Toots Toots & the Maytals

[eFestivals]

I've seen Toots loads of times over the years at festivals, and while it's been enjoyable I've never thought it was anything special. My missus had never seen him, so we caught him at a gig of his own at the weekend ... and it was fantastic, better than I could have ever believed.

It started off a bit stiff and not really flowing, and a few songs in I was thinking that I wasn't sure I wanted to stay. But the crowd was nuts, and I guess that enthused Toots, because he got more and more energetic as the set progressed - which is pretty damned good for a man on his 50th Anniversary tour.

What surprised me the most was how little of the set could have been called reggae. Much better descriptions would be gospel, and soul, and where it got really superb was when it went to psychedelic jazz funk.

Since then I've bought the latest album, "Flip & Twist" ... and what can I say, other than wow! I'm eight tracks in, there's only one that might be called reggae (and that's a cover of a Stevie Wonder song), while the rest is just so soulful - I'd have never

credited him as having a voice that good.

It's one to put on your shopping list if you like soul.

[jump]

I always considered them more ska than reggae, not that there's a huge difference between the two though. I wanted to go to the Brixton show last week but couldn't find anyone who wanted to see them and the night before I had seen Yuck too, always been a good live act when I've seen them before.

[eFestivals]

You can't really call what Toots does 'ska', as he's the man who came up with the word 'reggae'. ... but yeah, I sort of agree with you.

But there wasn't much that could be called ska either. Funk, soul, jazz, and that wonderful '60's mash-up (complete with hammond organ sound) of psychedelic jazz funk.

I really recommend that you check out "Flip & Twist" - it really is very very good.

[The Nal]

He walked off stage at the Electric Picnic last week with a throat infection. Ive seen him 3-4 times now and every time hes been amazing. First time I saw him was in Vicar Street in Dublin about 5 years ago on the hottest day of the year and the air con was broken/turned off by Toots. A total sweatbox. Betty Swollocks.

His set at Glasto 2010 was perfect. Sun setting with Stevie Wonder to follow! An all time great day.

By the way, how do you imbed youtube clips on this new layout?

Edited September 14, 2011 by The Nal

[eFestivals]

He walked off stage at the Electric Picnic last week with a throat infection.

yeah, it sounded like he was suffering with something when I saw him at the weekend.

Pleasingly, it somehow seemed obvious that it was a temporary thing rather than his voice being shot due to old age or something. And while it was noticeable at the start, it seemed to disappear after a while - it didn't detract from anything.

Ive seen him 3-4 times now and every time hes been amazing.

I'd only ever seen him at festivals previously, and perhaps that's where I'd been going wrong - because as far as I can remember, none of the times I've seen him has he had a set that's been more than about an hour. We got an hour and half at the weekend of Toots, with two songs from his daughter before that.

By the way, how do you imbed youtube clips on this new layout?

same way as before, between [ media ] tags.

[The Nal]

same way as before, between [ media ] tags.

[Ed209]

same way as before, between [ media ] tags.

Edited September 14, 2011 by Ed209

[The Nal]

Ah beautiful. Cheers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFqDkkZqZSY

[The Nal]

certainly looked everyone was having a good time in Brixton t'other night

[BlackHole2006]

Saw 'em at Bestival on the weekend, it started off a bit weird and I think that it was because of the rain more than anything, but when it got going it was great fun. The rain cleared up half way through the set and everything was fine. The music was great and the atmosphere was too, a great start to what was a fantastic day at the fest. I'll be sure to check out the new stuff soon!

[Alcatraz]

Did you go see them in Bristol, Neil? Was there as well and had a great time as expected. Monkey Man is really something special. It' s staggering to see a guy who's done what he loves for that long, and who is genuinely an icon of his culture

Edited September 14, 2011 by Alcatraz

[Kowalski]

Saw them for the first time ever, at Bestival. They were very good and perfect in the afternoon sunshine.

[eFestivals]

Did you go see them in Bristol, Neil? Was there as well and had a great time as expected. Monkey Man is really something special. It' s staggering to see a guy who's done what he loves for that long, and who is genuinely an icon of his culture

yeah, Bristol. Tho for me Monkey Man was one of the lower points of the set, it's a poor song as songs go.

[The Nal]

yeah, Bristol. Tho for me Monkey Man was one of the lower points of the set, it's a poor song as songs go.

[kerplunk]

yer darn tootin!