Released on Oct 28 2008
#63 – Alton Ellis Tribute Part 2
The second of a two part tribute to the late Alton Ellis. This episode focuses on his output from 1973 to current and includes a lot of his UK productions–some self-produced and some recorded for other labels.
Alton Ellis – Too Late To Turn Back Now
Alton Ellis – I’m Hoping
Tony J – Telephone Line
Alton Ellis – I’m Still In Love With You
Alton Ellis – Someday
Alton Ellis – Love On Top
Alton Ellis – True Loving
Alton Ellis – Play It Cool
Alton Ellis – Still Trying
Alton Ellis – Baby I Love You
Alton Ellis – Rise Black Man
Alton Ellis & Luciano – Jah Guide Us
Alton Ellis & Luciano – Jah Guide Us Dub
Alton Ellis & UB40 – I Love It When You Smile
Alton Ellis – Play It Cool
On October 11, Alton Ellis passed away. He was 70 years old. His first recorded song was “Muriel” in 1959 with Eddie Perkins. He continued to record and perform right into August of this year. Alton is best-known for the music he sang from 1966-1968, when Jamaican popular music was known as rock steady. I consider rock steady music to be some of the classiest and most dignified music around, and Alton seemed to keep that rock steady performance style throughout his entire singing career.
This show was a blast to record. My mind raced back to the days of going to college in Boston, where I did a lot of walking and listening to music. I remember walking to an arcade near the Arlington T stop and playing some pinball between classes, then stopping at the mall at Copley and buying Heavy D’s Peaceful Journey CD. Then I’d walk across the street and wait for my train at South Station while I listened to my music with oversized Sony headphones so I could get the best bass and overall sound quality. I remember dancing solo at a Cambridge club to the hot combination tune of the day, “The Jam” by Shabba Ranks & KRS-1, and having a girl approach me to tell me she liked the way I move. What are your memories as you listen to #61? Reply and comment as you listen or when you get back to your computer.