The Best of the Beat
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Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0685738535828
Label : London
Manufacturer : London
Publisher : London
Release date : 2000-11-20
Title : The Best of the Beat
Studio : London
Number of discs : 1
Editorial reviews
DescriptionA key element of the late-1970s/early-'80s UK ska revival, the English Beat nevertheless always had more pop smarts anda wider stylistic palette than compatriots like the Specials and the Selecter. As BEAT THIS! THE BEST OF THE ENGLISH BEAT makes clear, ska wound up being just one colour in the band's musical paint box.
Early on, the Beat showed a knackfor re-imagining '60s pop tunes in patented two-tone style (Smokey Robinson's "Tears of a Clown", Andy Williams's "Can't Get Used to Losing You"). "Click Click" reveals the influence of punk, while "Doors of Your Heart" shows the group's skill with a straight reggae groove. The Motown-flavoured chug of "Sole Salvation" and the jangly pop of "Save It for Later" show how the band was maturing towards the end of their tether, Dave Wakeling's lyrics growing ever more literate and Elvis Costello-esque as the music expanded. Unfortunately,though, the Beat eventually had to die so that offshoots General Public and Fine Young Cannibals might live. Lucky for us, we have BEAT THIS! as a memento of the English Beat's glory days.
Customer reviews
review by: Joe Public date: 2007-06-20 rating:Superb Band with killer tunes.
Definitely a mix of influences with this band but two tone all the same. There songs when you listen just ooze quality, you also realise what good music came from these bands. The early 80's was I believe a fickle time for music as good as the music was, fads & fashions did not last long and it's a shame this band like a lot of others did not go on for longer.
review by: date: 2006-10-28 rating:
Essential !!!
The Beat - what a fantastic band. This record is a must.Absolutley brilliant overview of their career , with some fantastic tracks which sound like they could have been recorded yesterday.
If you only know "Mirror In The Bathroom"then you are truly missing out on some fantastic music from a top band.
The Beat were a really uplifting band, the music on this collection is great,there seems to be so much to listen to on their albums - really doesn't get better than this.
The CD gives an overview of the way The Beat developed as a band, with a cross section of tracks from all of their albums.Wakeling is a hugely underrated lyricist & songwriter, this CD proves the point.
Ranking Roger is still doing the rounds on the live circuit under The Beat / Twist & Crawl banner, if this CD doesn't encourage you to go & see them, then I'm afraid you require medical help.
If you don't get this compilation buy "The Platinum Collection" - either will be a top mark investment !
review by: lsjh date: 2005-10-05 rating:
beat goes on...
great band, fantastic best of, start here then buy the proper albums, your feet won't stop twitching and dancing till someone hits them with a sledgehammer, underrated and one of the ska greats...
review by: sonik57 date: 2002-10-11 rating:
Beat-ing the opposition hands down!
They were a great band. At a time when the Specials were lording
it and having the big success, their local rivals (The Beat were
Brummies to The Specials' Coventarians), The Beat more than held
their own and turned in some great work.
Their first two albums, I Just Can't Stop It and Wha'ppen, hold
the greatest of their work with Special Beat Service a disappointment overall, apart from the brilliant single Save
It For Later. This compilation is basically a cut-down version
of BPM, a double-disc comp put out a few years ago with a slightly different track listing and the inevitable dodgy modern
remix (of Mirror In The Bathroom).
The Beat's music was special: combining tight punky drumming
from Everett Moreton and superb bass and rhythm guitar work
from Dave Steele and Andy Cox (later to be two thirds of the
Fine Young Cannibals), the whole thing glided on a smooth
rhythmic presence with Dave Wakeling's gruff and yet emotive
vocals being counterpointed by the toasting of the great Ranking
Roger. If this wasn't enough, they had a veteran aboard in the
shape of Saxo, a middle-aged Jamaican who played up a storm.
Check out Stand Down Margaret!
Speaking of Maggie, they donated all their royalties from it -
about £15,000 - to CND and the Anti-Nuclear Campaign. The
early 80s were a turbulent time politically and The Beat were
right there in it. The song is an impassioned but ultimately
naive rant against Thatcher and her cronies.
The Beat never achieved their full potential and languished in
the shadow of lesser rivals (ahem). You can experience just
how good their output from 1979-83 is here. Enjoy!
Al (a 36 year old)
review by: date: 2001-09-13 rating:
The best Band of that era.
The Beat were by far the best band from the '2-tone' stable. This band should have been huge as I've never met anyone who doesn't like them! In my opinion better than The Specials. The only trouble with this release is that as it's a 'best of' I think there should be a lot more tracks on it but hey, you can't have everything. So put on your Harrington and Sta-Prest, play this record and get into some Real dance music.
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