Album · 2009

Walking Tall

Seven Coventry mates, one loud horn section, and a first job, a first van and a first Saturday dance.

Tracks

1. Monday Bell Ringing SkaThe opener, because everybody remembers a first job and the ironed shirt that went with it. The horns come in like a school bell.trad ska, upbeat ska3:24
2. Bus Stop Skank, Nobody WatchingOur first real anthem for the morning commute. Shine your shoes, skank at the bus stop, and let nobody watching bother you.horn-led ska, feelgood ska2:47
3. Wrong Door Wrong Night SkaBased on an actual Saturday I lost to the wrong bus. The band insisted we keep the stumbling brass line.skank, novelty ska2:36
4. Market Day Shoe ShuffleWritten the morning after we played a market stall for tips and tea. It shuffles on purpose.rocksteady ska, dancehall ska1:47
5. Pack the Van, Wave GoodbyePacking up the van and leaving Mama's kettle behind. It's a happy tune with a lump in its throat.driving ska, brass ska3:12
6. Push the Car, Stranger FriendA stranger helped push our van out of a puddle once, so this one's a thank-you with trombones.playful ska, horn ska2:38
7. Puddle Jump SkaRain on a Tuesday, puddles at your feet, and nothing to do but jump. The sax solo splashes.bouncy ska, brass ska2:21
8. Ring Your Bell SkaBicycle bells in the rhythm guitar and a hill we all rolled down in the video. Keep your eyes on the road, though.upbeat ska, two-tone ska2:40
9. Best Man SkankOur best man skank, written for a mate's wedding and played badly at the reception. Stand up tall!party ska, skank2:21
10. Throw Your Cap in the Air SkaThe closer. Graduation gowns, caps in the air, and the whole horn section shouting along.anthemic ska, brass ska3:16

Liner notes

We cut this in a rehearsal room above a carpet shop with the windows open because the horns were too loud to keep in. Three years of Friday nights in function rooms went into it, so every tune is about something small that felt enormous: a new shirt, a wrong bus, a stuck car. I grinned through every take, and you can hear it. Walking tall was the whole plan.

Skatalite Joe & the Ginger Horns