Aston Barrett

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Aston Barrett
Aston "Family Man" Barrett.jpg
Background information
Birth name Aston Francis Barrett
Also known as Family Man
Born (1946-11-22) 22 November 1946 (age 77)
Kingston, Jamaica
Genres Reggae
Occupation(s) Songwriter, musician, arranger, record producer
Instruments Bass guitar, guitar, keyboards, percussions
Years active 1962–present
Associated acts Bob Marley & The Wailers Burning Spear Lee "Scratch" Perry King Tubby Augustus Pablo Peter Tosh

Aston Francis Barrett (born 22 November 1946), often called "Family Man" or "Fams" for short, is a Jamaican musician and Rastafarian.

Biography

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Aston "Family Man" Barrett was one of the Barrett brothers (the other being the younger brother on drums Carlton "Carly" Barrett) who played with Bob Marley and The Wailers, The Hippy Boys, and Lee Perry's The Upsetters.[1] He was the bandleader of Marley's backing band, as well as co-producer of the albums, and the man in charge of the overall song arrangements.[2]


Aston continues to tour with and lead The Wailers Band. He has great support from Marley's fan base to this day, despite his legal wrangling with the Marley family.

Aston was the mentor and teacher of Robbie Shakespeare of the duo Sly & Robbie.[3]

In 2012 he received a Lifetime Achievement award from Bass Player magazine.[4]

Equipment

Barrett plays a Fender Jazz Bass guitar, Acoustic 370 bass amplifier. David Eden Tour 800.

Legal battle

In 2006 Barrett filed a lawsuit against Island Records, the Wailers' label, seeking £60 million in unpaid royalties allegedly due him and his now deceased brother. The lawsuit was dismissed.[5]

Nickname

Barrett’s "Family Man" nickname came about before he had any children of his own. Aston foresaw his role as a band leader and started to call himself ”Family Man”. He has fathered 41 children since.[6]

Quotes

Robbie Shakespeare (Sly & Robbie, who is estimated to have played bass on 200,000 recordings):

"Well…what can I say? He is the man (laughter). Just the way the man plays the bass, you know. There are gun fighters and there are gun fighters, seen? I can’t tell you nothing more. He is a master for me. I have had help and influences from other people, but I have to give it mostly to Family Man."[7]


Ali Campbell (UB40 frontman):

"There was bluebeat, rocksteady and ska. That all happened before reggae, in which kind of happened in about '69 when reggae as we know it was invented by the Barrett brothers."[8]


Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones):

"The first time the Wailers went to England, soon after this, I caught them by chance up in Tottenham Court Road. I thought they were pretty feeble compared to what I’d been hearing in Steer Town. But they certainly got their act together real quick. Family Man joined in on the bass, and Bob obviously had all of the stuff required."[9]


Ziggy Marley (Bob Marley's oldest son):

"I think the drum and bass they are a very important part in Bob music. It was, you know, Family Man and Carlton. Two brothers. They have their own style."[10]


John Lennon (The Beatles, discussing his plans for a comeback album in early 1980 while listening to Burnin'):

"In fact, if they really wanted the right sound, they should go to Jamaica! Go to the same studio that Bob Marley used! Get down with the Rasta men and smoke ganja in big spliffs or hash in chillums. Then they could get that deep-down, super funky, bass-box sound that comes from Trenchtown. You couldn't get that sound in New York. No way!"[11]



Discography

  • The Sound of Macka Dub (Carlton Barrett & Family Man) [aka Macka Dub] [197X]

Compilations

  • Familyman in Dub [197X]

Productions

  • Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
  • Burning Spear - Hail H.I.M. (1980), Radic
  • Horace Andy & Winston Jarrett & Wailers - The Kingston Rock [1974]
  • Keith Hudson - Pick A Dub [1974]
  • Various Artists - Cobra Style [197X]
  • Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
  • Iya Karna with the Wailers - Inkarnation [1986]

