The Clash - London Calling

YOURZ

I never got the opportunity to see The Clash live.  But in the last couple of weeks, I was able to see two of the original members performing together live when we saw Gorillaz live.  Sure, both Mick Jones and Paul Simonon aren't the young men they were when they made London Calling, but it didn't matter to me.  Seeing them on stage with Damon Albarn was something I'll never forget. 

As I stated in the review we did of their greatest hits earlier this year, if we lost our collection tomorrow, London Calling would be the first album I'd replace.  It is absolutely indespensible, a stunning album that expands itself well beyond its limited 'punk' label. 

I can't name a single track as a favourite.  I find it impossible.  How can I pick Rudi Can't Fail over Hateful or Train In Vain (Stand By Me) over Clampdown?  See my dilemma.  The Mick sung tracks over the Joe sung tracks.  It aint gonna happen, not ever. 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP - what are we gonna do now?

MINE

I can't imagine ever being without this album.  It's been with me since the moment it came out, when I'd sit on the floor of my best friend's living room, playing her brother's copy and listening to every note, singing along with the songs from the the lyrics on the inner sleeves.  I've had it on vinyl and now we have this brilliant Deluxe Edition.  Which reminds me, we've got so many of these editions and we never take out the DVDs and watch them.  Aha!  A mission for the Christmas break!

In my youth, before I owned the album myself, I recorded my best friend's brother's copy on cassette.  On a 90 minute cassette, so the double album could fit on both sides.  Anybody remember those?  The C90s that left a tiny bit of room on the end, so you'd search around for another song or two to fit?

Re-listening to London Calling today, I've been stunned by how fresh and sharp it still sounds.  From the distinctive twangs of the opening number, it puts you on notice that this is music to be listened to.  My favourite? Lost in the Supermarket.  Yours?

VERDICT: TURN IT UP guaranteed personality

For more information: http://www.theclash.com/

Big Audio Dynamite - Super Hits

YOURZ

I suppose I'm gonna have to eat a little bit of humble pie here and say if we'd gone along with my idea of not reviewing greatest hits collections, then this would've been one we'd skipped.  Thankfully, Mine had her smart hat on and insisted I was wrong.  Again.  (At least I can say I'm nothing if not predictable). (Mine says: oh, you're so much more than predictable, sweetie.)

As previously mentioned, I love The Clash.  By dint of this love, I am also a big fan of anything former members of The Clash put out as well, although having said this, I've not heard much of Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros only because I haven't gotten around to it yet (but I fully intend to - so much music, so little time).

I saw B.A.D. many years ago and am happy to say they were every bit as good live as you would expect.  What made it particularly memorable is Mick happily played tracks from The Clash catalogue, which included a killer version of Lost In The Supermarket and Should I Stay Or Should I Go. It was fabulous.

The same, unfortunately, can't be said for this collection.  There are some great tracks on it, but again, I have a problem with the idea of a 'greatest hits' album if some of the songs clearly weren't.  A few of the tracks, particularly Contact and Play The Music, are obviously only there to pad out the disc.  However, you can't call it A Few Great Hits, A Couple Of Alright Ones & And A Few Dodgy Songs I Thought Might Take This Time Round can you? 

VERDICT: TURN IT UP except for the two aforementioned songs

MINE

I think I have a bit more of a critical sense about the Clash and former members thereof than YourZ does.  I mean, I love The Globe, don't get me wrong.  but I'd never have bought this myself - they strike me as being a wee bit too one-or-two-hit wonders.

Yup, as YourZ says this is the bad example of "best of" CDs.  Clearly showing B.A.D. didn't really do much beyond their couple of hits, and the rest is just sound-alike filler.  And really, hon, what's the point of keeping it?  (YourZ sez: well, I still think it is worth holding on to).  I vote...

VERDICT: THROW IT OUT

For more information: http://www.last.fm/music/Big+Audio+Dynamite