 The English Beat The Beat left behind so few records, and the ones they did were so good, that it's always incredibly welcome to stumble upon anything to augment the discography. This boot, from an FM broadcast back in the day, is especially awesome as it captures the band at perhaps their absolute peak, right before the release of Special Beat Service (my fave of their three studio records). The set is smokin', and while Dave Wakeling's voice wanders a bit higher than it ought now and then, the band is extremely tight and the performance is amazing. This was a great live band who never got the props they deserved. Best moments are probably a medley of "Get a Job" into "Stand Down Margaret" and a jubilant "Doors of Your Heart," but it's all good. Of course, only fans will snag it, but it's the kind of recording that could well make some new Beat fans, were it to be officially released. Great stuff! Tracklist: Big Shot · Doors of Your Heart · Jeanette · I Confess · Spar Wid Me · Get a Job > Stand Down Margaret · Tears of a Clown · Drowning · Twist & Crawl · Walk Away · Save It For Later · Rankin' Full Stop > Mirror in the Bathroom
Review by Candi Skeletone |