CLASH NYC

I'm listening to this cool special on The Clash, offa the BBC6 site (thanks to theclashblog.com for the link). Don Letts put this collection of commentary, interviews, and music all together. Part one of the 3 part series is now unavailable (?) but I'm checking out the other 2 parts. It focuses on the relationship the Clash had with the mighty NYC. Lots of it (from what I'm hearing) deals with their opening slot for The Who at Shea Stadium in 1982. I got the CD when it came out and thought it was fairly solid. You really couldn't beat the line up with Topper (Headen, drummer fired shortly after the release of "Combat Rock") though. While this sounded great, that magic seemed to be missing a bit. One thing that was sadly annoying, I thought, was Joe Strummer's constant commentary (Oh, the blasphemy!). From what I understand, the band wasn't sure how down the Who crowd was with them other than the hits so, there was a lotta splainin' going on. There's a great version of 'Magnificent Seven' that goes into 'Armegedeon Time' then comes back to 'Seven'. Cool! But Joe sez, right offa the bat "We're gonna go from New York to Jamaica and back" (or something to that effect). That's not too bad until he calls out the change during the song. Just let it roll, Joe! Let the groove take them away! I don't mean any of this to discourage anyone away from the CD. It's really very good. Ah, but what coulda been!

As for the radio station, new stuff added by Elmore James, Pura Fe, Al Green, MC5, Thin Lizzy, Nick Lowe, Captain Beefheart, 2Pac, Elvin Bishop and others. Good grooves of all shapes, sizes, and colors! Now, to go add some mo' stuff!