The Specials - Rat Race

WHO: The Specials

WHAT: Rat Race (Rude Buoys Outa Jail)

WHEN: 1980

LABEL: 2Tone - CHS TT11

I think I got this at South Shields market for one of your English pounds.

Once, my lovely girlfriend and me went camping in the Lake District with her sister and brother in law. On the way out the house I picked up a CD to play on the way. It was “Specials” the eponymous first album from the band (first released 1979).  The trip took over two hours. We only had one CD. And the radio didn’t work.

Thankfully this song isn’t on the first album; it isn’t even on their second, the imaginatively titled “More Specials”(1980). This single was a stand alone and reached number 5 in the UK charts when it was released in 1980.

The Specials were instrumental in the 2tone ska revival of the late 70’s, the movement being named after the record label started by Jerry Dammers, one of the founding members of group (along with Lynval Golding and Horace Panter).

THE A SIDE

Despite the repeated play of  “Specials” on the aforementioned jaunt to the lakes, I really like The Specials. And I like this tune. “Rat Race” was written by Roddy Byers (credited as Roddy Radiation on the label), not by Jerry Dammers, the usual songwriter of the band. It’s a typical Specials tune though, full of the anger of punk with the bouncy ska off beat and clever, political lyrics delivered by Terry Hall, in his distinctive laid-back style. With all this though its still a tune you can dance to. And I do have a bit skank when I put it on the record player (making sure there isn’t anyone at the bus stop outside my window first).

THE B SIDE

“Rude Buoys Outa Jail” is an out and out ska dance tune, great at a live gig. Again not written by Dammers but credited on the label to Staples (vocals), Golding (rhytm guitar/vocals) and Gentleman (or Horace Panter, bass). This tune is a lot of fun, showing the skills of the band to the full.

I was lucky enough to see The Specials at Sziget Festival, Budapest in 2010, and they were great. But I can’t remember if they played either of these songs. In my defense though, the beer in Budapest is strong, cheap and plentiful, and makes for good dance fuel.

 THE VINYL

The record its self isn’t in too bad condition and plays fine. It does however have (one of) the previous owners name written in red ink on the B-side. Wayne Thompson also decided to write his name all over the sleeve, on one side with a typewriter and on the other with the typewriter and, in case it wasn’t already apparent to whom the record belonged, in large red letters. He’d also had it stuck to the wall, as is evident by the remaining blu-tac stuck in the corners. So thanks Wayne, for scrawling your moniker all over this sleeve and record. But in Wayne’s defense he must have taken quite good care of it because it still plays well, I don’t sound this good and I’m the same age.

MY VERDICT

You can’t beat a bit of 2tone. Two quality tunes from one of the most important British bands of the last 30 years and all for 100 pennies. Great stuff! 

(Main Image at top of post taken from a photo on The Specials Website) 

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Green River

WHO: Creedence Clearwater Revival

WHAT: Green River (Commotion)

WHEN: 1969

LABEL:  LIBERTY– LBF 15250

This was acquired at Tynemouth Market for the princely sum of £1.

I’ve always had a soft spot for a bit of CCR. I can’t remember where I first heard them, but it was probably  “bad moon rising” on “an American werewolf in London” or one of the myriad other movies they have a song on the soundtrack of. I got a greatest hits album (on CD I must admit) a few years ago and realized how great (I thought) they were.

Their sound has a very “Southern” style, invoking images of the swamps of Louisiana and the humidity of the Mississippi and New Orleans. Creedence Clearwater revival came from El Cerrito, a suburb in the San Francisco Bay Area, and despite their sound, had never even seen the Mississippi bayou when they started out. The band was made up of John Fogerty (on vocals & guitar), his brother Tom Fogerty (rhythm guitar), Stu Cook (bass), and Doug Clifford (drums).

THE A SIDE

Although not my favorite CCR song, I still think this tune is great. With the typically slurred singing style of John Fogerty, the unique jangly guitar sound of a Gibson Les Paul, and thumping drums, that makes up C.C.R’s unique sound. This song makes me feel hot and sticky (careful!), not that I’ve ever been to the bayou, But I reckon this is how It’d feel. Maybe with a bit less cold drizzle and a bit more alligator.

Green River was on the 1969 album of the same name, their third release, which also features “Bad Moon Rising”, the song that CCR are probably best known for (as featured in the movie “an American werewolf in London”). The single itself was released in 1969 on the “liberty “ label, before the album was released, and reached 19 in the UK charts (2 in America). 

THE B SIDE

The B side, or in this case side 2, is another John Fogerty composition “Commotion”. This typical CCR tune starts off with a great riff, with an almost scary apache-like war drum coming to get you courtesy of Doug Clifford on drums.

I’ve heard this type of music called “Swamp Rock”, and I think that’s right. I almost have to swat away the mosquitos as I listen, and I have a hankerin’ for some gumbo and moonshine (and I don’t even know what Gumbo is).

THE VINYL

This is poor to medium condition, covered in scratches and has no middle or sleeve. But plays fine (on my 1950’s Fergusson radiogram, in glorious mono sound).  It has the usual hiss and crackle that you’d expect from a bit of 42-year-old vinyl.

MY VERDICT

I think this was a good buy. I’ve always liked Creedence so at a pound this was a bargain. I’ve had a quick look on eBay, and to get this would cost around £2.00 so if I did decide to sell it I wouldn’t make much of a profit, not that I would sell it (OK, what’s your best offer).