Have You Heard?
delightful song details, episode 2—Jamming
It’s my earliest memory of music.
I’m three years old.
We’re in the basement, in my dad’s shop. His workbench is covered with electronics in various states of disrepair. His homemade speakers are cranked. Over our heads, for sound deadening, there are carpet samples stapled to the floor joists.
My little body is possessed: giant smile, dancing uncontrollably.
The song? Bob Marley’s Jamming.
Even today, four decades later, this song fills me with joy.
bassist Aston Barrett & drummer Carlton Barrett (they were brothers) are on any serious list of GOAT’d rhythm sections
longtime Wailers percussionist Alvin Patterson can be heard better on this track than maybe any other. Check out the interplay between the Carlton’s drum kit and Alvin’s cabasa, castanets, and… glass bottle?
But my favorite moment is this:
All: we’re jamming
I-Threes: what you wa
Bob: what you wa wa wa
All: we’re jamming
I-Threes: what you wa
Bob: see?
What delightful interplay!
Now you’ve heard it!
What’s a delightful detail you think I should hear?
Leave it in the comments!