Toots and the Maytals - Nothing is Better
May 9th 2006 10:54
Toots and the Maytals are definitely up there when it comes to all-time reggae stars. Their music, more than many perhaps any other artist, is a favourite with all lovers of reggae, but also music fans in general.
When played I can’t think of any other reggae songs that receive a better reception on the dance floor. They had hit after hit, perhaps not in the music charts sense of the word, but definitely as far as having a dedicated fan base to their music. Their songs are continually covered knowing their popularity – even an Australian band Kingtide covered their song Broadway Jungle calling it No Dog War. The Specials also did Pressure Drop and hundred of bands have thrown their songs into their set lists.
The songs they do are pop friendly, but include a variety that reggae fans appreciate. 54-46 is a slower number, littered across many various artist albums, while songs like Sweet and Dandy and Funky Kingston have that stomping dance floor skank friendly appeal. They have probably an album full of songs that are known to many, but they had a large number of songs in the ska, rocksteady and reggae genres. They were obvious inspiration to many bands including the current Aggrolites, who have that funky reggae sound.
When I saw Toots Hibbert perform in early 2004 at the Enmore Theatre I can safely say I was satisfied for life. The man has aged wonderfully, has a booming voice that sees him hold the microphone a long way from his mouth and he can sustain his performance for close to two hours. I sang along to every song and looked around to see everyone else doing the same. Toots has definitely perfected his art over a long career and I still reflect on that show as a way to justifying my own happy death (when it eventually comes).
When played I can’t think of any other reggae songs that receive a better reception on the dance floor. They had hit after hit, perhaps not in the music charts sense of the word, but definitely as far as having a dedicated fan base to their music. Their songs are continually covered knowing their popularity – even an Australian band Kingtide covered their song Broadway Jungle calling it No Dog War. The Specials also did Pressure Drop and hundred of bands have thrown their songs into their set lists.
The songs they do are pop friendly, but include a variety that reggae fans appreciate. 54-46 is a slower number, littered across many various artist albums, while songs like Sweet and Dandy and Funky Kingston have that stomping dance floor skank friendly appeal. They have probably an album full of songs that are known to many, but they had a large number of songs in the ska, rocksteady and reggae genres. They were obvious inspiration to many bands including the current Aggrolites, who have that funky reggae sound.
Toots in Australia
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Comment by Cibbuano
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what are some of his hits? I forget the track names...