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Is it really that time already?
Does that mean, yes you people...
today we will...look forward to Ska.
And indeed, to 30 years of Ska from EL BOSSO & DIE PING PONGS.
Yes, indeed, the band has been around for 30 years.
Unlike other German Ska pioneers, the band from Münster has kept a low profile for several years.
However...
Once a musician, always a musician...
Or once Ska, always (only) Ska.
The people of EL BOSSO & DIE PING PONGS have been itching to play live again in recent years. The band may have been around for 30 years, but they are fresh and well-rehearsed live, making their concerts the same parties as 20 years ago, just in larger venues and with more gray hair.
For their 30th anniversary, the band is gifting themselves and their fans a double CD with a best-of collection of their best, most beautiful, and most popular songs. One CD is a studio recording and the other is a live recording. The live recordings include 14 songs from their performance at Skaters Palace in Münster from 2006.
Both CDs have been meticulously digitally remastered. In addition to these two CDs, there is a booklet that briefly outlines the history of the band with anecdotes from friends, promoters, and companions.
With this double album, EL BOSSO & DIE PING PONGS have set up their own monument. Their most famous songs, such as “Immer nur Ska” (the band's very first studio recording from 1986), “Der Mann mit Bart und Brille”, “Mein Freund der Psychopath”, “Wo ist diese Stadt” up to newer hits like “Reich aber glücklich” make the studio CD a good selection that represents a cross-section of the band's musical work.
The live CD has more power compared to the studio CD, which is logical because live is simply better. Ska is no exception to that. It is a bit unfortunate that some songs are included on both CDs, but on the other hand, this allows for a good comparison of the songs. And it is precisely with these songs that one can tell that the band is primarily a very good live band.
Furthermore, EL BOSSO & DIE PING PONGS are living proof that you can combine German lyrics with Ska music. The lyrics do not sound embarrassing or wooden, but fit perfectly with the music.
“Immer nur Ska” is more than just a birthday gift; it is a showcase of one of the few Ska bands from the early days of the Federal Republic that are still active. One can only congratulate them and hope that the band does not lose their passion for music and live performances in the coming years.
