I just had the most horrific realization...instead of being the voice of the rude-boy nation-- is Dave Wakeling really just the Vanilla Ice of Ska? I mean, some white guy from ol' Brummy England going on with his Ja'rai'rifiam'bla Oi!...was Ranking Roger cringing?
*shudder*
Well. Vanilla Ice, prob'ly not. But "voice of the rude-boy generation"? I'm tempted to say "please" as thought it had two syllables!
How about Desmond Dekker?
Look, the English Beat were a really good band, but they weren't "authentic" in the least. and the Specials could kick their asses with one tone tied behind their backs.
Ranking Roger always kinda seemed like a British Bojangles with a bad dye job. I could never figure out what his role was, but I have a feeling he was a willing, even enthusiastic participant.
I think the mistake in assessing the EB is thinking that they were "Ska". Yeah. So's No Doubt.
Given all their admitted lame-itude, they earn my accolades for providing us with "save it for later" and my personal fave "i confess".
"I know I'm shouting,
I like to shout"
It was with tongue firmly planted in cheek that I wrote "voice of the rude-boy nation". Yes, EB was great. A popier more accessable version of, well, like you said, the Specials. I love the EB. Always have. I was just listening to them that day and feeling embarassed at having to admit that I like the schmaltz better than the edgier stuff. I listen to EB like once a week, the Specials? Desmond? Bim Ska la Bim? Like once a year.
Posted by: at May 10, 2003 01:20 PM