Catch a Fire

Infobox Album |
Name = Catch a Fire
Type = Studio album
Artist = The Wailers


Released = April 13 1973
Recorded = Dynamic Sound Studios, Harry J. Studios and Randy's Studios, Kingston, Jamaica and Island Studios, London, England, 1972–1973
Genre = Reggae
Length = 38:46
Label = Tuff Gong/Island
Producer =
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:2zdqoarayijz link]
*Robert Christgau (A) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=4023&name=The+Wailers link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|5|5 (2001) [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/bobmarley/albums/album/128370/review/5941106/catch_a_fire_deluxe_edition link]
Last album = "The Best of the Wailers (1971)"

This album = "Catch a Fire"
(1973)
Next album = "Burnin'"
(1973)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = studio

---

Lower caption = Alternate version printed after it was realized the original was too difficult to mass produce.

"Catch a Fire" is the major-label-debut album for Jamaican reggae band The Wailers, released on Island Records in 1973. The album established the band as international superstars. Leader Bob Marley in particular became world-famous, especially in the Caribbean, Brazil and Africa, and among immigrants in Europe and African-Americans in the United States. The socially aware lyrics and militant tone surprised many listeners, but others were attracted to songwriters Marley and Peter Tosh's confrontational subjects and optimistic view of a future free from oppression.

"Catch a Fire" peaked at #171 and #51 on Billboard's (North America) Pop Albums and Black Albums charts respectively. It is number 125 on "Rolling Stone"'s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, the highest placement of the four Bob Marley albums on the list.

Remixing the "English" version

On completion, the master tapes were taken to the UK for remixing, and Chris Blackwell enlisted the help of two US musicians - making an "English" version of the album. Wayne Perkins re-did some of the rhythm/ lead guitar, whilst John "Rabbit" Bundrick added some organ to the mix.

Cover art

The first 20,000 copies of the original 1973 vinyl release were encased in a sleeve depicting a Zippo lighter. The sleeve functioned as a Zippo lighter case would, opening at a side hinge to reveal the record within. However, producers soon realized that this operation would require hand-manufacture, as machinery available was not sufficient to rivet the upper and lower halves of the sleeve together. Copies of the record from these original pressings have since become collectors' items, and subsequent pressings are recognizable by their alternative cover art (pictured).

Track listing

ide one

#"Concrete Jungle" (Marley) – 4:13
#"Slave Driver" (Marley) – 2:53
#"400 Years" (Marley/Tosh) – 2:45
#"Stop That Train" (Tosh) – 3:55
#"Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby)" (Marley) – 3:57

ide two

#"Stir It Up" (Marley) – 5:32
#"Kinky Reggae" (Marley) – 3:37
#"No More Trouble" (Marley) – 3:57
#"Midnight Ravers" (Marley) – 5:10

2001 Deluxe edition

Disc One Catch A Fire: The Unreleased Original Jamaican Versions

#"Concrete Jungle" – 4:16
#"Stir It Up" – 3:39
#"High Tide Or Low Tide" – 4:45
#"Stop That Train" – 3:55
#"400 Years" – 3:03
#"Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby)" – 4:05
#"Midnight Ravers" – 5:09
#"All Day All Night" – 3:29
#"Slave Driver" – 2:57
#"Kinky Reggae" – 3:45
#"No More Trouble" – 5:16

Disc Two Catch A Fire: The Released Album

#"Concrete Jungle" – 4:15
#"Slave Driver" – 2:55
#"400 Years" – 2:47
#"Stop That Train" – 3:57
#"Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby)" – 3:59
#"Stir It Up" – 5:35
#"Kinky Reggae" – 3:39
#"No More Trouble" – 4:00
#"Midnight Ravers" – 5:08
#"High Tide or Low Tide" – 4:40 (cd bonus track)
#"All Day All Night" – 3:26 (cd bonus track)

ee also

Classic Albums

Personnel

*Bob Marley – Guitar (acoustic), guitar, Vocals, producer
*Peter Tosh – Organ, guitar, piano, Vocals
*Bunny Wailer – bongos, conga, Vocals
*Aston "Family Man" Barrett – Bass guitar
*Carlton "Carlie" Barrett – drums
*Chris Blackwell – Producer
*Carlton Lee – Engineer
*Tony Platt – Engineer
*Bob Weiner – Design
*Rod Dyer – Design