Customer Reviews

True Love

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've loved Toots and the Maytals for years but finally he
may have the chance to bring his sounds and band to a wider audience.
Thanks to the bounty of talents that surround this ageless
giant of sound and groove, many of his overlooked gems and
lesser know vital cataloge now comes to life again. I've been
listening to this collection since it came out this
past tuesday and I first heard the last cut on the cd, "Blame it on me"
with one of my most anticipated vocalist Rachel Yamagata. I
can't say enough about this talented singer, just listen to
her debut ep, she's got a future! Bonnie Raitt, I can't say
enough about this singer either, she has a voice and style that
you can't pigeon hole in a top 40 record but she's so talented
she can work with anyone and make it credible. She shines with
Toots on this first Triple A single "True love is hard to find" I'm starting to hear this song
on radio stations that have some balls.(which aren't many). Eric Clapton adds
some great guitar work to "Pressure drop", instant radio play (thats if radio stations weren't so "pressured into such a tight
playlist????? Remember what they did with Carlos Santana's
collection of "friends", the "friends" current sounds sold that
Cd into the grammy stratosphere? I can't help but see good things for this great collection. Even someone like Willie Nelson, who starts this cd off come off sounding so good with
Toots and that reggee sound, so smooth and enjoyable.
I love so many of thsee songs especially "Funky Kingston" with
Bootsy Collins and the Roots, "Time tough" with Ryan Adams,
"Monkey Man" grooves with that speed of light Gwen Stefani vocal. From Ben Harpers, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, Trey Anastasio, Shaggy and Rahzel, to the fav Terry Hall cut & Bunny
Wailer, this collection moves around with some great grooves.
The more I take it in the more I love this. Summers coming I
hope everyone gives this a spin and buys it, its a keeper!!

this jamaica soul singing legend (who supposedly was the first to include the word 'reggae' in a song way back in the 60s) has remade alot of his classic songs with the help of a wide range of contemporary and classic singers and musicians. alot of the time there's no point in re-recording your past hits but in this case it works. the wide range of guest artists bring their unique talents to each song so there's something different to hear on each cut. and toot's voice is still a marvel-remember alot of these songs were originally recorded by him decades ago. pick up the original recordings and you'll hear just how well his voice has held up. of course on a c-d you don't get the great live show that toots and the maytals put on....part otis redding//part james brown. when i saw him in l-a back in the 90s...he put on a 3 1/2 hour performance complete with dance moves and splits. catch him live if you can...
till then... we have another 'keeper' in toot's musical and reggae legacy.

Toots is finally getting the recognition he deserves. One of the best reggae performers I've ever seen and this album is definitely one of the best. Love the cuts with Bonnie Rait and Willie Nelson and Marcia Griffiths. Toot Toot Toosie.....HELLO!

The greatest voice of all reggae acts (sorry, Bob Marley fans) returns to the limelight with remade versions of his greatest hits alongside an all-star cast.

The good news is that most of the big stars don't get in the way (No Doubt, Trey Anastasio, Eric Clapton). In fact, you have to listen fairly closely to dig Gwen Stefani or Anastasio out of the mix, they're treated basically as background singers.

There are some duets, notably with Bonnie Raitt (on the title tune), original Wailer Bunny Wailer ("Take A Trip") and Willie Nelson on the Nelson-penned "Still Is Still Moving To Me." Unfortunately, Toots also lets Keith Richard sing along on "Careless Ethiopians" and that song isn't quite as successful as the others. And "Funky Kingston," with guest shots from Bootsy Collins and Roots, doesn't have the sweaty intensity as the original, but it's a fun groove anyway.

Guest stars aside, the entire CD rocks with a tuneful, tropical bounce. And surfing on top of it all is the remarkable voice of Toots Hibbert, (I'll say it again) the best singer in all of reggae. This is a great companion for your springtime/summer barbecue and an indispensable soundtrack for drivin' tru da Babylon.

I didn't know Toots at all, but read a magazine review and gave it a chance. Boy have I been missing some great music. I listen on my commute home and arrive feeling happy and "cool" by association. If you love blues, Buffett, or Bonnie, this sound will hit you where you live. Not just for Reggae fans. Stop reading this and buy it.

Produced in the same vein as recent Santana and BB King albums, this is a throughly enjoyable reggae compilation of hits from Toots and the Maytals---with contributions from some wonderful talent---and some that maybe should not have been included.

While the old school players on this album shine; Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Bootsy Collins; Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Bunny Wailer and Keith Richards, some of the younger talent contributing to this album may pale in comparison.

Overall this is a highly enjoyable, well produced CD that has scarcely a weak track on it.

Keep on movin' Toots!

Okay - I love Toots, he's a legend and he deserves to get respect, recognition and sales. This Cd has big name artists giving respect. But I'm trying to advise on the CD here, and must say that these redone versiobns are pale imitations of the wicked, grooving originals.

If you haven't heard the originals PLEASE GET THEM as then you will know what Toots sounds like in his prime. Bloody good. If you have the originals, get this and give toots a big up.

This is the summer music of 2004. The sound is great. The songs are top notch. Anyone who has a problem with this release takes themselves too seriously. Ignore them. Treat yourself. Have some fun. Support Toots. Buy this disc. If you move to music you will love this.

I am a huge fan of Toots and the Maytals, have listened to them for more than 20 years, and have always loved their music. The original 54-46 is one of my all-time, favorite songs (not to mention Monkey Man, Pressure Drop, Bam Bam).

But. . .

But. . .

But. . . The Funky Kingston on this album, with "Toots, Roots, and Boots," is sublime. It blows the original Funky Kingston right out of the water. This song alone is worth the price of the CD. And if you don't know who the Roots or Bootsy Collins are, get thee to a record store!

Add to that Bam Bam, with Shaggy toasting (do they still call it toasting? rapping?), and you are close to the pinnacle of reggae music.

And what sends it right over the top? Never Grow Old, with Terry Hall, the Skatalites and U-Roy (!!!!!!!). You could be forgiven for not knowing that Terry Hall sang with the Specials. But if you don't know who the Skatalites or U-Roy are, there is no help for you. . .

This is the most exciting reggae album I have heard in years. That these songs are mostly new versions of older songs is of no matter. They are interpreted so beautifully that they may as well be new songs. Hooray for Toots for reinterpreting his classics in such a fresh, exciting way!

Yes, I know the album came out four years ago. I am lazy. . .

Entertaining and enjoyable listening. Nice remakes of classic Reggae songs using some crossover artists.