STORY OF THE SONG:Bob Andy has no favourites

Singer-songwriter does not prefer one cover over another

Mel Cooke, Sunday Gleaner Writer

Keith 'Bob Andy' Anderson's catalogue of songs was celebrated through the interpretation of his material by numerous artistes on Friday night at Jamaica College. However, long before those live performances, Andy's work has been re-recorded by scores of other singers.

Among them are Alton Ellis, Barrington Levy, Big Youth, Carlene Davis, Chalice, Errol Dunkley, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, Hopeton Lindo, Horace Andy, Ken Boothe, Leroy Smart, Luciano, Maxi Priest, Marcia Griffiths, Myrna Hague and Wayne Wonder, all from Jamaica. This is in addition to the persons from abroad, including Los Pericos from Argentina, Eddie Lovette from the United States, and Giuliano Plama and the Bluebeaters from Italy.

With the sheer volume, it is expected that Bob Andy would have trouble choosing a preferred remake of his material. However, there is a different reason why he does not indicate a favourite to The Sunday Gleaner.

"I am the songwriter who's probably had the first cover of a song, in 1969/1970, by an American rhythm and blues artiste by the named Eddie Lovette who covered both Let Them Say and Too Experienced. Let me say I appreciate all covers that I have had - the sentiment, the appreciation and the fact that so many other people are writing songs. That so many of my colleagues, countrymen, and foreigners alike covered the songs ... . It is difficult to choose a favourite," Andy said.

"Barrington Levy (My Time, Too Experienced, Unchained) did wonderful interpretations of some of my songs. Sanchez (Unchained). Dennis Brown (It's Impossible). Gregory Isaacs (My Time, Sun Shines for Me). It's extraordinary. They've all been fantastic versions," he said.

sound production

He emphasises the individuality of each recording of his material - but does not exclude the importance of sound production.

"The thing with covers is that people take your song and make it theirs," Andy said. "Once it is not an inferior production, you just have to like put them all on the same shelf. You just have to respect each person's interpretation, style. I would not want to place any of them, form a hierarchy," Andy said.

"I appreciate them all because it is effort. And like I say it could have been some other writer," Bob Andy said. "So it is a blessing."

Andy's appreciation goes beyond the profile of the singer, as he said "if it is an amateur, a semi-professional or a professional - effort to me is the key. It is a fine compliment to pay a writer, whether for my benefit or their benefit that they want to cover the song. Sure I probably would prefer to listen to some rather than others, but I have never thought about 'well, this is the best'."