Music

Average customer rating:

Important party album
Happy times on a summer's day
Two tone ska classic. The perfect blend of strong song writing, fun, ska and touch of punk energy
Pressure Drop
Err, ummm, Yeah...

Specials
The Specials
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

One Step Beyond...
Beat This: The Best of the English Beat
I Just Can't Stop It
More Specials
Special Beat Service

ASIN: B00005YU95
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

A Message To You Rudy
Do The Dog
It's Up To You
Nite Klub
Doesn't Make It Alright
Concrete Jungle
Too Hot
Monkey Man
(Dawning Of A) New Era
Blank Expression
Stupid Marriage
Too Much Too Young
Little Bitch
You're Wondering Now

Amazon.com

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

Album Description

UK 2002 remastered reissue of the British ska revivalist's 1979 album. Includes ECD section containing 2 promotional videos 'Gangsters' & 'Too Much Too Young'. Produced by Elvis Costello.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered for the First Time with the Help of Founding Member/Keyboardist Jerry Dammers. Originally Produced by Elvis Costello. Includes Extended Sleeve Notes and an Enhanced Section featuring the Video of 'gangsters' (A Black and White Promo) and Colour Footage of 'too Much Too Young' Performed Live in Concert. This was the Watershed Album of the Late 70's/Early 80's Ska Movement and Universal Reviews Helped the Whole Trend Explode. Unlike Ub40, Specials (Et Al) were Frenetic, Hyped Up and Energy Driven. In Addition, the Song Lyrics were Filled with Humour and Dealt with Social Issues and Politics of the Time with a Frankness Not Heard from Others. For Fanatics, the Versionof 'too Much Too Young' is Indeed the Full Six Minute Version, Unlike the Mysteriously Edited Version Found on the Us Version of the Album!

Customer Reviews:

Important party album.......2007-04-25

3 1/2

Infectiously catchy older ska band will forever have a place in British punk rock history, to this day echoing many traits found in some of their more popular young bands, as well as so many of the party aesthetics found throughout the American musical landscape in the past 20 years. Obviously a band with plenty of well deserved acclaim and influence, but still a band that fails to deliver stellar albums. As fun as so much of this important '79 debut is, complimenting the fast paced, aggressive dance-offs with crisp reggae-influenced interplay guided by the impressive bass work, anyone not directly involved in the ska movement may shrug of some of the familiar framing that paints many of these compositions in the same sneeringly upbeat light. Exceptions to these head-bobbing rules (Doesn't Make It Alright) go further and provide more then the majority of stuff to be found here, but anyone searching for that perfect piece of retro ska for their next party will feel right at home with this in collection.

Happy times on a summer's day.......2006-11-04

Pop this into your car and drive. The song 'too hot' sounds best with the window down, a tank top on and an ice cold lemonade near your right hand. A 'Message to you Rudy' will make you want to sing out loud. And 'you're wondering now' is best enjoyed on a drive home after an evening with friends. Trust me, you can't help but hum along. This is definitely a 'warm weather' cd. Put it in the mix of music at a cookout, it's great in the background. Or enjoy it solo, driving in the car, on a warm summer day. An excellent addition to your collection of summer tunes.

Two tone ska classic. The perfect blend of strong song writing, fun, ska and touch of punk energy.......2006-03-24

When this album came out most punx I knew were totally into it. I know I was. There'd been that music scene of the B 52's, BLONDIE, ELVIS COSTELLO, JOE JACKSON and TALKING HEADS. Punk had exploded onto the scene as well, of course, The SEX PISTOLS, The CLASH, The DEAD KENNEDYS, BLACK FLAG, CIRCLE JERKS, BAD BRAINS. Punk had always had some sorta connection to reggae, BAD BRAINS being the quintessinal creator of sublime punk as well as non-sleepy reggae songs.

A whole new form of music came smashing into existance, that nutty Two-Tone sound. MADNESS, The SELECTOR, The SPECIALS and The ENGLISH BEAT. There was no equivilent in the U.S. It was a pure UK import. In the UK there'd been musical movements in modern rock including Mods and other stuff that never fully translated to the U.S. But the SPECIALS' first album here sure did. It hit us smack in the face. This is one of those albums that's perfect. There's no weak song. You could listen to a MADNESS album and find maybe 2 great songs. i was never particularly fond of The SELECTOR. The ENGLISH BEAT's first album was also a pure delight. However, this SPECIALS' album was a stunner. It was so good that it immediately took its place as the premier Two-Tone release, as far as everybody I knew in the punk scene was concerned. We could tell this wasn't New Wave, it wasn't some big music business over produced musical Frankenstein meant to appeal to the masses. This was honest, high energy cousin of reggae and we knew it when we saw/heard it.

