Like many fans with limited knowledge of The Wailers, Auraiya Hope was unaware they had any female members. Until last October when she met Beverley Kelso, one of two women who were part of the legendary group’s initial lineup.

Hope has covered Hurts to Be Alone, the 1964 ballad by The Wailers that featured Kelso and Cherry Smith, alongside Bob Marley, PeterTosh, Bunny Livingston (later Wailer) and Junior Braithwaite.

Her version is produced by Oniel Walters for Rocky Valley Records.

“We all agreed that we wanted to capture the beauty and the essence of the original version while infusing the pulse of reggae. We therefore kept the guitar patterns and stayed true to the chord structure of the original, however we aimed to bring a new perspective,” Hope explained during an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “We expanded the verses of the song by adding two original lines at the end of each phrase. We also added new phrases in the intro and the outro of the song which captured the essence of the original. The message and feel of the song remained intact.”

Braithwaite sang lead on the original which was produced by Clement “Coxson” Dodd and features a memorable jazz solo by guitarist Ernie Ranglin.

Released in 1964, It Hurts to Be Alone hears The Wailers expressing their American soul influences and was released by Dodd’s rising Studio One label.

The Kingston-born Hope began recording songs three years ago. Her debut album, The Chronicles of Love, was released in January.

Eight months ago, she met Kelso for the first time at an event in Arnett Gardens, hometown of The Wailers. The singer was visiting from New York where she has lived for decades.

“I was truly amazed by her humility and her sincerity. I was extremely delighted when I was invited by Big Stone (Kelso’s management) to be a part of the committee that would organise her 76th birthday celebrations,” said Hope.

Kelso is the lone survivor of the original group that formed in Trench Town in 1963. Smith, the other female member, died in Miami at age 65 in 2008.