes. Also included is a selective discography.
*Reference & Research Book News*