That two tone piece of having black guys and white guys in the band was just another delight. There were very few black or brown guys (I may have been one of 5 brown guys in the San Diego punk scene in the late 70's, early 80's till I stumbled across the Tijuana punk scene, plenty 'o brown punx there. A delightful scene). The good news was, I never picked up a hint of racism amongst the mainly white, mainly male punk scene in San Diego or L.A. Of course, that doesn't count the skin heads. And some of them were into the ska thing and not particularly racist.

What's the true test of a classic, a masterpiece? It's what does it sound like 10, 20, 30 years later. Give this slab 'o vinyl (er, cd) a listen. You can tell each song is a hit. Beautifully crafted fun, high energy, creative musical gems. Did you see them on their Saturday Night Live set? Musta been about 1980. Whew, I don't remember a single other band, before or since, on that show, that was as full on energetic and jumpin' around and firing on all pistons as the SPECIALS were.

As you may know, this was their peak. Everything they did after this, well, one album really and several singles and a great 12" (Ghost Town) were all they could muster before they broke up, transforming into SPECIALS AKA and splintering into other groups, never to recapture or continue to create songs as fully realized as the ones on this record although it's way worth getting that 12".

Aside from the first two ENGLISH BEAT albums, this album is, by far, the premier late 70's, early 80's two tone ska album. It takes no effort to buy this baby. No trust. Just get it if you don't have it. Heck, I might get it just to see those 2 videos on this enhanced cd. I am partial to vinyl records with one proviso, ok, two, pops and cracks inevitably show up and they aren't nearly as portable as cds. But their size is a great advantage for albums with good album covers. When a bunch of other reviewers reach concensus, listen to them. It's a winner. If there's any negative reviews here, then the person must not be into high quality ska. It's as simple as that. chrisbct@hotmail.com

Pressure Drop.......2006-01-29

Well I'm not a kid, but M. Fantino, The Specials didn't influence The Clash on Pressure Drop. Toots and the Maytals did, seeing as how Pressure Drop is actually a Maytals song, not a Clash song. Just a heads up.

p.s. Check the Maytals out, they rock my skull.

Err, ummm, Yeah..........2005-12-23

It irks me a little when people actually like bands like No Doubt and Sublime. It infuriates me that no one knows that the Specials could veritably rip all these new school California pansies new ones. The Specials are my all time favorite SKA band, and this is hands down the best album from them. It's got that stunning blend of punk, reggae and funk that no one has really been able to copy succesfully. Everyone I have revealed this album seems to adore it.

Average customer rating:

Bruce's Review
More than a Soundtrack
One more time...
Great Music
It works in so many circumstances!

Snatch (2001 Film)
Bobby Byrd , Madonna , The Specials , The Herbaliser , Massive Attack , Oasis , and Huey "Piano" Smith & the Clowns
Manufacturer: Tvt
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels: Music From The Motion Picture
Fight Club: Original Motion Picture Score
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (1998 Film)
Ocean's Eleven
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Widescreen Edition)

ASIN: B000056JZJ
Release Date: 2001-01-09

Tracks:

Kuasehfgaiurgh (Dialogue From Film) - Brad Pitt
Diamond - Klint
Supermoves - Overseer
Hernando's Hideaway - The Johnston Brothers
Golden Brown - The Stranglers
Dreadlock Holiday - 10cc
Hava Nagila - John Murphy
Avi Arrives (Dialogue From Film) - Dennis Farina
Cross The Tracks (We Better Go Back) - Maceo & The Macks
Disco Science - Mirwais
Nemesis (Dialogue From Film) - Alan Ford
Hot Pants (I'm Coming, Coming, I'm Coming) - Bobby Byrd
Lucky Star - Madonna
Ghost Town - The Specials
Are You There - Klint
Sensual Woman - The Herbaliser
Angel - Massive Attack
F**kin' In The Bushes - Oasis
Don't You Just Know It - Huey 'Piano' Smith & The Clowns
Avi's Declaration (Dialogue From Film) - Dennis Farina

