Beginner's guide to...Terry Hall
Why bother?
Because he's a British institution, writer of much great music and even greater lyrics and an influence to many - check out how many people wanted to sing some Specials tunes with him on this year's festival circuit. Oh yes, and he wrote the lyric "wish I had lipstick on my shirt instead of piss stains on my shoes". Genius.
Essential purchase:
The Specials by The Specials. It's a no-brainer really, a stunning hybrid of punk, vintage ska, anger and pointed lyrics that still has the same impact today as it did over 25 years ago. Just listen to Nite Klub, Concrete Jungle, A Message To You Rudy and Too Much Too Young - and tell me I'm wrong. As influential as the Sex Pistols - and all from Jerry Dammers' Coventry bedroom, rather than a trendy boutique in London.
Hidden gem:
Virgins and Philistines by The Colourfield is considered by many (me included) as one of the great albums of the 1980s. With a mix of vintage folk and late 60s pop supplemented with Hall's cutting lyrics, it's something you really need to own. Or would be if you could buy it - only available on CD in Japan sadly.
One to avoid:
Only one? Well, The Fun Boy Three haven't aged well, the second Colourfield album is a shocker but worst of all is Ultra Modern Nursery Rhymes by Terry, Blair and Anouchka, which is every bit as bad as it sounds.
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