Mahaiwe, Great Barrington, MA
November 5, 2012
by Eric Sutter
The Jamaican musical group Toots and The Maytals appeared
at the Mahaiwe on their first ever Unplugged Acoustic Tour. As the creator of
reggae music and a key figure in its development, Frederick Hibbert (Toots)
combined ska, rock steady and American soul in a vocal group style to help
popularize the unique reggae music of Jamaica. He recently received the
distinguished Order of Jamaica for his contributions. With a high voltage vocal
delivery, Toots began with "Reggae Got Soul" from 1976.
The group, along with vocalists Chantelle Ernandez and
Elenore Walters, delivered gospel/soul ballads and exuberant reggae rhythms
equally well. It was like being held in the warm tide of a lover's arms --
calmed but stimulated, the music swayed the audience to dance. "Time
Tough" and "Pressure Drop" urged folks to move. The laid back
groove of 1968's "Do The Reggae," which was the first recording to
coin the word "reggae" in music, delighted all. Next was a 2007 love
song called "Celia" followed by "Sweet And Dandy" from the
breakthrough 1972 reggae compilation recording "The Harder They
Come." "True Love Is Hard To Find" featured the distinctive
style of call and response interplay of lead singer Toots and the dynamic dual
female back-up vocals.
The magical 70's hit "Funky Kingston" worked
its vibe on the audience as the charismatic Toots went into the spiritual
healers "Amen" and "This Little Light of Mine" with full force
female vocal accompaniment. The audience was swept away by the mellifluous
gospel tinged ballad of determined optimism, "Dreams To Remember."
Toots, et al, performed his first international hit from 1970, a bluesy
rendition of "Monkeyman." Two familiar popular songs "Take Me
Home, Country Roads" and "Louie, Louie" featured another
interactive vocal feature between the musicians and their fans. The new light
spark of "Love Is Not Gonna Let Me Down" engulfed with a great sweep
of love upon the ocean of people below, resulting in giant waves of movement.
Hallelujah was the call.What a joyful noise! Toots encored with the freedom
call "54-46." He segued into a soulful rendition of Ray Charles'
"I Got A Woman" which satisfied.