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

Though a well-publicized marriage did much to raise his celebrity profile, Guy "Mr. Madonna" Ritchie's claim as one of the world's most promising young filmmakers was already secure. Extending the gambit he began on Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, the English director's handpicked collection of pop songs for his jewel heist romp Snatch is a dizzying delight that eschews era and genre concerns in favor of flavorful character and loopy fun. Though his musical sense is one of the elements that have inspired Tarantino comparisons, Ritchie is clearly a league of one here. With a little fresh input from musical ally Klint, this anthology score ranges from the electro club mixes of Overseer and Mirwais to the vintage R&B workouts of Maceo Parker, Huey "Piano" Smith, and Bobby Byrd, with some pop kitsch of the 1970s (Johnston Brothers' "Hernando's Hideaway") and '80s (the missus's "Lucky Star") to keep the proceedings ever fresh and askew. Ritchie's pop choices are no less inspired, from Oasis and Massive Attack to the Specials' classic, "Ghost Town," and The Stranglers' own underrated jewel, "Golden Brown." --Jerry McCulley

Album Description

Written and directed by Guy Ritchie, who wrote and directed, 'Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels'. In the same vein as Trainspotting and Pulp Fiction, the soundtrack covers a spectrum of musical hipness that is essential to the tone ofthe film artists included are Massive Attack, Madonna, Mirwais, Oasis, The Stranglers and The Specials. Standard jewel case. 2000 release.

Customer Reviews:

Bruce's Review.......2007-02-02

Some of the tracks were somewhat disturbing so I skipped them when I recorded this album from CD to cassette. Overall, the tracks were eclectic and energetic. Listening to them definitely reminded me of specific scenes from the movie, which I own on VHS format. Down with digital and up with analog!

More than a Soundtrack.......2007-01-05

Not typically a fan of soundtracks. This one is awesome! Great collection of songs with great choice of dialogue mixed in. Listen to this one all the way through.

One more time..........2006-07-01

I have watched this movie so many times, and it is still great. I love Guy Richie's creactivity. An all star cast mixed with a great plot and that sly under the door humor make all much better than your normal hit man comedy.

Great Music.......2006-02-25

I mainly bought this to get the Mirwais - Disco Science track, but the whole cd is good. If you love the movie, you'll definately enjoy the cd.

It works in so many circumstances!.......2006-01-16

What a great soundtrack! For me, the soundtrack is the make or break point in some movies. In Snatch, it just enhanced the coolness of the movie. Dennis Farina was magnificent, and the sound clips of him are great on the CD.
There are many highlights. "Supermoves" by Overseer is a very in your face, distorted techno track. Works great on an expressway of some sort.
"Cross the Tracks" by Maceo and the Macks is the best song on the CD, nuff said. Really funky groove, adequate vocals, great backup instruments.
"Disco Science" has a nice throbbing bass throughout, and it culminates with musical insanity. Great.
The instrumental "F*cking in the Bushes" by Oasis worked great in that fight scene.
"Lucky Star" by Madonna... whipped. JK. I guiltily enjoyed this.
"Don't you just know it", the last track, was a superb way to round out the soundtrack, and the whole movie for that matter.
What else can I say? BUY IT!!!

Average customer rating:

Well worth it for hard to find tracks
Get this one !
The Best of the Various 'Specials' Compilations.....!!!!
A little Specials goes a long way
some top-rank singles here

The Singles Collection
The Specials
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Specials
Ultimate Collection
More Specials
Beat This: The Best of the English Beat
Too Much Too Young: The Gold Collection

ASIN: B000003JB9
Release Date: 1991-02-01

Tracks:

Gangsters
Rudi, A Message To You
Nite Club
Too Much Too Young
Guns Of Navarone
Rat Race
Rude Boys Outta Jail
Maggie's Farm
Do Nothing
Stereotype
Ghost Town
Why?
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
Racist Friend
Free Nelson Mandela
(What I Like Most About You Is Your) Girlfriend

Customer Reviews:

Well worth it for hard to find tracks.......2007-01-19

The Specials are the stuff of legend, that much can be agreed upon, but what is it about this collection that earns your hard-earned dollar? In a word, rarities. 'Rude Boys Out of Jail,' 'Guns of Navarone,' 'Maggie's Farm,' and 'Ghost Town' are classics worthy of inclusion on any ska collection, but due to the fact they weren't included on The Specials' LPs, they languish in obscurity. Hence this much needed collection. The only caveat to speak of is slightly less than stellar sound due to first generation mastering. Nonetheless, it remains the best Specials collection out there. A very fun, very danceable record.

