Customer Reviews

Live at Shea Stadium (Deluxe)

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

 

 

Sorry to disagree with those who panned this, but this is my new favorite album. Second only to the serious Beatles scholar sourpuss mentality is the strict punk purist mentality, and it's out in full force in some of the other reviews here and elsewhere on the web. Yes, this is indeed very late-period Clash, and there's a lot of other stuff that, given my druthers, I'd rather hear in the set list. However, it is what it is -- they were the opening act for the Who with only an hour of stage time allotted, plus they were touring in support of (IMHO, not their best album) Combat Rock. Moreover, I have to disagree with others who feel there is a lack of energy, enthusiasm, or power. The band does get off to an uneven start, but by the middle of the set (Train in Vain and thereafter), they hit their stride. Highly recommended and a LOT of fun.

My rating: 3.5 stars.

First things first: if you don't have From Here to Eternity yet, stop reading now. From Here to Eternity is the place to start. It contains performances which span the Clash's career through Combat Rock, including ferocious versions of "Complete Control" and "What's My Name." It's an essential album for every Clash fan.

On the other hand, Live at Shea Stadium is a pretty good, but not great, live album. Recorded in 1982 on a tour where the Clash was opening for the Who, it documents a band in transition. Terry Chimes had replaced Topper Headon. Mick Jones was on the verge of leaving the band. Amidst all this turmoil, the Clash was playing big stadium shows for the first time on the heels of the Top 40 success of "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" and "Rock the Casbah."

All these things combine to make the Clash's performance somewhat stiff and formal. Gigantic venues like Shea are not conducive to spontaneity and improvisation, obviously, but the loss of the band's musical anchor, Topper, was a near fatal blow. While Terry Chimes is not as bad of a drummer as some would have you believe (don't forget, he played on most of the Clash's classic early tracks), Topper had a much more supple and inventive style. In other words, Topper could SWING, baby! Chimes' very straightforward playing constrains the the band to following the most basic path through each song.

This album is still worth picking up though. The disc has very good sound for a live recording. The Deluxe Edition comes in the form of a small hardback book which contains onstage and backstage photos from the gig and liner notes by Bob Gruen. And most importantly for collectors and completists, Live at Shea Stadium is currently the only complete live show of the Clash that has been officially released.

Bottom line: if you already own From Here to Eternity and Live Revolution Rock, Live at Shea Stadium is well worth buying.

I wont add alot to whats been said, other than every Clash fan should own this set. I really dug the Magnificent 7/Armagideon time mash-up. The only song that didnt sound right to me was Spanish Bombs, although still enjoyable. Cant help thinking of the field day Joe might have had with the current state of the world. God Bless Joe and Mick, Paul, Topper and all the guys who served.P.S. The photos look like outtakes from Bob Gruens excellent picture book "The Clash" which Ive read has been re-released.

Great cd but I wish a dvd of the video were available. Get the Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros cds. They will transform your listening.

It's not just brilliant because it's Clash.
It is brilliant because you can rarely hear
a whole live show. It would have been classic
if Topper had been there!

WOW... what a surprise. It is great to hear The Clash circa 1982 live. Very good production on this collection! Great versions of all songs. Highly recommended for both Clash fanatics and casual clash fans.

Don't get me wrong, any Clash soundboard release is reason to celebrate and I have enjoyed listening to this Shea Stadium gig but when you are talking about THE ONLY BAND THAT MATTERS, expectations tend to run high.

I guess I am a little spoiled but on the excellent From Here To Eternity, the smattering of live tracks on the box set and a handful of high quality bootlegs, I am used to hearing the Clash GO FOR IT. I am not used to hearing Joe Strummer sing London Calling "competently" I am used to hearing him rip it out of his guts...

At the time of this recording, The Clash was riding an international hit record, opening for The Who and undergoing the transformation from an outstanding theater band to professional arena rockers. You have to wonder if one reason for the breakup not long after this was this band looking in the mirror and not liking what they saw staring back.

In the end the positives outweigh the negatives on this recording but only just. This record has gotten a pretty big push from the record company for an archival release so maybe the best thing that will come out of Live At Shea Stadium is that enough fans will buy it to make it worth their while to initiate an ongoing vault release program. Maybe next time we'll see something comprehensive from the Bonds Casino stand or something else from the killer Sandanista era. For that matter how about a CD + DVD of the Concert For The People Of Kampuchea show?

I can always dream.

I bought this on album and it stays on my turntable more than any other album! Great performance! I like the slightly sped up versions of Casbah and Train ...good stuff and certainly should be part of your collection. Produced by the famous Glyn Johns...produced several Who albums.

More relevant now that we are thirty years on...

miss ya, Joe!

Don't get me wrong The Clash were, and still are one of the greatest bands to ever be put on this planet. It has to be pretty disappointing for me to talk ill of them, but The Clash without Topper Headon, forget it.