Reggae veteran brings beats to Coach House

Photo credit: Anthony Castellano

This story was originally published in the Capistrano Valley News on Thursday, March 5, 2009.

Anyone who caught the reggae festival featuring the Wailers, Eek-A-Mouse and Pato Banton at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa last summer knows the best artist of the night was the night’s opener. Banton and his Mystic Roots Band delivered a dazzling concert set, highlighted by “Stay Positive” and other original songs.

Now the native of Birmingham, England, returns to Orange County when he headlines at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 8, 2009. Those who enjoyed his brief 35-minute set in July 2008 will now get to see Banton deliver a full-length set.

Not only does Banton’s music revolve around positive themes, but his songs are memorable and recall the infectious sonic brew of reggae-minded artists such as the English Beat and General Public that found widespread success in the 1980s.

Banton first rose to fame in the early 1980s, when he was featured on “Hip-Hop Lyrical Robot” and “King Step” on UB40’s 1985 “Baggariddim” album. He also found acclaim in the rock universe when he teamed up with Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde on a cover of “I Got You Babe.” That single reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom.

Banton has released a wealth of strong solo efforts, including 1988’s “Visions of the World,” 1990’s “Wize Up!” (featuring his college radio hit cover of the Police classic “Spirits in the Material World”) and 2000’s Grammy-nominated “Life Is a Miracle.”

When he performs at The Coach House, Banton will likely feature recent material from his “Positive Vibrations” (2007) and “Destination Paradise” (2008) CDs.

For more information, call the Coach House at 949-496-8930.