Day 71: At WOMAD with The Specials, plus Chic & Terence

Today we're down in New Plymouth for the first of 3 days at the WOMAD festival. The Specials are headlining tonight, hence the deliberate selection below.


Album 224/1031

Chic - C'est Chic (1978)

All songs written by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers; except where indicated.

Side one

1. "Chic Cheer" – 4:42
2. "Le Freak" – 5:23 
3. "Savoir Faire" – 5:01
4. "Happy Man" – 4:17

Side two

1. "I Want Your Love" – 6:55 
2. "At Last I Am Free" – 7:08
3. "Sometimes You Win" – 4:26
4. "(Funny) Bone" – 3:41

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%27est_Chic

Golf's verdict: Once they were disco pariahs, but it did not take too long for the world to realise Bernie and Nile knew what they were doing and they ended up playing on and producing some of the 1980s most successful tracks. Daft Punk have essentially recycled this sound for their last album. Not a great album by any means, but it does have two gems in 'Le Freak' and 'I Want Your Love'.

Maire's verdict: I've got a soft spot for 'Le Freak' and 'I Want Your Love' but not that bothered on the album as a whole. 'Savoir Faire' sounds like the background music to a romantic scene between Michael and a leggy blonde on a dance floor (with disco ball) in Knight Rider.

Album 225/1031

Terence Trent D'Arby - Introducing the Hardline According to... (1987)

All songs were written by D'Arby, except where noted.

1. "If You All Get to Heaven" – 5:17
2. "If You Let Me Stay" – 3:14
3. "Wishing Well" (lyrics: D'Arby; music: D'Arby, Sean Oliver) – 3:30
4. "I'll Never Turn My Back on You (Father's Words)" – 3:37
5. "Dance Little Sister" – 3:55
6. "Seven More Days" – 4:32
7. "Let's Go Forward" – 5:32
8. "Rain" – 2:58
9. "Sign Your Name" – 4:37
10. "As Yet Untitled" – 5:33
11. "Who's Loving You" (William "Smokey" Robinson) – 4:24

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introducing_the_Hardline_According_to_Terence_Trent_D'Arby

Golf's verdict: He was SO famous for about 15 minutes. People genuinely thought he was going to be a UK Michael Jackson. He certainly had the voice for it, but it soon went a bit sideways with his ego rather than the music taking the lead. The follow up was a disaster and that's about the last we heard of Terence, until he ended up briefly fronting one of INXS's ill-fated comebacks (seriously, look it up.)

Maire's verdict: Some good songs ('Sign Your Name' and ''If You Let Me Stay') which showcase his voice but a lot of filler.

Album 226/1031

The Specials - The Specials (1979)

Side one

1. "A Message to You Rudy" (Dandy Livingstone) – 2:53
2. "Do the Dog" (Rufus Thomas, arr. by Jerry Dammers) – 2:09
3. "It's Up to You" (Dammers, The Specials) – 3:25
4. "Nite Klub" (Dammers, The Specials) – 3:22
5. "Doesn't Make It Alright" (Dammers, Dave Goldberg) – 3:26
6. "Concrete Jungle" (Roddy Byers) – 3:18
7. "Too Hot" (Cecil Campbell) – 3:09

Side two

1. "Monkey Man" (Toots Hibbert) – 2:45
2. "(Dawning of A) New Era" (Dammers) – 2:24
3. "Blank Expression" (Dammers, The Specials) – 2:43
4. "Stupid Marriage" (Dammers, Mark Harrison, Neville Staple, Cecil Campbell) – 3:49
5. "Too Much Too Young" (Dammers, acknowledgment to Lloyd Charmers) – 6:06*
6. "Little Bitch" (Dammers)† – 2:31
7. "You're Wondering Now" (Clement Seymour) – 2:36

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Specials_(album)

Golf's verdict: Ska is the best dance music in the world and The Specials are the best Ska band in the world. Therefore The Specials are the best dance band in the world. Discuss.

Maire's verdict: HIDDEN GEM: Despite having a reggae beat, I do love The Specials. Maybe because they come from my home town. Whatever, as far as I'm concerned they give Madness a run for their money.