Toots and The Maytals UK Tour Dates
WithGuitars are pleased to confirm Toots is performing a range of dates in the UK in August.
Just to recap, Grammy Award wining Toots and the Maytals are legends in the world of reggae, ska and roots music. They started releasing records from their base in Kingston, Jamaica in the early 1960s, working with the likes of Prince Buster and getting their first major hit, ‘Monkey Man’ in 1970. Their influence is cast far and wide, beyond the immediate world of roots music and into the punk and ska revival of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, through to modern songwriters like the late Amy Winehouse. Toots isn’t just about nostalgia, though; he continues to record and release new music, bringing sunshine everywhere he performs. Namely 2012’s, ‘Unplugged At Strawberry Hill’.
Unplugged At Strawberry Hill’ was the first ever recorded acoustic set by Toots & the Maytals, recorded overlooking Kingston at the iconic Chris Blackwell property, while the afternoon sun’s golden rays washed over the set with the Blue Mountains a poetic backdrop. The album includes a bonus DVD documentary (‘Reggae Got Soul’), containing rare live footage from Toots’ unforgettable performance at Rockpalast in 1981 and unique liner notes contributed by Grace Jones.
The album, a gorgeous, sun kissed acoustic session, depicts an intimate and soulful side to the revered classics like ‘Funky Kingston’ and ‘54-46’. Toots’ iconic bruising vocal is smooth and saunters over laissez-faire rhythms that sound like they are recorded at sunset – ‘Unplugged on Strawberry Hill’ is the perfect summer album for lazing around waiting for bands to start at a festival or kicking back at a barbecue.
2nd Aug 12: Empire Middlesbrough UK
3rd Aug 12: Indigo2 London UK
8th Aug 12: Converse, 100 Club, London UK
9th Aug 12: Liquid Rooms Edinburgh UK
10th Aug 12: ABC1 Glasgow UK
11th Aug 12: The Pier Pavillion Cleethorpes UK
12th Aug 12: Picture Dome Holmfirth UK
14th Aug12: Concorde II Brighton UK
15th Aug 12: Academy Oxford UK
The album is out on 6th August via recording studio Metropolis to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jamaican Independence Day.
Meanwhile here’s a taster with a few songs live…