BURNING THE GROUND EXCLUSIVE 1981
“Ghost Town” is a 1981 song by the British ska band The Specials. The song spent three weeks at number one and 10 weeks in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart. Addressing themes of urban decay, deindustrialisation, unemployment and violence in inner cities, the song is remembered for being a hit at the same time as riots were occurring in British cities. As such, it is remembered as a major piece of popular social commentary.
SIDE A:
Ghost Town (Extended Version) 5:57
Written-By – Dammers*
SIDE B:
Why? 3:54
Written-By – Golding*
Friday Night Saturday Morning 3:33
Written-By – Hall*
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Chrysalis – CDS 2525
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: Reggae
Style: Ska, Rocksteady
Credits: Engineer – John Rivers
Producer – John Collins
Find The 12″ On DISCOGS
EQUIPMENT USED:
Turntable: Pro-Ject Debut III
Cartridge: Ortofon Super
Stylus: Ortofon OM Stylus 30
Pro-Ject Acryl-It platter
Pro-Ject Speed Box S
Bellari VP130 Tube Phono Preamp
Soundcard: ESI Juli@
VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Brother MFC-6490CW Professional Series Scanner
SOFTWARE USED:
Adobe Audition 3.0 (Recording)
Adobe Photoshop CS5
ClickRepair
dBpoweramp
Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
Downsampled to 24bit/96kHz and16bit /44kHz using iZotope RX Advanced 2
FLAC (Level Eight)
MP3 (320kbps)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
Thanks Paul, one of my fave early 80’s tracks 🙂
Thanks Paul. Another great song that I didn’t have before.
hey paul,
by any chance do you have the “Gangsters” single, would love to have that one as it never made it onto any of their albums. thx in advance.
Paul, you’ve made this a wonderful Halloween season! I can’t wait until I get home to see what’s next. Interesting thing about this record. I first heard about it from the news show 20/20 on ABC. They were talking about the riots during that time of social unrest in Britain. The song stayed with me, that little bit of “This place, is comin’ like a Ghost Town.” Never heard the full version until 2006 or so. I love the Ennio Morricone stylings of the record too, quite otherworldly. Great track and thanks so much for the 12-inch version. I can’t… Read more »
One of THE great Eps! Thank you, Paul.
You’re welcome Dean 🙂
I also implore everyone to listen to the excellent b-side, Friday Night, Saturday Morning.
His lyrics are so simple and direct, scathing, but with humour. Love it.
Me too Jermajesty fell in love with that track the first time I heard it. Such poetry 🙂
Classic…
They don’t write them like this anymore..
They sure don’t Ex15 🙂
Thanks, Paul. Digging your Halloween theme. Thought you’d skipped it yesterday until I went back and saw the soundtrack it was pulled from.
Lucky you checked back Mike Hapy Halloween 🙂
You too!
Awesome awesome awesome, Terry Hall is such a beautiful person, and The Specials are from near my hometown (where nothing ever happens), so their success was extra special to us.
I didn’t realise they were making 12″ mixes for this type of band back then. Am keen to hear.
BTW, did you get my email I sent last night Paul? I have more exciting news since then. 🙂
Hope you like the mix Jermajesty I absolutely love this 12″. I got your email and sent you a reply 🙂
Another one of my favorites. Can’t do wrong with some ‘Specials’
Love the extra trumpet part in the extended version.
Thank you so much Paul 🙂
P.S. Would it be possible to re-up Carol Lynn Townes’ I Freak for You sometime?
Thanks in advance.
You’re welcome Patrick. I will try to re-up Carol Lynne when I get a chance 🙂
Thanks Paul for this one.
You’re welcome Omar 🙂