Toots & the Maytals still groove

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Reggae is all about the preacher on such songs as groove, and if you needed to “Do the Reggay,” “Funky be reminded, Toots & the Kingston,” “Monkey Man” Maytals delivered a primer and“Bam Bam.” on Sunday at Hartwood The crack five-piece backup Acres in Hampton. band remained solid

The half-time drum beat throughout, with numerous and syncopated upstrokes audience members in their from the guitar and keyboard 20s — and thus not even kept the mosh pit in born when the band began front the stage jammed almost — dipping and hopping during from the start of the the show. concert, part of the Allegheny Two cover songs — the County Summer Concert Kingsmen’s “Louie, Louie” Series. and John Denver’s “Take

Vocalist Frederick Me Home, Country Roads” “Toots” Hibbert ruled the — proved that almost anything stage, delivering lines like a can be turned into reggae if you make the effort.

The Maytals saved their best for the encore, “54-46 That’s My Number,” a reference to Mr. Hibbert’s number when he was incarcerated decades ago. At one point the band broke away from the Jamaican beat and moved into some hand-clapping straight-up gospel, with a couple of “Hallelujahs!” thrown in for good measure.

There were a few guitar solos and keyboard fills during the concert, but remember: It’s all about the groove.