[Review] Andrew Tosh 4/27/2000

    Andrew Tosh, son of the late great Peter Tosh, gave a very spirited
performance at Brick by Brick in San Diego 4/27/2000 . The show was
opened in fine style by San Diego’s own original roots reggae band The
Revelations and The Makers, a Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead tribute
band from Santa Barbara picked by Andrew Tosh himself. 

    The Soul Syndicate Band featuring Fully Fullwood and Tony Chin who were 
original members of the Peter Tosh band backed Andrew putting down the 
familair riddims perfectly. The four piece band also included Jawge
Hughes, who has his own new album “Come on Back” on keyboards and Odel
Johnson on the skins from “Messenjah”. 

    Andrew “Original Man” Tosh kicked off the show with a sweet version of
“Pick Myself Up (I try)” quickly getting the massive on their feet
skanking. He kept the vibes rootical with his most  popular tune
“Original Man”. He was all over the stage dancing and interacting with
the crowd who loved it. He went on to announce the coming of his new
album and sang the title track “He Never Died”. The new release is
scheduled to be out later this summer 6/13/2000. 

    He said he takes performing on stage very seriously and pulled out the
classic “Rastafari Is”. Charging it hard, he  reminded everyone that no
matter where you come from your an “African”.  This part of the show was
in a medely style stringing together “African” into “Equal Rights and
Justice” and then “Downpressor Man” which was a big hit with the crowd
of about 200. He went on to say that even if there was only the man in
the wheel chair he would sing for him.

    After the medely, Andrew stopped to honor one of his father’s and the
Wailers teachers and mentors Joe Higgs. He championed that Joe Higgs is
one of the God Fathers of Reggae Music getting a nice round of applause.
Andrew went into another vintage classic “Steppin Razor”. One could not
deny how much Andrew sounds like his father with a such strong singing
voice. 
    LA’s Ja Fada, the MC, came on stage and hyped the crowd asking if they
wanted more  and more. Without hesitation San Diego let Andrew know they
were ready for more classics. Andrew trod forward on stage asking where
is his pound of ganja and the police to stay outside for a little while
longer as the clouds of smoke filled the stage. The ganja anthem
“Legalize It” blazed as he and the band rocked it. Andrew called out for
Eek-A-Mouse, San Diego resident, who was puffing back stage. The 6 foot
6 rodent obliged and chimmed in “Biddi Biddi Bong...Legalize It”
whooping-up the place. It was a great surprise and a wicked combination!
Eek and Tosh traded the mic like two good friends would do sparring line
after line. Eek-A soon went forward in to the mouse hole.

    Firing hot, Andrew jammed “Johnny B. Goode” keeping the audience
skanking and rocking. It was durning this tune that he payed respect to
his father’s band members. Later, he said I know many of you listen to
other music than reggae and did a short piece of Teddy Pendergrass’
“I’ll Hold You, Touch You” and then closed the show with a long version
of “Get Up Stand Up”.

One Love,
Carlos Culture