Albums engineered by Aston Barrett

Mixing engineer

Recording engineer

  • Various artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]

Engineer

As a musician he appears on

Bass

  • African Brothers - Want Some Freedom [1970-78]
  • African Brothers & King Tubby - The African Brothers Meets King Tubby in Dub [197X]
  • Aggrovators - Dub Justice [1975-76]
  • Aggrovators - Kaya Dub [197X]
  • Aggrovators - Reggae Stones Dub [1976]
  • Aggrovators & King Tubby's - Dub Jackpot [1974-76]
  • Aggrovators & Revolutionaries - Rockers Almighty Dub [1979]
  • Al Campbell - Gee Baby [1977]
  • Al Campbell - Loving Moods of Al Campbell [1978]
  • Alpha Blondy & Wailers - Jerusalem [1986]
  • Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
  • Augustus Pablo - Dubbing With The Don [197X]
  • Augustus Pablo - King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptow [1972-75]
  • Augustus Pablo - Original Rockers [1972-75]
  • Augustus Pablo - Original Rockers Vol. 2 [1989]
  • Augustus Pablo - The Definitive Augustus Pablo Box Set [197X-8X]
  • Augustus Pablo Meets Lee Perry and The Wailers Band - Rare Dubs [1970-71]
  • Augustus Pablo & Various Artists - Augustus Pablo Presents DJs From 70s to 80s [197X-8X]
  • Big Joe - African Princess [1978]
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - 'Soul Rebels (1970)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - 'Soul Revolution (1971)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - The Best of The Wailers (1971)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Catch a Fire (1973)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Burnin' (1973)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Natty Dread (1974)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Live! (1975)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Rastaman Vibration (1976)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Exodus (1977)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Kaya (1978)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Babylon By Bus (1978)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Survival (1979)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Uprising (1980)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Live Forever (1980)
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Confrontation (1983)
  • Bunny Wailer - Blackheart Man (1976)
  • Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey (1975)
  • Burning Spear - Garvey's Ghost (1976)
  • Burning Spear - Man in the Hills (1976)
  • Burning Spear - Dry & Heavy (1977)
  • Burning Spear - Marcus' Children - originally released as Social Living (1978)
  • Burning Spear - Living Dub Vol. 1 (1979)
  • Burning Spear - Living Dub Vol. 2 (1979)
  • Burning Spear - Hail H.I.M. (1980)
  • Burning Spear - Farover (1982)
  • Burning Spear - The Fittest of the Fittest (1983)
  • Carlton Barrett & Family Man - The Sound of Macka Dub [197X]
  • Delano Tucker - Gather Israelites [197X]
  • Delroy Wilson - True Believer in Love [197X]
  • Dillinger - 24 Karat Gold Ragnampiza [197X]
  • Dillinger - CB 200 [1976]
  • Don Carlos - Just A Passing Glance [1984]
  • Donald + Lulu With Wailers - Beautiful Garden [1982]
  • Errol Thompson & King Tubby - Holy War Dub [197X]
  • Glen Brown & King Tubby - Termination Dub [1973-79]
  • Heptones - Unreleased Night Food and Rare Black Ark Sessions [1976-77]
  • Horace Andy & Winston Jarrett & Wailers - The Kingston Rock [1974]
  • I Roy - Truths and Rights [1975]
  • Impact All Stars - Randy's Dub [1975]
