The Specials Set September Release For New Album 'Protest Songs – 1924 -2012'
Tuesday, 17 August 2021
Written by Jon Stickler
The Specials have announced details of a new album of cover songs.
'Protest Songs – 1924-2012' will arrive on September 24 via their new label home at Island Records and feature 12 new versions of protest songs by artists such as Talking Heads, Bob Marley, Leonard Cohen and Frank Zappa.
Following up 2019's 'Encore', the LP was recorded in West London back in May with regular bandmates Nikolaj Torp Larsen on keyboards, Kenrick Rowe on drums and Steve Cradock on guitar.
As a preview, the band have unveiled their spirited revamp of Freedom Highway, a rock 'n'roll song written by the Staple Singers in response to the famous civil rights marches from Selma to Montgomery in 1965. Head below to view the full tracklist.
The Specials will embark on a previously announced UK tour later in August. Just before that, they'll headline Dreamland Margate on August 28.
'Protest Songs – 1924-2012' tracklist:
1. Freedom Highway (The Staple Singers)
2. Everybody Knows (Leonard Cohen)
3. I Don’t Mind Failing In This World (Malvina Reynolds)
4. Black, Brown And White (Big Bill Broonzy)
5. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Us Around (traditional)
6. Fuck All The Perfect People (Chip Taylor & The New Ukrainians)
7. My Next Door Neighbour
8. Trouble Every Day (Frank Zappa & Mothers of Invention)
9. Listening Wind (Talking Heads)
10. Soldiers Who Want To Be Heroes (Rod McKuen)
11. I Live In A City (Malvina Reynolds)
12. Get Up, Stand Up (Bob Marley)
The Specials Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Sat August 28 2021 - MARGATE Dreamland Margate
Sun August 29 2021 - HALIFAX Piece Hall
Tue August 31 2021 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Thu September 02 2021 - PLYMOUTH Plymouth Pavilions
Fri September 03 2021 - BOURNEMOUTH Windsor Hall (BIC)
Sat September 04 2021 - BRIGHTON Centre
Mon September 06 2021 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Tue September 07 2021 - EDINBURGH Usher Hall
Thu September 09 2021 - MANCHESTER O2 Victoria Warehouse
Fri September 10 2021 - CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena
Sat September 11 2021 - COVENTRY Coventry Building Society Arena
Mon September 13 2021 - HULL Bonus Arena
Tue September 14 2021 - BLACKPOOL Empress Ballroom
Thu September 16 2021 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Fri September 17 2021 - NOTTINGHAM Motorpoint Arena
Sat September 18 2021 - DONCASTER Dome
Mon September 20 2021 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE O2 City Hall
Tue September 21 2021 - READING, RG1 8EQ Rivermead Leisure Complex
Thu September 23 2021 - LONDON Roundhouse
Fri September 24 2021 - LONDON Roundhouse
Sat September 25 2021 - LONDON Troxy
Sat July 02 2022 - DUBLIN Trinity College
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