Vp / Universal
1978
Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread
About This Album
Roast Fish Collie Weed & Cornbread was Lee Perry's 20th album, counting his sets, compilations, and full-length dub discs. Amazingly, though, it was the first album Perry exclusively dedicated to his own vocal numbers. That, however, was not necessarily a strong selling point, as even his most devoted fans admit that Perry the singer is no equal to Scratch the producer. And thankfully the set doesn't open with his ghastly, out of tune cover of Junior Byles' sublime "Curley Locks," or the overly clever to the point of annoying "Favorite Dish" -- would someone please milk that damn cow and give that bawling baby a bottle?

Knock out those two tracks, though, and you're left with one of the most awe-inspiring albums of the decade, and even with them, the album is still a masterpiece. It's an extremely eclectic set, both thematically and musically, but without appearing flighty or unfocused.

There are wonderfully lighthearted moments, like the spectacularly dread title track, a song so heavy you expect Babylon to quake in the backing gladiator's wake. But all the thick atmosphere, stalking rhythm, and ominous melody merely set the table for Perry to serve up and lavishly proclaim his favorite dish.
Track List (try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.