Get this one !.......2005-06-11

The short-lived British Ska revival of the late 70's early 80's produced only one really great band. The Specials were indeed very special. We ALL need a little Specials in our lives. And if you buy only one Specials CD, this should be it. ( Their self titled debut album is great too, and should be your next Specials purchase, as it contians one song - "Little Bitch " - that SHOULD have been on this cd but isn't.) Serious, thought provoking and socially concious lyrics backed by some of the finest upbeat ska ever recorded. If you're looking for only one reason to get this cd, it's the 12" mix of Ghost Town, a spooky sounding dub reggae track with lyrics centering on the infighting amonst ska fans of different races that literally tore the movement apart. It was the last great Specials single, and the last to feature the original lineup, as they too would splinter shortly after its release. And all you English Beat fans out there who would argue against my point of the Specials being the only great ska band to come out of that period I offer my sincere apologies and can only say that in my opinion they were a pop band who used Ska and Reggae as only part of their musical palette ( listen to the second and third albums by the English Beat and you will see I am right .)

The Best of the Various 'Specials' Compilations.....!!!!.......2005-03-31

Possibly standing as one of the biggest and most creative artists, in the early 70's Ska/Revival scene. Combining elements of punk's energetic approach to music, with New Waves rousing & Exuberant arrangements, their music was as friendly for the dancefloor, as it was for listening at home. But what separated them from their peers and earmarked them and possibly the most crucial act in that musical scene, was the fact the amongst the party(ish) vibe of the music, their's was a manifesto that took not only a political stance, but also a social conscience that made their music that rare breed. Music that could move your feet to, but had something (useful) to say.

Their music was a perfect example of attaching Party-inspired music arrangements, to Social & Political subjects that were disenchanted and Confrontational exposes of life in Britain in the early 70's. So a lot of the songs refer to important topics, whether it be a lament for people leading criminal lives to will ultimately end in tears ("Gangsters"), Women that end up getting pregnant/married early, and missing Crucial years in their lives ("Message to You Rudy"), Pouring scorn on the peoples hopeless and uneventful & hostile evenings in nightclubs ("Nite Klub"), the everyday pointlessness and mentally conformity of getting ahead professionally ("Rat Race"), heartfelt plea's to the controlling governmental powers for the release of Mandela ("Free Nelson Mandela"), People making judgemental decisions regarding others, or lumping them in fixed categories ("Stereotype"), the slow disintergration of the city/town, and it beginning to resemble a deserted town ("Ghost Town").

All of the Specials music, was musically rich, motivationally uplifting and encapsulates everything from Ska (obviously) funk-rhythm, Jubilant 2-Step, & bouncy New-Wave everything was given a groove and an accessibility that made sure that entering their music, was easy, and understanding the message behind the songs easy to grab. There are quite a few various compilations of the specials, but this is is easily the best. It not only collects all the hits singles "Ghost Town, Nite Klub, Gangsters, Rat Race, Message to you Rudy", on the disc, but it also collects some of the lesser known but equally worthwhile B-Sides, and Rarities & Cover Versions ("Guns of Navarone, Do Nothing, Racist Friend, Maggies Farm, Why?, Friday Night Saturday Morning")...obviously there will always be a couple of omissions (I do miss: "Concrete Jungle, War Crimes, Man At C & A, Blank Expression"), but for newcomers or people (like me) that don't really want to have to buy several albums, this is the best of the various compilations for the band, and easily the most encompassing 'Best of' for the band.

A little Specials goes a long way.......2004-04-23

I like ska, but I don't LOVE Ska. This Cd does it for me. My only beef is that they could have packed a few more tracks onto it.

Now then... Unless you're seriously into ska, punk or jamaican music in general- this is probably all The Specials you'll ever need. This album is more conclusive than either the Specials (best of) CD or the More Specials (best of 2) Cd. Stylistically, it covers all the bases including several hard to fing cuts (most notably Ghost town, a sweet creepy little tune with an arabian sound to it- well used in Guy Ritchie's 'Snatch'... or maybe it was 'Lock, Stock...').

