Recorded at a fabulous show at San Francisco's Maritime Hall, this was a night full of surprises, as the Gladiators ran through a set stuffed with classics that left the enthusiastic crowd utterly sated. Albert Griffiths' voice may have become more fragile with age, but he's lost none of his emotive potency, and the exquisitely sweet voice of Ruddlowe Robinson provides the perfect harmony support as they kick off with a harmony-drenched version of Write to Me. Sporting the phenomenal talents of guitarists Gallimore Sutherland and Clinton Rufus on rhythm and lead respectively, hotshot second-generation members keyboardist Vernon Sutherland and drummer Anthony Griffiths, and the fabulous bass work of veteran Earl Bagga Walker, the band sounds spectacular, with engineer Scientist ensuring that the mix is flawless. Bongo Red simmers and flares, diving down into deep dub territory; in contrast, Looks Is Deceiving is as delicate as Venetian glass, Griffiths' gentle vocals in counterpoint to Walker's bass, a high-stepping bull in the musical shop. In a similar vein comes You Can't Stop Righteousness, followed by a steamy, skanking Roots Natty. But then it's all change for the fast and furious Getty Getty, a roots rocker that really rocks, fired by jubilant keyboards and splashes of guitar licks and riffs. In contrast to that fiery number is the group's glorious, expansive, nearly note-perfect cover of the Wailers' Duppy Conqueror that plays up its John Crow skank of a rhythm but features virtually the same falsetto harmonies as the original, all in sublime tribute to Bob Marley. If that was unexpected, the biggest surprise of the night comes a bit later in the set during their grand rendition of their first big hit, 1968's Hello Carol, when Don Carlos joins them on-stage. And not content with that, Griffiths then pulls DJ Mikey General up to the mike to deliver an enthusiastic impromptu toast celebrating the proceedings. By this point, the audience can barely contain themselves, but the Gladiators have one more treat in store, an extended version of Stick a Bush that spins across the band introductions with each musician taking a sizable solo stroll, morphing toward the end into the Marley chant of "Don't give up the fight/Never give up the fight." And with Griffiths' final thanks to his fans, the band bows out in style. What a show -- absolutely unforgettable. ~ Jo-Ann Greene, Rovi

1		Write to Me
2		Bongo Red
3		Belly Full
4		Looks Is Deceiving
5		Duppy Conqueror
6		You Can't Stop Righteousness
7		Roots Natty
8		Getty Getty
9		Hello Carol
10		Stick a Bush

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