Back to back Clash.
JC's continuing series of Imaginary Compilation Albums threw up his ten track Clash compilation a good while ago. I did a spin off, alternative version which drew solely from non-single releases and nothing that JC had included in his ICA as a companion piece (which I should have submitted there rather than posted here). Some time later following my B.A.D. ICA at The Vinyl Villain I speculated about a Mick Jones sings The Clash ICA. Driving home recently listening to the extras discs from Sound System I was thinking that The Clash could have several other ICA's- a Clash In Dub ICA, The Clash cover versions ICA, a Sandinista! ICA (controversial maybe, many people feeling like Joe did that the thirty six songs should be left exactly as they are, warts and all). There may be others which just goes to demonstrate the band's quality, range and depth. The whole set could then be compiled in a massive Clash ICA box with trinkets and booklets.
The Sound System Extras pack is three discs, discs one and two covering non album releases and some unreleased bits (see yesterday). The third disc has various demos and finishes with six songs live from The Lyceum in London, December 1979. There are two gloriously spiky runs through City Of The Dead and Jail Guitar Doors, Cheapskates (not the greatest Clash song perhaps), English Civil War and then two absolute smashes. The first, Stay Free, is Mick's love letter to best mate Robin Banks and their time growing up in South London- the breakdown and Paul's bassline re-entry is every bit as good as it should be. The second is their breakneck cover of The Bobby Fuller Four song. Topper's drumming is breathtaking, the guitars squeal and spit, and then there are three way Joe/Mick/Paul vocals on I Fought The Law. On fire.
Stay Free (Live at The Lyceum)
I Fought The Law (Live at The Lyceum)
17 comments:
You spoil us Adam.
(Your mention of 'Cheapskates' makes me think that perhaps there's scope for a 10 Worst Clash Song ICA - excluding anything from 'Cut the Crap', which would make it too easy.)
Hmmm, Swede, wouldn't that be blasphemy :-) ?
A massive ICA box set with trinkets and booklets... ooh... I would love to have some Clash trinkets! :-)
I must admit I'm finding it difficult to come up with 10 Dirk! Maybe I should re-title it a 10 Least Often Played Clash Songs ICA?
Oh, I'm afraid my "Top" 10 would mainly consist of Sandinista - tunes. Can't imagine it's that hard to find 10 bad ones ...
So wrong Dirk.
What Adam said Dirk
My least played Clash album overall is 'Give 'em Enough Rope', even though it contains two of the band's absolute classics.
What Swede said.
Well, I see where you two are coming from and I know people tend to rate 'Sandinista' higher than 'Rope'. And I agree to that to a certain extend, although, on the other hand, I think - in comparison to all other albums - except 'Cut The Crap' - 'Rope' is not as weak as a lot of folk say. This is why at the end of the day the majority of songs on such a list would come from 'Sandinista'. Perhaps this is purely a mathematic thing 'cos 'Sandinista' simply has more songs to offer? I well remember a post you issued a very long time ago, SA, 'The Sandinista Parlour Game', which perfectly showed how difficult it was for you to diminish 'Sandinista' in one form or another. I didn't find it all THAT difficult back then ...
Rope has my favourite sequence of songs from any of The Clash albums. Safe European Home-English Civil War-Tommy Gun might not be my favourite Clash songs overall, but they sound so good and Clashlike on those that I never tire of hearing it. When I imagine The Clash as a sound, that is the sound, that shiny but sharp thing, with songs that almost sound like their poses. Oh yes.
And Stay Free is one of the best Clash songs ever.
There are only 2 songs on Sandinista I can happily skip- Lose This Skin and Ivan Meets GI Joe. Some get listened to less than others but I can enjoy all the rest- even Mensforth Hill (I'm a sucker for backwards effects)
I like Ivan Meets GI Joe.
I saw them at the Lyceum a few months after those tracks were recorded
That must have been good Lee.
It was but I only went because my sister wanted to go and my mum insisted I go with her. Concerts were a bit rough then. She insisted on going to the front and about 3 numbers I had to wade into the crush and drag her out.
Glad I was away in Toronto when this debate broke out.....
I'm with Dirk on this one.
Never too late to join in JC
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