At any rate, this is all prime-rate, good stuff. If you are looking for a place to begin delving into ska, or simply trying to round out a decent CD collection- you could do far worse. No, actually, I'm pretty sure it was 'Snatch,' afterall.

some top-rank singles here.......2002-01-06

The specials are an interesting band-- Elvis Costello, of all people, produced their first album.

This is a good collection-- these songs are pretty much easy to get a consensus on. 'Ghosttown', 'Too Much, Too Young' and 'Gangsters' shine through for what they are: some of the greatest songs of the 80's. There is a bit of filler on here, yes, but, it's filler that grows on you as time passes by.

This is a must-have record for the ska/punk enthusiast. It's worth a gamble for most other people as well.

Average customer rating:

Good, but...
Don't Argue!
Great Collection and More!

Stereo-Typical: A's, B's and Rarities
The Specials
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Too Much Pressure
More Specials
One Step Beyond...
Specials
The Two Tone Compilation: A Checkered Past

ASIN: B00004WGYB
Release Date: 2000-08-28

Tracks:

Gangsters
A Message To You Rudy
Nite Klub
Too Much Too Young
Guns Of Navarone
Skinhead Symphony
Rat Race
Rude Boys Outa Jail
Stereotype
International Jet Set
Do Nothing
Maggie's Farm
Braggin' And Tryin' Not To Lie
Rude Boys Outa Jail (Version)
Ghost Town
Why?
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
Concrete Jungle (Live)
Racquel

Tracks:

The Boiler
Theme From The Boiler
Jungle Music
Rasta Call You
Easter Island
War Crimes (The Crime Remains The Same)
Version
Racist Friend
Bright Lights
Nelson Mandela
Break Down The Door
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend
Can't Get A Break
Nelson Mandela '88
Ghost Dub '91
Let Us Unite

Tracks:

Ghost Town (Extended Version)
Why?
War Crimes
Racist Friend (Instrumental)
Bright Lights (Instrumental)
Nelson Mandela
Break Down The Door
What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend
Can't Get A Break
Nelson Mandela '88
Ghost Dub '91/Let Us Unite

Album Description

46 track compilation for the new wave ska act. Includes thehits, 'Gangsters', along with multiple versions of 'Ghost Town' (including an extended version), 'Racist Friend' (including an instrumental version), 'Nelson Mandela' (including Nelson Mandela '88) and 'What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend'. Featuring tracks recorded as Special A.K.A. 2000release. 3 CD's packaged in a standard double jewel case anda 16 page booklet.

Album Details

Triple CD Set that Collects all the Tracks from the Specials (And the Special AKA) Many Singles, Both a and B Sides. The Third Disc Includes Rare and Obscure Tracks, Like the Extended Version of "Ghost Town", Instrumental Versions of "Racist Friend" and "Bright Lights" and the 1988 Version of "Nelson Mandela".

Customer Reviews:

Good, but..........2007-03-24

So if you are a fan of The Specials, you will most likely already have the bulk of the tracks included here - many of the songs appear multiple times with little difference between the versions, and the bonus tracks do little to capture the "sound" of the Specials.
In addition, only the first disc really addresses the "Specials" - discs 2 and 3 are mostly devoted to the "Special AKA" - a BIG difference for some folks.
Don't get me wrong, it really is a good set, especially if you don't already own their original releases, but based on the way the record company is trying to steal your money on this set ($50.00 for 3 discs of old material???), it's probably better - and possibly cheaper - just to find the original releases.

Don't Argue!.......2003-09-04

A superb compilation of the A & B sides from every single released by the Specials, STEREO-TYPICAL is a a great collection for anyone who loved the band, Ska, or the semi-underground club scene in which both flourished during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Beyond making black & white both a fashion statement and a social comment, Ska, much more than Punk, was able to crack radio playlists on both sides of the Atlantic, allowing in a breath of fresh air after years of increasingly stale corporate Rock and Pop. It seemed fresh and new, yet had its roots in R&B and traditional reggae. On the dance floor Ska was hip with roots, if you follow me.

