Madness - The Business: The Definitive Singles Collection (1993) MP3

Madness's first box set is a well-annotated three-CD gathering of every single A-side, B-side, and 12" bonus cut that the Nutty Boys unleashed throughout their original 1979-1986 lifespan, bolstered by a clutch of radio jingles and flexi-disc-only cuts that render this both the definitive portrait of Britain's most consistent hitmakers of their generation, and the ultimate Madness rarities collection. That much of the collection had never previously appeared on CD (or even LP) goes without saying -- the sheer quality of songs whose apparent obscurity might otherwise have written them off as mere throwaways will thrill anybody seeking a simple "best of" collection but still wanting more than the regular hits collections provide. Even at their silliest (a brief rampage through "Release Me," a ska-skipping rendition of "Swan Lake," the Halloween daftness of "Visit to Dracstein's Castle"), Madness's fingers were firmly on the quality control button, and those are simply highlights, not exceptions. There's scarcely one duff moment on the entire package. Of course, Madness's greatest strengths come shrieking into view. "Driving in My Car" (and its "Riding on My Bike" counterpart), "Behind the Eight Ball," and, of course, "House of Fun" and "Our House" are spot-on compositions that readily ally Madness with the likes of Ray Davies and Mark E. Smith in the realm of totally "English" songwriters whose underdog's eye view of English working-class life and lore sees them transform the most mundane preoccupations into moments of majestic accomplishment. An added attraction comes in the form of spoken interludes from a variety of bandmembers, friends, and associates -- lawyers, accountants, record company execs, and studio engineers included. None of them drop anything earth-shattering into the conversation, but they add immeasurably to the documentary feel of the collection.

01. [intro to "The Prince'', Rick Rodgers, Specials Manager] (0:45)
02. The Prince (2:27)
03. Madness / [Rick Rodgers speaks again] (2:45)
04. One Step Beyond / [John Eichler, Publican, Hope & Anchor, London] (2:44)
05. Mistakes (2:40)
06. Nutty Theme / ["Wandsworth Harry", longtime fan] (2:48)
07. My Girl / [John Hasler, ex-drummer, singer, manager] (2:57)
08. Stepping Into Line (2:16)
09. In the Rain / [Dave Robinson, ex-manager of Stiff Records] (3:06)
10. Night Boat to Cairo / [John Hasler speaks again] (3:42)
11. Deceives the Eye (1:59)
12. The Young and the Old / [Rick Rodgers yet again] (2:43)
13. Don't Quote Me on That (4:32)
14. Baggy Trousers / [Kellog's, Madness manager 1980-81] (3:20)
15. The Business / [Kellog's speaks again] (6:19)
16. Embarrassment / [Chalky friend/roadie, talks about Woody] (3:03)
17. Crying Shame / [Clive Langer & Alan Winstanley] (2:39)
18. The Return of the Los Palmas 7 / [Langer & Winstanley speak again] (2:51)
19. That's the Way to Do It (aka Odd Job Man) (2:51)
20. My Girl (demo) (2:27)
21. Swan Lake (live) / [Chalky & Toks, friends of the band] (3:48)
22. Grey Day / [Chalky & Toks on the future of the band] (4:35)
23. Memories / [Kellog's on Chalky & Toks] (3:20)
24. Shut Up (4:05)
25. A Town With No Name (2:52)

CD 2

01. Never Ask Twice (aka Airplane) / [Elvis Costello & Clive Langer on "fame"] (3:52)
02. It Must Be Love (3:18)
03. Shadow on the House / [Sonny from Stiff Promotions] (4:50)
04. Cardiac Arrest (2:51)
05. In the City / [Paul Conroy speaks] (3:26)
06. House of Fun (2:48)
07. Don't Look Back / [Neil Ferris from Ferret & Spanner] (4:52)
08. Driving in My Car (3:16)
09. Terry Wogan Jingle (0:26)
10. Animal Farm (4:02)
11. Riding on My Bike / [John Kalodner from Geffen Records] (5:37)
12. Our House (Stretch mix) / [Pauline Black from The Selector] (5:50)
13. Walking With Mr. Wheeze (3:31)
14. Tomorrow's (Just Another Day) / [Nigel Dick from Stiff Records] (3:47)
15. Madness (Is All in the Mind) / [Lionel Martin - accountant] (3:07)
16. Wings of a Dove (2:59)
17. Behind the Eight Ball / [Lee's Uncle Jack] (3:36)
18. One's Second Thoughtlessness (3:25)
19. The Sun and the Rain / [Gary Doves - early Madness drummer] (3:37)
20. Fireball XL5 (1:45)
21. Visit to Dracstein Castle (1:55)
22. Michael Caine (3:44)

CD 3

01. If You Think There's Something (3:09)
02. One Better Day / [Paul Wolfe - early Madness lawyer] (4:34)
03. Guns (3:15)
04. Victoria Gardens / [Ian Horne - sound engineer & guru] (4:06)
05. Sarah (3:44)
06. Yesterday's Men (harmonica version) (4:31)
07. All I Knew (3:08)
08. It Must Be Love (live) (3:32)
09. Uncle Sam (3:04)
10. David Hamilton Jingle (0:35)
11. Inanity Over Christmas (3:50)
12. Please Don't Go / [Hector Walker - Madness' valet] (3:25)
13. Sweetest Girl (extended version) (5:44)
14. Jennie (A Portrait of) (3:24)
15. Tears You Can't Hide (3:09)
16. Call Me (3:57)
17. (Waiting for the) Ghost Train (3:41)
18. One Step Beyond (Italia version) (2:22)
19. Maybe in Another Life (3:00)
20. Seven Year Scratch (edited version) (5:52)
21. Release Me (1:55)
22. Carols on 45 (1:13)
23. The National Anthem (1:14)