The Beat - Live Greesbeck, Holland (1980)

The Beat - Live Greesbeck, Holland (1980)

Much has been said about The English Beat, touring Northern California in 2010 - but I guess the main thing to be said is that it only contains one original member from the original band - Dave Wakeling. Sure, Dave has managed to hold his voice together and string along a couple of groovy band members to help us re-live the 80's ska stylee, but it just isn't the same. Saxa, Everett Morton, Rankin' Roger, Steele and Cox - those are the names that harken back to the soulful and reggae inspired sounds of the original - The Beat. Nothing lasts forever after all, so we'll have to make due with seeing Dave and company at the latest Music in The Park, near July timeframe. I hear tell of new album and material coming out from the band, but my guess is that it's the hired hands makin trouble as The English Beat, not with the original members (who haven't been together, minus Cox and Steele, since 2004). You can, thanks to McCrank's Juke, live in the past and via the magic of the net capture The Beat, live in 1980, at the beginning of their climb to stardom. This live show finds the young lads, playing vara Lyn 3, Greesbeck Holland 1980. Now why is this show massive and special and what makes it a rariety? Simple, unreleased songs and live versions, like - "Pussy Price (Why?)" and a classic "Noise In This World". "My name is ranking full stop..." Some very good audio from a band in it's earliest form - prior to the "Behind The Music" like downfall. I still think there's an audience there to see a true Beat UK reunion, as well as to buy rare and unreleased tracks (many of which have been posted here in the past). Dave Wakeling says there's nothing in the vaults, but I am sure he's unable to give up his current cash cow, to reunite with friends he's scorned over the years. Until it all falls into place (go the the B.A.D. reunion when it happens, settle for that, will you?) you'll have to simply two-tone skank to this 1980's gem.

The Beat - Live Greesbeck, Holland (1980)
01. Pussy Price (Why)
02. Two Swords
03. Tears Of A Clown
04. Big Shot
05. Rough Rider
06. Best Friend
07. Can't Get Used to Losing You
08. Hand's Off She's Mine
09. Twist & Crawl
10. Noise In This World
11. Whine & Grine
12. Ranking Full Stop
13. Mirror In the Bathroom

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