In Concert

By the release of this 2013 live album, Ziggy Marley's star had fallen to such a level that the fan base knew what he was up to, but the general public didn't, inviting questions like "Does the world really need another Ziggy Marley live album?" The simple answer is "no," and the world probably didn't "need" whatever Radiohead just did either, but the important thing to know about In Concert is that the artist has been nothing but cool and comfortable during the previous two years. Now allowing more of a roots influence into his music, his shows are played in a jam band style, stretching out like Dad's Wailers used to do and taking all of the advice of Dad's "Jamming" to heart. Nothing feels forced here, as chestnuts like "Tomorrow People" roll along in a more natural way than they ever have before, and there's no watching the clock either, as "Jah Will Be Done" gleefully skanks past the eight-minute mark with ease. Then there's the excellent reading of Dad's "War," a militant classic that now fits perfectly with Ziggy's richer sound, a sound enriched by the weathering and slight cracks in his voice, coupling vintage spirit with vintage sound. Sure, the title is uninspired, there are some previous live albums to choose from, and this one starts with a harsh bit of audience noise that suggests Kiss is about to hit the stage, but it's a decent snapshot of this reggae man's great second stage and a rootsy surprise for anyone who hasn't checked in since the MTV age. ~ David Jeffries