Madness: Albums 1979 - 1982

 

Madness are an English ska and pop band from Camden Town, north west London, who formed in

1976. One of the most prominent bands of the late-1970s/early-1980s two-tone ska revival, they continue to perform with six of the seven members of their original line-up. Madness's most successful period was from 1980 to 1986, when the band's songs spent a total of 214 weeks on the UK Singles Chart, jointly holding the record with English reggae group UB40 for most weeks spent by a group in the UK singles chart during the 1980s.
                           

With a sound rooted in ska, but also showing the influence of classic British pop, Madness have enjoyed a long career full of hit singles, influential albums, and satisfied concert audiences. They were known

initially for blending ska rhythms with catchy melodies and a nutty sense of humor on their 1979 debut album One Step Beyond, one of the seminal works of the 2-Tone era. The core of the band formed as the North London Invaders in 1976, and included Mike Barson (Monsieur Barso) on keyboards, Chris Foreman (Chrissy Boy) on guitar and Lee Thompson (Kix) on saxophone. They later recruited John Hasler on drums and Cathal Smyth (better known as Chas Smash) on bass guitar. Later in the year, they were joined by lead vocalist Dikran Tulaine.
                              

As their career progressed, they folded touches of Motown, soul, and on 1982's Madness Presents the Rise

& Fall, British pop, into their formula. A single from that album, the jaunty, Kinks-influenced "Our House" rose to the upper reaches of numerous singles charts around the globe and became an enduring classic. 2009's The Liberty of Norton Folgate was a reunion effort as pleasing as their classic '80s releases, and Madness showed no signs of slowing down, touring the world and launching new projects such as 2018's Can't Touch Us Now and 2023's The Theatre of the Absurd Introduces C'est La Vie.
                                  

01. MADNESS - ONE STEP BEYOND... 1979

                           

One Step Beyond... is the debut studio album by the English ska and pop band Madness, released on 19

October 1979 by Stiff Records. Recorded and mixed in about three weeks, the album peaked at number two and remained on the UK Albums Chart for more than a year. The album has received much critical praise. It was ranked 90th in a 2005 survey held by British television station Channel 4 to determine the 100 greatest albums of all time. 
                                   

Madness – One Step Beyond…
Label: Virgin – CDOVD 133, Virgin – 0777 7 86430 2 9
Series: Compact Price 
Format: CD, Album, Reissue
Country: Italy
Released: 1989
Genre: Rock
Style: Ska

TRACKS

                             

01. One Step Beyond
Written-By – C. Campbell
02. My Girl
Written-By – M. Barson
03. Night Boat To Cairo
Written-By – G. McPherson, M. Barson
04. Believe Me
Written-By – J. Hasler, M. Barson
05. Land Of Hope And Glory
Written-By – L. Thompson
06. The Prince
Written-By – L. Thompson
07. Tarzan's Nuts
Written-By – C. Smash, M. Barson
08. In The Middle Of The Night
Written-By – C. Foreman, G. McPherson
09. Bed & Breakfast Man
Written-By – M. Barson
10. Razor Blade Alley
Written-By – L. Thompson
11. Swan Lake
Arranged By [Traditional] – M. Barson
12. Rockin' In A♭
Written-By – W. Wurlitzer
13. Mummy's Boy
Written-By – M. Bedford
14. Madness
Written-By – C. Campbell
15. Chipmunks Are Go!
Written-By – B. Smyth, C. Smash

LINE - UP

Graham "Suggs" McPherson – lead vocals
Mike Barson – keyboards
Chris Foreman – guitars
Mark Bedford – bass
Lee Thompson – saxophones, backing vocals, lead vocals on tracks 5 and 10
Dan Woodgate – drums, percussion

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS

Cathal "Chas Smash" Smyth – backing vocals, "various shouts and fancy footwork", lead vocals on tracks 1 and 15

Flac Size: 270 MB

02.  MADNESS - ABSOLUTELY 1980 - 2 CD DELUXE EDITION

                                   

Absolutely is the second studio album from the English ska band Madness, released by Stiff Records on

26 September 1980. The album reached number 2 in the UK album charts. Absolutely spawned some of the band's biggest hits, most notably "Baggy Trousers", which peaked at number 3 in the UK and spent more than four months in the singles chart. "Embarrassment" reached number 4, and the instrumental "The Return of the Los Palmas 7" climbed to number 7.
                         