The Specials were witty, fun, fashionable, bright, had a great horn section, brains and a social conscience. Within the genre they couldn't be touched, and they sound as great now as they did in their glory days.

Great Collection and More!.......2000-10-15

Whether you're new to Ska or a seasoned fan of the Specials, this 3 CD set will be a welcome addition to your CD collection. Unlike so many "out of the vaults" boxed sets we're seeing nowadays, these CDs are not full of stuff that would have been better left forgotten. This is the best and the rarest music from the most important Ska band since the birth of British Ska in 1977.

Although there is music here that some fans may have never heard, there is plenty of very famous Specials music for everyone to enjoy. In the past, you would have had to collect all the Specials regular releases and quite a few songs only available on vinyl or hard to find compliation discs to get all this music. This collection brings all of it together on 3 discs that won't leave your CD player for months.

Do yourself a favor and get Stereo-Typical now!

Average customer rating:

Superb follow-up album, albeit lacking key song
An odd, odd album...but great!
Hosed Again
Not The Self Titled ..
One Star for One Song

More Specials
The Specials
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Specials
Too Much Pressure
One Step Beyond...
I Just Can't Stop It
In the Studio

ASIN: B00005YU96
Release Date: 2002-05-21

Tracks:

Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
Man At C And A
Hey, Little Rich Girl
Do Nothing
Pearl's Cafe
Sock It To 'Em J.B.
Stereotypes/Stereotypes Pt.2
Holiday Fortnight
I Can't Stand It
International Jet Set
Enjoy Yourself (Reprise)

Amazon.com

Frantic touring and sudden stardom took their toll on the Specials. On their first album they'd sung "Too Much Too Young" and now they were living it. More Specials had its moments ("Man at C&A," in particular, was a standout), but for the most part it was the sound of a band running vainly after inspiration. The elements were still there, but somehow they couldn't fit them together in the same magical way. A year after their debut, and the end was already in sight (although they would go out with the magnificence of "Ghost Town") More Specials was just that--more, not necessarily better. Chris Nickson

Album Description

UK 2002 remastered reissue of the British ska revivalist's 1980 album. Includes ECD section containing 2 promotional videos 'Ghost Town' & 'Rat Race'.

Album Details

Digitally Remastered for the First Time with the Help of Founding Member/Keyboardist Jerry Dammers. Includes Extended Sleeve Notes and an Enhanced Section featuring the Videos of 'ghost Town' and 'rat Race' (Both Colour Promos).

Customer Reviews:

Superb follow-up album, albeit lacking key song.......2007-01-23

With the release of their second album, the Specials proved definitively that they were more than a flash in the pan. This is an excelent follow-up, one continuing in the ska idiom with brilliant pop thrown in for good measure. The most rewarding aspect of this remastered edition, however, is the remarkable sound that shines through on every track, revealing every nuance of a densely layered collection of songs. My only critique of this remaster would address the baffling exclusion of 'Rat Race,' a track fans will feel cheated out of once they get this cd home. Why in the name of all that is holy was it excluded?

An odd, odd album...but great!.......2006-08-22

I agree with everybody else that the first Specials album was probably the greatest ska album ever--a fist-pumping pleasure from beginning to end. However, I cannot help but admire Jerry Dammers' artistic courage in refusing to repeat himself, and instead driving the band into new territory on this album. The result was a unique work--incorporating hard ska, dub, lounge singing, and muzak (!) influences into one really strange trip of a record.

Like the first record, it is a journey from beginning to end. But while the debut album was a studio recreation of a live gig, this is a dyspeptic trip into studio hell, opening with a lively cover of the standard "Enjoy Yourself", and ending in a sardonic port-mortem version of the same. In between the band meanders through all sorts of studio space, harsh and mellow, on their way to their ultimate demise, with the same biting lyrics (but darker here) and great playing that the band displayed on its debut.

It's fantasticly weird art-rock album, done by the world's best ska band. It's a terrific companion to the first record, and if the band pretty much dissolved afterward at least they finished playing their "A" game, in my opinion. If you wanted a repeat of the first record, well, small wonder that you're disappointed. But then, you would have been anyway.

