A Special Book
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I bought this 2 days ago and haven't been able to put it down since. Like many others, The Specials were the start of my musical (and in some respects political, sartorial and social) education, although being 11 or 12 at the time, I was too young to go to any gigs etc. After almost 30 years, they are still my favourite band and both albums are in my top 5.
On to the book then, which for me fills in a lot of the gaps as to why the band split up - how the band was bought together, the hectic schedule - and also what it was like on the rollercoaster that is the music industry.
Written by one of the more unassuming members of the band, I get the impression that this account is probably as close as possible as to what actually happened. Not just a book for Specials fans but anyone who is into music.
Buy and enjoy!!
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Dawning of a Second Era
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A few years ago on being asked for any New Years Resolutions on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny Phil Jupitus answered to `get the band back together' he went on to say `it might be difficult as he wasn't actually in The Specials'. Phil has, however, contributed in his own way by writing the foreword of the memoirs of Sir Horace Panter Gentleman `Ska'd For Life'.
An apt title if there ever was one as The Specials Ska'd the lives of not only bass player extraordinaire Panter but also fans Phil Jupitus and myself to name but two. The Specials informed my politics, I was against racism before I really knew what it was and in fact before I met anyone whom was coloured, coming from quite a leafy English suburb. They informed by dress, I still wear a black suit, Ben Sherman button down and even a Crombie overcoat when the weather is inclement. Most of all The Specials informed my musical taste, a peculiar blend of Ska and Punk which was my first love and what I return to time after time.
Over the last thirty years I've read allot about The Specials and the Two Tone bands and although this doesn't really add anything to the story it is great to hear it first hand from someone who was there rather than watching on, which I was doing myself. The stories reverberate with a freshness particularly in the parts of the book which were taken directly from the tour journal Horace kept throughout the American and Japanese tours which ultimately led to the break up of the band.
Horace's account is well written and the book expertly paced, it is the greatest book on The Specials I've ever read, it was however difficult to finish as I had to keep getting up and moving to the Black and White decked LP's I played whilst reading this book. Now that the band are indeed reforming maybe Horace will get to write a sequel `Dawning of a New Era' anyone?
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And Catch 22 says if I sing the truth
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This is a great Read...honest ....well put together and in a chronological order...unlike some I have read...when the writer skips all over the place.
The impression I get of Horace is that he was level headed and grounded..there's no bitching as such...."No specials were offended during the making of this book"...I just see it as a man looking back on a fantastic period for music and telling it as it was and admitting that it wasn't perfect..but they played their hearts out and did their best. That's all you can ask for..... The cruncher for me is that Horace still rates the Clash as the most highly charged/energetic live band he has seen ever...and in that I am in total agreement...
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Healing Skas
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A wonderful book for those who the Specials were(are)a soundtrack to your life.In my case 79-81 The Specials were a vital part of my musical upbringing.If you are looking for a potted history of 2 Tone this book won't give it to you,but then that is not it's intention.What it does give you is a real sense of how the 7 strong band existed in their own little pockets.For instance you realise fairly early on who Horace did and didn't get on with,but with a band with so many members it was easier to hide away.One thing that really comes through is his passion for performance and how important it was to him to give 100% to his public and how annoyed he got if there was a lack of professionalism from his bandmates and/or roadcrew.You also get the distinct feeling that this book in no small way has helped the author in a long term healing process that must be necessary after being a part of a band at the absloute forefront of a huge youth movement and all the responsibility and danger that can bring.You will drag out your old vinyl/Cds of "Specials" and "More Specials" and listen to them with a different perpsective.I know I did!
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Ideal !!
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Very bright & breezy look at the life & times of The Specials from Horace's point of view. A really enjoyable narrative, with some classic Specials stories, from someone who was there. If you are a Specials fan then it's a must but to be fair, any music fan would find this an entertaining & informative read.
Well worth a punt.
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