Madness – Absolutely
Label: BMG – BMGCAT591CD, Union Square Music – BMGCAT591CD
Format: 2 x CD, Album, Reissue, Stereo Feb 24, 2023
Country: UK
Released: 1980
Genre: Reggae
Style: Ska

CD1.  ORIGINAL ALBUM        

                                     

   
01. Baggy Trousers   2:46
Written-By – Foreman, McPherson    
02. Embarrassment   3:11
Written-By – Thompson, Barson    
03. E.R.N.I.E   2:09
Written-By – McPherson, Thompson    
04. Close Escape   3:32
Written-By – Foreman, Thompson    
05. Not Home Today   2:43
Written-By – McPherson, Bedford    
06. On The Beat Pete   3:04
Written-By – Thompson    
07. Solid Gone   2:19
Written-By – Smyth    
08. Take It Or Leave It   3:28
Written-By – Thompson, Barson    
09. Shadow Of Fear   1:59
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman, Woodgate, Bedford    
10. Disappear   2:58
Written-By – McPherson, Bedford    
11. Overdone   3:44
Written-By – Foreman, Thompson    
12. In The Rain   2:44
Written-By – McPherson    
13. You Said   2:34
Written-By – McPherson, Barson    
14. The Return Of The Los Palmas 7   2:31
Written-By – Woodgate, Bedford, Barson
    

BONUS TRACKS        

    
15. In The Rain (Single Version)   2:46
Written-By – McPherson    
16. The Business   3:26
Written-By – Barson    
17. Crying Shame   2:39
Written-By – Barson    
18. That's The Way To Do It   2:51
Written-By – Foreman    
19. El Regresso De Los Palmas 7   2:47
Written-By – Woodgate, Bedford, Barson    
20. Swan Lake (Live)   2:36
Written-By – Barson, Tchaikovsky    
21. Release Me/ Close Escape/ Solid Gone (Medley)   5:04
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman, Williams, Miller, Thompson, Yount

Flac Size: 453 MB

    
CD2.  BBC LIVE IN CONCERT HAMMERSMITH ODEON 23rd DECEMBER 1980       

                           

 
01. One Step Beyond    2:51
Written-By – Campbell
02. E.R.N.I.E   2:07
Written-By – McPherson, Thompson    
03. Mistakes   2:34
Written-By – Hasler, Barson    
04. Disappear   2:15
Written-By – McPherson, Bedford    
05. Bed And Breakfast Man   2:29
Written-By – Barson
06. The Return Of The Los Palmas 7   2:20
Written-By – Woodgate, Bedford, Barson    
07. Close Escape   2:44
Written-By – Foreman, Thompson    
08. Overdone   3:10
Written-By – Foreman, Thompson
09. Not Home Today   2:15
Written-By – McPherson, Bedford
10. Razor Blade Alley   3:16
Written-By – Barson
11. My Girl   2:44
Written-By – Barson
12. Take It Or Leave It   2:38
Written-By – Thompson, Barson    
13. On The Beat Pete   2:54
Written-By – Thompson
14. Embarrassment   3:09
Written-By – Thompson, Barson
15. Shadow Of Fear   1:54
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman, Woodgate, Bedford
16. You Said    2:28
Written-By – McPherson, Barson     
17. In The Middle Of The Night   2:28
Written-By – Foreman, McPherson
18. The Prince   3:05
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman, Woodgate, Bedford
19. Baggy Trousers   2:24
Written-By – Foreman, McPherson
20. Rockin' In A♭   2:00
Written-By – Smith    
21. Madness   3:30
Written-By – Campbell

Flac Size: 422 MB
    
LINE - UP

                               

Graham "Suggs" McPherson – lead vocals, percussion
Mike Barson – piano, organ, vibraphone, marimba, harmonica
Chris Foreman – guitar, sitar, slide guitar
Lee Thompson – tenor and baritone saxophones
Daniel Woodgate – drums, fire extinguisherMark Bedford – bass guitar
Chas Smash – backing vocals, trumpet, lead vocals on "Solid Gone"

03.  MADNESS - 7 1981

                             

7 (also known as Madness 7) is the third studio album by the English ska and pop band Madness.

Released in October 1981, it peaked at No. 5 on the UK Albums Chart. All but one track was recorded at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas in the summer of 1981, the exception being "Grey Day" which was recorded in London earlier in the year. Although in 2011 co-producer Alan Winstanley stated in the Guided Tour of Madness boxed-set that much of the album was re-recorded in London when they returned from Nassau. The album title was band member Chas Smash's idea based on the lucky number 7.

