Hey You Rude Boy! It's the Two Tone and related thread (release by release).

Discussion in 'Music Corner' started by Colocally, May 14, 2018.

  1. neruda

    neruda Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    If replies to the question of sound quality on Specials CDs continue much longer, maybe we should create a thread just for this discussion.

    For the first album (The Specials), I own the US 1989, UK 1989, and 2015 versions, and have heard the 2002. What I consider to be the "best" of these three options is the 1989, and it's dynamic range that gives it the edge. I haven't done a close comparison between the US 1989 and the UK 1989, but it seems they're the same mastering, except that the US includes "Gangsters" and the UK features the longer version of "Too Much Too Young."

    Regarding the newer masterings, the 2015 isn't much louder than the 2002, if I'm remembering correctly. But the 2002 sounded juiced to me, and by that I mean artificially inflated with EQ. So in evaluation of all the CDs mentioned above, the 2015 comes in second. It's clear, with EQ that sounds accurate, and obviously benefits from modern analog-t0-digital conversion technology – but unfortunately it is slightly limited / compressed. Not egregiously so – the limiting there is comparable to what was done to the 2009 Beatles CD remasters.

    I have not heard the SHM-CD mentioned by Cereal Killer. If someone can say it's the definitive version of The Specials, I might pick it up.

    I can't speak to the differences between compilations that feature all the singles, but for what it's worth, I've always been happy with The Singles Collection from 1991.
     
    Edmoney likes this.
  2. django68

    django68 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dartford
    Just a note: The US version of The Singles Collection from 1991 features that odd remix of Do Nothing - a mix I haven't heard elsewhere, most noticable on the vocal effect.
     
    neruda likes this.
  3. Hollow Horse

    Hollow Horse To pretend to be happy could only be idiocy

    I'm looking to do a poll series in the new year so apart from all the delicious cuts on the opening pages here, let the nominations begin!
     
    Colocally and mark winstanley like this.
  4. Hollow Horse

    Hollow Horse To pretend to be happy could only be idiocy

    So on the basis of this thread and it's amazing contributions, I have selected 64 songs toward said tourno - if there is anything else not included in the following list don't hesitate to demand its inclusion...

    Gangsters - The Special A,K,A
    Al Capone - Prince Buster
    The Prince - Madness
    On My Radio - The Selecter
    Tears Of A Clown - The Beat
    Rudi, A Message To You - The Specials
    One Step Beyond - Madness
    Train To Skaville - The Ethiopians
    Guns Of Navarone - The Skatalites
    Monkey Man - The Maytals
    0.0.7 (Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker & The Aces
    Long Shot Kick De Bucket - The Pioneers
    Phoenix City - Roland Alphonso
    The Liquidator - Harry J. All Stars
    I'm In The Mood For Ska - Lord Tanamo
    Madness - Prince Buster
    King Of Kings - Jimmy Cliff
    Housewives’ Choice - Derrick & Patsy
    54-46 Was My Number - The Maytals
    Israelites - Desmond Dekker & The Aces
    Return Of Django - The Upsetters
    Skinhead Moonstomp - Symarip
    Let’s Do Rocksteady - The Bodysnatchers
    Lip Up Fatty - Bad Manners
    Poison Ivy - The Lambrettas
    Mirror In The Bathroom - The Beat
    My Girl - Madness
    Too Much Too Young - The Specials
    Rudi Got Married - Laurel Aitken & Unitone
    Three Minute Hero - The Selecter
    Hands Off She's Mine - The Beat
    Missing Words - The Selecter
    Ghost Town - The Specials
    Nightboat To Cairo - Madness
    The Boiler - Rhoda Dakar and The Special A.K.A
    Save It For Later - The Beat
    Best Friend - The Beat
    Special Brew - Bad Manners
    Just A Feeling - Bad Manners
    Time For Action - Secret Affair
    My World - Secret Affair
    7Teen - The Regents
    Maybe Tomorrow - The Chords
    Do Nothing - The Specials
    Rat Race - The Specials
    Stereotype - The Specials
    Too Much Pressure - The Selecter
    Free Yourself - The Untouchables
    Concrete Jungle - The Specials
    Jimmy - Purple Hearts
    Run Me Down - The Higsons
    That Man Is Forward - Rico
    Alphabet Army - JB's Aĺlstars
    Window Shopping - The Friday Club
    Envy The Love - The Apollinaires
    Twist And Crawl - The Beat
    Too Nice To Talk To - The Beat
    Ago Talk - Pato & Roger
    Jeanette - The Beat
    Tear The Whole Thing Down - The Higsons
    Shut Up - Madness
    Embarrasment - Madness
    Walking In The Sunshine - Bad Manners
    The Return Of The Los Palas Seven - Madness

    I'm thinking of dubbing it the ModSka2Tone Cup.
     
