CD-Charts Position 1
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Too Much Too Young - Live

by: The Specials

Release Date February 26, 2008
I suppose this is what it would have been like at one of their gigs,i picked this this up for a few quid at a supermarket years back and its one of my faves. Live LPs are usually a once, twice maybe three time trinket for the band, but if your getting into The Specials pick this up and let it guide you .
you probs already have it if your a Special fan, and you probs bought were i did. xs

CD-Charts Position 2
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In The Studio

by: Specials

Release Date March 25, 2002
When The Specials hit the number one spot for the second time in their short career with `Ghost Town' no one realised it was to be their swan song but within two months Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding quit to form Fun Boy Three leaving Jerry Dammers, John Bradbury, Horace Panter and Roddy Radiation to continue without them.

Reverting to the earlier name Special AKA their first project was to Back ex-Bodysnatchers Rhoda Dakar on her anti-rape song `The Boiler' which due to it's content was never going to sit easily at Radio One. Next up they recorded the single `Jungle Music' with ex-Skatalite trombonist Rico and acted as his backing band on his European tour.

On returning home they returned to the studio ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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The Specials

by: Specials

Release Date March 25, 2002
This is my favourite of the 2 Specials albums. 'More Specials' is quirkier, but this is equally fun and more up-tempo. I love to leap around to this record at every oportunity, (much to the annoyance of my neighbours). I could wiffle on about all of the profound lyrics and such and Terry Hall's deadpan style, but once you buy this record then you will find out for yourself. Suffice to say that this record is well worth getting for your collection. If you like that 2 tone sound, then it really doesn't get any better than this. And at this price it is a steal!!!!

CD-Charts Position 4
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You Just Can't Beat It: the Best of the Beat

by: Beat

Release Date February 04, 2008
They made 3 albums, 'I Just Can't Stop It', 'Wha'ppen' and 'Special Beat Service' and if you're an 'The (English) Beat' fan (like i am for years) this compilation does'nt ad anything to what you already own. I'm 56 and still bouncin' 'round!! (Ranking Fullstop)

CD-Charts Position 5
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The Best Of

by: The Specials

Release Date March 31, 2008
Comprising an excellent greatest hits collection with a dvd of live performances and promo videos, this compilation is essential. Unless you're a big fan or completist this package contains everything you could want from The Specials' enduring legacy. Much of their music still sounds vital and contemporary. Along with The Beat's recent 2 cd compilation, You Just Can't Beat It (and maybe The Selecter's greatest hits), you have a capsule history of the late 70s/early 80s ska revival. Recommended.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Ska'd for Life: A Personal Journey with the "Specials"

by: Horace Panter

Release Date February 01, 2008
The fascinating story of story of one of the best British bands to grace a stage in the last few decades. Tells the story of a hopeful beginning but a jaded end, and does so without any bitterness or blame. And well-written. I made time for the book, which is always a good sign, and dragged all my old Specials records out.
The best music biography I have read.

CD-Charts Position 7
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2 Tone, The Specials and a World in Flame - Wheels Out of Gear: 2 Tone, the "Specials" and a World in Flame

by: Dave Thompson

Release Date October 04, 2004
I bought this after "Uncut" magazine featured it in their Top Books of the Year - and they were right. I love the Specials and 2-Tone, and other writers have described how the bands were influenced by politics. But "Wheels Out Of Gear" actually explains what that means, painting a vivid portrait of the nightmare of life (for black and white youth) during the first years of Thatcher's Britain, as they were caught between unemployment and racism, the National Front and the SPG. You read the book and at first you're incredulous - it couldn't have been that bad. But then you research a little further - and it was. The music was British youth's way of fighting back against the chaos... 2-Tone, Mod and Oi all flourished at this time, and now we know why. I don't normally like ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Stereo-Typical (A's, B's and Rarities)

by: Specials

Release Date August 21, 2000
`Stereo-typical' expands on the previous Specials collection `Singles' by adding `A's, B's & Rarities'.

Disc one is the best disc of the set containing all of the singles of the original Specials from debut pot boiler `Gangsters' through to epoch number one band closer `Ghost Town'. The chronological order also gives all of the b-sides and the whole of `The Special AKA Live EP' which also hit the number one spot. Also contained is the very rare Dutch only Release `Concrete Jungle (live)' b/w `Racquel'.

Disc two chronicles the band after Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding leave to form Fun Boy Three and the group continued under the revitalised name The Special AKA whose first release was the uncomfortable `The Boiler' with ex-Bodysnatchers ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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BBC Sessions, the/Live at Paris Theatre 1979

by: Selecter

Release Date October 26, 1998
`Stereo-typical' expands on the previous Specials collection `Singles' by adding `A's, B's & Rarities'.

Disc one is the best disc of the set containing all of the singles of the original Specials from debut pot boiler `Gangsters' through to epoch number one band closer `Ghost Town'. The chronological order also gives all of the b-sides and the whole of `The Special AKA Live EP' which also hit the number one spot. Also contained is the very rare Dutch only Release `Concrete Jungle (live)' b/w `Racquel'.

Disc two chronicles the band after Terry Hall, Neville Staples and Lynval Golding leave to form Fun Boy Three and the group continued under the revitalised name The Special AKA whose first release was the uncomfortable `The Boiler' with ex-Bodysnatchers ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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More Specials

by: Specials

Release Date March 25, 2002
With 1980's adventurous More Specials the Coventry band overcame the 'difficult second album syndrome', a fate which has befallen many an artist over the years. They did this by broadening their musical palette; where their classic debut (effectively) embraces the ska and reggae of Prince Buster, The Skatalites and Toots and The Maytals, this album sees them venturing into a wider variety of genres, including northern soul (`Sock It To `Em J.B.'), spaghetti westerns soundtracks (`Stereotypes') and easy listening (`Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)'). That is not to say they jettisoned all that made The Specials so exciting and different: lead singer Terry Hall still delivers his vocals with a flat, deadpan delivery and the lyrics and subject matter remain rooted in the prosaic. ... Read More: