Seriously thinking of leaving Ciao now, just too many problems, too often......off by crimbo, you wi...
Seriously thinking of leaving Ciao now, just too many problems, too often......off by crimbo, you will find me on another well known site, same member name.
Member since:22.06.2004
Reviews:153
Members who trust:53
~~~~~~~~**Story of The Clash Volume One**~~~~~~~~
Joe Strummer (Lead vocals, guitar), Paul Simonon (Bass guitar and backing vocals) and Mick Jones (Lead guitar and backing vocals) were the consistent members of the Clash. During their 10 year line up they had different drummers.
They are described almost universally as a punk group, but in my opinion they were a bit different. For a start the main characteristics of most punk of the day was that of anarchism and destruction. The Clash were different they were socially aware, left wing, anti racists.
My two favourite bands of 1978 - 1982 were the Clash and the Jam. I think there were real similarities; songs with meaning, fast drums and guitars and brilliant catchy choruses. The thing that the Clash had that I liked most was a tendency to play with a reggae bass line, and even cover reggae songs such as Police and Thieves.
This major compilation of their songs showing what they had achieved in a few short years was released in 1988 a good few years after they had disbanded, and only a few years before Joe Strummer sadly died at 50. Two CD's, 28 songs, a very moody looking cover and pure brilliance
for most of the way through. A few weak tracks, but some absolute stonkers. I cannot review every single track so will review my highlights.
~~~~~~~~~~The Track list~~~~~~~~~~ Disc 1 1. The Magnificent Seven 1981 2. Rock the Casbah 1982 3. This Is Radio Clash 1981 4. Should I Stay or Should I Go 1982 5. Straight to Hell 1982 6. Armagideon Time 1979 7. Clampdown 1979 8. Train in Vain 1979 9. The Guns of Brixton 1979 10. I Fought the Law 1979 11. Somebody Got Murdered 1981 12. Lost in the Supermarket 1979 13. Bankrobber 1980
Disc 2 1. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais 1978 2. London's Burning 1977 3. Janie Jones 1977 4. Tommy Gun 1978 5. Complete Control 1977 6. Capital Radio 1979 7. White Riot 1977 8. Career Opportunities 1977 9. Clash City Rockers 1978 10. Safe European Home 1978 11. Stay Free 1978 12. London Calling 1979 13. Spanish Bombs 1979 14. English Civil War 1978 15. Police & Thieves 1977
~~~~~~~~~~Top Tracks~~~~~~~~~~
Okay the songs that I am singling out:
~*~*~*Straight to Hell*~*~*~ This is for me, the best Clash song there is, certainly not the best known, but just sublime. The first 40 seconds is very Oriental in bamboo stick type percussion and lead guitar, sound very like the start of Hong Kong Garden (Siouxsie). Basically it is the story of a mixed race Vietnamese child trying to get to America. Thrown into this mix is the decimation of Northern England steel foundries, 'junkiedom USA'. It is a depressing song yes, but also brilliant in it's insight, 'There aint no asylum here', how contemporary that was and prophetic. This is lyrically and politically quite stunning as a song.
'Clear as winter ice, this is your paradise "there aint no need for ya, there aint no need for ya", straight to hell boy'. (the steel), followed by "Let me tell you about your blood kid, it aint Coca Cola, it's rice", to the Vietnamese child. So harsh, so raw. 10/10.
~*~*~*Police and Thieves*~*~*~ A punked up version of the Junior Marvin song, bloomin' fantastic, the echo on the lead guitar is just the business. How they manage to turn this song into what it becomes is sheer brilliance. If you heard this before Junior Marvin's original you would say that his was a poor imitation. The bass line is the same 8 notes throughout and just gets into the bones. The lead guitar solo near the end just could not be 'cleaner' and more raw. 10/10.
~*~*~*Bankrobber*~*~*~ Another heavy reggae influence, even more so than Police anfd Theives, maybe not the best Clash song, but I have chosen this because of it's iconic, anthem like appeal. Everyone I know, knows the lyrics. The backing vocals are a bit like those in Ghost Town, the Specials, just as haunting. Great stuff. 9/10.
~*~*~*Should I stay or should I go*~*~*~ The guitar start could be Rolling Stones, it's not, the opening vocals could be Free, but it's not, it is the Clash in full frontal punk rock, the emphasis on the rock. The ultimate screaming chorus that gets louder and faster, bit like 'Shout' only much, much better. The backing vocals to the chorus are in Spanish for some reason, and there is an element of punky anarchy in this song that we don't see a lot with the Clash. It is like they have just ';let go' for this song. I just love the way it gets faster and faster (I am typing faster as I write this listening to the song). My only criticism is that it is too short, I am always left wanting another few verses. 9/10.
*************Finally************* I am going to have to stop writing otherwise I will review every song. Alright just a few word on 'The guns of Brixton', sampled by many bands since, the great line: "When they kick at your front door how you gonna come, with your hands on your head, or on the trigger of your gun?" Enough, honestly. I am making up my punky roots playlist on my iPod now, and I have put nearly every one of these songs on. What a piece of work this album is. I bow in sheer idolation.
Also posted on dooyoo, same member name.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: SISOSIG & large range of musical genres explored Disadvantages: most people like certain types of music and some of these tracks are very different
![Story Of The Clash Vol.1, The [Remastered] - Clash (The)](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/normal/402/product-43402.jpg)
![Overall user rating: Story Of The Clash Vol.1, The [Remastered] - Clash (The)](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars45.gif)
Jun 25th, 2008
exceptional by (8%):
very helpful by (92%):
![Back In Black [DualDisc] - AC/DC](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/505/prod_small-6303505.jpg)
![River Is Wide, The [Remastered] - Forum (The)](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/251/prod_small-6006251.jpg)
![Appetite For Destruction [PA] - Guns N' Roses](http://imagesb.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/237/prod_small-44237.jpg)
![101 [SACD] - Depeche Mode](http://imagesa.ciao.com/iuk/images/products/small/598/prod_small-43598.jpg)
![Story Of The Clash Vol.1, The [Remastered] - Clash (The) - review by zef](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars40.gif)
![Story Of The Clash Vol.1, The [Remastered] - Clash (The) - review by zachlawlor](http://images.ciao.com/ide/images/stars/2003/stars30.gif)