    Colocally likes this.
  5. dlemaudit

    dlemaudit Forum Resident

    Location:
    France, Paris area
    a masterpiece
    The Beat made of mess of it , cannot even recognize the hooks , melody , the bridge , i dont even mention the vocals , ungroovy ....
    They did a much better job with "Cant get used to losing you"
     
    Man at C&A likes this.
  6. Hollow Horse

    Hollow Horse To pretend to be happy could only be idiocy

    ... which I hated. If anything I would say they made a mess of that, not Tears Of A Clown but each to their own.
     
  7. noahjld

    noahjld Der Wixxer

    “Stereotype” is superb on this,slightly different lyrics. Great version.
     
    Man at C&A likes this.
  8. MGSeveral

    MGSeveral Augm

    I just heard a track from the new album, unexpectedly fine and interesting.

    Particularly when I bought the "Today's Specials" album all those years ago, and it was dull and disappointing.
     
    Man at C&A likes this.
  9. Phil_Lip

    Phil_Lip Forum Resident

    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    Available publicly?

    I just pre-ordered it yesterday.
     
  10. MGSeveral

    MGSeveral Augm

    No, it was on the radio.
     
  11. django68

    django68 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dartford
     
    neruda likes this.
  12. Kernow Boy

    Kernow Boy I don't like it

    Location:
    Cornwall
    This thread has reminded me that I have got a signed Specials first album in the loft. Signed on the back cover by 5 of them and Rico. Will have to shimmy up the ladder and have a look now! 2 Tone and Madness were the biz for me growing up - the fashion was as important as the music back then. Has anybody else got the 2 Tone box set that came out a few years back? It came with a decent book if I remember rightly.
     
    marmalade166, neruda and Colocally like this.
  13. Dhreview16

    Dhreview16 Forum Resident

    Location:
    London UK
    I think the new Specials album also includes a bonus disc of live Greatest hits.
     
  14. ishkabibble

    ishkabibble Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pacific Northwest
    Free Nelson Mandela?
     
  15. Hollow Horse

    Hollow Horse To pretend to be happy could only be idiocy

    Interesting. Another Specials tune but something a bit out of the vein. Do you think it would stand up against their more popular songs or go far in a tournament?
     
  16. ishkabibble

    ishkabibble Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pacific Northwest
    Well, it's long been a favorite of mine and it is a classic. According to Wikipedia it is still the last song played at every dance at Wadham College, Oxford, if that helps. I think it would hold its own in a tournament.
     
  17. Hollow Horse

    Hollow Horse To pretend to be happy could only be idiocy

    Thank you. Then it's in!
     
    ishkabibble likes this.
  18. MGSeveral

    MGSeveral Augm

    I'd say that's a bit of a shame. There have been recent live albums, so even if this was the latest line-up, it's removing focus from the new music.
     
  19. django68

    django68 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dartford
    Various - The Compact 2 Tone Story

    Yes I have it. Nice set and the only place to get Bodysnatchers version of 007[Shanty Town] from the Dance Craze film. Also includes the Specials Concrete Jungle and Raquel sides from their Dutch only single.
     
    bluearmy78 and Kernow Boy like this.
  20. neruda

    neruda Forum Resident

    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Wow, I never knew this existed. I thought the only expansive 2 Tone set was the fatboy The 2 Tone Collection: A Checkered Past. That one was also released in 1993.

    I’ll have to compare the tracklists when I have a chance.
     
    Natural E likes this.
  21. django68

    django68 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dartford
    Excellent new album out now from The Beat featuring Ranking Roger " Public Confidential" - the lead track came out last year...

     
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  22. Phil_Lip

    Phil_Lip Forum Resident

    Location:
    Nottingham, UK
    marmalade166 likes this.
  23. Colocally

    Colocally One Of The New Wave Boys Thread Starter

    Location:
    Surrey BC.
    RIP to Ranking Roger from The Beat. :(
     
    Natural E, Kernow Boy, neruda and 2 others like this.
  24. jables

    jables Forum Resident

    Location:
    Pittsburgh,PA area
    The Beat opened up a whole new musical universe for me when I first hear them back in the day. No band quite like them. RIP Roger. You did well.
    Ranking Full Stop...
     
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  25. Kernow Boy

    Kernow Boy I don't like it

    Location:
    Cornwall
    I remember the whole of this single being played at the school disco back in the day. Got us all up on our feet moving and skanking. Made us 10 year old kids feel six feet tall and part of something important.
    ps I think that, if I remember the story correctly, one of the audience on the picture sleeve was super-imposed onto it as he was a mate, or something. It could be the chap in the bottom LH corner with the toothy smile?
     

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