Monday, January 31, 2011

"Monkey Man/Blank Expression (Live)" - The Specials

THE BEAT - LIVE IN AMSTERDAM 1980

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This was from the tour supporting their first album release (I Just Cant Stop It), the band having already scored chart success with their excellent cover of 'Tears Of A Clown'.
The Specials quoted:'Formed in the working class suburbs of industrial Birmingham in England in 1978 The Beat arose at a time of high unemployment and social upheaval. From the outset the band offered messages of hope and peace with an insight into sociopolitical topics would later alongside The Specials see them heralded as forerunners of the whole 2-Tone Ska movement'.

A Message To You Rudy

THE SPECIALS - SPECIALS 1979

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http://www.discogs.com/Specials-Specials/master/8179

Released in 1979 on Jerry Dammers' 2Tone label, the album is seen by some as the defining moment in the UK ska scene. Produced by Elvis Costello, the album captures the disaffection and anger felt by the youth of the UK.Trombonist Rico Rodriguez, who performed on many 50s and 60s Jamaican recordings before moving to London in 1962, played on the band's version of "A Message to You, Rudy", as he had on the original recording fifteen years previously. As a former member of the legendary Skatalites, a band that helped define the sound of ska and reggae, Rico's appearance on the album considerably added to the album's credentials.

Bad Manners - Special Brew.

The Beat - Whine and grine-Stand down Margaret..

The Specials - Gangsters

The Bodysnatchers - Do Rock Steady

The English Beat - Rankin Full Stop

The Specials - Skinhead Symphony (Long Shot Kick The Bucket/Liquidator/S...

The Specials - Hey Little Rich Girl

Selector - Too Much Pressure.

Madness 'The Prince'

THE SPECIALS/THE SELECTER - BBC LIVE 1979

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http://www.discogs.com/Selecter-Specials-BBC-Radio-1-Live-In-Concert/release/1290853

Madness - Bed And Breakfast Man (The Peel Sessions)

THE SPECIALS - MORE SPECIALS

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The album was produced, and dedicated to Jim Bradley of Bradleyshire. The album was the band's second, after their self-titled debut, and expanded the group's 2 tone sound to include lounge music and other influences. It includes collaborations with The Go-Go's, Rhoda Dakar from The Bodysnatchers and Lee Jay Thompson from Madness.

http://www.discogs.com/Specials-More-Specials/release/925899

The Specials-Skinhead Moonstomp (1979)

DANCE CRAZE 1981

Dance Craze 1981

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Dance Craze is a 1981 British documentary film about the English 2 Tone music genre.
The film was directed by Joe Massot, who originally wanted to do a film only about the band Madness, who he met during their first US tour. Massot later changed his plans to include the whole 2 Tone movement. The film, shot in 1980, comprised performance footage of Madness, The Specials, The Selecter, The Bodysnatchers, The Beat and Bad Manners on tour throughout the United Kingdom. A soundtrack album of the same name was released the same year, featuring fifteen of the songs that were featured in the film.

The Audio Tracklist:
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Dance-Craze/release/379807

The VHS Tracklist:
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Dance-Craze/release/2120224

Dance Craze - Documentary 1981 (Part 1)