Perhaps still celebrating Liverpool's European Cup win from the night before, the atmosphere in Jumpin' Jaks was electric and I could feel before the bands came on this was going to be a good night. The audience were warmed up even more, by being  treated to a great set of Ska classic's by DJ and tonight's compare Lewis Hawkins.

I have seen The Beat with this line-up several times before and they have never disappointed, original member Rankin' Roger fronts the band along with his son Rankin Junior who has just quested on the new Ordinary boys single, their dance styles and raps compliment each other very well, they soon have the crowd up on their feet and dancing. As well as very well received "Beat" classic singles such as "Too nice to talk too", "Tears of a clown" and "Mirror in the bathroom" we were treated to a great cover of "Rock the Casbah" dedicated to the late great Joe Strummer. Also a song which Neville Staple and Rankin Roger had written together called "Muscle Ska". The Beat's mix of Ska, Reggae, and modern rap blend together very well and they leave the stage with the audience wanting more.

Neville Staple had to be woken from a deep sleep backstage ,just before he came on stage and arrived on stage a bit bleary eyed. Despite this as soon as the band started the 1st number he leapt into action and did not stop leaping about the stage all night. The gig has been billed "Neville Staple" plays The Specials and that's what we got a great night of classic's from Coventry's finest. 1st up was "Man at C+A" and as Neville's booming vocal called out "Warning warning nuclear attack" we were taken back to the days when Ska 1st hit in this country and The Specials were one of the finest Ska bands of the time.

Neville's band included a fine brass section and keyboards that more than added to the Ska sound . Ghost Town was played and Neville extended the song with his own style of reggae rap, which gave the number 1 hit a new lease of life. The rumours about The Specials reforming was put to rest by Neville saying it was never going to happen, however he does stay in touch with the other members of the band and he stated he was off to Jerry Dammers 50th birthday party some time soon.

The classics kept coming Pressure Drop, Nite Klub, Monkey Man, Gangsters, Guns Of Navorone, Little Bitch and Message to you Rudi were all played brilliantlly, however you would be forgiven for thinking it would be so much better it the original Specials were up there.