                           

Madness – 7
Label: Virgin – CDOVD 135, Virgin – 257 375
Series: Compact Price 
Format: CD, Album, Reissue Nov 1989
Country: UK
Released: 1981    
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Ska

TRACKS

                             

01. Cardiac Arrest    2:52
02. Shut Up    4:08
03. Sign Of The Times    2:43
04. Missing You    2:32
05. Mrs. Hutchinson    2:17
06. Tomorrows Dream    3:55
07. Grey Day    3:40
08. Pac-A-Mac    2:37
09. Promises Promises    2:52
10. Benny Bullfrog    1:51
11. When Dawn Arrives    2:43
12. The Opium Eaters    3:02
13. Day On The Town    3:23

LINE - UP

                      

Graham "Suggs" McPherson – lead vocals
Mike Barson – piano, organ, vibes, marimba, tubular bells
Chris Foreman – guitar, sitar
Mark Bedford – bass
Lee Thompson – saxophones, burps, squeaks, lead vocals on track 10
Daniel Woodgate – drums, congas
Chas Smash – backing vocals, trumpet

Flac Size: 250 MB

04.  MADNESS - THE RISE & FALL 1982 2CD DELUXE EDITION

                        

The Rise & Fall is the fourth studio album by English ska band Madness, released on 5 November 1982

by Stiff Records. This album saw Madness at their most experimental, exhibiting a range of musical styles including jazz, English music hall, and Eastern influences. NME described it at the time of its release as "the best Madness record". It has often been retrospectively described as a concept album. Though the album was never released in the US, several tracks were later placed on the compilation Madness (1983), including "Our House", the band's only top 10 hit in America. 
                            

Madness – The Rise & Fall
Label: BMG – BMGCAT593CD, Union Square Music – BMGCAT593CD
Format: CD, Album, Reissue 2023
Country: UK
Released: 1892    
Genre: Rock
Style: Pop Rock, Ska

CD1.  THE ORIGINAL ALBUM        

                       

   
01. Rise And Fall   3:17
Written-By – Foreman, McPherson
02. Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)   3:11
Written-By – Smyth, Barson
03. Blue Skinned Beast   3:23
Written-By – Thompson    
04. Primrose Hill    3:36
Written-By – Foreman, McPherson
05. Mr. Speaker (Gets The Word)    3:01
Written-By – McPherson, Barson
06. Sunday Morning   4:03
Written-By – Woodgate
07. Our House   3:23
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman
08. Tiptoes   3:30
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman, Woodgate, McPherson, Thompson, Bedford, Barson
09. New Delhi   3:41
Written-By – Barson    
10. That Face   3:40
Written-By – Foreman, McPherson
11. Calling Cards   2:20
Written-By – Foreman, Thompson
12. Are You Coming (With Me)   3:17
Written-By – Thompso, Barson
13. Madness (Is All In The Mind)   2:53
Written-By – Foreman

Flac Size: 307 MB
    
CD2. THE KID JENSEN SEESION            

                         

01. Rise And Fall   2:38
Written-By – Foreman, McPherson    
02. Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)   3:01
Written-By – Smyth, Barson
03. Calling Cards   2:05
Written-By – Foreman, Thompson
04. Are You Coming (With Me)   2:46
Written-By – Thompson, Barson
    

THE BONUS TRACKS

    
05. House Of Fun (7" Single)   3:00
Written-By – Thompson, Barson    
06. Driving In My Car (7" Single)   3:18
Written-By – Barson
07. Our House (12" Extended Version)   5:58
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman
08. Tomorrow's (Just Another Day) (Warped 12" Single)   3:46
Written-By – Smyth, Barson    
09. Don't Look Back (B-Side "House Of Fun")   3:35
Written-By – Foreman
10. Animal Farm (Tomorrow's Dream Warp Mix) (B-Side "Driving In My Car")   4:04
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman, Woodgate, McPherson, Thompson, Bedford, Barson
11. Riding On My Bike (B-Side "Driving In My Car" 12")  5:37 
Written-By – Thompson, Barson
12. Mad House ("Our House" Instrumental Mix - USA 12")  4:39 
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman
13. Walking With Mr. Wheeze (B-Side "Our House")   3:33
Written-By – Barson
14. Blue Beast (Warp Mix) (B-Side "Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)" 12")   3:16
Written-By – Thompson
15. Tomorrow's (Just Another Day) ("Tomorrow's (Just Another Day)" 12")   2:57
Performer [With] – Elvis Costello
Written-By – Smyth, Barson
16. Our House (Stretch Mix) (DJ Promo Single)   5:32
Written-By – Smyth, Foreman    
17. The National Anthem   1:14
Arranged By – Smyth, Foreman, Woodgate, McPherson, Thompson, Bedford, Barson
Written-By – Traditional
    

Flac Size: 419 MB

LINE - UP

                                    

Graham 'Suggs' McPherson – lead vocals
Mike Barson – keyboards, harmonica, piano
Chris Foreman – guitars
Lee Thompson – saxophones
Daniel Woodgate – drums
Mark Bedford – bass guitar, double bass
Cathal Smyth – backing vocals, trumpet, lead vocals on "Madness (Is All in the Mind)"

ADDITIONAL PERSONEL

Geraldo D'Arbilly – additional percussion
David Bedford – brass and string arrangements