This was the first reggae single to reach the Top 30 of the US Billboard Hot 100 (No. 22 in 1971). "Double Barrel" began life as an instrumental written by producer Winston Riley, and was then worked up by organist Ansell Collins. Young drummer Sly Dunbar, who was only 14 at the time, provided metronomic high hat beats.
Allegedly, vocalist Dave Barker was only paid a paltry £20 by Riley to add his "toast" to the instrumental. While Barker was happy enough with that, the resulting profits from the single bought Riley a record shop on Kingston's famed Orange Street and a UK licensing deal with Trojan Records.
There was much confusion about how to spell Ansil's name at the time of the hit in Britain (a No. 1 smash in 1971) - he was billed as 'Ansil' on the hit single but solo he recorded as 'Ansell'. 'Ansell' Collins was also, for a time, the keyboardist for reggae star Jimmy Cliff's band. Dunbar later teamed up with bass player Robbie Shakespeare and recorded two Top 20 UK hits as 'Sly and Robbie'.
The duo also successfully produced several hits for 'Chaka Demus & Pliers', including a UK No. 1 in 1993, a reggae cover of the Isley Brothers' "Twist And Shout". They remain (arguably) the most prolific recording artists ever, having played on or produced close to 200,000 songs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Barrel
All I remember is listening to it round my mate Graham's house. And not now being able to figure it out. As he hates anything that isn't loud, and doesn't have grease and leather on it. Heavy rock freak, in other words. He detests reggae. And doesn't remember us listening to it all those years ago. Conveniently.
19 Comments (since 22 May 2014)
leejohnson
This was the first reggae single to reach the Top 30 of the US Billboard Hot 100 (No. 22 in 1971). "Double Barrel" began life as an instrumental written by producer Winston Riley, and was then worked up by organist Ansell Collins. Young drummer Sly Dunbar, who was only 14 at the time, provided metronomic high hat beats.
leejohnson
Allegedly, vocalist Dave Barker was only paid a paltry £20 by Riley to add his "toast" to the instrumental. While Barker was happy enough with that, the resulting profits from the single bought Riley a record shop on Kingston's famed Orange Street and a UK licensing deal with Trojan Records.
leejohnson
There was much confusion about how to spell Ansil's name at the time of the hit in Britain (a No. 1 smash in 1971) - he was billed as 'Ansil' on the hit single but solo he recorded as 'Ansell'. 'Ansell' Collins was also, for a time, the keyboardist for reggae star Jimmy Cliff's band. Dunbar later teamed up with bass player Robbie Shakespeare and recorded two Top 20 UK hits as 'Sly and Robbie'.
leejohnson
The duo also successfully produced several hits for 'Chaka Demus & Pliers', including a UK No. 1 in 1993, a reggae cover of the Isley Brothers' "Twist And Shout". They remain (arguably) the most prolific recording artists ever, having played on or produced close to 200,000 songs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Barrel
kemiladashdot
Class!!!
newley
love this one!
BertrandRustles
Serious Jam.
adrian4acn
I have the 7" of this somewhere, probably without the little centr spider.
totty01843
feelin this..........
glimmer9
classic
CSC
Uhhhhh...hit me one time!!!!!
leejohnson
Shack it!!!! Rack it!!!!
UncannyUK
Fab.
dutchbeeblebrox
Such a good song!
allymac
Magnificent jam.
boredofthis
love this
pez
Uh!
ErnieBilko
Remember buying the 45 in 1971...
leejohnson
All I remember is listening to it round my mate Graham's house. And not now being able to figure it out. As he hates anything that isn't loud, and doesn't have grease and leather on it. Heavy rock freak, in other words. He detests reggae. And doesn't remember us listening to it all those years ago. Conveniently.