Customer Reviews

Havana 3 A.M.

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

 

 

Post Clash project featuring bassist Paul Simonon is a flurry of Latin inspired alt-rock with regards to fast cars, motorcycles, socialist agenda, Ernest Hemingway (Death in the Afternoon), and American rockabilly, (Blue Gene Vincent). Given the relative success of this project, I always expected a follow-up album, (apparently, according to one Amazon reviewer, there is one other obscure album.). The music is exciting, with marimba slamming percussion, traditional and exotic rock guitar riffs, and bullfight inspired Cuban radio sound bites that take you away to a Spanish bullfight on a lazy afternoon. The songs have a tendacy to blend into one another in an album sameness, but the sharp and clear production always remains riveting and unexpected, wailing away in a crescendo of political angst and poetic desire.

Take a little Myrick add a little Dixon and splash a dash of Simonon and what do we get.....Havana 3 AM. The group consisting of great proven talent creating a record overlooked, but unquestionably sensational.

From the states we had Gary Myrick; a brilliant guitarist whose work early in the eighties was new wave and ended that decade sounding like an outlaw. His work was more polished leading up to meeting up with Simonon and Dixon. Nigel Dixon had established himself as a British Rockabilly force. His work was noted and respected. Of course we had Paul Simonon; once the bassist for argueably the greatest "punk rock" band ever. In the Clash, Simonon was overlooked by the great songwriting duo of Jones/Strummer...though he was noticed while singing on the classic "Guns of Brixton". Nevertheless his presence brought attention to Havana 3 AM. As he paved the way for Havana 3 AM, Myrick and Dixon's work was exposed and embraced by many.

The album itself is an early 90's classic. The Latin American, Texas, British fusion was something else. Songs that stand out include "The Hardest Game", Reach the Rock", and "Hey Amigo". Their sound was very distinctive for that era of music and remains different and truly alternative. One added note, there was a follow up album featuring Gary Myrick (minus Simonon and the late Dixon)which is strong and overlooked as well, but second to the original.

The one and only Havana 3AM release worth owning and my god is it worth owning. As brilliant as Gary Myrick's work with the Figures was, combining his guitar work with the unique spaghetti western style of Simonon is truly inspired. Joyride starts the show up as one of the best here. Death in the Afternoon is probably my close second, but there are not any weak songs here. If you find any post-Simonon releases in the used bins, be sure to listen to them first. Buy this and enjoy!!

I can't tell you how great this cd really is. Every song is different, but all of them are catchy and will keep you bouncing your head and tapping your foot throughout the entire album. All I can say is... this cd is awesome! Go and buy it and you won't be dissapointed!

Since many years ago, when the review of this LP appears in Rolling Stone Magazine, I got the tape, and I really liked. Finally, I got it on CD, I recommend a lot this LP, it have a new music proposal something fresh, something unique.

This album is HOT... it ROCKS... it SMOKES. Don't be fooled by the title-- it's not latin music. It's a wonderful hybrid garage/punk/new wave/rockabilly/psychobilly collection. Reminds me of Talking Heads crossed with the Police crossed with Southern Culture on the Skids crossed with Slo Leak crossed with Pig in a Can. If you you any of those groups, you'll probably like this collection. Check it out.

Havana 3am consisted of ex figures guitarist Gary Myrick, Ex Whirlwind vocalist Nigel Dixon and ex Clash Bassist Paul Simonon.
havana's sound is very bouncy, mixing rockibilly, Latin, spagetti western, reggae and new-wave rock into a nice on the ear's blend.
The Lyrics are ok, they were all written by the band togethar, there is nothing on the album that i'd consider bad, but there is nothing thats really brilliant.
The Chorus's are nice as you can sing along to them easily, the albums best moments are Joyride, Reach the Rock and Living in this Town.

I seem to be in the minorty here. I think this album is good (how could a line-up featuring ex-Clash and ex-Whirlwind members not be good?) - but... the following Havana 3AM is stacks better in my opinion. Even though Dixon (RIP) is not on there, and Simonon is not featured (and as much as I love The Clash), Gary Myrick takes the sound much more in the direction of Rockabilly/Americana and develops something very special with his own brand of Texas Twang. The album is called 'Texas Glitter & Tombstone Tales'. If you like the first Havana 3AM album, then search this one out. If you didn't get along with the debut, then you might be in for a very pleasant surpise with the second.

Collector

I was given 'Havana 3:AM' for a gift. The giver had no idea of the broad extense of the Cuban music experience. The music of this group, though fine for some others is trash for me, when enjoying dance or brandy and and a great puro when listening,

All I see is some other persons music going down the road, like a clanging junkcart with; a HABANA sign on the back trying to bait more audience FOR NO GOOD REASON. Many Thanks. Guild GAD 30REASB

: