Toots and the Maytals @ O2 ABC, 10 August
Toots Hibbert has an infectious smile, and plenty of reasons to wear it tonight: his home nation celebrates 50 years of independence this month; a weighty haul of Olympian track medals has further boosted national pride; and to cap it off, Hibbert was awarded the Order of Jamaica earlier in the week, in recognition of a remarkable, near-five-decade career.
Not that these milestones are overtly referenced tonight (a nod to Bolt’s trademark victory pose from the backing singers aside). The evening has a sharper focus, on the here and now: indeed, from the opening Pressure Drop to a closing call-and-response-stacked 54-46 (That’s My Number), the ABC is animated and united in song and skanking.
Clad in leather and shades and skilfully backed by the whip-sharp Maytals, Toots is a magnetic stage presence, with energy levels that put performers half his age to shame. As he presides over highlights like the tempo-raising Monkey Man, he personifies ‘crowd-pleasing’ and transfers that aforementioned smile from his face to everyone else’s.
Comments (15)
Add a comment »What has running round a track got to do with Toots and the Maytals? I notice that Scotland beat Australia in the football last night. Did that inspire this poopy review or might it be completely irrelevant? Next time send someone who has something to say about the music or I'll smack your boobs.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 11:24
Report to moderatorgood description of the concert. the guy couldn't stop smiling, lovely to endure. never been in the abc before. it usually looks like the dole queue outside there. but i found a ticket on the floor when i was in bodyshop and decided to go. i don't regret it at all and would do it again. thanks.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 12:21
Report to moderator"What has running round at track got to do with Toots and the Maytals?"
The Usain Bolt pose from the backing singers suggests the band were happy to make the connection, while the loud cheers their action prompted indicates others in the crowd were comfortable acknowledging it.
Toots has been recording for decades, with plenty already written about the merits of his music. To my mind a live review should concentrate more on performance and atmosphere - those aspects more variable and specific to individual gigs. Linking Jamaica's recent national glories (Olympian and otherwise) to the gig's celebratory atmosphere is part of that.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 12:27
Report to moderatorDon't forget Sir Chris Hoy. There was more than one reference to his win in the kern in the show.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 12:55
Report to moderator"What has running round at track got to do with Toots and the Maytals?"
Drugs?
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 13:05
Report to moderatorMy first Time taking a look at these guys and very impressed. A Really Good Beat, right down the line. I struggle with Ska music - I'me more of a Muse or Bluetones guy normally - but Toots really rock for me!
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 13:26
Report to moderatorLibby, nice to hear you had a top night at some poor bastard's expense. Might've been an idea to hand it in at the box office so the owner could claim it, no?
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 13:36
Report to moderatoradam thats hardly fair, i'm a student doing health and nutrition so it's not like i'm a bad person and I don't usually have money for nice things. anyway, if you read my comment you'll notice i found the ticket in bodyshop which isn't exactly savers, i'm sure if you can afford a tub of body butter you can afford to buy a new ticket.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 13:54
Report to moderatorGood review, but I'd like to correct an error. Toots did NOT play Monkey Man at this gig.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 15:59
Report to moderatorAye they did play Monkey Man!
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 16:53
Report to moderatorS Monaghan - they definitely did play monkey man, and it was ace!
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 16:57
Report to moderatorI'm afraid you're both wrong. I know Monkey Man when I hear it. It's one of my favourite tunes. Definitely not in the set, but don't worry about it. We all make mistakes.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 17:26
Report to moderatorye they didnae do monkey man, wis shoutin after it all night what a ripoff
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 22:23
Report to moderatorI have to confess, I may have made a mistake. I know a guy who knows a guy who did the sound, and it turns out I probably went for a smoke during Money Man. Makes sense, but really frustrating. What a fucking tune.
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 22:54
Report to moderatori must be in the twilight zone mate, but fuck me if you're all against me, i never heard that tune
Posted by | Thursday 16 August 2012 @ 23:09
Report to moderator