Misty In Roots

Coming out of the capital’s Southall in the 70s, with Steel Pulse coming out of St Paul’s Bristol at roughly the same time, Misty In Roots inspired a generation of young, disenfranchised black and white youth fighting the National Front and their virulent strain of violent racism. In ‘79 the band’s Clarence Baker, was beaten up by the notorious SPG (Special Patrol Group) during an anti-racist protest, this forming the backdrop to the punk classic ‘Jah War’. But Misty had a lockerful of their own, mostly on what is regarded as the best live album of all time ‘Live At the Counter Eurovision’. Tracks like ‘Sodom And Gomorrah’, ‘Mankind’ and ‘See Them Ah Come’ are pieces of pure poetry voiced by the sweetest of lyricists, and still very much in the ascendency judging by tonight’s performance, Walford Tyson. Fantastic memories, fantastic band…

Concorde 2, 5 July 2013

Rating: