The Dangermen Sessions Vol. 1
Encyclopedia
The Dangermen Sessions, Vol. 1 is a cover album
by the British
ska
band Madness
. It was released in 2005 (see 2005 in music
). The album was successful and reached #11 in the UK which at the time was their highest chart position in the UK since 1984's Keep Moving
.
" and "It Miek
", as well as the Prince Buster
numbers "One Step Beyond
" and "Madness", both of which the group had already released in 1979. The live concerts also included Dangermen "covers" of a few of Madness' more ska-influenced original compositions, such as "Night Boat to Cairo
" and "The Prince
".
Although Chris Foreman
appeared on the record, he left the group after the sessions and was therefore not a member of the group at the time of the album's release and did not take part in promotion for the album. He would later re-join the group.
The album booklet contains both serious sleevenotes in which the various members of the group discuss their choice of songs, and fictional notes concerning the history of the group "The Dangermen", who are claimed to have been an influential reggae group formed in Havana
in the 1960s, and who have reformed after 35 years to record the album.
Each member of Madness has an alter ego
in The Dangermen:
Additional personnel:
Cover Album
-Tracklisting:#Misono to Utaou! Animedley I # #...
by the British
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
band Madness
Madness (band)
In 1979, the band recorded the Lee Thompson composition "The Prince". The song, like the band's name, paid homage to their idol, Prince Buster. The song was released through 2 Tone Records, the label of The Specials founder Jerry Dammers. The song was a surprise hit, peaking in the UK music charts...
. It was released in 2005 (see 2005 in music
2005 in music
-Events:*During the year 2005, 12 rock music albums scored number 1 in the USA. This was the first time even ten albums have scored number 1 since 1996.-January:...
). The album was successful and reached #11 in the UK which at the time was their highest chart position in the UK since 1984's Keep Moving
Keep Moving
Keep Moving is the fifth album by the British ska band Madness from 1984. It was the last Madness album prior to their 1999 comeback album Wonderful to feature Mike Barson....
.
The Dangermen
Prior to recording the album, Madness played a number series of low-key gigs under the alias The Dangermen, performing mostly cover versions which they had performed in their early days as The Invaders. A selection from the set list was then chosen to be recorded for the album. Some songs which were played live but not included on the album included "Skylarking" and "Dreader Than Dread" (both released as B sides on the Shame and Scandal single), "Wonderful World, Beautiful People", "Papa's Got a Brand New PigbagPigbag
-Origin and formation:Pigbag were formed in Cheltenham in late 1980 by Chris Hamlin, a fashion student at Cheltenham Art College. Hamlin recruited multi-instrumentalist Roger Freeman, an old friend from his hometown of Birmingham, along with Chris Lee on trumpet and James Johnstone, a guitarist,...
" and "It Miek
It Miek
It Miek was a 1969 hit song by the Jamaican musicians, Desmond Dekker & The Aces. After being re-released in June 1969, the single reached number 7 in the UK Singles Chart...
", as well as the Prince Buster
Prince Buster
Cecil Bustamente Campbell, O.D. , better known as Prince Buster, and also known by his Muslim name Muhammed Yusef Ali, is a musician from Kingston, Jamaica. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of ska and rocksteady music...
numbers "One Step Beyond
One Step Beyond
-Television:* Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond, an American anthology television series 1959-1961, hosted by John Newland* One Step Beyond , a program broadcast by Discovery Channel...
" and "Madness", both of which the group had already released in 1979. The live concerts also included Dangermen "covers" of a few of Madness' more ska-influenced original compositions, such as "Night Boat to Cairo
Night Boat to Cairo
"Night Boat to Cairo" is a song by British ska/pop band Madness from their debut 1979 album One Step Beyond.... It was written by Mike Barson and Suggs , and was also included on the Work Rest and Play EP, which peaked at #6 in the UK music charts...
" and "The Prince
The Prince
The Prince is a political treatise by the Italian diplomat, historian and political theorist Niccolò Machiavelli. From correspondence a version appears to have been distributed in 1513, using a Latin title, De Principatibus . But the printed version was not published until 1532, five years after...
