MIDWEEK CRISIS you can't find that song again, come to WEDNESDAY CLUB we've got the Specials, an apartheid story and we've found that song!
SPECIALS - Nelson Mandela(Original)(1983)
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| The great man |
This is another one of these 'where can I find this song' situations. I loved the Specials Nelson Mandela when it was first released. Much later I found another version on a sampler which I found to be a superior version of the song. It had that great African beat to it. I was devastated when my parrot destroyed that CD. 'Who's a bad boy then Jacko!' I searched and searched and could not find it again until a triple Specials album Specials Stereo-Typical was released and there it was. It was a new '88 'mix featuring Ndonka Khuze and Jonas Gwangwa and is different to the '88 dance mix version which was released. It was so good to have the track back in my grubby!
Here is the one I am talking about I still think it is right on the button!
SPECIALS - Nelson Mandela('88 Mix)
We were in Durban in 1982, on the first day we were looking for a Supermarket. I asked a guy directions, he was very polite and courteous and was just giving directions when this woman came up shouting and waving her hands, the poor chap cowered and slunk away. She said you do not talk to these people. We were in total shock and unable to make any response. The nasty woman was white and the helpful gentleman was black.
Later a black woman asked us if we could fill a bottle of sea water for her. The sign on the Beach said 'for whites only'. I was experiencing apartheid first hand and I did not like, I did not like one little bit.
A great song by a great Band in acknowledgement of a very very great man. Long live Nelson Mandela!
This is the original and it is just as good really and this is just a fantastic video too.
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WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Specials - Nelson Mandela - Original & '88 Remix
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Oleh
Old Pa's Corner
7 comments
commentsShocking tales of apartheid, sir. I meant to buy that triple Specials disc when it came out but didn't and now haven't seen it for years. Fabulous song, of course. This is quite weird actually - I heard 'Free Nelson Mandela' for the first time is ages the other day and it crossed my mind to do a little post about it then I thought I didn't have all that much to say apart from how brilliant it is. You, sir, on the other hand, have provided a bit of context and added musical interest. Thank you!
ReplyForgot to ask...how did your parrot destroy your disc??? Haha! Little tike.
ReplySB yes truly a song that made a difference...as for the parrot not the first CD it destroyed...my fault for leaving them lying around too close to him...hope you enjoyed the Olympics!!!....I should have the Triple CD on file...let me know if you want it!!
ReplyBlimey I only ever knew the one that you got free and loved it. Was it from Replay magazine? Some great freebies from that one. Top post, as always!
ReplySH don't think it was replay...I apologise for neglecting your education like that...unforgivable....
ReplyPure musical magic, certainly that elusive 88' version, magnificent!! Was the magazine Select? I remember Durban and a couple of things I saw really affected me, white only convenience store and drinking fountain. At 8 years old I couldn't understand why.
ReplyHorrible story old pa. The '88 version sounds much more haunting than the original. Great stuff. My older sister now lives in Nelspruit.
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