The (ENGLISH) BEAT: Beat This (the best of the Beat) CDR label PROMO. Reggae / Ska. + Andy Williams cover!

Description

Beat This “The Best Of The Beat”
Label: London Records ? none
Format: CDr, Compilation, Promo
Country: Europe
Released: 2000
Genre: Rock, Reggae
Style: Ska
Tracklist ?
1 Mirror In The Bathroom 3:06
2 Save It For Later 3:34
3 I Confess 4:31
4 Tears Of A Clown 2:38
Written-By Cosby*, Robinson*, Wonder*

5 Whine And Grine / Stand Down Margaret 3:48
Written-By Beat, C. Campbell*

6 Best Friend 2:59
7 Rankin Full Stop 2:46
8 Can’t Get Used To Losing You 3:00
Written-By Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman

9 Hands Off… Shes Mine 3:00
10 Twist And Crawl 2:34
Written-By Beat, Bradsell*

11 Too Nice To Talk To 3:07
12 Doors Of Your Heart 3:45
Written-By Beat, Osborne*

Check all samples:
www.allmusic.com/album/beat-this%21-the-best-of-the-beat-mw0000013241

Though they ultimately skated far away from the “Two Tone” pigeon-hole that yawned for other bands of their ilk and age, the English Beat were certainly pursuing similar demons as they rose out of home-town Birmingham in 1979, with a ska-punk collision that matched social politics with sociological awareness, then turned the whole thing into a non-stop dance party.

They were promptly rewarded with the first of 13 UK hit singles scored over the next four years, but more surprising was the bands American breakthrough, where they out-performed both the period figureheads of The Specials and Madness, and ultimately hauled themselves into that rarified strata where they came to epitomise “ska” in the same way that the Police represented “reggae.” It didn’t matter that purists would run a mile at the thought of such a comparison. No-one ever went Top 40 by appealing to purists.

Showcasing the bands most adept manoeuvres, the 12 tracks here round up all of the groups British hits, then pad in select highlights from the three regular albums.

From the very outset of the bands career, a swift run through “Tears Of A Clown” crackles with all the frenetic energy that characterised the bands period live show, while the deeply dubbed “Stand Down Margaret” represents one of the most potent political assaults of the entire 1980s – Margaret, of course, is British Prime Minister Thatcher and its remarkable to think that, after just one year in office, people were already writing songs about how much they hated her.

Later, “I Confess” and a smart cover of Andy Williams’ “Can’t Get Used To Losing You” highlight just how masterfully the English Beat subverted radio-friendly pop to their own ends and, while not every track has withstood the test of time too well, enough do still thrill to encourage investigation of their entire catalogue.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Great selection
I just can’t stop listening to the English Beat…have been since the early eighties. This would be good if the band is new to you.
The Beats concert anthem ‘Ranking Full Stop’ is not included on the (US)originals, which in itself makes this purchase worthwhile. Go ahead buy it, enjoy it…you can’t go wrong.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Beat This,
This is an incredible compilation of the finest of the English Beat. Most of the tracks were on earlier albums. The remix brings out the hidden sounds that were distant on old tracks. For those new to the Beat, or fans, this is a masterpiece. One of the finest musical compilations I have ever heard. Congratulations to London Records for resurfacing the incredible and mysterious mix of reggae, rock and roll, dance, and the pure joy that the English Beat delivered.
Nothing new here, other than the experience of the ‘Beat’, an astonishing tribute to a band, probably unrecognised and unknown by many, but worthy of serious consideration by music historians as a truly unique.
This album delivers.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Fab,
I grew up on the English Beat and they are still one of my favorite bands today. There is something about the ska from that era that really appeals to me. My first exposure to them was in the early ’80s when my brother was in college and the Beat were a college radio staple.

When I found “Beat This!” a few years ago, I was thrilled.

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5.0 out of 5 stars The best compilation
This album is the best compilations of songs from this outstanding band. Incredibly, this album does not seem to be in print any longer. I am really looking forward to getting a copy of this album

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5.0 out of 5 stars SENSATIONAL 80s,
It was just sensational to hear and feel the old ska toons once again, “tears of a Clown” exceptional and it is not found on many of their previous works. Well worth to have in the cabinet.