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Things immediately kick off with a blaze with "Rastaman Vibration", and the party never stops from there. Bob's backup band and singers are in top form througout. Highlights are many, including "Punky Reggae Party", "Rate Race" (surprisingly, perhaps, a tune written by Rita Marley, Bob's wife), "Concrete Jungle" and "Rebel Music". It also contains the better known "Is This Love" and "Jamming".

If there is one Bob Marley I would recommend to anyone, this is clearly the one. Furthermore, at 73 min. (originally a double vinyl album), this is the best bang-for-the-buck Marley album. Essential in anyone's CD collection.


Great live performances of Marley favorites   June 5, 2003
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The trouble with live albums is that techically the music is never as good as on studio albums. But Bob Marley is one of those performers who I enjoy live just as much as in the studio. I have three different live albums of his, and they are all great, but I think that what perhaps gives this one the edge is that it has the best song selection. The versions of Stir It Up, Rebel Music, Heathen, and Is This Love are particulary excellent, and the only track I'm not crazy about is Jamming, which is possibly my favorite Marley number, but just not in this version.

But what you do get here is a great rowdy, thumping performance of a baker's dozen of Marley favorites, mostly in extended versions, with some fine guitar soloing and and hand-clapping, foot-stomping, sing-along audience making for great atmospherics.

I love playing this album on my daily commute to and from work, and sometimes wish I had a bit further to travel. It would also make an excellent gift for the Marley fan who has a few of the studio albums, but wants to live (or relive) the experience of a live performance of one of the world's greatest stars...


Essential Bob Marley   March 15, 2006
 7 out of 7 found this review helpful

At least one of the earlier reviews recommends novice listeners start with this cd before going to the greatest hits package. I would say that the novice would do well to buy this package and Legend (the original single disc is recommended here because I do not own the new expanded version and cannot comment on its contents).
I still recommend this cd if you are looking to move beyond the novice level.
So, anyone with any interest in Bob Marley should own Babylon by Bus.
These songs were taken from numerous stops on his 1977/78 tour of Europe but the sequence sounds like one big show. This is not the intimate show that you get on something like Live at the Roxy - it's music festival big. The overall feeling reminds me of reggae festivals we used to have at the beach when I was growing up on the coast of NC.
The atmosphere is big but Marley and the band never seem overwhelmed as they rise to the occasion on each song. The audience is taken along on a fantastic reggae trip.
Don't let any more time pass without these great performances in your collection.


Perfect Live Marley   April 6, 2005
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I rarely give 5 star ratings so take this seriously. I am usually critcal of live recordings due to poor sound quality or unbalanced mixes. This is not only a great performance with great sound quality but my favorite Marley album. In fact, it is my favorite reggae album period. Several tracks are even better than the studio version. You will not be disappointed.


Hidden gem   April 19, 2005
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Although most Marley fans are more than familiar with Babylon by Bus as an exceptional live album that Marley recorded while on tour in Europe (mostly recorded in Paris) in 1977-78, many of the more pedestrian fans remain completely unaware of its existence. War/No More Trouble, with Marley exhibiting such unparalleled and genuine passion during its performance, makes for undoubtedly the most powerful song on this CD. And, suffice it to say, all of the other 'hit' songs do not disappoint by any stretch. A must own for any true Marley fan -- period.