SKA FACE (The Dangermen Sessions Vol 1 - Madness)

Member Name: MrQuomps

Product:	The Dangermen Sessions Vol 1 - Madness
Date:	08/11/08 (165 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun fun fun

Disadvantages: Dull end to the album

The Dangermen Sessions Volume One is a collection of covers recorded by Madness and released in 2005.

Artists covered include Prince Buster, The Kinks, The Supremes and Desmond Dekker. Although I think my favourite tracks on this album are covers of Lord Tanamo with their silly happy quirky lyrics and uplifting ska pop music. Shame and Scandal is hilarious.

I didn't think a Madness cover of Lola by the Kinks would work very well. I LOVE the original and so I was a tad worried this version would be a load of old pants, but it's actually EXTREMELY good. Suggs' voice really works and I listen to this version on my MP3 player all the time now.

Girl Why Don't You?, You Keep Me Hanging On and John Jones all sound fantastic. I even like the cover of The Israelites!!!??!

Suggs' voice is also at it's best on Barabara Lynn's You'll Lose A Good Thing. Another great cover and, for me the last good song on the album. The two tracks that follow, Rain and So Much Trouble in The World are slow and quite dull. Then again, I HATE Bob Marley so maybe that has something to do with disliking the final track. The slow reggae songs just don't work as well as the more upbeat ska songs for me.

Go check it out.


1 - This Is Where
2 - Girl Why Don't You? (Prince Buster)
3 - Shame & Scandal (Sir Lancelot)
4 - I Chase the Devil A.K.A. Ironshirt (Max Romeo)
5 - Taller Than You Are (Lord Tanamo)
6 - You Keep Me Hanging On (The Supremes)
7 - Dangerman A.K.A. High Wire (Bob Leaper & His Orchestra)
8 - Israelites (Desmond Dekker & The Aces)
9 - John Jones (Desmond Dekker & The Aces)
10 - Lola (The Kinks)
11 - You'll Lose a Good Thing (Barbara Lynn)
12 - Rain (José Feliciano)
13 - So Much Trouble in the World (Bob Marley & The Wailers)

Summary: The best Madness album for years. I reckon