“Psalms For I” by Prince Far I - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1976Album Chart of the Decade: 1970s

TJR says

After several years in the business the characterful and gruff chanter, now in his early 30s, was ready to unleash his first album statement to the world. Apparently, the ways of the ungodly shall perish. Groan. Heretics are so last millennium. For his debut, the great man opts to read from The Book of Psalms, as well as delivering the Lord’s Prayer. In his mind, the set would be celebrated and enjoyed by those who could not read the Bible for themselves. Quite frankly, he could read the operating instructions manual for a Kenwood toaster and I’d probably love him just the same. “Psalm 48” (working “Natty Dread In A Greenwich Farm” by Cornell Campbell) is the first mighty highlight. As a mark of respect for the man I check out his lyrics: “Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad, because of your judgments.” Imagery close to the heart of the Rastaman strikes me, but in truth it’s the bassline which wins my heart. Over on side 2, “Psalm 95” (working “You Are My Angel” by Horace Andy, 1973) is the next killer-cut, again nothing to do with the script (“in his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land”) and everything to do with the bellowing Prince working a classic riddim. “Psalm 23”, which as far as I can tell is the album’s sole original riddim, is bordering the classic territory – I just love the laid-back feel and the nagging little guitar twang that prettily decorates the piece. Towards the end I even find myself singing “I will dwell in the house of the lord forever” and there are none more atheist than me. That’s how compelling Prince Far I is. What a man.

The Jukebox Rebel
11–Jun–2016

Tracklist
A1 [03:52] 7.8.png Prince Far I - Psalm 1 (Traditional) Reggae
A2 [04:13] 6.5.png Prince Far I - Psalm 2 (Traditional) Reggae
A3 [02:25] 8.9.png Prince Far I - Psalm 23 (Traditional) Reggae
A4 [03:03] 7.1.png Prince Far I - Psalm 53 (Traditional) Reggae
A5 [03:19] 8.6.png Prince Far I - Psalm 95 (Traditional) Reggae
B1 [02:40] 6.2.png Prince Far I - The Lord’s Prayer (Traditional) Reggae
B2 [02:37] 6.7.png Prince Far I - Psalm 87 (Traditional) Reggae
B3 [03:21] 6.6.png Prince Far I - Psalm 24 (Traditional) Reggae
B4 [03:13] 9.0.png Prince Far I - Psalm 48 (Traditional) Reggae
B5 [03:10] 7.6.png Prince Far I - Psalm 49 (Traditional) Reggae

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