Still jamming with Bob, 28 years on

Despite his death 28 years ago, the music of Bob Marley still reverberates around the world. His backing band the Wailers, two incarnations of them, are still spreading the vibe. Original Wailers guitarist and singer Junior Marvin talks to DAVE WILLIAMS of NZPA, ahead of their New Zealand performances.

Junior Marvin and Al Anderson toured and recorded with Marley until his death in 1981.

Now The Original Wailers, with Junior handling lead vocals, promise to recreate musical history as they continue to spread the message of One Love.

So goes the promotional material, but let's get one thing out of the way.

The Original Wailers who are coming to New Zealand are not to be confused with The Wailers, which includes other members of the original band and has been performing since 1981.

"I don't there's any competition," says Junior Marvin of his new band, speaking on the phone from Portland, Maine.

"We take pride in the standard of the music we play and we let everybody make up their own minds."

The Original Wailers, which formed about a year ago, is part way through a "world tour" which takes in the United States, Australia and also the small islands off the east coast of Africa; Reunion Island, Mauritius and Mayotte Island, which is off Madagascar.

Keyboardist Earl "Wya" Lyndo is apparently getting his passport sorted out so he can also join the band and should be playing on the New Zealand leg.

The tour is pushing the 1977 album Exodus, which rocketed Bob Marley into superstardom. It was voted Time Magazine's album of the 20th Century.

"We are very proud of it, and will definitely be playing something from it," Marvin says.

Exodus was Marvin's first album with Bob Marley and The Wailers.

He joined the band after also being asked to join Stevie Wonder's band. His schoolmates and musician friends told him to chose Bob Marley.

He played on all Bob Marley and The Wailers albums since then.

Marvin says a lot of work went into the albums. They were fortunate to have the finance so they could book a studio for three to six months and use it every day.

"There was a lot of effort behind each song, behind the recording and the actual mix of the production. It wasn't actually just like a quick job. It was really well thought out, rehearsed, and orchestrated and we are very proud of the way they turned out.

"You can hear it in the work.

"We (the Wailers) all equally put a bit of ourselves in there. Sometimes lyrically, sometimes musically, but together we always came up with a formula, with a chemistry that there was a lot of work.

"We spent time with each song before we actually recorded it."

However, he says his favourite songs were recorded before he joined the band -- War and Concrete Jungle.

And after 30 years does he get tired of playing the songs?

Not at all.

"We you get in front of an audience and they are singing the songs with you and they are dancing in the aisle, it's like brand new every time.

"You get a different vibe for every audience you play for, especially when they know the words they sing along with you, it's very inspiring. They are enjoying it so much you have to play it for them."

Marvin doesn't think it's a case of stepping into Bob's shoes but it is possible to recreate the sound.

"I don't think anyone can step into the shoes, but I think it's possible to recreate.

"We are fortunate that Al and myself have got a lot of information over the years and a lot of experience with playing with Bob. We have learned enough to know when the music is sounding right."

Marvin says the tour is are attracting a new reggae crowd, younger people, who have been listening to their parents' CDs.

He forecasts a resurgence in reggae in the coming years, fuelled by "a brand new wave of reggae in the United States".

And not just in the US.

Young people around the world are still singing the songs of Bob Marley and the Wailers, he says.

There are a lot of new reggae bands coming out of Africa, South America and Europe.

"But they are singing in their own language, like Portuguese, French, Spanish, German, Russian, Japanese, you travel to South America the local reggae band there are singing their own songs and some of Bob's songs in their own languages."

They are also getting the political and social messages from the songs.

"In the time of Bob there was only the English translation, now you have War in Spanish, Portuguese, and songs like Get Up Stand Up in different languages so people get to relate to what you are singing about as well.

"Right now I couldn't say this band or that band are going to be a hit but I think 2010 you are going to see a lot of reggae-influenced bands.

"Just look out, and keep your ears open."

The Original Wailers play the following dates:

- November 17 and 18, The Memorial Hall, Queenstown, with Rhythmonyx.

- November 19, The Bedford, Christchurch, with Cornerstone Roots

- November 20, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua, with Katchafire and Hikoikoi

- November 21, The Powerstation, Auckland, with Cornerstone Roots