Version Galore by U-roy - Uhune

ALBUM

"Versions galore, you can hear them by the score, I could give you some more for sure," U-Roy shouts out on the title track of Version Galore, and indeed he could and did, recording scores and scores of versions of classic Jamaican hits. This album gathers up a dozen of some of his earliest, all cut for Duke Reid at Treasure Isle studio between 1969 and 1970. Included is one of his chartbusters, a version of the Paragons' "Wear You to the Ball." Paragon vocalist John Holt was responsible for bringing the DJ to Treasure Isle, and U-Roy repaid the singer by versioning a clutch of classic Paragons' songs, five of which appear here. The DJ was obviously a fan, and chatted along to the songs as one would to an old friend, most noticeably on "The Tide Is High" (Blondie would later have a hit with a cover of the original) and "Happy Go Lucky Girl." There again, on "Flashing My Whip," a version of the group's "Only a Smile," U-Roy demands that the trio put a smile on their face, a bit difficult considering the song's intrinsic heartbreak. The DJ's ease with these golden oldies allowed him to adeptly sing along, call out for the vocalists to sing on cue, wander off in other lyrical directions, and still find the perfect spot for his catch phrases. But this talent didn't end with the Paragons and rocksteady, "True Confessions," for example, was a ska-fired, doo wop-inspired hit for the Silvertones, and U-Roy motors away on this with equal ease. Interestingly enough, though, it's evident that without the vocals as a lyrical launch pad, the DJ is rather at a loss. Thus the two instrumentals here are actually the weakest tracks. But it was early days, and U-Roy's verbal gymnastics would fill in the gaps soon enough.
© Jo-Ann Greene /TiVo

1. Your Ace From Space

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: John Holt; Composer
Lyricist: John Holt; Composer
Composer Lyricist: John Holt; Other

2. On The Beach

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Composer Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Other

3. Version Galore

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: John Holt; Composer
Lyricist: John Holt; Composer
Composer Lyricist: John Holt; Other

4. True Confession

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Composer Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Other

5. Tide Is High

Primary Artist: John Holt; Main Performer
Composer: John Holt
Tyrone Evans
Howard Barrett; Composer

6. Things You Love

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Composer Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Other

7. The Same Song

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: John Holt; Composer
Lyricist: John Holt; Composer
Composer Lyricist: John Holt; Other

8. Happy Go Lucky Girl

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: John Holt; Composer

9. Rock Away

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Composer Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Other

10. Wear You To The Ball

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: John Holt; Composer
Lyricist: John Holt; Composer
Composer Lyricist: John Holt; Other

11. Don't Stay Away

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: John Holt; Composer

12. Hot Pop

Primary Artist: U-roy; Main Performer
Composer: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Composer
Composer Lyricist: U-roy
Duke Reid; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

12 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

32 minutes and 57 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1772x1772 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

8/12 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

3/12 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Reggae, World, Worldwide, Singer & Songwriter

Label

Virgin Records

Music Distribution Service

UMG Global

Country

United Kingdom

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Dec 31, 1972

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

724381218853