".
Although Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman
Chris Foreman , nicknamed Chrissy Boy, is an English guitarist, best known as a member of a second wave ska band, Madness.Foreman started Madness with Mike Barson and Lee Thompson in 1976...
appeared on the record, he left the group after the sessions and was therefore not a member of the group at the time of the album's release and did not take part in promotion for the album. He would later re-join the group.
The album booklet contains both serious sleevenotes in which the various members of the group discuss their choice of songs, and fictional notes concerning the history of the group "The Dangermen", who are claimed to have been an influential reggae group formed in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
in the 1960s, and who have reformed after 35 years to record the album.
Each member of Madness has an alter ego
Alter ego
An alter ego is a second self, which is believe to be distinct from a person's normal or original personality. The term was coined in the early nineteenth century when dissociative identity disorder was first described by psychologists...
in The Dangermen:
- Mark BedfordMark BedfordMark Bedford , nicknamed 'Bedders', is a bass guitarist and former member of the band Madness....
- Lester Bernham, born at sea and washed-up on the shores of CubaCubaThe Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
with a bass guitar made of driftwood. - Chas SmashChas SmashCathal Smyth, also known as Chas Smash is an English musician, best known as the backing singer and dancer in the ska/pop band Madness. He also plays trumpet, acoustic guitar and various percussion instruments...
- Jimmy Oooh, an itinerant singer. - Daniel WoodgateDaniel WoodgateDan Woodgate is the drummer of the band, Madness. More commonly known by his nickname Woody, he joined the band after being introduced at a rehearsal by bass player Mark Bedford. Woodgate is one of the less regular songwriters in the group, but is credited as co-writer on the hits 'Return of The...
- Daniel Descartes, experimental percussionist born in Paris and leader of touring band, the Daniel Descartes Collective. - Mike BarsonMike BarsonMichael "Mike" Barson is a British musician, best known as a founding member and keyboardist of the second wave ska band, Madness.-Biography:...
- Professor Psykoticus, an Hungarian-born musician (his supposed birthplace being the small town of MezőhegyesMezohegyesMezőhegyes is a town in Békés county, in the Southern Great Plain region of south-east Hungary. It is home to the Hungarian State Stud , founded in 1784 and famous for its Nonius, Furioso-North Star and Gidran breeds of horse.-Geography:...
) who worked in sonic weapons research in the USSR before being introduced to the music of the Daniel Descartes Collective, which led to the formation of The Dangermen. - SuggsSuggs (singer)Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:...
- Robert Chaos "The Poet", found in a Gladstone bagGladstone bagA Gladstone bag is a small portmanteau suitcase built over a rigid frame which could separate into two equal sections. Unlike a suitcase, a Gladstone bag is "deeper in proportion to its length." They are typically made of stiff leather and often belted with lanyards...
at the feet of Miles DavisMiles DavisMiles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
by Dexter GordonDexter GordonDexter Gordon was an American jazz tenor saxophonist and an Academy Award-nominated actor . He is regarded as one of the first and most important musicians to adapt the bebop musical language of people like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell to the tenor saxophone...
, and a founding member of The Dangermen. - Chris ForemanChris ForemanChris Foreman , nicknamed Chrissy Boy, is an English guitarist, best known as a member of a second wave ska band, Madness.Foreman started Madness with Mike Barson and Lee Thompson in 1976...
- Christofos Formantos, of whom nothing is known. - Lee Jay ThompsonLee Jay ThompsonLee Jay Thompson , nicknamed Kix or El Thommo, is an English musician, best known as the saxophonist and songwriter of the second wave ska band, Madness....
- "Unnamed", atmospheric scientist and part-time sax player.
Track listing
- "This Is Where"
- "Girl Why Don't You?" originally performed by Prince BusterPrince BusterCecil Bustamente Campbell, O.D. , better known as Prince Buster, and also known by his Muslim name Muhammed Yusef Ali, is a musician from Kingston, Jamaica. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of ska and rocksteady music...
