What The Specials did Next

I feel sick inside and I've just died a little, somewhere in my heart. The Specials' version of A Message to You Rudy, is a classic. Not just one of my favourite tunes, but one of those tunes from one of those times that are special as The Specials themselves. And the reason I'm feeling a bit discombobulated is that I've just heard it on telly, on an advert for Next. Sad times, sad, and now that Suggs is advertising fish fingers, what's the world coming to?

Nice yourself up and listen to it as it should be, without the winter fashion. Click here. Go on, you know you want to.

The Specials at Brixton

It was April 2008 when I heard the rumour. It was December 2008 when the tickets arrived. And last night, 10 days after it was cancelled due to Terry Hall's vocal problems, The Specials gig at Brixton Academy went ahead. Saturday May 16 could well go down in history, not only as the best gig of my life, but also, the best sweat-soaked, beer-stained, moon-stomping night of my life.

Head space

When my head's in a good place - i.e. not feeling too homesick / hating London / stressing about work - I not only read, I devour books. And it's in that zen state of mind that I'm reading one after the other of my Christmas present books right now.

First off was Nick Davies' Flat Earth News about the way all newspapers reprint information without checking the truth. Gripping, disturbing stuff.

Then it was Ska'd for Life, the autobiography of Horace Gentleman, bass player of The Specials. A rollicking read, well written, I couldn't put it down and carried this book with me everywhere. May 6th can't come soon enough.

And finally was Suzi Quatro's autobiography. I'm loving the book so much I went out and bought the Best Of.. CD today. The story of her life is gripping and well written but the bits about seeing angels, spirits, ghosts and other spooky things that go bump in her night, I could have done without.

The Specials

Got my tickets already.

Is it May 2009 yet?

Sunday in the park

To the Rise festival in Finsbury Park on Sunday just gone.

Musical highlight of my afternoon / week / last 28 years was listening to this performed live once again. It was the first time I'd seen Terry Hall and (most of) The Specials perform live since 1980.

A happy afternoon indeed.