Story of the Clash 1 [Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered]

The Clash | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 25, 2000)
• Original Release Date: 1988
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004C4L5
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112,327 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This fine overview's title is a bit of a misnomer; the "story" of the towering British punk group is not told in a linear fashion and is far from complete. If you allow yourself to simply absorb the many flavors of the Clash without any notions of perfection, you'll marvel over the passion of "This is Radio Clash," the indignation of "Magnificent Seven," the raging anger in "London's Burning" and "White Riot," and the snide humor of "Safe European Home." The group's ability to tone things down without losing steam in songs such as "Career Opportunities" and "Spanish Bombs," and their experimentation with different textures and moods on tracks like "Armagideon Time" and "Somebody Got Murdered" remind one just how adventurous and fresh they were during their late '70s and early '80s heyday. This two-disc retrospective should entice listeners to delve deeper into the early releases of one of the most important rock bands of their time. --Lorry Fleming

Product Description

Out-of-print on the US. 2 cd set. Sony/BMG.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Serves Its Purpose, August 6, 2000

By 

Jon T. Fassnacht "The Dude abides" (Reading, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story of the Clash 1 (Audio CD)

Basically this collection can be summed up this way: If you are only going to buy one Clash album and you don't feel like shelling out for the "Clash on Broadway" boxed set, this is the one to get. 28 songs that show why the Clash were so important for an extremely low price.

The album itself is a bit of a mess with all the songs out of chronological order, but if anything, it proves just how eclectic the band really was. Most of their albums are well represented (except "Sandinista" - two songs from a 36 song album??) and there are a few important non-album tracks like "Armagedion Time" and "This is Radio Clash" thrown in for good measure.

Collector's Note: If you're a Clash completist, "Story" has the 12" single version of "The Magnificent Seven," the single mix of "Rock the Casbah," and an otherwise unavailable version of "Capitol Radio One" with the original three-minute interview tacked onto the beginning.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The dirty truth about the Clash, October 15, 2005

By 

Greg Brady "columbusboy" (Capital City) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Story of the Clash 1 (Audio CD)

If you have visions of spittle-spewing, tattoed and pierced, odd-haired miscreants who have as much facility on their instruments as the average zoo monkey when you hear the phrase "punk music", this collection will likely be quite a surprise. The dirty truth is this: Underneath the exterior image and the left-leaning politics, The Clash are really, at heart, a great pop/rock band (albeit an "edgy" one). Listen to "Stay Free" and you'll hear echoes of Merseybeat bands. The faux disco beat underlying "This is Radio Clash" and "The Magnificent Seven" dare you not to dance. The handclaps slathered throughout "Rock the Casbah" are straight out of bubblegum. Reggae also pops up in "Straight to Hell" and "Armagideon Time" among others. Most of the stereotypical "punk" numbers are found on Disc 2, but there's quite a bit here if you aren't necessarily a fan of scream/shout raveups.

HIGHLIGHTS:
"Rock the Casbah" makes the case that Middle Eastern rockers are revolutionaries and took it to the charts while doing so with its irrestible "Shariff don't like it!" chorus. "This is Radio Clash" is "aural ammunition" against the status quo, while "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" poses that eternal question of troubled relationships. "Train in Vain" recounts the aftermath: once she's decided to "go". ("All the times/When we were close/I'll remember these things the most/I see all my dreams come tumbling down/I won't be happy without you around..")Despite the dark subject, it rides a brisk harmonica/guitar rhythm. "I Fought the Law" is a nifty remake of the 60s rabblerouser, while "White Riot" is their own anthem of unrest. "Career Opportunities" are hard to find for the working class of England. "Stay Free" is their "Glory Days", a reminiscence of their days of youth and not-so-innocence. "London Calling" is a punk "The Times they are A-Changing". ("Engines stop running but I have no fear/Cos London is drowning and I live by the river..") "English Civil War" appropriates the ancient military ballad "When Johnny Comes Marching Home", turning it into an anthem for the angry English underclass young.

LOW SPOT:
"Capital Radio" suffers from a roughly 3 minute long (and not particularly interesting) "interview" with the band prior to getting into the song. The song itself is only average, making it completely anti-climactic.

BOTTOM LINE:
You don't have to be a "punk" fan to like the Clash. Give 'em a try if you like basic bare bones rock and roll.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Straight to Hell., March 17, 2000

By 

Jason Stein (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Story of the Clash 1 (Audio CD)

I always liked the Clash when I was a boy, and then they broke up. Later, I bought this compilation of hits and non-hits. I think it's an excellent conglomeration of a great punk band. To be sure, disc two is somewhat tedious, but the two disc set works nicely. Now that it's been digitally remastered, the sound quality is even better. If you want individual Clash cds, then London Calling and Sandanista would be places to start. This collection is a must have for any rock collector.