- "Shame & ScandalShame & Scandal"Shame & Scandal" is a song originally performed by calypso singer Sir Lancelot. The song is a reggae classic, and was written for the movie "I Walked with a Zombie" in 1943. The song was originally titled "Fort Holland Calypso Song". Trinidadian calypsonian Lord Melody used the song as the basis...
" originally performed by Sir LancelotSir Lancelot (singer)Lancelot Victor Edward Pinard was a calypso singer and actor who used the name Sir Lancelot. Sir Lancelot played a major role in popularizing calypso in North America, and Harry Belafonte has acknowledged him as an inspiration and major influence.-Early life:Pinard was born in Cumuto, Trinidad...
as "Scandal in the Family" - "I Chase the DevilI Chase the Devil"I Chase the Devil" is a reggae song, recorded in 1976 by Max Romeo, with the backing of Lee "Scratch" Perry's house band, The Upsetters. Composed by Perry and Romeo, it was released on the album War Ina Babylon....
A.K.A. Ironshirt" originally performed by Max RomeoMax RomeoMax Romeo is a reggae and roots reggae recording artist who has achieved chart success in his home country, and in the UK. Romeo was responsible for launching an entirely new sub-genre of reggae, whose overtly suggestive lyrics caused an outcry but took a massive hold of the music scene regardless... - "Taller Than You Are" originally performed by Lord TanamoLord TanamoLord Tanamo is best known as a mento and ska performer and songwriter. He helped create the sound we now know as ska, by combining elements of calypso gleaned from Lord Kitchener, with the lilting mento rhythms of his childhood...
- "You Keep Me Hanging On" written by Holland-Dozier-HollandHolland-Dozier-HollandHolland–Dozier–Holland is a songwriting and production team made up of Lamont Dozier and brothers Brian Holland and Edward Holland, Jr. They are considered to be one of the greatest songwriting teams in popular music...
and originally performed by The SupremesThe SupremesThe Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
then adapted by reggae singer Ken BootheKen BootheKen Boothe OD is a Jamaican recording artist.-Biography:Ken Boothe was born in the Denham Town area of Kingston in 1948, the youngest of seven children, and began singing in school... - "Dangerman A.K.A. High Wire" (theme song to British television series Danger ManDanger ManDanger Man is a British television series that was broadcast between 1960 and 1962, and again between 1964 and 1968. The series featured Patrick McGoohan as secret agent John Drake. Ralph Smart created the program and wrote many of the scripts...
), originally performed by Edwin Astley & His Orchestra then covered as "High Wire" by the Bob Leaper Orchestra - "IsraelitesIsraelites (song)"Israelites" is a song written by Desmond Dekker and Leslie Kong that became a hit for Dekker's group, Desmond Dekker & The Aces. Although few could understand all the lyrics, the single was the first UK reggae number one and the first to reach the US top ten...
" originally performed by Desmond Dekker & The Aces - "John Jones" originally performed by Rudy Mills
- "LolaLola (song)"Lola" is a song written by Ray Davies and performed by The Kinks which details a romantic encounter between a young man and a transvestite he meets in a club in Soho, London....
" originally performed by The KinksThe KinksThe Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a... - "You'll Lose a Good Thing" originally performed by Barbara LynnBarbara LynnBarbara Lynn is an American rhythm and blues and electric blues guitarist and singer. She is best known for her R&B chart-topping hit, "You'll Lose A Good Thing" .-Life and career:She played piano as a child, but switched to guitar...
and adapted for the reggae market by Audrey HallAudrey Hall-Biography:Hall began her career singing with Dandy Livingstone in the duo Dandy & Audrey. They recorded the song "Morning Side of the Mountain" in 1969, the success of which led to an album of the same name. They released a second album on the Trojan label, I Need You. Livingstone also produced... - "Rain" originally performed by José FelicianoJosé FelicianoJosé Feliciano is a Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single "Feliz Navidad".-Childhood:...
although the hit reggae version was by Bruce RuffinBruce RuffinBruce Ruffin is a rocksteady and reggae artist.-Biography:... - "So Much Trouble in the World" originally performed by Bob MarleyBob MarleyRobert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
& The WailersWailers BandThe Wailers Band are a reggae band formed by the remaining members of Bob Marley & The Wailers, following the death of Bob Marley in 1981.-Previous Wailers' incarnations:The Wailers started as Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh...
