G R A C E J O N E S. S o m e w o r d s a b o u t T o o t s

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Evelyn Stevenson
5 years ago
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1 U N P L U G G E D O N G O T S O U L : S T R A W B E R R Y H I L L

G R A C E J O N E S S o m e w o r d s a b o u t T o o t s A S u n s e t o n S t r a w b e r r y H i l l From the moment he began, the atmosphere was amplified by the crisp mountain air, the warmth of

2 G R A C E J O N E S S o m e w o r d s a b o u t T o o t s A S u n s e t o n S t r a w b e r r y H i l l From the moment he began, the atmosphere was amplified by the crisp mountain air, the warmth of the perfectly blended vocals caressed by the steady bass, familiar guitar riffs and spirited percussion, and filled the surrounding countryside with the sweet sound of Jamaica s music at its best. Bam Bam followed next and at that point everyone in earshot wore a broad smile on their face knowing they were witnessing a master at work in this never before seen, intimate presentation of some of his best known classics. First of all, I am Jamaican and Toots is Jamaican and he has so much warmth in his music full of soul you know? I mean, I don t like comparing other people to other people, but James Brown was a big favourite of mine. Growing up in Jamaica I couldn t really listen to what they called the worldly music but when I went to America and I got into James and whatever, it was then I really saw Toots and the Jamaican music that he does. The soul in it that just makes you want to dance and makes you feel like you re on the way to heaven. So much incredible and always his band is amazing. I was in Montreux Jazz Festival with him last year, and I always make sure if I m in the same place, I have to stay even you know, late or whatever, to not get my rest because I have to go see Toots for the uplifting feeling that one gets that carries you, well, forever really with his music. Plus he is an amazing absolutely fun person to hang with. I m sorry I didn t get to do more things with him but there s still time. There s time and I would still like to do something with Toots because we have a connection, a very fantastic connection. No matter how long he has been around, his songs are never outdated. Never outdated when you hear them, you still want to dance and party, you still get an amazing feeling from that, and I think that s really important for music. To have music that is just loved, that just keeps going and you feel something fantastic every time you hear it again, you can sing along. And he s just got the greatest smile. I love you Toots. photo Mike Worthington As the misty morning broke over the cool hills of St. Andrew, Jamaica, the production team made their way up the mountainside to Chris Blackwell s beautiful Strawberry Hills Resort offering a breathtaking view of the city of Kingston. The team explored the intoxicating location, and the jade accented courtyard was selected for the special acoustic session to be recorded as a part of the Reggae Got Soul documentary project. By the time the production settled in the courtyard for the first ever recorded acoustic set by Toots & the Maytals, the afternoon sun s golden rays washed over the set with the Blue Mountains as a backdrop. Iconic Reggae innovator Toots stepped easily to the mic with his guitar in tow and began the magical session with Time Tough, accompanied by his son on bass, two daughters on backing vocals and rich percussions to accent the mix. The priceless set further included Pressure Drop, True Love (a duet with his daughters Leba and Jenieve), Celia and the dvd documentary title track Reggae Got Soul. As Toots performed, each song was refreshed by the acoustic arrangement which showcased the stunning vocals and distinctive chops that have defined this artiste and a genre. As the sun set over the city, strains of Funky Kingston bounced off the mountainside into the city below. Sweet and Dandy had the house rockin so when Toots hit Monkey Man and moved into I ll Never Grow Old, Do the Reggae and closing track 54 46, the party was popping. Jamaican music s most active legend and originator of the word Reggae first putting it on wax and defining the genre Toots moved smoothly and instinctively from Ska to Reggae as only an innovator could. Regarded internationally as one of the top vocalists in the world, Toots & the Maytals Unplugged on Strawberry Hills will go down in history as one of those unique magical moments we wish we all could ve been in attendance to absorb.

R e g g a e G o t S o u l T h e D o c u m e n t a r y Legend of reggae, Frederick Toots Hibbert is universally acknowledged as being one of the all-time greats of music.

