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The Odeon cinema in the Skydome centre recently put on a ‘for
\none night only’ showing of the shining new 4K restoration of the classic 2 tone
\nera chronicle ‘Dance Craze’. I completely enjoyed revisiting this film again.<\/p>\n
Additionally both the original album, the film soundtrack and
\nthe film itself have now been re-released in a wonderful variety of
\npresentation packs.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This 1981 documentary captured the live adventures of all of
\nthe main protagonists from the 2 tone movement. It was an inspired decision, on
\nthe part of the film makers, to create this piece of history. Such was its
\nimportance to preserve this moment in time.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A resulting VHS tape released after the film had originally
\ndone the rounds was notoriously bad quality.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
This newly cleaned up version is a very welcome release. And
\nthe whole collection has had considerable success in a variety of charts. I
\nhave read comments from several of those involved. ‘It all seems like a
\nlifetime ago’ was the most common utterance. But even after 40 years this new
\nrelease is still hitting number one in some of those charts.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Thumbing through some obscure local press I recently came across this great
\nreview from 1981, and yes, The Specials were still being referred to as the
\nCoventry Automatics.<\/p>\n
‘Dance Craze (Two-tone)<\/b> – Which songs changed your life? ‘Tutti
\nFrutti?’, ‘Rock Around the Clock?’, ‘Heartbreak Hotel?’ ‘Please Please Me?’,
\nAnarchy in the U.K.?’ ‘Stairway to Heaven? (God forbid). How about ‘Gangsters?’<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The latest album from the Coventry Automatics and their
\nfriends, in which a cast of forty three, skank till we’re dizzy, is the live
\none. Everything here is already available on studio albums, but the liveness we
\nin Coventry know and love captures it all so much better.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Six bands, fifteen songs: ‘Concrete Jungle’, ‘Man at C &
\nP ‘Nite Klub’ from the Specials, ‘One Step Beyond’, ‘Night Boat to Cairo’ and
\n‘Razor Blade Alley\u2019 from Madness, ‘Too Much Pressure’, ‘Missing Words’ and
\n‘Three Minute Hero’ from the Selector, ‘Big Shot’, ‘Mirror in the Bathroom’ and
\n‘Ranking Full Stop’ from the Beat, ‘Lip Up Fatty’ and ‘Inner London Violence\u2019
\nfrom Bad Manners, and the feminist anthem ‘Easy Life’, my favourite single of
\n1980, from the immaculate, underrated, now lamented Bodysnatchers.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
If you’ve seen them all live, you’ll appreciate just how good
\nthey all are; if you haven’t, well this will help teach you. The spirit of the
\nlast 18 months, living forever. We danced at Westwood, the Lanch, the Union,
\nTiffany’s, the Lyceum, Top Ranks and Palais. Now we dance in our living rooms.
\nCome the film, they’ll be skanking in the ABC1′<\/p>\n
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<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Dance Craze by Pete Clemons The Odeon cinema in the Skydome centre recently put on a ‘for one night only’ showing of the shining new 4K restoration of the classic 2 tone era chronicle ‘Dance Craze’. I completely enjoyed … Continue reading