This was my first visit to the rather ornate surroundings of the Empress Ballroom and my 3rd time seeing The Specials during 2009. The venue was excellent, as were the band, and I can still feel the sprung dance floor bouncing beneath my feet as it teetered under the weight of 3,000 pairs of dancing, skanking feet! The only disappoint for me was the sound within this great hall which, to my ears, was poorly mixed with high bass and low vocals giving a "muddy" effect. Fortunately, my microphones hear considerably better than me and the recording turned out far better than I ever hoped it would. In fact, I can hardly believe it's the same show that I witnessed!The setlist was very similar to when the band toured in the spring, with the welcome additions of Stupid Marriage and Guns of Navarone, though unfortunately at the expense of Too Hot, Liquidator and Skinhead Moonstomp. Why couldn't they have just played them all?
Will we get to see this great band again after this autumn tour? I don't know, but I'm just glad I've had the privilege to witness them first-hand. Maybe not in their prime, but definitely in all their glory. Cheers lads.
Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think. :-)
The Specials - 2009-11-04 - Empress Ballroom, Blackpool, UK - MP3
143MB RAR archive, variable bit rate MP3s (min. 245 kbps)
Setlist:
01. Intro
02. Do The Dog
03. (Dawning Of A) New Era
04. Gangsters
05. It's Up To You
06. Rat Race
07. Monkey Man
08. Blank Expression
09. Doesn't Make It Alright
10. Hey Little Rich Girl
11. Stupid Marriage
12. Concrete Jungle
13. Friday Night, Saturday Morning
14. Stereotype
15. Man At C&A
16. A Message To You Rudy
17. Do Nothing
18. Little Bitch
19. Nite Klub
20. Too Much Too Young
21. Long Shot Kick The Bucket
22. Guns of Navarone
23. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
24. -encore break-
25. Ghost Town
26. You're Wondering Now
(Download link updated on 27th January, 2013)
Absolutely Awesome Pabby,Many Many thanks mate.cheers.
ReplyDeleteNice one Fella. i'll have a good listen to this one ahead of Southend next week.
ReplyDeleteCheers. Paul.
No problem. It's a pleasure to be of service. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you fab gig
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for this! I was there too and yes, that floor was amazing - even if you weren't dancing, you were bouncing up and down! My first Specials gig (although I've been a fan for 25 years) and one that will live on in my memory for ever. All the best to you ;o)
ReplyDeletenice one old chap.a really great sounding gig.cant wait for hammersmith on the 25th.the only track i havent listened to is 'guns of navarone' as (i know this sounds daft)but its one of my faves from the band and(because they didnt play it in may!) i want to leave it as a surprise for november.cheers pabby
ReplyDeleteOh Thank You for this pabby, this is Good...Sound's better than i remember, but i don't remember it being as bad as you thought it was - & i wasn't very far away from you at all...great gig, great atmosphere, great recording, what more do the rest of you need to know? Bernie Rhodes Knows, Don't Argue!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot a top sounding gig from the lads !!
ReplyDeleteMany thanx for this Pappy.Couldn't get to see them at all this year.So this is a sgood as it gets for me.
ReplyDeleteVery Nice Work Mate.
ReplyDeleteThanks
I was there what a great gig my ears were ringing all the next day
ReplyDeletePabby sir.have you got the specials at the hammersmith apollo on the 25th nov? or any Apollo night come to mention it! PLEASE.
ReplyDeleteSorry mate, I've not seen any of those nights up for grabs yet. I'll let you know if I do though.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this , I was at B/pool gig .Left the gig all smiles only to find the car park I had left the car in was locked up till 7.30am. Spent the night walking the streets.
ReplyDelete