12 Sep 2023
I am a fan of the ska-punk band Skappository and a big fan of the reggae/ska legends Toots & The Maytals, so when I heard the former did a cover/tribute version of one of Toots most popular songs, I couldn’t wait to check it out.
Surprisingly this classic track hasn’t been covered that many times since it’s release way back in 1968. Most famously Sublime paid tribute with their own version back in 1992. More recently the UK-based ska/reggae band RudeSix did a very enjoyable variety of this number. Although The Clash didn’t cover this tune, they do pay tribute to it in the song “Jail Guitar Doors”. Oh, and I guess I have to mention even Vanilla Ice recorded he’s own spin of this classic back in 2011. Skappository’s version picks up the energy and puts their own injection of style into this one. Some very fun organ sounds, a few samples, fancy guitar strumming, and they now have a horn section, or at least a Trombone provided by Chris Malone of The Pandemics. Skappository gives it to you four times on this one!
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Likes fine beer and cheap cheese. He has been a DJ, sound mixer for commercials and television, and currently designs motorcycle parts. He also has a habit of creating pastiche style cover songs and changing the chorus to incorporate “Jeff” or “Sorley.” (sigh… it’s true – Jeff)
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