The Specials / Vive Latino, Mexico (13/03/2015)

Set List:

01 (Dawning Of A) New Era
02 Gangsters
03 Monkey Man
04 Blank Expression
05 Rat Race
06 Doesn't Make It Alright
07 Concrete Jungle
08 Friday Night, Saturday Morning
09 Ghost Town
10 Do Nothing
11 Stereotype
12 Man At C & A
13 A Message To You Rudy
14 Nite Klub
15 Too Much Too Young

Photos:

http://www.tono.tv/fotos-the-specials-en-el-vive-latino-2015/

Review:

http://gritaradio.com/resena-the-specials-en-vive-latino-2015/

Interview:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wY71905PcwQ

The Specials / Special Edition CD Remasters (30/03/2015)

3 x 2CD SPECIAL EDITION REMASTERS OF THE ALBUMS:

“SPECIALS”, “MORE SPECIALS” & “IN THE STUDIO”

WITH ADDITIONAL RARE BONUS MATERIAL, NON-ALBUM SINGLES, EP’S & B-SIDES,
NEW EXTENSIVE SLEEVENOTES,
PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN CHALKIE DAVIES’ PHOTOS AND NEW ALBUM COVERS



CD 1: ORIGINAL ALBUM
1. “Gangsters”
2. “A Message To You, Rudy”
3. “Do The Dog”
4. “It’s Up To You”
5. “Nite Klub”
6. “Doesn’t Make It Alright”
7. “Concrete Jungle”
8. “Too Hot”
9. “Monkey Man”
10. “(Dawning Of A) New Era”
11. “Blank Expression”
12. “Stupid Marriage”
13. “Too Much Too Young”
14. “Little Bitch”
15. “You’re Wondering Now”

CD 2: EXTRA SPECIALS
Too Much Too Young EP (live) by The Special AKA:
1. “Too Much Too Young”
2. “Guns Of Navarone”
3. “Skinhead Symphony”
a) “Long Shot Kick The Bucket”
b) “Liquidator”
c) “Skinhead Moon Stomp”
BBC In Concert At the Paris Theatre (15/12/79) by The Specials:
1. “(Dawning Of A) New Era”
2. “Do The Dog”
3. “Rat Race”
4. “Blank Expression”
5. “Rude Buoys Outa Jail”
6. “Concrete Jungle”
7. “Too Much Too Young”
8. “Guns Of Navarone”
9. Nite Klub”
10. “Gangsters”
11. Medley:
a) “Long Shot Kick The Bucket”
b) “Skinhead Moonstomp”




CD 1: ORIGINAL ALBUM
1. “Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think)”
2. “Man At C&A”
3. “Hey, Little Rich Girl”
4. “Do Nothing”
5. “Pearl’s Café”
6. “Sock It To ‘Em J.B.”
7. “Stereotypes/Stereotypes – Pt. 2″
8. “Holiday Fortnight”
9. “I Can’t Stand It”
10. “International Jet Set”
11. “Enjoy Yourself (Reprise)”

CD 2: MORE EXTRA SPECIALS
Singles, b-sides and rarities by The Specials:
1. “Rat Race”
2. “Rude Buoys Outa Jail”
3. “Stereotypes Pts.1 & 2″ (John Peel session)
4. “International Jet Set” (single version)
5. “Rude Boys Outa Jail” (version) (featuring Neville Staples aka Judge Roughneck)
6. “Do Nothing” (single version) (featuring Rico with the Ice Rink String Sounds)
7. “Maggie’s Farm”
8. “Raquel”
9. “Why?” (extended version)
10. “Friday Night, Saturday Morning”
11. “Ghost Town” (full version)
12. “Sea Cruise” (John Peel session) (featuring Rico)
13. “You’re Wondering Now” (Kid Jensen session)



CD1: ORIGINAL ALBUM
1. “Bright Lights”
2. “Lonely Crowd”
3. “What I Like Most About You Is Your Girlfriend”
4. “House Bound”
5. “Night On The Tiles”
6. “Nelson Mandela”
7. “War Crimes”
8. “Racist Friend”
9. “Alcohol”
10. “Break Down The Door”

CD2:
Rarities by The Special AKA:
1. “The Boiler” (Rhoda and The Special AKA )
2. “Can’t Get A Break”
3. “Jungle Music” (Rico and The Special AKA )
BBC Peel Session 12/09/83 by The Special AKA:
4. “Lonely Crowd”
5. “Alcohol”
6. “Bright Lights”
Instrumentals by The Special AKA:
7. “Break Down The Door”
8. “Racist Friend”
9. “War Crimes”
10. “Theme From The Boiler”
11. “Bright Lights”
12. “Nelson Mandela”

Release Date: 30th March 2015

http://louderthanwar.com/the-specials-annoucw-3-x-2cd-special-edition-remasters-of-the-albums/

The Special AKA / In The Studio 180g 12" Vinyl LP (2014 Reissue)

True innovators of the punk era, The Specials began the British ska revival craze, combining the highly danceable ska and rocksteady beat with punk's energy and attitude, and taking on a more focused and informed political and social stance than their predecessors and peers. By October 1981, constant touring and differences over musical direction saw the original band line-up split but they soon regrouped and reformed as The Special AKA and released their third album In the Studio in 1984.

