By: Jen Paulson
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| Toots Hibbert - Photo by Gordon Chalmers |
It wasn’t a very inviting place from the get-go. It was apparent to me that these guys don’t know how to handle a high volume concert. A rectangular balcony area is above the concert floor, complete with mood lighting and zebra-printed couches. As we walked upstairs there were not signs or anything stating that you couldn’t go up there, or even a note saying said they were reserved so as we dared to sit down, we were greeted with shrill screaming of “No, no, no, no!” from a cocktail waitress. We got the point. As we continued our wait downstairs, having already been pushed out of the way by multiple suited security guys, waitresses or other staff, I was not feeling at ease or welcomed whatsoever. I didn’t expect the welcome wagon, but I surely do not expect to be manhandled at a show past the occasional frisking.
I basically had two completely different experiences. From the stark contrast of the frustration beforehand, the minute our man Toots appeared on stage, any aforementioned douchebag in the joint was immediately transformed into a regular, tolerable person. It’s a makeover that is altogether inevitable. Toots Hibbert, now in his early sixties, bursts with warmth and energy and always unites the crowd in song.
Toots and the Maytals treat Minneapolis to a performance once a year on average. This time around, he is on the road, most likely, to promote the late August release of his album, Light Your Light. It featured some of his well-known, regular collaborators such as Bonnie Raitt, who also appeared on 2004’s guest-star fest, True Love. I will admit that I don’t really listen to his newer music, but on the new album and on stage Friday he covered "Pain in My Heart," and even though the Reggae treatment doesn’t hold a candle to the Otis Redding original, it is a great version nonetheless.
One has to note that the term Reggae itself is often credited to Toots, along with his earliest incarnation with The Maytals and their song – “Do The Reggay.”
You don’t have to be a big Reggae fan to enjoy a Toots show. Frankly, I would suggest that any smart music fan made it a point to go to a show, because not only is he an important figure in musical history, he is a powerhouse of a performer, and his backing band move aurally along with him with him with precision, heart, and pure, unbridled joy. No classic was left behind; songs like "Pressure Drop," "Monkey Man," "Funky Kingston" and his recounting of being imprisoned, "54-46 Was My Number," incorporate soul, ska and Roots Reggae into a show that had a packed floor of wildly dancing individuals, like myself, who broke out of their usual foot tapping, head bobbing passivity and spent a good span of time actually jumping up and down.
These are shows that people connect with on a spiritual level; you don’t have to be a practicing member of any denomination to attend the Church of Toots, you just have to check your attitude at the door, wait the mere moments for the spirit, and your dancing feet will move you.
Location Info:
Trocaderos
Artist Info: Toots and the Maytals
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