Hosed Again.......2006-06-18

Why do these record companies put out remasters and then remove a song or two from them? One has to wonder where Rat Race disappeared to? It isn't on this cd anymore. Oh, nevermind. I found it on the Hits disc. How Lame. They did the same thing with the remaster of English Beat. Don't buy this crappy version of this cd unless you either can't find the original issue or you absolutely have to have the video of Ghost Town (a pretty good vid) and Rat Race (a pretty crappy vid).

Not The Self Titled .........2006-02-09

Do your best to try not to listen to the reviews saying "one good song, the rest are fillers."
After reading that, I sat and thought long and hard of what song he could possibly be talking about, but I can't figure it out, because the entire album is equally well done, with nothing really outstanding.
I would suppose if you were looking for an album with 4 or 5 radio hits on it, or potential singles on it, this wouldn't be the album you're looking for (with the exception of Enjoy Yourself, and Hey Little Rich Girl).
The diversity of the album is insane. It varies from a calming melodic tune like "I can't stand it" (which features the Bodysnatcher's Rhoda Dakar, to "Sock It To 'Em J.B" (a less than satisfying ode to James Bond films). Most of the tunes are highly based on the melody and instruments, instead of the vocals. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
If you want to get into two-tone ska, this is a must have, whether some guy who only listens to one mysterious song thinks so or not.

One Star for One Song.......2003-11-29

I love ska. I love the Specials 1st Album and Ghost Town. On this CD you get the Keith Richard's whammy, "One hit and (X-1) trax of crap" (rhymes). Can you guess which song is not vapid? The rest of the album needs more vitamins. Save your money and get "I Just Can't Stop It" by The Beat - English.

Average customer rating:

Important party album
Happy times on a summer's day
Two tone ska classic. The perfect blend of strong song writing, fun, ska and touch of punk energy
Pressure Drop
Err, ummm, Yeah...

The Specials
The Specials
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

One Step Beyond...
Beat This: The Best of the English Beat
I Just Can't Stop It
More Specials
Special Beat Service

ASIN: B000003JAH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

A Message To You Rudy
Do The Dog
It's Up To You
Nite Klub
Doesn't Make It Alright
Concrete Jungle
Too Hot
Monkey Man
New Era
Blank Expresion
Stupid Marriage
Too Much Too Young
Little Bitch
You're Wondering Now
You're Wondering Now

Amazon.com

Album Description

UK 2002 remastered reissue of the British ska revivalist's 1979 album. Includes ECD section containing 2 promotional videos 'Gangsters' & 'Too Much Too Young'. Produced by Elvis Costello.

Album Details

Customer Reviews:

Important party album.......2007-04-25

Happy times on a summer's day.......2006-11-04

Two tone ska classic. The perfect blend of strong song writing, fun, ska and touch of punk energy.......2006-03-24

Pressure Drop.......2006-01-29

Err, ummm, Yeah..........2005-12-23

Average customer rating:

Too Much Too Young: The Gold Collection
The Specials
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

British Ska | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Specials
Beat This: The Best of the English Beat
The Singles Collection
Total Madness: The Very Best of Madness
Too Much Pressure

ASIN: B00000740O
Release Date: 1996-05-14

Tracks:

Too Much Too Young
Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
Man At C & A
Rude Boys Outa Jail
I Can't Stand It
Do The Dog
Blank Expression
(Dawning Of) A New Era
Monkey Man
Hey Little Rich Girl
Pearl's Cafe
Little Bitch
Rat Race
A Message To You Rudy
Do Nothing
You're Wondering Now

Album Description

Budget-priced 1996 compilation on EMI featuring all of the outstanding ska band's best for 2 Tone. 16 tracks, including 'Too Much Too Young' (Extended Mix), 'Monkey Man', 'Enjoy Yourself', 'Man At C&A', 'Little Bitch', 'Rat Race', 'Do The Dog', 'Blank Expression', 'A Message To You Rudy', & '(Dawning Of A) New Era'.

Vince Guaraldi and the lost cues from the "Charlie Brown" television Specials

Average customer rating:

Vince Guaraldi and the lost cues from the "Charlie Brown" television Specials
Vince Guaraldi
Manufacturer: D & D
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000RE6HTC
Release Date: 2007-01-01

Tracks:

little birdie
play it again charlie brown
centercourt
motocross
peppermint patty
incumbent waltz
african sleigh ride
theres no time for luv charlie brown
thanksgiving theme
joe cool (vocal)
pitkin county blues
joe cool (instumental)

Product Description

This is a collection of music cues for the "Charlie Brown" television specials from '72 to '75 theres a group of well known tunes and some not so well known ones in this vol.1of2,this gives vince's fans another side of the composer rarely ever seen.these tracks are takes from the original sessions,with musicans drummer john rae and tom harrell on trumpet vince brought together some very good session players of the time

Dance Craze - The Best of British Ska... Live!

