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People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee 'Scratch' Perry by David Katz

(2021 White Rabbit)

People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee "Scratch" Perry by David Katz (2021 White Rabbit)

This is the updated edition of the book that David Katz originally released in 2001, after having been Lee 'Scratch' Perry's ordained biographer (Ghost Writer as Perry put it) since the two first met in 1987. This version includes a forward by dub poet, Linton Kwesi Johnson (who once referred to Perry as the Salvador Dali of Reggae), as well as additional chapters detailing Perry's activities of the 20 years since the initial printing, up to his passage from his physical being last year.

Lee "King" Perry - People Funny Boy (1968 Upset)

It comes highly recommended for fans of one of the most important (and mysterious) artists of the 20th century. He mystified fans and collaborators with his idiosyncratic mannerisms and esoteric, shamanistic approach to music making, as well as to visual art and to life as a whole. Whether one believes in magick or not, it's hard to deny that Lee 'Scratch' Perry seems to be divinely connected to some higher force that acts as his guide, according to Perry, telling him what to do next in his progressions.

Katz does an excellent job of conveying the science behind the methods to the madness of such a fascinating persona. Testimony from fellow producers and musicians, friends and (sometimes) foes, lovers and family, who experienced the Upsetter firsthand illustrate the imagination and inventiveness, excellence and excess, fame and fortune as well as frustration, isolation and, at times, outright belligerence that this complex and sometimes self-contradicting personality manifested. The good, the bad and the ugly is all in here, with tales, anecdotes, explanation and a thorough selection of discographical references spanning over six decades.

Lee Perry - Pussy Galore (Coxsone Records)

I generally refer to L.S.P. my favorite artist, but I'm ashamed to admit that I hadn't read the original printing. After reading this, I feel as if I could go back and teach my old self a class on the man! He was present in every Jamaican musical phase from Ska to Rock-Steady, to Reggae, when his 'People Funny Boy' single, inspired by what he witnessed at a Pocomania Church revival, marked it's onset. His studio experiments were the blueprint to Dub, he ushered in the DeeJay era with his unique productions, and his generous attitude towards developing artists. He made way for new generations of dub-masters like Mad Professor, Adrian Sherwood and countless others, for years to come.

Even in his latter years he never ceased to experiment, refusing to limit himself to the confines of strictly reggae, he worked with the house music, techno, ambient, hip-hop, drum 'n' bass, dubstep, even noise and drone jazz producers and musicians, all of whom's respective genres had been, whether directly or not, influenced by him, initially.

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Soul Revolution Part II (1971 Upsetter)

He was massively influential, and was reintroduced time and again with each sub-genre that he made way for with his sound innovations. The first Bob Marley & the Wailers LP that I got, at about 12 years old, was Reggae Revolution Vol. 2, which was a German repress of Soul Revolution Vol. 2. I noticed that several of the writing credits said L. Perry, a name which I had also noticed on the debut LP from The Clash, which I had also just acquired recently, for production of "Remote Control" as well as a writing credit for "Police And Thieves."

It was a few years after that that I was introduced to the On-U Sound label by the compilation, Pay It All Back Vol. 2. I was a young straight-edge kid hearing abstract reggae for the first time, and it was a real trip. It was wild from the intro, when a raspy voiced deejay proclaimed... "Right!" and an incredible Dub Syndicate rhythm dropped in, Perry's ranting lyrics about "voodoo, witchcraft... and vampires" or his command to "Sell all your riches, take off your clothes and follow me" had me virtually entranced. I found a used copy of Time Boom X De Devil Dead not long after that and was equally as impressed and awestruck.

Lee 'Scratch' Perry & Dub Syndicate - Time Boom X De Devil Dead (1987 On-U Sound)

I was hooked on Scratch, though still quite ignorant of how massive his catalog of material was and how much direction that he provided for artists that he recorded for the Upsetter label, and later at Black Ark studio at his home in Cardiff Cliff. The music made there was often reflective of Jamaica's turbulent state of poverty, corruption and often times political violence in the streets.

There is an incredible amount of information within these pages, truly capturing a glimpse into the mind of a mystical figure. Artists as disparate as Brian Eno, Paul McCartney, John Martyn, Robert Palmer, John Lydon and Beastie Boys all cited Perry's groundbreaking work, most of them recorded with him at one point or another.

Beastie Boys still from "Sure Shot" video.

There were also some interesting ideas for projects that didn't come into fruition, Tom Tom Club, for example, who Scratch had spoken with about producing, but when the time came to make the album, Perry raised his hourly rate to an exorbitant amount and claimed that he would finish it in a matter of only a few hours, anyhow... Obviously the band opted out. Kurtis Mantronik allegedly requested a remix that was denied, as well.

Some of the highlights, to me, are the humorous elements... For example, before starting to make music, the young Perry was known locally as a dancer, a talent which earned him his first nickname, Neat Little Man.

The antics surrounding, and harassment of Robert Palmer by locals at the Black Ark during his session there was pretty hilarious, as well.

Another instance of comedy can be found at one of Perry's art exhibits for Dem Passwords, titled Death of Baphomet (and his puppet Jay Z - in the description), which he claimed was mostly to get a laugh out of his American fans.

His complexity is evident. Ever the joker and often one to behave spitefully, or perhaps act in the manner of a madman, in order to passive-aggressively thwart unwanted assailants who would attempt to infringe on his time or energy, Perry consistently produced music that dealt with serious social, as well as spiritual issues. There is no question as to his revolutionary intentions and his obsession with the abolition of wickedness and imposing death to the Devil.

The final chapters delve into Perry's exploration into visual art, encouraged and assisted in his creations, often times, with Peter Harris. Harris had begun filming Scratch for his 2007 film, Higher Powers, and the two would go on to work together extensively.

All of these details and more are included within these fifteen chapters, it's a hefty read, but well worth the effort. The Youtube playlist below contains the songs, albums, performances, interviews, documentaries and clips from art exhibits that are mentioned in the book. It contains nearly 2,000 entries... Enjoy!

Youtube Playlist: People Funny Boy - The Genius Of Lee 'Scratch' Perry

The last two months of reading this has been a crash course in his work, for me. Check out the Dicogs.com list that I compiled while reading, I tried to include every Perry release mentioned. Releases not mentioned in the book will be added to the end.

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