Dave Barker

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Dave Barker (born David Crooks, 1948, Franklyn Town, Kingston, Jamaica)[1][2] is a reggae and rocksteady singer who has released a string of solo albums along with recordings as a member of The Techniques and as half of the duo Dave and Ansell Collins.

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[edit] Biography

Crooks was born in 1948, and was raised by his grandparents from the age of 4 after his mother emigrated to England.[2] Barker began his career in the rocksteady era with a brief stint in Winston Riley's Techniques, singing alongside Riley and Bruce Ruffin,[1] and with Glen Brown in the duo Glen and Dave.[1] In the late 1960s, he became a regular vocalist for producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, who decided Crooks should record as Dave Barker, and encouraged American-style deejay vocals in addition to Barker's usual high tenor singing.[1][2] Barker had a hit single with "Shocks of a Mighty", followed in 1970 by his debut album Prisoner of Love. Working with Perry at the same time as The Wailers, Barker toasted over the latter's "Small Axe" for 1971's "Shocks 71". March 1971 brought international fame as part of a duo with Ansell Collins. "Double Barrel" was a number 1 hit in the United Kingdom, and was also the first recording on which drummer Sly Dunbar played.[3] "Double Barrel" was followed in June of the same year with a number 7 UK hit in the form of "Monkey Spanner".[3] The duo failed to sustain success in the UK, and Collins returned to Jamaica, with Barker settling in England and embarking once again on a solo career, releasing 1976's In The Ghetto, which while credited to Dave and Ansell Collins, was a solo effort.[3] He then joined vocal group Chain Reaction along with Bruce Ruffin and Bobby Davis, targeting the soul market, but without great success. Barker has continued to record, including a live album featuring Barker playing with The Selecter.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • Prisoner Of Love (1970) Trojan (Dave Barker meets The Upsetters)
  • Double Barrel (1971) Big Tree/Techniques (Dave & Ansell Collins) also issued on RAS with different track listing
  • In The Ghetto (1976) Trojan
  • Roadblock (1979) Bushranger
  • Never Lose Never Win (1976) Gull (Chain Reaction)
  • Change of Action (1983) Vista
  • Chase a Miracle (1983) Vista
  • Classics (1991) Techniques (The Techniques)
  • Monkey Spanner (1997) Trojan
  • Dave And Ansel Collins (2001) Armoury (Dave & Ansell Collins)
  • Kingston Affair (200?) Moon Ska (Dave Barker & The Selecter)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Katz, David (2003). Solid Foundation - An Oral History of Reggae. Bloomsbury. ISBN 0-7475-6847-2. 
  2. ^ a b c Steve Leggett (allmusic.com). Dave Barker Biography. AMG. Retrieved on 06 January 2008.
  3. ^ a b c Larkin, Colin (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae. Virgin Books. ISBN 0-7535-0242-9. 

[edit] External links