  • Israel Vibration- "Unconquered People" [1980]
  • Iya Karna With Wailers - Inkarnation [1986]
  • Jackie Mittoo - Show Case Volume 3 [1977]
  • Jacob Miller - Who Say Jah No Dread [1974-75]
  • Jimmy London - Hold On [1977]
  • Jimmy London - It Ain't Easy Living in the Ghetto [1980]
  • Jimmy London - The Jimmy London Collection [197X]
  • Johnny Clarke - Originally Mr. Clarke [1980]
  • Johnny Clarke & Delroy Wilson & Doreen Shaffer - Lovers Rock Vol. 2 [197X]
  • Josh Heinrichs - Josh Heinrichs & Friends [2010]
  • Justin Hinds - Travel With Love [1982-84]
  • Keith Hudson - Pick A Dub [1974]
  • Keith Hudson - Torch of Freedom [1975]
  • Keith Poppin - Envious [1975]
  • Keith Poppin - Pop Inn [1977]
  • King Tubby - African Love Dub [1974-79]
  • King Tubby - King Tubby's Lost Treasures [1976]
  • King Tubby & Errol Thompson - The Black Foundation in Dub [197X]
  • King Tubby & Friends - Rod of Correction Showcase [197X]
  • Knowledge - Straight Outta Trenchtown [1975-80]
  • Larry Ethnic Meets Wailers With Various Artiste - Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers with Various Artiste [1975]
  • Larry Marshall & King Tubby - I Admire You in Dub [1975]
  • Lee Perry - Soundz from the Hotline [1976-79]
  • Linval Thompson - I Love Marijuana [1978]
  • Linval Thompson - Negrea Love Dub [1978]
  • Linval Thompson & Friends - Whip Them King Tubby [197X]
  • Little Roy - Tafari Earth Uprising [197X]
  • Lloyd Willis - Gits Plays Bob Marley's Greatest Hits [1977]
  • Max Romeo - Revelation Time [1975]
  • Negril - Negril [1975]
  • Nuroy & Uroy - The Originator [1976]
  • Pablo Moses - In The Future [1983]
  • Paragons - Now [1982]
  • Pat Kelly - Lonely Man [1978]
  • Peter Tosh - Equal Rights [1977]
  • Peter Tosh - Legalize It [1976]
  • Rita Marley - Who Feels It Knows It [1980]
  • Robert Marcey and Familyman with The Wailers - "Wailin' For Justice" [2010]
  • Royals - Dubbing with The Royals [197X]
  • Royals - Pick Up The Pieces [1977]
  • Rupie Edwards - Ire Feelings [1975]
  • Scientist - Scientific Dub [1978-80]
  • Scratch and Company - Chapter 1, The Upsetters [1970-76]
  • Slim Smith - The Very Best Of [196X-7X]
  • Sly & Robbie Meet King Tubby - Reggae Rasta Dub [1974-77]
  • Sons of Jah - Bankrupt Morality [1978]
  • Sons of Jah - Reggae Hit Showcase [1980]
  • Sons of Jah - Universal Message [1982]
  • Sydney Rogers - Miracle Worker [1974]
  • Tennors - Moods [196X-7X]
  • Twinkle Brothers - All The Hits Vol. 2 [1971-91]
  • Upsetters - Blackboard Jungle Dub [1973]
  • Various Artists - 17 North Parade [1972-75]
  • Various Artists - Aquarius Rock [197X]
  • Various Artists - Clocktower Presents Conquerors in Dub [197X]
  • Various Artists - Down Santic Way [1973-75]
  • Various Artists - Every Mouth Must Be Fed [1973-76]
  • Various Artists - Java Java Dub [1972]
  • Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]
  • Various Artists - Kingston All Stars Meet Downtown at King Tubbys [1972-75]
  • Various Artists - Reggae Jeggae [1968-69]
  • Various Artists - Rite Sound Reggae Story [1980]
  • Various Artists - Santic and Friends [1980]
  • Various Artists - Sound System Rockers [1969-75]
  • Various Artists - Treasure Isle in Dub [1970-78]
  • Various Artists - Wonderman Years [1971-76]
  • Vivian Jackson - Ram A Dam [1976]
  • Yabby You - The Yabby You Collection [197X]
  • Yabby You & King Tubby - King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub [1976]
  • Yabby You & Various Artists - Jesus Dread [1972-77]

