September 1987 - whispers, rumoured sightings, fleeting glimpses - everyone knew someone who'd spoken to somebody who'd definately seen Albert 'Toots' Earl, back in town! Was it really true after a mysterious twenty year absence? Meanwhile, elsewhere in the South West of England, long established Plymouth band The Octave Doctors were gigging solidly. 'Doctors' Dave 'Dirts' Ahern and Terry 'T' Ball, former musical colleagues of Toots, put out feelers and contact was eventually made. T asked Toots to join the band and Toots (the 'Reluctant Legend') was persuaded. Over the next few months, the Octaves' repertoire of quirky covers of rarely heard rhythm & blues and blues songs evolved into a set comprising 95% original songs, lyrics written by Toots and/or Dave Ahern. Toots Earl & The Redneck Band was born!!
Mike Oxlong, M.N.E. (Music News and Echo), 1991
