Watty Burnett

Infobox musical artist
Name = Watty Burnett


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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Derrick Burnett
Alias = King Burnett
Born = early 1950s, Port Antonio, Jamaica
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Instrument = Vocals, bass guitar, drums
Voice_type = baritone
Genre = Reggae
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 1968 – present
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Associated_acts = The Congos
URL = http://www.wattyb.com
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Watty Burnett, also known as King Burnett (born Derrick Burnett in Port Antonio, Jamaica, early 1950s) is a reggae artist who had a long association with Lee Perry. cite web| last = I
first = Peter| title = Article : Watty Burnett|publisher = Reggae Vibes Productions|date = 2004 | url = http://www.reggae-vibes.com/concert/wburnett/wburnett.htm| format = Interview| accessdate = September 23, 2008] Katz, David (2000) "People Funny Boy", Payback Press, ISBN 0 86241 854 2]

Career

Burnett grew up in Port Antonio, the eldest of nine children, and learned to sing in the Baptist church his family attended. His nickname of "Watty" was given to him by childhood friend Murvin Smith Jr (aka Junior Soul), in reference to Burnett's prominent stutter as a child.Burnett formed a duo with Jimmy Nelson in the late 1960s, known alternately as The Soul Twins and Jimmy & Derrick, and they travelled to Kingston on Sundays, hoping to get a recording session. Although they were rejected by several producers (including Duke Reid who told them "You're too young, come back in five years"), Lee Perry saw potential in their song "Pound Get a Blow", a commentary on the attempts of Canada and the United States to replace the island's currency. The song was a moderate success in Jamaica in 1968, and placed in the Festival Song Contest. They recorded several more tracks for Perry, although their tracks were often miscredited to other artists such as The Bleechers. Burnett moved to the Allman Town district of Kingston, living with his brother Fitzy, and also recorded as "King Burnett" for Perry in late 1974, releasing "I Man Free" and "Babylon a Fall" under that name.

Burnett became a regular session vocalist and instrumentalist (drums, percussion and bass guitar) for Perry at his Black Ark studio, and recorded singles in his own right for the producer, with "Rise and Shine", "Open The Gate", which became the title track of a Trojan Records collection of Perry productions, and his biggest hit, "Rainy Night In Portland" (a version of Brook Benton's "Rainy Night in Georgia").When The Congos began working with Perry, he added Burnett to the group in 1977 to add baritone to the harmonies, as he was aiming to record a classic falsetto-tenor-baritone group.Larkin, Colin (1998) "The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae", Virgin Books, ISBN 0 7535 0242 9] Burnett sang on seven tracks on the "Heart of the Congos" album, and also contributed mooing noises, recorded earlier by Perry, who got Burnett to moo down a cardboard tube from a roll of tin foil, and these sounds were also used on other Black Ark recordings. The Congos left Perry after a dispute over the release of the "Heart of the Congos" album, but after recording another Congos album, Burnett returned to Perry. He continued working as a session vocalist, providing baritone on Jimmy Cliff's reworking of "Bongo Man" on the "Give Thanx" album, and backing vocals on Bob Marley's "Exodus" album. Burnett rejoined Cedric Myton in the Congos in the 1990s, releasing the "Revival" album.

Burnett released his first solo album proper, "To Hell and Back", in 2002.

Discography

tudio Albums

*"Megawatt Dub" (1997) Shanachie (dubs of Burnett tracks, credited to Lee Perry & King Tubby)
*"To Hell and Back" (2002) Wajesskow Music Connection

ingles

*"Dash It Pon Him" (1974) Steady
*"I Man Free" (1974) (as King Burnett)
*"Babylon a Fall" (1974) (as King Burnett)
*"Rise and Shine" (197?) (with Clinton Fearon)
*"What a War" (1975) Micron (Watty and Tony)
*"Open The Gate" (197?)
*"Rainy Night In Portland" (197?)
*"Perfidia" (1978) (Watty Burnett & Cultured Stars)
*"Come By Yah" Rhythm Force
*"Dancin' Shoes" (1982)

Appears on

*"A Live Injection" (Produced by Lee Perry) [http://www.roots-archives.com/release/1601/?highlight=19868] ::Song: "Rainy Night in Portland"

References

External links

* [http://www.wattyb.com Official website]
* [http://www.roots-archives.com/artist/1311 Watty Burnett at Roots Archives]