True Love

Toots & The Maytals

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 12, 2004)
• Original Release Date: April 6, 2004
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: V2 North America
• ASIN: B0001GNDN4
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,453 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #2 in	Music > World Music > Reggae > Jamaican Ska
  #44 in	Music > Alternative Rock > Ska
  #72 in	Music > World Music > Compilations > Reggae

Editorial Reviews

Boston Globe, March 26, 2004

Celebrity guests don't always raise an album above the pack, but they do in this case.

Product Description

What do Ryan Adams, Trey Anastasio, Jeff Beck, Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Eric Clapton, Bootsy Collins, The Roots, Ben Harper, Terry Hall, The Skatalites, Willie Nelson, No Doubt, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, Shaggy, Rahzel, U-Roy, Bunny Wailer and Rachael Yamagata have in common?

The all-star guests on "true love" range from legends Like Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, and Bonnie Raitt to younger stars including No Doubt, The Roots, and Trey Anastasio. The caliber of these collaborators reveals the impact that Toots has had on several generations of rockers and rappers, while appearances from reggae icons Bunny Wailer and Marcia Griffiths show the respect granted to the man who might be the music’s greatest living vocalist. At the heart of it all is that voice - drenched in soul, rooted in gospel, and still breathtakingly powerful after almost four decades in the spotlight.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great way to bring in the spring/summer....., April 9, 2004

By	J. Bilby "littlebibs" (Kingston, New Hampshire United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!!

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Cannot Be Disappointed!, April 6, 2004

By	David Weiner (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Toots is apparently one of the fathers of Reggae and the creator of the term. He has had a very solid, yet somewhat stealthy career. It's hard to believe that someone so highly regarded has not made it to the mainstream. This album may have changed everything (for better or for worse.)

Every song on this album could be a hit in several genres. Toots combines with stars from every type of music including country, hip-hop, rap, rock, pop, ska, etc.

Toots was able to pull such big names because of how much reverance all the musicians have for him. Not many singers can get the likes of Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Trey Anastasio, and Ben Harper to sing with in their career, let alone one album.

Many of these songs transcend ordinary labels and stereotypes (I played this album for my parents and they loved it).

The first song is a great way to start this album. Willie Nelson has one of the most identifiable voices in music, and with a song that is so likeable and melodic, every listener is immediately drawn in. Following that up with a Bonnie Raitt song may scare away country-haters, but if they actually listen to it, they will like it. Next up is Eric Clapton, who wails away with Toots on the classic 'Pressure Drop.'

The rest of the album goes on the same -- big names, big sound, and great tunes. There is the exception of 'Love Gonna Walk Out on Me' with Ben Harper, which stands out as one of the best songs on the album.

All in all, this album is one of the best I have heard in a long time. In an era where looks and marketability matter more than substance and talent, finally an album has come out to prove the studio execs wrong. Don't miss this one as you will not be disappointed!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect summer fun as toots updates his hits, May 8, 2004

By	"spinandmarty" (sonora, california) - See all my reviews

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.