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A LOT of artists tell an audience "It's great to be back" but Toots Hibbert genuinely means it.
Three years ago, the 73-year-old reggae legend was hit on the head by a vodka bottle thrown by a drunken fan.
The resulting injuries left him with depression, memory loss and stage fright. It looked like he'd never tour again.
So many of us weren't expecting much from this first Brighton show since the incident. That Toots turned out to be more focused and in better voice than he has been for years was nothing short of a miracle.
Backed by a five-piece band and three singers, including daughter Leba Thomas, Toots performed an unashamedly crowd-pleasing show. No problem with that – Pressure Drop, Time Tough, Sweet And Dandy, Funky Kingston and Reggae Got Soul are some of the best Jamaican tunes ever recorded by arguably the island's greatest singer.
A manic Monkey Man had everyone going crazy before an extended 54-46 (That's My Number) ended a thrilling 90 minutes.
Toots looked understandably nervous when an over-excited fan climbed up on stage and had to be removed by bouncers. But there's probably no better illustration of how this amazing performer can fire up a crowd.
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