Ska Triple-Header Thrills Fans And Brings Back Memories

It's not often that you can hear music from three different bands over the course of a night and be able to sing along to every song, but that was the case on Monday night at Lee's Palace for a show featuring Dave Wakeling of The English Beat and General Public, Lynval Golding of The Specials and Pauline Black of The Selecter. And I wasn't the only person that could make that boast, as the club was packed with sweaty people singing and skanking along to every number that the ska supergroup performed.

Wakeling, a regular visitor to Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern over the past few years, assumed the spokesman role for most of the night, introducing each song and person on stage. While the three frontpeople were the obvious focus, Wakeling had more capable and versatile backing than he has at recent shows. He and Golding were joined by a third guitarist, a bassist, drummer, saxophonist and an animated keyboard player, who helped bring to life memories of British ska's glorious late '70s and early '80s second wave.

That was reflected in the crowd. Most attendees were in their thirties and early forties. And though some of them looked like they hadn't been in a steamy club in years, they all got into the spirit of things and took the already high energy level to a frenzy mid-set during The Specials' "Nite Klub."

The years certainly didn't show on Black, whose tight black pants and occasionally midriff-baring jacket showed the woman was in excellent shape. Golding was gamely working himself back into top form, as he said he hadn't played in nine years before Wakeling convinced him to join this road show. Golding was overcome by the dance-crazed response the set received, as well as the positive collaborative vibe shared by everyone on stage. "It just proves that great music lives forever," he told me backstage before the first encore.

The show was supposed to end after Golding led everyone in a rousing encore rendition of "Enjoy Yourself," but the crowd refused to leave until it heard one more song. They were obliged with The English Beat's "End Of The Party." Most people didn't want that song's title to be true, but, alas it was.

Here's the set list:
"Message To You Rudy" (The Specials)
“Rough Rider" (The English Beat)
“Best Friend" (The English Beat)
“Tears Of A Clown" (The English Beat)
“Two Swords" (The English Beat)
“Monkey Man" (The Specials)
“Hands Off She's Mine" (The English Beat)
“Twist And Crawl" (The English Beat)
“Three Minute Hero" (The Selecter)
“Doors Of Your Heart" (The English Beat)
“Ackee 123" (The English Beat)
“Nite Klub" (The Specials)
“I'll Take You There" (General Public)
“Tenderness" (General Public)
“Missing Words" (The Selecter)
“Can't Get Used To Losing You" (The English Beat)
“Whine And Grine/Stand Down Margaret" (The English Beat)
“Ranking Full Stop" (The English Beat)
“Mirror In The Bathroom" (The English Beat)
“Too Much Pressure" (The Selecter)
“Click Click" (The English Beat)
“Save It For Later" (The English Beat)
“Enjoy Yourself" (The Specials)
“End Of The Party" (The English Beat)