BBC documentary - The Story of Jamaican Music
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:44 am
http://vodpod.com/search/browse?site=da ... an%20music
I've just seen this documentary (in 4 parts) and I think it's worth watching for the interviews and the connection with the past, but to avoid unrealistic expectations when watching, beware that:
1) It doesn't cover dub at all - only Jamaican ska and reggae;
2) It simply omits rather massive and noticeable landmarks in Jamaican music without even giving them a passing mention;
3) It's a 'unique' BBC angle on reggae, where all roads lead to UB40
4) It gives a very skewed perspective on the history of Jamaican music, seeming to give an unusual handful of people undue credit for 'inventing' reggae, etc.
5) It's generally a poor and lazy documentary in every sense, and simply fails in what it sets out to do.
However, it's still nice to watch the likes of Jimmy Cliff and Bunny Lee telling the same old stories, and Max Romeo (R.I.P.) so if you've nothing better to do then check it out.
I've just seen this documentary (in 4 parts) and I think it's worth watching for the interviews and the connection with the past, but to avoid unrealistic expectations when watching, beware that:
1) It doesn't cover dub at all - only Jamaican ska and reggae;
2) It simply omits rather massive and noticeable landmarks in Jamaican music without even giving them a passing mention;
3) It's a 'unique' BBC angle on reggae, where all roads lead to UB40
4) It gives a very skewed perspective on the history of Jamaican music, seeming to give an unusual handful of people undue credit for 'inventing' reggae, etc.
5) It's generally a poor and lazy documentary in every sense, and simply fails in what it sets out to do.
However, it's still nice to watch the likes of Jimmy Cliff and Bunny Lee telling the same old stories, and Max Romeo (R.I.P.) so if you've nothing better to do then check it out.
