In the life of the written archive it’s been hard to keep up with the death of those that created it. There’s the death of the stars and there’s the death of those that made the stars with their musical contributions. One of the great truths you are aware of as a musician that might not […]
When Ghost town was released in 1981, The Specials were already splitting up. Internal frictions over direction allegedly contributed but it was the spooky melodies, strange chords and the evolving vision of Jerry Dammers the principle songwriter that made this song so special. This song was Number 1 in England for three weeks and became single of the […]
As a tribute to Nelson Mandela, the Album Of The Day is The Best Of The Specials, including the track, Free Nelson Mandela. When I was living in London in the seventies The Specials, Gangsters, A Message To You Rudy and Too Much Too Young were on the television and all over the radio, everyone […]
As December arrives and the nights become bitterly cold, this 200 year old house fulfils its purpose as if it wants to keep you warm inside its walls, like a mother. The late snow is slowly moving towards us, a great enveloping army of white fingers stretching out blind, unsure of its own purpose – […]