'Welcome to the Casbah Club'

Here's a new must-own for many '80s fans: The Clash Live at Shea Stadium, a live CD from their Oct. 13, 1982, performance. It hits the record racks today.

Our fave U.K.-bred punksters were opening for the Who on their first farewell tour and had just released their Combat Rock album. This is also the concert where the band's video for Should I Stay Or Should I Go was filmed. The tapes for the live CD were unearthed by the late Joe Strummer while packing for a move.

Added bonus: The CD includes a 24-page booklet with plenty of behind-the-scenes at Shea and recollections from rock photographer Bob Gruen. Here are some more highlights:

BEST TUNES: The band begins the show with London Calling, a no-brainer opening choice that sounds even better live. Joe Strummer wailing out whistle sounds before Train in Vain really fires up that tune as well. Spanish Bombs sounds more whimsical than biting on this disc, though a real fan never tires of hearing it. Career Opportunities shows up two-thirds of the way through the set, and the band really seems to finally click perfectly during this underrated tune.

THE CHATTER: The band isn't shy with the between-song commentary. "Here's The Guns of Brixton ... yeah, ask your neighbor what that's about," Joe Strummer taunts the crowd. Please, somebody bring back the contempt of the punk movement!

'WHAT THE HELL' MOMENT: Rock the Casbah sounds nothing like the radio-friendly version we've been saturated with over the last 25 years. That's not to say it sucks, but you'll be left wondering what the hell the band was going for with this live version.

AND THE FINALE: I Fought the Law is a brilliant ending number for any punk act, but the Clash climbs on and rides it with unmatched fury. God, I pity the Who having to follow these guys on stage this night.

Comments

[Jeff in Cuba]

I caught this tour at Red Rocks as it passed through Denver, and it was an absolutely amazing show.

[Miguel]

A must-own for any music fans for sure.

Here`s a little introduction to the album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJcGTULs7nU

[Miguel]

Hey, how come a Clash post only got two hits??

The Clash rule, people!!

[Dr. Dim]

I would have loved to have seen The Clash on that tour. Unfortunately, when The Who came to St. Paul The Clash did not open. We got T-Bone Burnett.

I write about it at my blog (shameless plug) http://dimland.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html Scroll down for the entry on The Who.

Warning: I make some disparaging comments about some of the 80's nation's favorite bands. Sorry, that's just how I sees it.

Also on my blog (another shameless plug) you'll find my series on my concert memories. Most of which took place in the 80's. There is an account of the time I did get to see The Clash.

I hope my plugging isn't off-putting to the 80's nation.

[Bassnote]

Love, Love, L-O-V-E the Clash! I have to own this. Will go our immediately and get it.

[Bassnote]

Just picked it up today. The Clash were absolute bad a##es. I'll be jamming this one for quite a while. "Clampdown" blew me away.

[Miguel]

I listened this album last night for the first time. EXCELLENT!

Highlights:
The Magnificent 7/Armagideon Time/Magnificent 7 again.
Clampdown as Bassnote mentioned and the ending with I Fought The Law.

Low point(if we can consider it a low point,maybe minor gem):
Spanish Bombs,not remarkable their performance here.

Now,our commander Jeff should tell us more about when he watched this show,because i`m jealous. I mean i watched great icons live,from Dylan to Bowie but The Clash!I would have had loved to watch them once in my life.