Sunday, June 11, 2006

Prince Buster - Sit And Wonder

ORIGINATION 200% Dynamite
LAST LISTENED TO yesterday
CHANCE OF WAKING TO IT fairly good
RATING

Prince Buster is one of the most important people in the history of Jamaican music. He was both artist, writer and producer and, whilst being best known for his contribution to ska, he was of almost equal importance to rocksteady. (For the confused, ska slowed down, got rude and became rocksteady, which itself slowed down, got conscious and became roots (or reggae).)

This tune is from the rocksteady period and is typical of the style. It is not one of his best rocksteady tunes, but it is notable for some nice vocal harmonies. The song is about the Prince's lady, who he suspects of doing the dirty on him with some Rude boys. He sings that they took her home after the dance and "who knows where they took you before". Typical slackness for the rocksteady period, but interestingly the story does not then go on to feature violence (or more rudeness). Instead the Prince goes on to wonder if life is worth living, which is more than a little unusual for this period. This, along with the vocal harmonies, gives the song a slight melancholy air, which is kinda refreshing.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I discovered prince buster five years ago and I love most of his songs especially this one. I have been fighting Brittish ebayers for his early 45s which to my suprise fetch a very high price. Good review of this song!