@52Blogs - Week 5 - Special

This weeks topic is Special, where we are asked

"What does ‘special’ mean to you? What do you find special about the people and things around you? What makes you special? Whatever happened to politically motivated ska revival band The Specials?"

I've chosen to answer these questions specifically lets see how it pans out.

What does special mean to you?

Special is a much abused word, it has become the go to word for sports commentators the right of passage word for wannabe hipsters and the abused word by most teenager.  For me it means something better than normal, something memorable, something moving, something inspiring or something awesome.  I think to qualify as being special it must stir my waters in some way.

What do you find special about the people and things around you?

I love people and I can find something special about everyone I meet, what I most am attracted to in people is a beautiful mind.  To define a beautiful mind is difficult and simple at the same time, to me its the ability to have an unbelievable understanding of things without smashing that ability in the faces of others.  Simply put I have information and I can decipher this problem however I am not going to belittle you whilst I share that with you.  If you can do that then your special.  

The other kind of special in people is the one where people who for no other reason than a strong sense of right, stand up for, fight for or defend another, whilst that other is being wronged.

What makes you special?

Not much, I'm lucky to be surrounded by awesome people, so I bask in there collective specialness all the while not possessing a skerrick of special of mine own.

Whatever happened to politically motivated ska revival band The Specials?

Im glad you asked.  Since the break-up in 1981, of the original line-up, they have reformed several times to tour and record in Specials-related projects. There has never been a complete reunion of the original line-up.

In the early 1990s, members of The Beat teamed up with members of The Specials to form Special Beat.  The band toured and released some live albums. In 1996, several members of The Specials reunited to record Today's Specials, a studio album mostly of reggae and ska covers.  This was followed in 1998 with an album of originals, Guilty 'til Proved Innocent!, featuring guest vocals by Tim Armstrong and Lars Frederiksen of Rancid. The band toured heavily in support of both releases. These albums were followed by Skinhead Girl in 2000 and Conquering Ruler in 2001. 

On 30 March 2008, Hall stated that The Specials would be reforming for tour dates in Autumn 2008, and possibly for some recording.  This was officially confirmed on 7 April 2008. In December 2008, the band had announced 2009 tour dates to celebrate their 30th anniversary. It was announced that founder member Jerry Dammers is not set to join the band on the tour. Hall was quoted as saying "The door remains open to him".  However Dammers described the new reunion as a "takeover" and claimed he has been forced out of the band.
The Specials performed at Hyde Park with Blur and New Order to celebrate the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony.

In August 2012, The Specials released their brand new live album called More ... Or Less The Specials Live on CD and vinyl, featuring "the best of the best" performances from their 2011 European tour - selected by the band themselves.

On 10 January 2013 the Specials announced the departure of Neville Staple via the following message on their web site: "We are very sad Neville cannot join us on The Specials UK tour in May 2013 or indeed on the future projects we have planned. He has made a huge contribution to the fantastic time and reception we have received since we started and reformed in 2009 . However , he missed a number of key shows last year due to ill health & his health is obviously much more important . We wish him the very best for the future."

Anyhow y'all that is all