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Rating: But how is there not even one review of UB40 in DeB? Just a modest reference to who they were and what their curious name derived from (the code of the unemployment benefit application form used in the United Kingdom at the time, precisely what appears on this cover, and which perhaps some group member had handled and filled out.....). It's time to do justice to a band that has sold around seventy million records, meaning a few dozen more than Vasco Rossi, just to mention a very famous hero (?) within household walls.
Well, these 8 guys from Birmingham, just over twenty, towards the end of '78 decided it was time to try playing something, hopefully something easy since they weren't very experienced with instruments in general, and so they thought it wise to approach reggae, which was in vogue thanks to the global Bob. Someone pointed out to them that the white color of their skin didn't quite match the Caribbean origins of that music, but they didn't get disoriented and started playing in local pubs looking for luck. It seems the first gig was little more than a birthday party they were called to, to break the monotony, but the enthusiasm was such that they succeeded and were called elsewhere too. During 1979, they put together a dozen very enjoyable tracks, so much so that a certain Robert Lamb, attending their performances, convinced them to produce under the unknown record label NER. Thus, in the following summer, "Signing Off" was released, which means "Approved", ironically referring to the form that gives them their name.
And indeed, they were greatly approved, reaching as high as second place on the UK album sales chart and staying there for a full 78 weeks, an enormous success for a debut band made up of unknowns.
The reason for such success? Well, just listen to "Signing Off" and you'll discover it too, provided the reggae genre doesn't bore you, but if you've delved into it a little, you won't regret it.
Without wanting to spill out the characteristics of the 13 tracks of the expanded version, here are some Usage Recommendations: the first track "jumps", meaning it presents a couple of discontinuities, don't ask me why, but I can imagine it's due to the relative modesty of NER, although, in truth, the technical quality of the track's reproduction is truly remarkable. My favorite track coincidentally is the very last one: the 13th (which also brings bad luck to the Saxons) or "Reefer Madness", the only instrumental alongside the title track, with that unforgettable echo of the sax in the fade-out that gives flavor to the whole piece. In the same "Signing Off", Brian Travers' contribution on the sax is still remarkable, which "interrupts the monotony of the reggae rhythm."
This should not diminish the qualities of Ali Campbell, the "white Marley" of the situation, who instead does a very good job making the music overall very Jamaican-British, excellent percussion although not complex in execution.
In short, for being unknown, UB40 had plenty of talent to sell, and indeed they reaffirmed themselves with their subsequent works.
The album cannot deserve 5 stars because only Marley can boast that when it comes to reggae, but as a debut album and for its intrinsic qualities, 4 stars are well deserved and even insufficient.
Tracklist and Lyrics
01 Tyler (05:53)
Appeal to the governor, of Louisiana
You may get an answer the process is slow
Federal court won, too much to open
He's been there for five years and they won't let him go
(Chorus)
Tyler is guilty white judges said so
What right do we got to say it's not so
Tyler is guilty white judges said so
What right do we got to say it's not so
(saxophone chorus)
Testify under pressure, a racist jury
Government lawyers it's all for sure
Rows of white faces, false accusations
He's framed up for murder, they won't let him go
(Chorus)
His gun was planted, no matching bullets
No points on the handle, no proof to show
But Tyler, is guilty, the white judges said so
They show him no mercy they won't let him go
(Chorus)
Appeal to the governor, of Louisiana
You may get an answer, the process is slow
Federal court won, too much to open
He's been there for five years, they won't let him go
(Chorus X 2)
Tyler is guilty, white judges said so
They show him no mercy, they won't let him go
Tyler is guilty, white judges said so
They show him no mercy, they won't let him go
02 King (04:32)
King, where are your people now?
Chained and pacified.
Tried in vain to show them how.
And for that you died.
You had a dream of a promised land.
People of all nations walking hand in hand
But they're not ready to accept
That dream situatuin, yet.
King, where are your people now?
Chained and pacified.
Tried in vain to show them how.
And for that you died.
04 Burden Of Shame (07:00)
There are murders that we must account for
Bloody deeds have been done in my name
Criminal acts we must pay for
And our children will shoulder the blame
(Chorus)
I`m a British subject, not proud of it
While I carry the burden of shame (Repeat)
As a nation we`re following blindly
No-one stops to question why
Our money`s supporting an army
And a boy in Soweto dies
(Chorus)
I`m a British subject, not proud of it
While I carry the burden of shame (Repeat)
Must we go on ignoring forever
The cries of an African son
There`s a soldier`s hand on the trigger
But it`s we who are pointing the gun
(Chorus)
I`m a British subject, not proud of it
While I carry the burden of shame (Repeat)
08 Food For Thought (04:12)
Ivory Madonna, dying in the dust
Waiting for the manna coming from the west
Barren is her bosom, empty as her eyes
Death a certain harvest scattered from the skies
Skin and bones is creeping, doesn't know he's dead
Ancient eyes are peeping, from his infant head
Politicians argue sharpening their knives
Drawing up their bargains, trading baby lives
(Chorus)
Ivory Madonna, dying in the dust
Waiting for the manna coming from the west
Hear the bells are ringing, Christmas on it's way
Hear the angels singing, what is that they say?
Eat and drink rejoicing, joy is hear to stay
Jesus son of Mary is born again today
12 Strange Fruit (04:02)
Southern trees bear a strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Pastoral scene of the gallant south
The bulging eyes and the twisted mouth
Scent of magnolia sweet and fresh
Then the sudden smell of burning flesh.
Here is a fruit for the crow to pluck
For the rain to wither, for the wind to suck
For the sun to rot, for the trees to drop
Here is a strange and bitter crop.
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