The Specials – Rock City, Nottingham (November 22, 2014)

Longevity in this biz we call show is a rare thing. Loyalty is fickle and attention spans are measured in months not years.

Around 35 years ago The Specials came out of post punk with a love for The Skatalites and Prince Buster and not the usual suspects such as the MC5 or Iggy. They brought a much needed dance vibe to the scene, not inspired by London or Detroit but by Jamaica, and distilled their sound through an industrial wasteland that was 1970s Coventry. Embracing radical politics and married to a rock steady beat it was as part of Two Tone Records, together with such bands as Madness and The Selector, where they had a willing audience of kids who shared their sense of disillusion and cynicism. This lost generation are now middle-aged and were out in force in Nottingham tonight, a testament to the long term affection they still have for this most iconic of bands.

specials

At 8:30pm prompt Rock City heaved under the relentless badly syncopated dancing of a slightly more mature audience than it usually entertains as this sold out crowd went bonkers when Mr Grumpy look a like Terry Hall finally took to the stage in his badly fitted grey suit. looking like he’d rather be sat at home watching Strictly Come Dancing.

They promptly launched straight into their 1981 number one hit Ghost Town, perhaps one of only a handful of brilliant singles that have actually merited such a position, with it’s eerie sing-a-long chorus and unforgettable lyrics it hits the spot perfectly. In these tighten yer belt times it’s as relevant now as was back in the day.

Sadly and not surprisingly tonight there’s no Jerry Dammers, but still with four original members they prove they still can do the business, along with Terry Hall is  bassist Horace Panter, drummer John Bradburry and the legend that is Lynval Golding on guitar. Together they execute their exquisite back catalogue with military precision.

Consistently intelligent lyrics, infectious ska beat and right on politics you can skank to; they cram everything into the quickest ninety minutes you’ll ever experience as joyous renditions of Doesn’t Make It Alright, Rat Race, It’s Up To You, Too Much Too Young, Gangsters, Sterotype and Monkey Man.

Twice during the show Hall stopped proceedings to berate the crowd for throwing beer stageward, probably afraid that some errant splashes of extortionately priced lager might get on his suit, at one point threatening to leave the stage if it happens again. Later some poor sod is singled out as a culprit and with much cheering is forcibly extricated from the crowd and unceremoniously ejected from the venue. Safe to carry on without fear of a hefty dry cleaning bill Hall and co finished with an ecstatically received A Message To You Rudy. A five ska gig.

by John Haylock

 

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John Haylock

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