The All-TIME 100 Albums: Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers

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The All-TIME 100 Albums

41 of 101

By Josh Tyrangiel Published: November 13, 2006

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ALBUM: Legend

YEAR RELEASED: 1984 LABEL: Island/Tuff Gong ARTIST: Bob Marley and the Wailers

TIME 100 ALBUMS PODCASTS

PODCAST: Welcome to the All-TIME 100 Albums - the musical compilations of the last half-century that need no introduction. That said, listen in below as music critics Josh Tyrangiel and Alan Light introduce the list and talk about the top albums of the 1950s and '60s.

PODCAST: We know. Twenty-nine of the 100 greatest albums of all time come in the 1970s, and Pink Floyd isn't there. Play this podcast to learn why we picked the titles we did, and if you have something to say, tell us about it using the talkback link below.

PODCAST: Maybe it's a Sign O' The Times that you're listening to critics' audio recordings about great music, but this podcast about how we chose the best albums of the 1980s really is a Thriller. Give it a listen below.

PODCAST: Here's music even the younger set will know by heart. Listen to selected clips from the 1990s through present day as music critic Josh Tyrangiel discusses his picks.

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There are other greatest hits or complilation albums on this list, but making Marley's lone reggae selection a greatest hits—not to mention a greatest hits that's been co-opted by America's fraternity brothers in their endless struggle against oppressive deans—may strike some as dilletantism. Or an even worse kind of ism. Here's why it's not: Marley made some very good albums, (Burnin', Natty Dreads) but none of them capture the complete Marley as well as this expertly curated posthumous set. The live version of "No Woman No Cry" from a July 1975 concert in London has more humor, warmth and sex appeal than the original. "Is This Love" shows off his ability to make polyrhythm into melody, "I Shot the Sheriff" his gift for politics, and "Redemption Song" hints at the depths of his spirituality. It's the rare �best of' that really is an artist at his best.