Rhythm guitar

  • Aggrovators & King Tubby's - Dub Jackpot [1974-76]
  • Aggrovators & Revolutionaries - Rockers Almighty Dub [1979]
  • Agrovators Meet Revolutionaries - Agrovators Meet Revolutionaries Part II [197X]
  • Bunny Wailer - Black Heart Man [1976]
  • Cornell Campbell - Dance in a Greenwich Farm [1975]
  • Delroy Wilson - For I and I [1975]
  • Johnny Clarke - Moving Out [1975]
  • Johnny Clarke - Put It On [1975]
  • Johnny Clarke - Rockers Time Now [1976]
  • Johnny Clarke - Sings in Fine Style [1975]
  • King Tubby - Dub from the Roots [1974]
  • Owen Gray - Forward on the Scene [1975]
  • Scientist - Scientific Dub [1978-80]
  • Sons of Jah - Universal Message [1982]
  • Tommy McCook & Aggrovators - Cookin [1975]
  • Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]

Keyboards

  • Bunny Wailer - Black Heart Man [1976]
  • Sons oOf Jah - Universal Message [1982]
  • Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]

Organ

  • Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
  • Burning Spear - Farover [1982]
  • Sylford Walker - Lamb's Bread [1978]
  • Vivian Jackson - Ram A Dam [1976]
  • Yabby You - Conquering Lion [1977]
  • Yabby You & King Tubby - King Tubby's Prophesy of Dub [1976]
  • Yabby You & Various Artists - Jesus Dread [1972-77]

Lead guitar

  • Sons of Jah - Universal Message [1982]
  • Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]

Guitar

  • Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Uprising [1980]
  • King Tubby - The Roots of Dub [1975]
  • Rita Marley - Who Feels It Knows It [1980]
  • Wailers- Burnin' [1973]

Synthesiser

  • Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]

Percussions

Piano

  • Aston Barrett - Familyman in Dub [197X]
  • Bob Marley and the Wailers - Uprising [1980]
  • Larry Ethnic Meets Wailers with Various Artiste - Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers with Various Artiste [1975]
  • Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]

Syndrums

  • Various Artists - Juvenile Delinquent [1981]

Melinoco

  • Larry Ethnic Meets Wailers with Various Artiste - Larry Ethnic Meets The Wailers with Various Artiste [1975]

Bass drum

  • Burning Spear - Farover [1982]

Clavinet

  • Burning Spear - Farover [1982]

References

  1. ↑ Campbell, Howard (2012) "Aston ‘Familyman’ Barrett: Rockstone Wailer", Jamaica Observer, 20 April 2012, retrieved 2012-04-29
  2. ↑ [1], CaribbeanBeat, June, 2006.
  3. ↑ "Interview: Robbie Shakespeare", Reggae Magazine | United Reggae, 26 June 2012.
  4. ↑ Campbell-Livingston, Cecelia (2012) "Bass Player honour for 'Family Man'", Jamaica Observer, 26 October 2012, retrieved 27 October 2012
  5. ↑ ”Marley bassist loses royalty bid", BBC News, 15 May 2006.
  6. ↑ [2], BBC News Entertanimnet & Arts, September 25, 2013.
  7. ↑ "FCJ interviews Sly and Robbie", 19 July 2009.
  8. ↑ "UB40 frontman Ali Campbell joined reggae producer Dennis Bovell on the BBC Breakfast sofa to talk about Reggae Britannia", BBC Four at 9pm, 11 February 2011.
  9. ↑ Life, " memoir by Keith Richards (chapter 9, page 126) Audiobook of the Year and Best Biography/Memoir 2010. Additionally, the audiobook Life was voted Amazon's No. 1 Audiobook of the Year for 2010. Life received the 2011 Norman Mailer Prize for biography., First published in Great Britain in 2010 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
  10. ↑ "Marley a 2012 documentary-biographical film directed by Kevin Macdonald", 20 April 2012.
  11. ↑ "The Lives of John Lennon" (page 644) a biography by American author Albert Goldman", Published 1988 by Bantam Press.
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