Various Artists- Live, Titans of Reggae at The Opera House, March 2, 2019


2019.3.2
Various Artists- Titans of Reggae- Saturday March 2 2019, Opera House, Toronto.

This was a strange early show. Live reggae at the opera House used to be synonymous with late starts, but this event was part show and part history lesson.
Culchahworks promoted this as a celebration of Toronto’s historic reggae scene, particularly the Eglinton West neighbourhood. Former Muchmusic V.J. Michael Williams emceed the event, and the backing band was a typically tight Toronto reggae rhythm section; people like keyboardist Bernie Pitters, steeped in the same roots songs being played. Local staples including Nana McLean and Jay Douglas performed alongside former-time Canadians.

The featured artists each came out after short video interviews were played of each of them talking about their times in Toronto. As to why they left, Stranjah Cole likely spoke for more people than himself when he said  “I don’t like the cold to much, that’s why I went back to the land of the sunshine.” Cole sang his ska classic “Rough and Tough” followed by Willi Williams’ performance of “Armagideon Time.”

Glen Washington played before the T-Threes backup singers and the band were introduced. Leroy Sibbles followed, coming on stage with “Babylon Queen,” which he declared was “Canadian Content.” He played one of his best know bass lines first popularized by The Mighty Diamonds in “Pass the Kuchie” which went on to form the backbone of countless reggae songs thereafter. Sibbles bade the crowd goodnight, but he band and singers all returned for an encore. Toronto used to host more roots concerts, and tonight was a reminder of what great times one can have at these shows.

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