The album was over two years in the making and featured the hit singles "Nelson Mandela" and "Racist Friend." Newly remastered and reissued on heavyweight 180g vinyl.



The Special AKA - In The Studio

Side 1
1. Bright Lights
2. Lonely Crowd
3. Girlfriend
4. House Bound
5. Night On The Tiles
Side 2
1. Nelson Mandela
2. War Crimes
3. Racist Friend
4. Alcohol
5. Break Down The Door

Format: 12" Vinyl LP
Cat Number: CHR TT X5008
Release date: 27/10/2014

http://2-tone.info/2tone.pl?show151&

http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/prod/TheSpecialAKA-InTheStudio-Chrysalis-99904.html

Rhoda Dakar / Sings The Bodysnatchers (2014)

Celebrating the 35th anniversary of The Bodysnatchers, 2 Tone Records all-girl goup, lead singer and songwriter Rhoda Dakar will be recording (though not re-forming) a Bodysnatchers album for the very first time.

Formed in 1979 after Shane McGowan introduced Rhoda to bassist Nicky Summers, the band signed to legendary UK record label 2 Tone after only their second show. Nationwide gigs alongside Madness, The Selecter, The Specials, The Go-Gos and Toots & The Maytals followed, as did two UK chart hits; Let’s Do Rocksteady b/w Ruder Than You in March 1980 and Easy Life b/w Too Experienced (produced by label boss/The Specials founder Jerry Dammers) in July of the same year. These now much sort-after singles and their appearance on 2 Tone’s Dance Craze movie were to be The Bodysnatchers only commercial releases.

To celebrate the band’s 35th Anniversary, Rhoda is recording a very special Bodysnatchers album, which will feature previously unrecorded and unheard (outside of a few bootleg live cassettes) Bodysnatchers songs.



Easy Life
The Ghost Of The Vox Continental
Happy Time Tune
007
Private Eye
Too Experienced
The Loser
Mixed Feelings
Hiawatha

Rhoda dakar - Vocals
Mark Claydon - Drums
Horace Panter - Bass
Sean Flowerdew - Keyboards
Lenny Bignell - Guitar
Lynval Golding - Guitar
Karl Wirrmann - Sax

http://www.pledgemusic.com/artists/rhodadakar

https://www.facebook.com/rhodadakarofficial

http://www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk/shop/

The Specials / Horace Panter & John Bradbury (Video Interview)

Good interview with Horace and Brad recorded for STV Glasgow 06/11/2014

Photos from the Glasgow gig are available below



Video:

http://clips.stv.tv/g/v/V1l1ORmCkxU

Photos:

http://entertainment.stv.tv/galleries/entertainment-music-specials/235928/

The Specials / Live at the Bataclan, Paris, France 30/11/2014

Born in 1977 in England, The Specials mix for decades the dancing aspect of ska to punk aggressiveness. Highly politically engaged, the British formation has risen several times at the top of the UK charts with hits like "Too Much Too Young" and "Ghost Town."

After dissolution due to the departure of three of its members at the end of the 80s, The Specials are reformed in 2009. Always the Devil in the Flesh, the musicians are preparing to blow a wind of rebellion on the Bataclan!

Filmed on 30/11/2014 (87 minutes)



Setlist:

Ghost Town
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
Do Nothing
International Jet Set
Stereotype
Man at C&A
Rat Race
Hey Little Rich Girl
Blank Expression
It's Up to You
Why?
Doesn't Make It Alright
Nite Klub
(Dawning of a) New Era
Do the Dog
Gangsters
Monkey Man
Concrete Jungle
A Message to You, Rudy
Little Bitch
Too Much Too Young

Encore:

Guns of Navarone
Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
You're Wondering Now

Video:

http://concert.arte.tv/fr/specials-au-bataclan

Photos:

http://soundofbrit.fr/2014/12/01/photos-the-specials-bataclan-paris-30-novembre-2014/

Jerry Dammers / Ivor Novello inspiration award (22/05/14)

Legendary keyboard player picks up one of music industry's most prized awards - and dedicates it to his mum

Legendary Specials songwriter Jerry Dammers has been named a music industry inspiration at a major awards ceremony.

The founding member of the Coventry 2-Tone group picked up the inspiration award at the 59th Ivor Novello Awards in London.

It came three decades after his song, Nelson Mandela, stormed the charts calling for the release of the anti-apartheid campaigner.

Dammers scored a top 10 hit with the track performed by Special AKA.

The song became an anti-apartheid anthem and Mr Mandela, who died in December, was eventually released in 1990.

The annual awards, known as The Ivors, are presented by the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and are highly prized because they are voted for by songwriters and composers.

Dammers was presented with his award by former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, who described him as “the Tsar of Ska”.

Dammers - who no longer performs with the reformed Specials - revealed that he had almost missed the ceremony because his mother is ill, and dedicated his win to her.

Speaking backstage, the Ghost Town songwriter said he thought the idea of protest music was still thriving.

“I don’t think protest music necessarily has to have lyrics even,” he said. “You can have instrumental protest music, you know - jungle, dub-step, all of those are kind of abstract but still protest music like jazz was before.”