Universal Madness

Universal Madness is the second live album by ska/pop band Madness, released on 2 March 1999 (see 1999 in music) through the Goldenvoice label. It was recorded at the Universal Amphitheater on 26 April 1998 in Los Angeles. The show was Madness' first in America since 1984.

Reception
As the album features most of the band's singles, it "ultimately serves as mere nostalgia," according to AllMusic, "not quite a hollow experience, but not an epiphany either." They felt that while the album "doesn't disappoint too greatly, it rarely captures the giddy glee Madness can pull off," adding that the band "sounds fine in a workmanlike way." Trouser Press wrote, "The musicianship is tight as ever ([Lee] Thompson sounds particularly inspired on sax) and the sound quality is good, but [Graham] McPherson's singing falters more and more as the disc goes on. ... Madstock! is the better choice for anyone searching for a disc of live Madness."

Personnel

 * Madness
 * Graham "Suggs" McPherson – lead vocals
 * Mike Barson – keyboards
 * Chris Foreman – guitar
 * Lee Thompson – saxophone, backup vocals
 * Daniel Woodgate – drums
 * Mark Bedford – bass
 * Cathal Smyth – backup vocals, trumpet
 * Technical
 * Cedric Singleton – executive producer
 * Guy Charbonneau – engineer
 * Charlie Bouis – assistant engineer
 * Jerry Finn – mixing
 * Chuck Sperry – artwork
 * Ron Donovan – layout, design