THE SPECIALS

THE SPECIALS – SPECIALS with special guest Paul Williams.

This interview took place before and after we listened to the vinyl album.

 A perfect moment in time captured on vinyl forever, such is the Specials' eponymous debut album; it arrived in shops in the middle of October 1979 and soared into the U.K. Top Five. It was an utter revelation -- except for anyone who had seen the band on-stage, for the album was at its core a studio recording of their live set, and at times even masquerades as a gig.

Fourteen songs' strong, mostly originals, with a few covers of classics thrown in for good measure. That includes their fabulous take on Dandy Livingstone's "A Message to You Rudy," an equally stellar version of the Maytals' "Monkey Man," and the sizzling take on Prince Buster's "Too Hot." If those were fabulous, their own compositions were magnificent. The Specials managed to distill all the anger, disenchantment, and bitterness of the day straight into their music. A true classic album. Globalgroove.

With special guest PAUL WILLIAMS.

Paul ‘Willo’ Williams is the author of the acclaimed ‘You're Wondering Now- The Specials From Conception to Reunion.’ We were delighted that Paul, a close personal friend of the much missed Terry Hall, was with us to talk about the band’s eponymous 2Tone debut album. Paul also fronts ska legends, The Skapones and is the founder of The Specialized Project CIC, which is a social enterprise that aims to help young people in difficult circumstances.

In the interviewer’s chair was CAT Club stalwart, Jason Barnard.

This event took place on 9th March 2023 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk

This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.

Happy Trails.