I Confess...

(07/26/2010)
I Confess English Beat - BEAT THIS
The English Beat - BEAT THIS

The English Beat (or The Beat, as they are known in the UK) was founded in late ‘70s England in a period of major social turmoil.  The band – whose music combines elements of punk rock, reggae, New Wave, rocksteady, and ska – is best known for songs dealing with issues such as politics, unity, and love.

I Confess The English Beat - SPECIAL BEAT SERVICE
The English Beat - SPECIAL BEAT SERVICE

Their biggest hits included “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “I Confess” as well as cover-versions of “I Can’t Get Used to Losing You” (the standard made popular by Andy Williams, Bobby Darin, Julie London and Bobby Rydell) and the Motown classic “Tears of a Clown” (written by Stevie Wonder, Hank Cosby and Smokey Robinson, and performed by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles).

Members of The Beat went on to form, join, or perform with other musical acts including General Public, Big Audio Dynamite, Fine Young Cannibals, The Specials, and Pato Banton.  “I Confess” easily makes my lists of Favorite Songs of the ‘80s and Favorite Party Songs – probably a couple of others too, that escape me, as I write this; but you get the point.

Well, color me so delighted to have found that The English Beat is performing on Tuesday, July 27th in the new Crown Theater and Nightclub at The Rio.  And oh yeah – Squeeze is playing, too; if you’re into that sort of thing (which I am, from time to time).

I Confess Squeeze - SINGLES 45'S AND UNDER
Squeeze - SINGLES 45'S AND UNDER

If memory serves, I was first introduced to the music of Squeeze by Lee Levitz, who lived down the hall from me, in the dorm, our freshman year at prep-school.  Lee had excellent taste in rock music, and it was through hanging-out with him that I gained an appreciation for Squeeze (and Aerosmith – but that’s another story).

And while my favorite Squeeze song is “Take Me I’m Yours” which harkens back to their 1978 New Wave roots (it’s very Dire Straits meets Kraftwerk), the song-writing prowess of Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook is best-known on these shores for hits like “Black Coffee in Bed” and “Tempted” as well as one of the most mis-sung lyrics in the English language – “Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)."

I Confess Crown

This will be my first concert at Crown Theater, although I was there countless times when it was Club Rio, and then attended a few performances when it was Prince’s Club 3121 (including that of Chaka Khan, who hugged me so tightly when we met in her dressing-room, after her concert, that I nearly suffocated in her cleavage!).  So, I’m pretty excited.

I Confess The English Beat & Squeeze

 


The English Beat and Squeeze

Crown Theater and Nightclub
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
Tuesday, July 27th ~ 8pm
Tickets - $49

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The Beat
Thanks Michael! Great memories. J
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