Average customer rating:

"Blow Mr. Rico, Blow!!!!!!
Great but incomplete
skad for life
One of the Great Ska Albums
Good, BUT missing something!!!

Dance Craze - The Best of British Ska... Live!
The Specials , The English Beat , Bad Manners , The Special AKA , The Selecter , and The Bodysnatchers
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

New Wave | New Wave & Post-Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Second & Third Wave Ska | Compilations | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Ska General | Ska | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Live Albums | Rock | Styles | Music

1980s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music

Too Much Pressure
One Step Beyond...
I Just Can't Stop It

ASIN: B000008ETH
Release Date: 1990-07-03

Tracks:

Concrete Jungle - The Specials
Mirror In The Bathroom - The English Beat
Lip Up Fatty - Bad Manners
Too Much Too Young - The Special A.K.A.
Three Minute Hero - The Selecter
Easy Life - The Bodysnatchers
Big Shot - The English Beat
Man At C & A - The Specials
Missing Words - The Selecter
Ranking Full Stop - The English Beat
Carry Go Bring Come - The Selecter
Inner London Violence - Bad Manners
Guns Of Navarone - The Special A.K.A.
Too Much Pressure - The Selecter
Nite Club - The Specials
Skinhead Symphony (Longshot Kick The Bucket/... - The Special A.K.A.

Customer Reviews:

"Blow Mr. Rico, Blow!!!!!!.......2007-06-29

Yes,unfortunately the excellent tracks by Madness aren't on the CD. What everyone fails to mention though are the extra tracks that weren't on the original vinyl edition. Nearly the entire, very excellent, "Too Much Too Young" EP by The Specials ( AKA ) is found here. As is another track by The Selecter "Carry Go Bring Come", which also wasn't on the original release. So the CD isn't quite the same without Madness, it's still great. But what do I care as I have both. Now put on your loafers, wingtips,creepers or jack boots and start Moon Stomping!!!!!!!!

Great but incomplete.......2004-01-29

The original Dance Craze album introduced me to ska almost 20 years ago. The album changed my life, encouraging me to search out albums from all the bands: The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, Bad Manners, The (English) Beat (sadly, the Bodysnatchers only put out singles, so I couldn't get anything for them in the States). Unlike a great many live albums, this one really communicated the frenetic energy of a live show.

When they re-released this album I was excited to have the opportunity to replace my original worn out copy. While it is still very good, all of the Madness tracks have been removed. I know this is probably a contract issue, but the Madness tunes were some of the best. It leaves a BIG hole in the flow of the album.

Sooo, while this is still a great primer for folks who are new to early 80s British ska, try to track down a copy of the original. Better yet, try to track down a copy of the video. It's got 2-3 times as many songs, and you get to SEE how great the bands were, and how they really got the audiences dancing.

skad for life.......2003-03-20

Due to contract problems Madness are not on the CD,Only on the now hard to get record.Still a great CD.Some of the best 2nd wave ska captured on this recording.The movie comes up for sale in scootering mag,s from England now and then ,but to be honest its not very good.Also if you get it from England you will need to change it over to watch it on north American TV,s.I dont think it was ever produced in the American version?Also look for World of SKIN,a great documenty from UK,and Made in Britain [a skinhead film].....HOPE THIS HELPS

One of the Great Ska Albums.......2003-02-26

This CD contains some of the best of British Ska, or at least some of the best Ska bands recorded on 2 Tone. It's hard to beat live versions of some of these classics, and in fact, songs like Concrete Jungle (the Specials) and Mirror in the Bathroom (the English Beat) on this CD are superior to their studio counterparts. This is a wonderful sampler and a must-have for any Ska fan.

Good, BUT missing something!!!.......1999-08-11

I bought this album way back in the day and wanted to have it on CD, but it's missing MADNESS!! I'm glad I still have the original album and the video! Dance Craze is still a good CD because you can't get a better compilation of British SKA than this.