Their gig fame stems from their very first album, Live At The Counter Eurovision '79, which has attained cult status and is, quite rightly, viewed as no less than the equal of 'original' Jamaican reggae by aficionados.

At their early gigs in the late 70s, punk bands often supported them. At this time, I saw them supported by The Ruts in the hot bed of Roots reggae, Brockenhurst! It is testament to how hard they've worked and the legacy of the years of touring throughout Europe that they attract a wide-based eclectic audience that eagerly await their gigs. Being John Peel's favourite reggae season band would have also helped.

The DJ that preceded the band played the inevitable Bob Marley tunes and a good mix of roots orientated reggae of which Damian Marley 'Welcome to Jamrock' -- "down in the streets, they call it MURDER!" was the highlight. But, inevitably, the large crowd grew impatient to see the band as the sound levels rose and the bass got deeper.

And now for the technical bit. This venue can be fully seated but that would be a total waste for such a band as MIR. Thankfully, the management knew this and organised the flat suspended floor alternative. As the band got into their stride to chant down Babylon, the floor literally moved to the bass. An experience worth the price of a ticket alone.

Misty In Roots brought out a new album in 2002 called 'Roots Controller'. This included six new songs and re-recordings of some old songs such as, 'How Long Jah!', which was originally on the Counter Eurovision album. The old songs they played were the best for me including the "traditional Misty" of 'On The Road Again'. One of the best songs which shows off Walford Tyson's soulful voice is a new one called 'Dancehall Babylon' which castigates the "The heathens" of the Dance Hall who "don't praise Jah in their dance. All they want is sex and vanity."

As a band, they have covered many political and ecological subjects including racial injustice, murder and anti-consumerism. So no T-shirts or CD sales team in the foyer but check out their 'Shop' on the official web site for merchandise (see Links below).

This was the second time MIR had played Poole Lighthouse and I'm definitely going to go to the third. As they say, "With Misty In Roots, no matter the struggle, no matter how many years have passed, we move together, slow and sure, and forever forward, forward..."

Tour Dates:
Saturday 2nd July 2005: EXETER RESPECT 2005,
Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter, Devon www.exeter-respect.org
Monday 30th May 2005: Orange Evolution 05
East Quayside, Gateshead, www.orangeevolution.co.uk
Saturday 30th April 2005: The Gaiety Suite
South Parade Pier, Southsea, Portsmouth www.smallaxe.org.uk

Links:
Misty In Roots - Official Site
Live At The Counter Eurovision still astounds with its power and majesty. Listen, enjoy, and reflect on one of the most important and truly great UK reggae bands ever to grace a stage or recording studio. Door Peeper - April 1997
Roots Controller Review
Damian Marley Welcome to Jamrock
Radio 1 Worldwide 03/04/05 Martin Cambell -- Wicked Rule (Jah Works)
In Honor of Misty In Roots