3 R e g g a e G o t S o u l T h e D o c u m e n t a r y Legend of reggae, Frederick Toots Hibbert is universally acknowledged as being one of the all-time greats of music. With his group, The Maytals, he launched a unique, joyous sound whose appeal is universal and timeless, spanning across the generations and continents of the world. He is revered by old and young alike, with an enduring cult appeal which never diminishes. Toots named the reggae genre his 1968 song Do The Reggay was the very first to use the word and his music has across six decades defined, popularised and refined that genre, combining in his own inimitable style gospel, ska, soul, rock and American R n B. But the thing which is always instantly, viscerally recognisable is Toots powerful, soulful voice one of the great musical gifts of our time. Toots music seems to transcend the recording process to speak directly to the listener herself. In fact it would be accurate to say that his songs are stories of everyday life in Jamaica and in a way they are postcards from another world. Toots took the gospel influence of his early years in church choirs, in the country town of May Pen about 15 miles from the Jamaican capital. After moving to the city and living in the Trenchtown ghetto he met the other members of The Maytals. Together they started recording with legendary producer Clement Coxsone Dodd at the controls of the (equally legendary) Studio One. As Island records founder Chris Blackwell puts it The Maytals were unlike anything else at the time. They were sensational, raw and dynamic. However at the centre of this was Toots, the voice, the lead singer and the writer full of charisma and energy. After years of success in his own country rereleasing Jamaican hits such as Pressure Drop, Sweet and Dandy, Do The Reggay, Monkey Man and Bam Bam, Toots now Toots and the Maytals signed with Chris Blackwell s Island Records label releasing Funky Kingston, True Love Is Hard To Find and Reggae Got Soul to the world. Toots was there at the beginning in the early Sixties, and his influence can be heard throughout the history of how ska became rocksteady and rocksteady became reggae. Keith Richards and Mick Jagger, Madness, The Specials, The Clash, Willie Nelson and Bonnie Raitt have all cited his influence; and Toots recent cover of Radiohead s Let Down brought a whole new audience to his music. Amy Winehouse was a huge fan, regularly cover ing Monkey Man in her set. And to subsequent Jamaican musicians like Shaggy and Ziggy Marley he is a role model and mentor figure. He has collaborated with the likes of Prince Buster, Clement Dodd, Leslie Kong, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Ben Harper, and No Doubt, many of whom appear in this special film. The Story of Toots and the Maytals Reggae Got Soul, is a unique in-depth profile of one of the most influential artists ever to come out of Jamaica. This never-before-told story features intimate performances from Toots and some handpicked musicians ; rare archive from throughout his career, plus interviews with Toots himself, contemporaries and well-known fans. From his beginnings as a singer in a Jamaican church choir to the universally praised, Grammy award winning artist of today, this film tells the story of one of the true greats of music ; Toots. This is not only the story of one man and his joyful music, but also the story of reggae. Interviewees include: Eric Clapton Keith Richards Jimmy Cliff Bonnie Raitt Willie Nelson Sly & Robbie Ziggy Marley Ken Boothe Marcia Griffiths U-Roy Paolo Nutini Roger Steffens Dermot Hussey Wayne Jobson Anthony DeCurtis

T I M E T O U G H 3:46 Published by: Blue Mountain Music Ltd B A M B A M 3:34 P R E S S U R E 2:11 D R O P T R U E L O V E I S H A R D T O F I N D C E L I A 2:18 Published by: Frederick Hibbert D&F

4 T I M E T O U G H 3:46 Published by: Blue Mountain Music Ltd B A M B A M 3:34 P R E S S U R E 2:11 D R O P T R U E L O V E I S H A R D T O F I N D C E L I A 2:18 Published by: Frederick Hibbert D&F Music Inc. Publishing / BMI 3:29 G O T S O U L Published By: Universal Music Publishing Ltd M O N K E Y 2:54 M A N F U N K Y 4:12 K I N G S T O N Published by: Blue Mountain Music Ltd S W E E T 2:42 A N D D A N D Y I L L N E V E R 6:42 G R O W O L D / C. DODD Published by: Topic Records (Happy Valley Music) D O T H E 3:01 Published by: Universal Music Publishing Ltd :24 CD CREDITS: U N P L U G G E D O N S T R A W B E R R Y H I L L Musicians Vocals & Guitar: Frederick Toots Hibbert Vocals: Leba Hibbert-Thomas Vocals: Jenieve Hibbert-Bailey Bass: Hopeton Hibbert Percussions: Sydney Billy Watson Location Sound Engineer Junyah Frass Bell, Nigel Burrell Production Manager Jamaica Andrea M. Davis Mixed by Sam Wheat, Metropolis Studios Mastered by Mazen Murad, Metropolis Studios Artwork //DIY, COVER PHOTOGRAPHY George Scott Executive Producers George Scott, Andrea M. Davis, Russell Hergert, Mike Cacia Special Thanks to Strawberry Hill, Doreen Hibbert, Donna Wellington, Mike Cacia, Alrick Burke, Steve Atkinson, Ian Brenchley, Metropolis Studios DVD CREDITS: G O T S O U L Isis Productions Limited 2012 Isis Productions Limited / D&F Music Director GEORGE SCOTT Producer NICK de GRUNWALD Executive producers MIKE CACIA ANDREA M DAVIS Film Editor PHIL McDONALD Photography PAUL LANG Line Producer MELISSA MORTON HICKS Designer Jon Folkard DVD Author / Producer John Godfrey Matthew Posner Metropolis Group 2011 Running time mins (approx) Audio - PCM STEREO / DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 SURROUND Region - 0 Menu screen language - English Aspect Ratio - 16:9 NTSC Disc format - 1 x DVD9 W A R N I N G T h e c o p y r i g h t p r o p r i e t o r s have licensed the cinematograph film, sound recordings and packaging artwork contained in this DVD for private home use only. All other rights are reserved. Any unauthorised use including but not limited to copying, editing, lending, exchanging, renting, hiring, exhibiting, public performance, radio or television broadcasting or any other diffusion, or otherwise dealing with this DVD or any part thereof is strictly prohibited. to ot s a n d t h e m ay ta l s. c o m I S I S - P R O D U C T I O N S. C O M metropolis - group.co.uk P H R E E M U S I C. C O M photo David Redfer / Getty Images

Best wishes and many thanks for your ongoing support. David Hobson

Best wishes and many thanks for your ongoing support. David Hobson This is the most personal CD I ve recorded in many years. Having arranged most of the material myself and recorded with close friends, this is the type of album which is a joy to make, because of the love