The end of the week already, see I told you that it wouldn’t be so bad. Hope all is well at your end and thanks for coming back for a visit. Before getting started today I wondered if anyone had read any recent news about the alleged two Clash films that are in production? Last we heard both were officially being made and then it’s been all quiet since. I know we wondered who could possibly play not just Strummer but any members of the band and I think the consensus was to pick an unknown actor rather than a face we recognise. Speaking of similar looking faces perhaps this chap in Canada who spends his life finding unrelated doppelgangers to photograph might be the first person to call. Are there chaps walking around in the snow in Winnipeg who look like Paul Simonon and would you even be able to tell under four layers of clothing?

Today I wanted to gather together some of the uploaded videos from the many Joe Strummer tribute concerts that took place the weekend before Christmas. As ever with live filming via a phone or low end digital camera the audio and images can often leave a lot to be desired but it was the flavour of the evenings I was after. Also, if you happened to attend any of the special nights and have worthy memories don’t hesitate to share them below. I haven’t seen as many uploaded videos as I had expected which could be due to the holiday and New Year so we might revisit this in a couple of weeks.

Some are in packed clubs or pubs and some are in what look like coffee shops, the sentiment however is consistent.

Alessandro Mela is a singer/songwriter from Ferrera, Italy. Here you can watch his Clash/Joe medley (don’t think K-Tel) featuring pieces of four songs without missing a beat. He also writes his own stuff and if you like you can follow him on Twitter. Meanwhile at the 100 Club in London a two evening party was had celebrating the life and influence of Joe, I’m expecting to find more videos as I dig deeper but here is a great (only half sadly) cover of White Riot by I think Rebel Truce (?) if someone who was there could confirm for me that’d be a good idea.

Glen Matlock was also on the bill at the 100 Club and above he covers the 101′ers Keys to Your Heart. I really like the grainy footage of this video and the other uploaded by ‘Joe Stunner’, you can almost squint and pretend this was December 1976. Speaking of old looking footage, this clip from an earlier tribute in the month in Somerville Massachusetts shows The Unstables performing ‘Julie’s been working for the drug squad’ – they sound great in truth although it looks like it was filmed in 1966.

Meanwhile you needed to be in Vancouver for a rather different take on London Calling by Ralph Shaw on a type of banjo/ukelele hybrid *(according to my novice eyes). It is his voice that I keep focusing on though, after two or three listens I can’t decide who he reminds me of. Any suggestions? From the same event here is Colleen Rennison doing a stellar version of Brand New Cadillac.

Down in Brixton at The Windmill here is footage of The Lone Groover performing his song ‘Dreams of Strummer with very excellent backing visuals.

Embarrassed to say this was a gig that I missed (sorry) in Durham, not the one near Newcastle but the big one in North Carolina. Above you can see B-Side Project and Danny Hooley performing a warm rendition of Johnny Appleseed.

Back across the sea to Italy for the final one for now, featuring Mauri Clash covering a cover – in this case Armagideon Time followed by Career Opportunities.

All of these videos show it doesn’t matter how you interpret Joe and Mick’s music – just that people are still doing so as a rule of thumb is a fine thing. I don’t think there is any mileage in saying that is a poor cover version to any artist who is trooping out there in tribute to Strummer and playing for free and typically helping to raise funds for a local cause or Strummerville, or whatever. In the most simple terms I love that it continues ten years on and if anything gathered momentum this time around for obvious reasons.

Having explored a bit more as I wrote today’s piece I’ve realised that there have been many more uploads over the last few days so I’ll put together part two at the very least of this in the next week. Have a fine Friday, I’ll be back soon. Don’t forget you can keep current or communicate via the facebook page, twitter or get the blog sent as a feed via the RSS.

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