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Product details
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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Gangsters | |||
| 2. A Message To You Rudy (2002 Remaster) | |||
| 3. Nite Klub (2002 Digital Remaster) (Feat. Rico) | |||
| 4. Concrete Jungle (2002 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 5. Too Much Too Young (Live) | |||
| 6. Blank Expression (2002 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 7. Doesn't Make It Alright (2002 Digital Remaster) | |||
| 8. Rude Boys Outa Jail | |||
| 9. Rat Race | |||
| 10. Man At C&A (2002 Digital Remaster) | |||
See all 20 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Gangsters | |||
| 2. A Message To You Rudy | |||
| 3. Too Much Too Young (Live) | |||
| 4. Rat Race | |||
| 5. Do Nothing | |||
| 6. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think) (Live) | |||
| 7. Ghost Town | |||
| 8. Bright Lights | |||
| 9. The Lonely Crowd | |||
| 10. Housebound | |||
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See all 16 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
CD Description
Formed in Coventry in 1977, The Coventry Automatics went on to become The Specials, one of the most influential British bands to emerge from the punk-era and talisman for the ska revival. This compilation of their best moments includes the spooky and atmospheric "Ghost Town" and "Concrete Jungle", a brooding portrayal of inner-city life. A DVD is included, with a mixture of videos and live footage of the band throughout their illustrious time together, which included seven consecutive top 10 UK hits.
Product Description
(2008/EMI) 20 tracks 1979-2002 plus DVD (PAL, Code 0, 16 clips).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Specials (or The Special AKA as they were known occasionally) were arguably the most influential band of the late 70s/early 80s. Formed in 1977, two years prior to Thatcher's government, it was the bands ability to mix diverse musical styles (ska, punk, reggae, rockabilly) and turn them into something immesely enjoyable which endeared them to their legions of fans, couple this together with a message of racial harmony and anti-establishment sentiments and you are just scraping the surface of the power this band had.
The Specials were the brainchild of Jerry Dammers, who formed his own record label and managed to recruit other, like minded bands (such as Madness, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter) with a view to forming a 'collective' of musicians, all with something to say to the youth of Thatcher's Britain. Hence, 'Two Tone' was born.
This album puts together the obligatory singles and tracks from the first three Specials albums (Specials, More Specials and In The Studio) together with a DVD of videos for singles and footage of live performances. If, like me, you are an avid fan then this is only worth buying for the (as far as I am aware) otherwise unavailable DVD as I have all the other tracks on the digitally remastered albums, but for this price the DVD on it's own is a bargain.
If you are interested in The Specials and want to grab a cross section of their work then this is a great starting point and it does contain a number of album tracks which deserve to be heard (e.g. Nite Klub, Blank Expression, Stereotypes etc.)
All in all a fantastic cross section of The Specials' work and a great way to brush up before the hugely anticipated tour in the autumn of 2008 with all the original band members(fingers crossed that it goes ahead).
Buy It!
The Specials were the brainchild of Jerry Dammers, who formed his own record label and managed to recruit other, like minded bands (such as Madness, The Beat, The Bodysnatchers, The Selecter) with a view to forming a 'collective' of musicians, all with something to say to the youth of Thatcher's Britain. Hence, 'Two Tone' was born.
This album puts together the obligatory singles and tracks from the first three Specials albums (Specials, More Specials and In The Studio) together with a DVD of videos for singles and footage of live performances. If, like me, you are an avid fan then this is only worth buying for the (as far as I am aware) otherwise unavailable DVD as I have all the other tracks on the digitally remastered albums, but for this price the DVD on it's own is a bargain.
If you are interested in The Specials and want to grab a cross section of their work then this is a great starting point and it does contain a number of album tracks which deserve to be heard (e.g. Nite Klub, Blank Expression, Stereotypes etc.)
All in all a fantastic cross section of The Specials' work and a great way to brush up before the hugely anticipated tour in the autumn of 2008 with all the original band members(fingers crossed that it goes ahead).
Buy It!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Comprising an excellent greatest hits collection with a dvd of live performances and promo videos, this compilation is essential. Unless you're a big fan or completist this package contains everything you could want from The Specials' enduring legacy. Much of their music still sounds vital and contemporary. Along with The Beat's recent 2 cd compilation, You Just Can't Beat It (and maybe The Selecter's greatest hits), you have a capsule history of the late 70s/early 80s ska revival. Recommended.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Listening to the anger tinged nonchalance of Terry Hall's unique voice transports me back to a time of deep dissatisfaction, unrest and uncertainity. It also evokes memories of youthful rebellion and the sense of outrage at what the future held for a young working class Northen lad. The Specials, more than any of the other SKA/Two Tone bands of the time, signified far more than a mere revival in Mod fashion and music and, unlike a number of their milder mannered contemporaries, their appeal crossed the boundaries of the rigid teenage-tribal loyalties that populated Thatchers 80's . Punks, Skins, Soul Boys and New Romantics could all find something within their sound that resonated.Everybody loved the Specials.They took a firm Anti Racist and Political stance and spoke directly to, and clearly for, the marginalised and disenfranchised of all our communities. The kick from the brilliant sound that resulted from the fusion of white working class poetry and pumping ska has not diminished in the years that have passed since the Specials ripped a hole for themselves in the fabric of 80's music with their landmark eponymous 1979 breakthrough album. Its no surprise, given these days of austerity and unrest, that the band (sadly minus the estranged founder member and main songwriter Jerry Dammers) are in a period of resurgence.
The music is as raw,relevant and rebel rousing now as it was back in the early 80's and I would urge anyone, who may have maybe caught a recent sight and sound of the Specials but wants to find out more, to start right here with this classy collection. Five Stars.
The music is as raw,relevant and rebel rousing now as it was back in the early 80's and I would urge anyone, who may have maybe caught a recent sight and sound of the Specials but wants to find out more, to start right here with this classy collection. Five Stars.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Still as good as they ever were
Going to see them in Oct 11 and really looking forward to it.
They are certainly worth a look.
Still as good as they were.
They are certainly worth a look.
Still as good as they were.
Published 8 months ago by Mr. Jm Guy
Message to you Rudy!
Apart from the later few tracks by the Special AKA, this is a great album that will send you back to your youth - bomber jackets, donkey jackets and stay press trousers! SKINHEADS!
Published 19 months ago by K. Wellman
Classic and Brilliant-BUy this and The Specials First Album
THE No 1 British Ska revival Album- ! Buy the original The Specials Album too, Madness had a couple of good real Ska tunes but the specials win hands down as they really mean it !
Published 21 months ago by Bayleaf Jardins
Very good!!!
I brought this. As a birthday present for my dad, it turned out to be the right choice as the album had all the classic songs on there butcalso had videos on there from live... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by Samuel Bromage
The special bits are really special
The Specials are one of those bands that I didn't appreciate at the time. Some of these songs were recorded 30 years ago but they sound as good now as they ever did. Read more
Published on 13 Aug 2009 by E. Woods
the specials
a must for any specials fans. great to hear all their hits on one album.
Published on 7 Jun 2009 by Mrs. Tracy A. Cliffe
Best of the specials
Bought as a gift, have been informed that the collection of songs is good and includes the favorites
Published on 5 Jun 2009 by Lost in the far east
Just Brilliant
This album shows just how good the Specials are / were - has all the classics on Ghost Town as relevant today as it was then - took me right back to the eighties - a must have for... Read more
Published on 26 May 2009 by C. M. Egglestone
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