"Straight To Hell" by THE CLASH: Echo Drum-tasticness

[plutonic]

Eyohh,

I just read this book:
http://tinyurl.com/JoeStrummer-Bio

I was moved by what a singular human, and indeed singular humanist, Joe Strummer was. Other fun facts from this book:

Jones/Strummer were somewhat of a music/lyrics combo. Roughly, Mick Jones was the principal melodist and arranger, and Joe Strummer the lyricist.

Paraphrasing: Strummer considered "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" to be his finest lyric.

The instrumental portion of Rock The Casbah was recorded almost entirely by Clash drummer Topper Headon. Piano and Bass. Kind of Stewart-esque.

Personally, I've been listening to "Straight to Hell" over and over and over and over.
'Cause that's the kind of mood I'm in.

However, nutters might appreciate how the dubby drums on "Straight to Hell" recall Stewart's echo drum stuff.
And Strummer's lyrics on the tune are total Darkness.

Straight to Hell
Gotta Have it Now Download:
http://tinyurl.com/StraightToHell-Amazon

Youtube Version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQwm1v1R-qM

Live US Festival with cool over shoulder drum shots:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDlwue0F9HY

Interesting how Strummer plugs his 'Jones side' ear. When Jones grabs his whammy bar at about 4:09, you can see why. At points, Strummer is practically atonal in his singing, but he totally hits-the-slipstream-Van-Morrison-style just after Jones' wild wang bar work.

dc

[policerule]

Do you have the "Live: From Here to Eternity" album?
There is an awesome 7:24 version of Straight to Hell on there... The whole album is incredible.

If I remember correctly, Duke (a lost forum member) has a crapload of Clash boots and might be the authority around here.

I've got the Strummer bio and some other stuff in my cart at Amazon... just haven't wanted to part with the bucks, but I'm sure I will sooner or later.

I'm off to check out the Festival vid you posted.


check your gmail Dan.

[smax]

i found a link the other day for Toppers solo album from the 80's, it's shit by all accounts but might be worth a listen..i'll see if i can find it...

there are lots of clash goodies here:
http://bloggersdelite.blogspot.com/search?q=the+clash

bootlegs, talking books etc... brilliant stuff......

joe strummer went to my school ( http://www.clfs.surrey.sch.uk/interacti ... _tour.html ) my government and politics teacher loved the fact and would slag him off (with a wry smile) ALL the time..

I remember him slagging Gordo off too, calling him "the repellent Sting"... ha ha.

ETA: Toppers album:
http://mondo-de-muebles.blogspot.com/20 ... ng-up.html

[BongoBoy]

Amazing stuff. you can feel their guts in these songs.

Joe was awesome, the original lineup was awesome.

Love what the Clash did for Reggae.

Respect!

Thanks,BB.

[empty]

The Clash are my other all time favorite band. Since I was 11.

Topper Headon and Stewart had similar tendencies and tastes, I believe.
Both came from prog rock bands and then drummed for seminal punk/pop bands.
but there is a BIG difference.

Topper's nickname was the human drum machine. Known for his impeccable timing.

*ducks* Sorry Maestro.

Check out the Lilly Allen version of Straight to Hell. It's, uhh, interesting.
and Topper's work since The Clash? Well, I prefer his producing.

[Divemistress of the Dark]

Heh. Is "Clash devotion" how I justify my current love for Green Day?

Amazing how many bands those guys managed to influence.

(Thanks for the links & info all; more when I'm not braindead from crazy weekend)

[DirtyMartini]

If I remember correctly, Duke (a lost forum member) has a crapload of Clash boots and might be the authority around here.

Found 'em!

Courtesy of Duke, 260 Clash bootlegs:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4615&p=62521#p62521




[For future reference for the search function, here are those keywords again: Duke, Clash, bootlegs.]

[policerule]

Awesome legwork, DM. Thanks

[D-A-O]

My love for The Police only equalled by that of The Clash.

Westway To The World - if you haven't seen it....you should.
Bonnie got itfor me for Christmas shortly after Joes death.

I think Stewart would agree with Joe's comments at 9:30 of this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MBFBkdA ... re=related

This portion brought me to tears:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgWkkBP3d0Y&feature=fvsr

And just for shits & giggles for Dan's original post... Paper Planes by MIA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqlY0VOFtyA&feature=fvst