Some Bob Marley Favourites

Introduction

Today (23rd September 2026), I took delivery of a Zippo copy of Bob Marley's first Island album, "Catch A Fire". This is now very difficult to track down unless you are willing to part with a lot of money. Check Discogs here:

This is the reason why

Island label founder Chris Blackwell had such faith in Bob Marley & the Wailers that he wanted their major label debut to make a real impression. The sleeve that designers Rod Dyer and Bob Weiner came up with was a beauty, but impractical. Designed to look like a Zippo lighter, the sleeve opened up like a clapperboard, with a hinge on the side keeping both halves of the cover together. The record sat in the bottom pouch so that, when you opened the sleeve, you could see the top of it poking out like the flint on a proper Zippo. It was a great idea, and marijuana-smokers would have easily caught on to the reference. Sadly, it proved difficult for Island to manufacture, as no machine could fit the top and bottom halves together properly. Instead, each sleeve had to be handmade, so on the first edition, twenty thousand actually ended up using this innovative design. From that point onwards, the standard 'Bob Marley with a joint' sleeve was designed and used, showing Bob doing what most were with their real Zippos, and leaving the original composite album now worth a lot of money to collectors.

History Of Album Covers

You can see my copy in the main image, so I thought it would be an excuse to share a few of my favourite Bob Marley songs. Some you may know, but most will be new to you, I think.

I will start with one of two singles that I ordered and waited for from a guy called John Allen, who had a record shop at Tulketh Brow in Preston. He also rented me a DJ set-up when I did my only rock and roll night at Woodplumpton, which went well, but that was it.

"No Woman, No Cry" from "Live At The Lyceum

This was my introduction to Bob Marley, and I know that you will know this. It is still an incredibly uplifting song.

Although Bob Marley is widely believed to have written the song, or at least the melody, songwriting credit was given to Vincent Ford, a friend of Marley's who ran a soup kitchen in Trenchtown, the ghetto of Kingston, Jamaica, where Marley grew up (he specifically mentions the Government Yards of Trenchtown, a public housing project). The royalty payments received by Ford ensured his efforts would continue

Wikipedia

"Jah Live" from "Rastaman Vibration"

This was a second single that I ordered and waited for from John Allen. I loved this when I heard it, probably on John Peel, so I had to have it in my collection. I do have a vinyl copy as well now.

"Small Axe" from "Burnin'"

A great song about the David-and-Goliath situations that happen every day, with everyone being used by corporations.

If you are the big tree
We are the small axe
Sharpened to cut you down (well sharp)
Ready to cut you down

Bob Marley

"Keep On Moving" from "Soul Revolution"

I first heard this covered by UB40 on their first "Labour of Love" album. That is a great version, but I had to track down the version by Bob, which he co-wrote with Lee Perry, Rainford Hugh and Curtis Mayfield.

Conclusion

Thank you so much for reading and listening. I hope. I know it is only a short playlist, but maybe you will dip into Marley's work and find some of your own favourites.