 THE WAILING SOULS - TOURING THE WESTERN U.S. OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2009
The Wailing Souls are part of the small surviving group of roots Reggae originators still musically active today. This legendary group dates back to the late 1960's. On their live shows, the Wailing Souls classic hit songs keep coming one after another. These are songs we are all familiar with, that are relevant today and will be in the years to come. It is the act of affection, that puts my love into motion. These veteran artists embody the love and unity that is supposed to be present in the reggae movement. It is refreshing to know that the roots are alive and well, and are somewhere to be found.
In the 70's, The Wailing Souls attracted interest from the preeminent Reggae Producer Coxsone Dodd, and together they began a fruitful recording career. Four decades later, the group has amassed three Grammy nominations, has been critically lauded for albums released by Island, Tuff Gong and CBS Records, and has gained a widespread international following.
The Wailing Souls saw large success in the early 90's featuring songs on soundtracks including the certified gold album for Disney's film Cool Runnings. Their 1992 album All Over The World also achieved a great deal of success for the group, selling over 800,000 copies. Adding to their 26 classic albums, there is now a new collection of early hit singles produced when the Wailing Souls were still a quartet. Released on Greensleeves Records, this new release is titled, Wailing Souls Most Wanted Classic Cuts 1978-1984.
August 12th, 2007, the Wailing Souls did the Hollywood Bowl KCRW World Festival and headlined the Monterey Bay Reggae Fest. June 2008, they toured the western US and performed on The Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in Mendocino CA, Reggae in the Desert in Las Vegas and they did an excellent job headlining Reggae on the River. Their performances on these festivals and club dates were greatly loved and appreciated.
This year, in 2009 they have done the Raggamuffin Festival in Long Beach, CA, the Houston International Festival, Bonnaroo, The California World Festival, The Sonoma County Fair and the Midwest Reggae Festival.
Fusing the harmonies of Motown with reggae, the Wailing Souls persist as one of the most powerful forces in Jamaican Gold - reggae music. Things and time will tell chant the Wailing Souls. Jah Jah give us life to live, so let us live. and ???Kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall Babylons back is against the wall - are some of their proverbial hooks. The Wailing Souls are now rising; ready to continue bringing their powerful music and message to the world. They are currently one of the most popular live Reggae acts to be found.
BIOGRAPHY: WAILING SOULS
The Wailing Souls have been producing great music since the 60's. Originally the Renegades, Lloyd "Bread" McDonald and Winston "Pipe" Matthews recorded backing vocals for Ernest Ranglin. Shortly after this they began making big tunes for Sir Coxsone Dodd of Studio One. Some of these recordings are regarded as some of their their best work. A big break in the early 80's brought "Pipe and the Pipers" to Tuff Gong, Bob Marleys label. Solidifying their own style, raw vocals and fat harmonies, combined with a gifted ability to put words to music, The Wailing Souls were able to make music that touched the masses.
Over the years, The Wailing Souls teamed with a few different artists, George Buddy Haye an original Renegade, Osawald Downer and Norman Davis of the "Pipers," Garth Dennis of Black Uhuru and Joe Higgs, but the heart and soul of McDonald and Matthews never wavered and continually pushed forward the righteous path of the Wailing Souls.
The late 70's brought the Wailing Souls to Channel One, where they re-recorded one of their biggest hits "Things and Times". A short while later they formed their own label - Massive. The 80's brought Bread and Pipe to the Taxi label, recording two hit albums for Sly & Robbie. Immediately they dropped "Fire House Rock" for producer Henry "Junjo" Lawes, which turned out to be one of their most popular records. Greensleeves joined the party, releasing multiple albums for the Wailing Souls during this same period. In the 90's, Bread and Pipe signed with Sony, and garnered international acclaim with 1992's "All Over the World" and 1994's "Live On." The Wailing Souls now stand tall as one of the greatest reggae acts in the world.
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The Wailing Souls Available on Tour
