Monday Long Song

Many happy returns of the day to The Originator, Ewart Beckford, better known as the mighty U-Roy, who turns 78 today. Here he is on sparkling form back in the year of 1978, recorded live at the Lyceum just off The Strand in London, with a couple of his best known tunes. A damned good way way to kick off the week I reckon.

U-Roy - Chalice in the Palace/Wear You to the Ball 

Saturday Scratch #11

In 1970 Lee Perry devoted much of his attention to writing with and producing Bob Marley & the Wailers. With 'Duppy Conqueror' already a hit, Scratch led The Upsetters through the not hugely dissimilar 'Earthquake', an instrumental he intended to use as a future Wailers backing track. On this occasion, however, a pre-'Double Barrel' Dave Barker ended up vocalizing the cut with close harmony assistance from just the one Wailer - Bunny. The following year, Perry re-visited the rhythm, and it's original title, for a double-tracked toast from the man Joe Strummer would one day come to call 'the mighty U-Roy'.

A kindly soul out there in cyberspace has put the two versions together for our aural delight. Enjoy them and your weekend.

Previously on Saturday Scratch.