see also Chris Knowles Essential Clash Boootlkeg Guide for a similar review...
On my neverending quest to make the ultimate Clash live set mixed cdr, I've decided to make a list of their greatest shows based off of pure listening experience, not historical relevance (eg 9/76 Roundhouse for example is omitted). This is from the seventy or so shows that I've listened to over the last years or so and there aren't really too many surprises for those familiar with black market clash.
1. 5/24/80 Scandinavium- Thrilling, energetic, and funny from start to finish. Joe ad libs on pretty much every song, the tempos are accelerated, and the performances are top notch all around. There is even a once performed special treat of an embryonic Charlie Don’t Surf which sounds completely different from anything The Clash ever did, live or studio. The first ten seconds of Clash City Rockers says it all.
2. 2/13/79 Cleveland- One of the few great performances caught and preserved on soundboard and it’s a doozy. The special treat for me are the encores which captures the band at its most furious (which says a lot). Oh and Joe’s intro to Police and Thieves is pretty much the greatest thing ever.
3. 5/21/81 Milan- An uncharacteristically energetic show from this very Sandinista show. Joe is in manic mode throughout, pushing Clampdown to unprecedented heights. Bonus points for being one of the best sounding audience recordings of those times.
4. 6/1/80 Bologna- Skip the first eight or so songs when Topper is MIA and a rich man’s Terry is filling in (excuse the ubiquitous Terry pot shot). This is a lesser version of the Scandinavium show which means it’s a freaking great show. It starts off safe and unsure and by the end it has devolved (evolved?) to a sloppy manic, incredible frenzy with Joe singing and Mick playing with little sense of “right and wrong” notes. There is almost a sense of that if they slow down, they’d die. Or at least get caught. Highlights are Joe and Mick alternately shouting “Murder!” at the end of Somebody (something they inexplicably never did on any other version I’ve heard) and a frightening, atonal beautiful mess of an Armagideon Time.
5. 1/24/82 Shibuya Kohkaido- With an overwhelmingly exuberant crowd, The Clash were clearly enjoying themselves on this one. The energy that they were able to leach from the crowd is quite evident in the 1-2-3 punch of Somebody, Clampdown, and the loosest structured Radio Clash known to man. Also props for containing an Ivan that I can not only listen to, but enjoy.
6. 6/17/80 Hammersmith Palais- The grand finale of their greatest tour. Mikey Dread may have tamed the Armagideon Time nightmare a touch, but his input on Jumping Master is essential and makes this show special. Although Mickey Gallagher’s keys nearly ruin the psychotic London’s Burning, his flourishes on the newer material add a pleasant 4th dimension. Add some rarities and you get a great, entirely unique show.
7. 1/3/79 Lyceum – This is a tamer version of the Cleveland show that would happen a month later. Nevertheless, the band is firing on all cylinders and the playing is tight and intense. Joe yells until his voice is gone and then he keeps yelling for the remaining half of the show. Bonus points for being a dandy soundboard with some hot footage for Rude Boy
8. 5/8/77 Manchester- 1977 in a bottle (or cd). The sound quality is subpar, but the performance smokes with the band playing at 110% fury. Cardiff may have great sound quality, but lord it doesn’t have White Riot or Janie Jones. Speaking of, I challenge anyone to find a faster White Riot.
9. 5/19/83 Wichita Falls- This show earns the award for the most unique setlist and comes in a very clear audience recording to boot. Don’t mind the guy near the mic that has no sense of rhythm in his clapping. Instead, focus on wunderkind Pete Howard and obscure tracks performed brilliantly like “Sound of Sinners”, “Death or Glory” and a great “Lost in the Supermarket” and a Joe in good spirits. Not to mention the only (okay not really) live version of “Crooked Beat”.
10. 2/18/80 Lewisham- I was reluctant to include this show, but all six soundboard tracks (and two videos) to emerge are stellar with a well mixed Mickey on the funky organ. The audience tape is harsh, but listenable on headphones in a quiet room although the organ is a bit more in your face than on the pro mix.
