REVIEW: TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS IN PLYMOUTH
Toots and Maytals 2010: Live
Reggae and ska legends play Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion
Falmouth isn’t the obvious choice for international superstars, but you’d be surprised. Princess Pavilion is an awesome venue – small enough to feel intimate, but not too small, and with a large bar and sublime gardens to chill in until the music starts. They’ve had some pretty big acts play recently, including The Damned and Real Big Fish. Bigger still: Toots and the Maytals played last week and 247 went along and shouted “what’s my number” and did Toot’s infamous wireless handshake like everyone else out for a good time.
Toot and the Maytals have been around for a very long time. In fact, it was Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert, who actually invented the word reggae! Toots and the Maytals are genuine legends of reggae and ska and still having a major influence on artists today with everyone from Sublime to Amy Winehouse doing covers.
Princess Pavillions was packed out with as diverse an audience as you could hope to see: with ages ranging from about 16 to 60 years. Toots, who must be in his mid sixties by now have the energy of a nubile 20-year-old and commanded the stage with this huge personality and still sharp dance moves. Toots, with his gospel singing roots, could perhaps be compared to a preacher delivering the most delightful sermon: bringing his audience to life and spreading his good time vibe.
Classics like Do the Reggay and Pressure Drop had everyone dancing. 54-46 was my number was a highlight, where Toots had everyone hollering back at him. Ah, audience participation
tion. It didn’t stop at singing. “I’m a teacher, everyone learns something when they come to see my show,” Toots told us when we caught after him after the electric gig. What else? His infamous ‘wireless’ handshake which not only looks cool and can be done from the crowd went down well (even those at the back did it, we checked). The wireless is also good, according to Toots, in times of swine flu outbreak and when you suspect someone of having not washed their hands….
The five-piece band really went for it. We found ourselves singing out loud. The set list was on fire: Country Roads; Funky Kingston, Rock Reggae… If you get chance to see them do it.
Toots and the Maytals’ new album Flip and Twist is our now. Find out more at www.tootsandthemaytals.com
Words and photos: Rachael D’Cruze
