On Thursday night, a reconstituted version of the English Beat takes the stage at Harrah’s VooDoo Lounge alongside the Fixx and the Alarm. And while it’s easy to write off these unseemly reunion tours (trust us – it’s one of the perks of this job!), take a second listen to the English Beat. The sextet brought political activism, global consciousness and good old-fashioned heart-on-sleeve emotion to the often-vapid ska revival. Read more about the show in our preview here.
To get warmed up, take a gander at Roy Kasten’s interview with Beat-master Dave Wakeling from last year and, after the jump, view some of the English Beat’s best songs from its three-year/three-album run in the early ’80s.
“Mirror in the Bathroom” (1980, I Just Can’t Stop It)
“Best Friend” (1980, I Just Can’t Stop It)
“Doors of Your Heart” (1981, Wha’ppen?)
“Too Nice to Talk to” (1981 single, later on Wha’ppen? CD reissue)
“I Confess” (1982, Special Beat Service)
