I came across these two clips at the weekend, Joe Strummer and Latino Rockabilly war playing a benefit gig in Notting Hill in 1988. The film was recently re-discovered by the cameraman who was part of a community video group at the time. The quality isn't perfect- the bass in the first clip sounds like a repeating fart-but they're worth watching. First up is Joe and the band covering Big Audio Dynamite's V Thirteen, a song Joe and Mick Jones co-wrote. Joe giving it plenty with the riffing arm. If The Clash had survived intact after Combat Rock this is a pointer as to where they might have gone.
The other one is this version of Straight To Hell, taken down a notch or two but no less intense. Zander Schloss's guitar playing is a little over complicated but this is nicely done.
I've been keeping an eye on this guy's YouTube channel for the past few months, hoping that the rest of the set will slip out eventually.
ReplyDeleteLove that version of Straight To Hell
ReplyDeleteSpot on SA! Had hatchets all around been buried (in Bernie Rhodes head preferably) and Joe, Mick and Paul had gotten back to business, I can surely imagine this being the direction of The Clash. That we even have a glimpse might be enough, but oh how I would have welcomed that return.
ReplyDeleteBut what if they had gotten back together and been shit or even worse merely mediocre? Best left with the legacy we have.
ReplyDeleteIt could only have worked with Topper. And he wasn't too well by that point.
ReplyDeleteWow! Taken to new places with these clips. Thanks for posting.
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