Chart performance
| Chart (2005) | Peak position |
Total weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Belgian Albums Chart (Vl) | 93 | 1 |
| Belgian Albums Chart (Wa) | 39 | 8 |
| Dutch Albums Chart | 59 | 3 |
| European Hot 100 Albums Chart | ? | 3 |
| French Albums Chart | 17 | 15 |
| German Albums Chart | 81 | 2 |
| Swiss Albums Chart | 67 | 4 |
| UK Albums Chart | 11 | 4 |
Personnel
- SuggsSuggs (singer)Graham McPherson , better known as Suggs, is an English singer, actor, former radio DJ, TV personality, and most famous as the frontman of the band Madness.-Early life:...
(Graham McPherson) – Lead Vocals - Mike BarsonMike BarsonMichael "Mike" Barson is a British musician, best known as a founding member and keyboardist of the second wave ska band, Madness.-Biography:...
– Keyboards - Chris ForemanChris ForemanChris Foreman , nicknamed Chrissy Boy, is an English guitarist, best known as a member of a second wave ska band, Madness.Foreman started Madness with Mike Barson and Lee Thompson in 1976...
– Guitar - Mark BedfordMark BedfordMark Bedford , nicknamed 'Bedders', is a bass guitarist and former member of the band Madness....
(Bedders) – Bass - Lee ThompsonLee Jay ThompsonLee Jay Thompson , nicknamed Kix or El Thommo, is an English musician, best known as the saxophonist and songwriter of the second wave ska band, Madness....
– Saxophones - Daniel WoodgateDaniel WoodgateDan Woodgate is the drummer of the band, Madness. More commonly known by his nickname Woody, he joined the band after being introduced at a rehearsal by bass player Mark Bedford. Woodgate is one of the less regular songwriters in the group, but is credited as co-writer on the hits 'Return of The...
(Woody) – Drums - Chas SmashChas SmashCathal Smyth, also known as Chas Smash is an English musician, best known as the backing singer and dancer in the ska/pop band Madness. He also plays trumpet, acoustic guitar and various percussion instruments...
(Cathal Smyth) – Backing Vocals and Spoken Intro on track 4
Additional personnel:
- Steve Turner - Saxophone
- Joe Auckland – Trumpet
- Mike Kearsey - Trombone
- Steve Dub – Synthesizer, Programming,Backing Vocals, Production, Mixing, Engineer
- Simon WilcoxSimon Wilcox-Early life:Born in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Wilcox is the daughter of multi-media artist Sadia Sadia and Canadian rock musician David Wilcox. She is also the great niece of Canadian political scientist John Meisel. At the age of three, she was placed with a female friend of the family in...
– Trumpet - Dennis BovellDennis BovellDennis Bovell is a reggae guitarist, bass player and record producer. He was a member of the British reggae band Matumbi, and released dub-reggae records under his own name as well as the pseudonym 'Blackbeard'....
– Timbales, Production - Patrick Kiernan – Violin
- Boguslaw Kostecki – Violin
- Julian Leaper – Violin
- Perry Mason – Violin
- Jackie Shave – Violin
- Chris Tombling – Violin
- Gavyn WrightGavyn WrightGavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London Session Orchestra and Penguin Cafe Orchestra, best known for his orchestral arrangements on pop productions as well as numerous TV and movie soundtracks Gavyn Wright is a British violinist and orchestra leader with the London...
– Violin - Warren Zielinski – Violin
- Ellie Hajee – Backing Vocals
- Janet Kay – Backing Vocals
- Jamie,Timothy and Joey Barson-Backing Vocals
- David BedfordDavid BedfordDavid Vickerman Bedford , was an English composer and musician. He wrote and played both popular and classical music....
– String Arrangements, MD - Isobel Griffiths – String Contraction
- Ingo Vauk – Programming
- Steve Masters – Engineering
- Jason Olliffe – Engineering
- Ben Thackeray – Engineering