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The Specials
 
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The Specials [Enhanced] [Original recording reissued] [Original recording remastered] (*4 for the price of 3)

~ Specials
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
Price: £3.98 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
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38 new from £3.79 3 used from £5.99 1 collectible from £59.99
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Frequently Bought Together

The Specials + More Specials + You Just Can't Beat It: the Best of the Beat
Price For All Three: £12.44

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Product details

  • Audio CD (25 Mar 2002)
  • Number of Discs: 1
  • Format: Enhanced, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
  • Label: Chrysalis Catalogue
  • ASIN: B00005YU95
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 1,383 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in these categories:

    #4 in  Music > Indie > Ska
    #7 in  Music > Reggae > Ska
    #23 in  Music > Indie > New Wave & Post-punk

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Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s

Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or view the MP3 Album.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

Samples
Song TitleArtist Time Price
Listen  1. A Message To You Rudy (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 2:53£0.89
Listen  2. Do The Dog (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 2:08£0.69
Listen  3. It's Up To You (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 3:23£0.89
Listen  4. Nite Klub (2002 Digital Remaster) (Feat. Rico)The Specials Featuring Rico 3:24£0.69
Listen  5. Doesn't Make It Alright (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 3:25£0.69
Listen  6. Concrete Jungle (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 3:18£0.69
Listen  7. Too Hot (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 3:08£0.69
Listen  8. Monkey Man (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 2:44£0.69
Listen  9. (Dawning Of A) New Era (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 2:26£0.69
Listen10. Blank Expression (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 2:43£0.69
Listen11. Stupid Marriage (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 3:50£0.69
Listen12. Too Much Too Young (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 6:05£0.69
Listen13. Little Bitch (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 2:32£0.69
Listen14. You're Wondering Now (2002 Digital Remaster)The Specials 2:36£0.69

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

The beat that got a generation dancing and brought ska back into the public eye. Produced by Elvis Costello, then still a boy wonder himself, the album built on the sound of the Specials' first two singles, and gave the world its first extended look at Two Tone. Inspired writing and arranging (much of it down to founder Jerry Dammers) with Terry Hall as the laconic front man made for a perfect combination, the riddim of ska and the speed of punk. As a testament to its power, two decades haven't lessened its impact. --Chris Nickson

CD Description

Produced by Elvis Costello, this self-titled 1979 debut quickly became gospel to the wave of ska then sweeping England.Infusing the catchy, jumpy music developed by artists like the Skatalites and Prince Buster a generation before them with punk's youthful disenfranchisement, bands like the Specials, the Selecter and Madness gave birth to a movement, one which strove for such noble goals as racial unity (then a particularly sore issue in Britain) and non-violence. THE SPECIALS states these ideals magnificently, wrapping them in tunes bursting with energy--tight, sincere and masterful.
Ska's musical style is an easy one to discern--syncopated rhythm guitar, infectious rhythms, horn sections a-go-go; vocals often reach the level of a rant, and the lyrics are usually of utmost import. The album's opener and by far its most recognised tune "A Message To You Rudy" spoke frankly and directly to those youngsters tempted towards the gangster life. "Do the Dog" is more outright social statement--an earnest appeal not to fall into life's easy, safe categories, be they military or social. Societal issues of every stripe are attacked--from "Stupid Marriage" to "Concrete Jungle".

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
5 star:
 (13)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.9 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a 'must have' cd, 2 Sep 2002
By K. Kay "ska_boy" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
The vinyl version of this cd was the first record I ever bought and to this day it is still my fav record of all time. It is just fantastic. From start to finish this lp is brilliant. 'Do the dog' and 'concrete jungle' are particular favourates of mine. Its no wonder that this LP has been voted into the top 100 LP's of all times - its impact never lessons.

The only negative that I have always thought about this record (and this is a very minor point) is that this it has a long version of 'too much too young' which I find a bit slow - perhaps that's why they decided to release the live version of it in single format, which subsequently got to number one. However that is only a minor point and do not let that put you off buying this as it is still a great song.

To this this day I still find 'you're wondering now' makes me sad - maybe its because its the last song. Still this a good reason to press the repeat button as this soon cheers you up again. No

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING, 4 Aug 2004
I bought this album without having heard anything other than Ghost Town and Too Much Too Young before. And it turned out to be be one of those rare records that you fall in love with on its first play, from start to finish. The sheer energy and enthusiasm of the record is astounding, every song is a masterpiece. I was only four years old when this was released, so I can't imagine how great it must have sounded back then. The lyrics get straight to the point, lines like "try wearing a cap, keep a generation gap" really get their message across. The only very minor criticism I have is that the version of Too Much Too Young goes on a bit too long, and its a tad slow. Overall though this record will quickly find its way into your Top 5 of all time. Stop reading reviews and just buy it now.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Pretty Special, 24 Aug 2006
By Paul A (Bath, UK) - See all my reviews
This is my favourite of the 2 Specials albums. 'More Specials' is quirkier, but this is equally fun and more up-tempo. I love to leap around to this record at every oportunity, (much to the annoyance of my neighbours). I could wiffle on about all of the profound lyrics and such and Terry Hall's deadpan style, but once you buy this record then you will find out for yourself. Suffice to say that this record is well worth getting for your collection. If you like that 2 tone sound, then it really doesn't get any better than this. And at this price it is a steal!!!!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars This will wipe that blank expression off your face (4.5 Stars)
If anyone owns either just 'The Singles' or 'The Best Of The Specials' then you'll probably think that that's enough for me. Well, think again! Read more
Published 5 months ago by Richard

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent.
The Specials at their peak. A good CD at a good price. I might almost go so far as to say "must have". Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mr. A. M. HOGG

5.0 out of 5 stars the specials
waited ages for this now it has come not stop playing it, cannot beat the old stuff superb,.ska.
Published 6 months ago by S. Paton

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Skanking!!
This album wil aways be one of the best albums ever! The lyrics still mean as much today as they did in 1979. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Alan D. Evans

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Album
This is the first Specials album I've bought and they're superb. I've always liked the Specials but never really got round to buying an album. Read more
Published 9 months ago by I. M. Knight

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece yes
Whilst it is indeed masterpiece of pop creation and you really must own it. It is still only a pop creation, really very pop and i wouldn't really say it sounded "fresh" on every... Read more
Published on 31 May 2006 by J. Smith

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic.
This is without a shadow of a doubt one of the greatest albums ever recorded. If your are into Punk or Ska this really is a must buy.
Published on 12 Feb 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic of Musical Re-Invention. Brilliant !
The Specials album is and was without doubt, a fantastic album. Anyone with any appreciation for music whatsoever, should buy this. Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2004

4.0 out of 5 stars Am i missing something of the first hand Ska experience?
Having recently decided to correct one or two oversights in my music collection I bought this C.D. Ska was one of the few genres that passed me by originally. Read more
Published on 15 Aug 2004 by russell clarke

5.0 out of 5 stars Speechless
I bought this album, or should I say LP when it first came out, it's an absolute masterpiece, never lived up to with any of their follow up albums, although they did do some good... Read more
Published on 9 Feb 2004 by John Tierney

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