Customer Reviews

Clash on Broadway (Spkg)

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a huge Clash fan ... and the normal line would be to say that you have to own each album. But, not so with the Clash, courtesy of this box set. Why? First, it includes 18 of the 19 unique songs from the US/UK versions of "The Clash", so you don't need that one. Second, it includes all the best tracks from "Give 'Em Enough Rope" and "Sandinista". The "Sandinista" tracks are the real coup. The best songs there are nearly as good as the best from "London Calling", but they get lost among three lps of otherwise questionable material. Third, it inlcudes the best from "Black Market Clash" and "Combat Rock", plus a few other odds and ends.

The only album that gets shorted is ... "London Calling", which you pretty much need to own outright. So ... if you get this box and "London", you have nailed 99% of the greatest stuff they ever did.

5 stars for a box set? Yeah: this box set covers all the bases and, with the exception of London Calling, virtually makes the individual albums obsolete. The highlights of the band's studio albums are presented here (including around 90% of The Clash's awesome debut album), so you get all the good stuff. Sandinista! in particular sounds much better when the very best cuts are lined up back-to-back; skipping isn't necessary here. The box set also includes singles and B-sides, making it a valuable set even for collectors. And if that's not enough, this long box includes a cool book stuffed full of photos and quotes. Unless you are a die-hard fan of the band this box set, along with London Calling, are the only two purchases you need to make. And if you own all the albums, get this box set anyway. The outtakes and singles are worth it.

Clash on Broadway is the definitive collection of Clash songs - nearly everything is here and the sound quality is great from the remastering. It's a little discouraging that not all of the best songs are here. I was disappointed that "Remote Control", "Last Gang in Town" and "All The Young Punks" were left off of this set.

That said, it's hard to go wrong with Clash on Broadway. It's easy to dismiss the Clash until you play a box set like this. For a time, they were the best band in rock. Not many punk bands from the late 70s could evolve as the Clash did, incorporating elements of reggae and rockabilly into the music without losing their identity. "Groovy Times" and "Stay Free" also show that the Clash could play looser material and still sound good. They had much more musical range than people give them credit for.

Bottom line: If you are new to the Clash, pick up the box set because you'll wind up buying all the individual albums. Even if you have the original LPs or CDs, the remastered version is enough of an improvement to buy a new copy.

RIP Joe.

The remastered sound is better than the original version i got back in 1991. The price was also much cheaper than in 1991 (25.00 vs. 65.00), when box sets were a big deal. The repackaging is smaller and the booklet, which was apparently stapled inside the 'box', fell out (which it would have done sooner or later- only it happened sooner, or rather, immediately). Oh well, they don't make 'em like they used to. And it isn't worth worrying about. The sound is excellent. It's well worth 25 bucks. I'm glad i still have the original. This version omits the lyric booklet. I think i'll put the new discs into the old package and jewel cases. That was something to own; this is something to listen to. AND IT'S GREAT!

Forget about the LP tracks. In fact, I'm not sure why a few tracks from the LP's were included here. What matters is the rare stuff.

This set compiles all kinds of awesome rarities, like the EP tracks and B-sides found on "Black Market Clash" and "Super Black Market Clash." You get the original versions/mixes of classics like Armagideon Time, Bankrobber, and This Is Radio Clash, plus other amazing non-album tracks such as The Prisoner, City of the Dead, Gates of the West, etc.

Also, when this came out, it was pretty much the only way for us Americans to get our hands on the tracks from the Clash's debut LP that were left off the American version - Cheat, Protex Blue, 48 Hours etc. Now the UK version has been reissued in the States, so that takes the advantage away from Clash on Broadway in this regard.

Broadway also includes a cuople phenomenal tracks that had never been released before: "One Emotion" and "Midnight to Stevens." Essential Clash listening, only available here.

The only thing this comp is missing, oddly, is the instrumental "Listen," and the classic "Capital Radio Two"! That song was WAY better than "Capital Radio One" - way louder, way tougher, and with a way better and funnier ending. These songs are only available on "Super Black Market Clash."

So, the conclusion is, if you pick up this compilation, Super Black Market Clash, and all the Clash's full length albums, you'll have everything you need. And you do, definitely, need it all.

most people know the clash from such songs like 'rock the casbah', 'should i stay or should i go', 'train in vain'...etc. this is a MUST HAVE COLLECTION for fans of the clash. even if you only like their more popular songs! there is no way you will be disappointed. it has all their "hits" and some of the less heard-but superb-songs like 'straight to hell', 'guns of brixton', and so so so much more. i adore the clash and this box set is so terrific. you can just put in all 3 discs and enjoy each and every song, from the london calling days to combat rock! A++.two thumbs up.

This set captures a lot of essential Clash. This band sadly left us too soon as a group and their body of work is not that extensive. But as a music lover and not a completist for this band the set works.
Enjoy the box for what it is. A strong compilation of great band without buying the whole catalog. There area few live cuts, unreleased stuff and singles but once again you get all the essentail stuff. To be picky the reason why I gave it 4 out of 5 stars there are maybe 3 cuts I would have liked included that are not there but those are only personal favorite.

Forget the Essential Clash set - for about the same price buy this 3 disc set used on Amazon - The remastering is glorious, and The Clash never sounded better. IT'S NOT A LIVE ALBUM! which is probably a good thing - originally released as a celebration of the Clash's legendary week in NY this is the greatest hits ++ set you've always wanted. I agee that you probably want the entire London Calling CD (the Sgt Pepper of punk) but this set ROCKS!

God, the Clash were magnificent. Forget "punk" and "alternative"; this is just a showcase of some of the greatest rock and roll ever recorded. Over the course of three CDs, the Clash range from searing, tear-down-the-walls punk rock to sublime jazz, rockabilly, reggae, and even piano ballads. If Straight to Hell isn't one of the most heartbreakingly beautiful songs you've ever heard, I want your record collection!

They don't make groups like 'em anymore. Buy this boxed set to remember a time when people were naive enough - and idealistic enough - to think an electric guitar could save the world.

After the last US election we all have to wake up to injustice and the need for the compassion of the Dalai Lama and the Passion of The Clash (no pun intended).

As a 50s and 60s person I grew up with Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddly, Bob Dylan, and the Stones. You can imagine my consternation when Disco hit the big time -- I skipped most of the 70s -- then I heard The Clash.

They were great punk band. They were a great rock band. They were earnest, truthful, forceful. More importantly, unlike some of the punk and rock icons, they had a real soul. In a world drowning in Ronald Reagan's war against "welfare queens" while he transferred wealth to corporate drag queens -- they were alive and focused on the real issues. In a business full of stars only interested in sex and drugs they gave us a third way. They, like Dylan addressed the problems of the day -- racism, economic opportunity, poverty, nuclear war, terrorism, injustice.

Hey, about this record -- just get it and listen to White Riot, What's My Name, Career Opportunities, London Calling, the Clampdown, Guns of Brixton, and Straight to Hell -- just try to not care -- try to go back to your old ways and habits -- you will not be able to go back -- you are now The Clash and your are on a mission to make the world a fairer and more decent place -- No fear brothers and sisters.

Sure U2 is great, Pearl Jam holds their own. I am not sure of Green Day will emerge as the band of the 2000s -- they all have a long way to go even carry the Clash's luggage.