The Specials at Terminal 5

Just wanted to let all of you know that the Specials, last night, performed as advertised. They played the vast majority of the first 2 albums plus "Ghost Town" as an encore, and a b-side or two. All in around 90 minutes with no support. Terry Hall is definitely an odd bird...going from threatening to kick someone's head at one moment, to sincerely thanking the audience the next. At one point he removed his shoes and put them back on before the next song. In the mean time, Neville Staple had stolen his socks and threw them into the crowd. Terry, stopping the band mid-song, asked for them back to no avail, claiming they were his only pair. The band picked up right where they left off.

My favorite moment of the night was when they performed "Little Bitch." As the song started, watching from the middle balcony, I happened to turn around, and much to my delight everyone was dancing. Because of poor sight lines at Terminal 5, they couldn't see the band anyway. So they danced like crazy. It was like my secret little Busby Berkeley moment. My most chershed moments at any gig are when the crowd & the band really come together through the music like that. It's one big (un)choreographed number.

For photos from both nights, visit Brooklyn Vegan. It took me a bit, but I managed to find some video with decent audio on Vimeo. Here you go:

Gangsters:


It's Up To You:


Rat Race: