Mick Jones on the BBC, Best Double Albums ever, and Clash fans in the desert
Good Morning, it actually dropped to 80 f overnight so all is well. Right then, I need to get caught up and if you’ve found these stories previously accept my apologies.
Mick Jones continues with his media rounds in support of the Rock and Roll Public Library here interviewing with BBC Radio 4. For non UK readers, the BBC now features 6+online stations and multiple regional and featured broadcasts has become simply a treasure trove for music and comedy features due to it’s numerous archives and live broadcasts. For football fans Radio 5 is nirvana, and although Steven Merchant and Russell Brand are no longer on the air Jonathan Ross (Radio 2) still has a 3 hour show every Saturday morning that is both good for a laugh but plays a (usually) excellent
Carbon Silicon Setlist Los Angeles
array of songs both new and old. Long gone are the days of listening late at night to John Peel to hear a Cocteau Twins session as nobody else played them. Back to the Mick Jones feature, the short interview is also supported by both an inspired blog entry and a brilliant and huge selection of images. So much to look at there, a few things struck me – the collection of early fanzines looks impressive (I used fanzines as my inspiration for the Clash Blog). His repeated interest in American culture/history and immigration – a nod to his Mum most likely and his own immigrant lineage. Memorabilia as recent as an unused ticket stub from Carbon Silicon at the Troubador in Los Angeles.
Lists, we all like a list it seems and here’s another featuring the ‘best double albums ever’ as you might expect I wanted to see the placement of London Calling. The Clash record from 1979 is ranked 3rd and when you consider the top 2 are Bob Dylan and the Beatles it’s not a bad proposition. Point to ponder he refers to the ‘White Album‘ as ‘The Beatles’ which I guess is correct really…it’s not called the white album officially is it? Perhaps the debut by The Clash should no longer be called the green album….but then it never was.
Lastly for now I was thrilled thrice to read this great article about The Clash and missing Joe Strummer. On the first count because it’s a very well thought out piece that presents a great snapshot of being a Clash fan from the early days to the present. Secondly it’s local to me – Tucson being 110 miles through the desert from Phoenix, the Tucson Citizen is one of many print papers that sadly has seen these changing times curtail it’s very existence. In May of this year following a 139 year history (for Arizona that’s the bronze age) the Citizen became an internet only venture but still provides great journalism. Lastly (and unknown to me) he namechecks the blog which was very cool of him. Still finding out about Geoff but sounds to be a lifer as a Clash fan who was at the Rainbow during the early days – read more here.
That’s all for now – I need to unpack.
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Hi, Tim: Tx again for the info—I can read it about it forever. This is so exciting, and I’m in debt to all of you who have shared your photos and articles. It’s tough being stuck here in the US when my heart is right under the Westway with Mick and Joe (the humans AND the pigeons!)
Can I ask for your help though? My computer recently updated to internet 8 automatically, and ever since then alot of images are coming up as a box with a red checkmark in it. Do you know how I can fix it so I can see those images? IE, the image at the top of the BBC blog did that. I only have dialup service, but it’s never caused a problem with images before, only things like youtube videos. Any help from you or clashbloggers would be so appreciated! I really love this blog, Tim—I look forward to logging on everyday. Thanks for all your hard work. I hope we can work together in the future. Clashophiles connecting=certain greatness! Hope your trip was great. It’s pouring down rain here today, but I have to work later anyway so I’m not really concerned. Have a super day. xxx Joannie from NJ
PS – those interviews that you said were coming soon; is Tony James on the list? I’d really like to pick his brain since he hasn’t blogged in many many months. What is TJ up to? Inquiring minds want to know!
Joannie
Thanks again for the comments. Is the issue with images just recent posts? I use firefox but will test another browser in case. Some of the image files are large (in terms of pixels/bandwidth) but not especially more so of late. Let me know. Are the images on the blog or other sites? (BBC was a gallery which may have been the issue)
Interviews – I can’t elaborate yet ! Should confirm one tomorrow and another later in the week.
Tim
Dear Tim:
Thanks so much for the generous compliments about my piece in the “Tucson Citizen” and for the links, etc. Yes, I am a Clash “lifer.” My first concert was (as you guessed) London Rainbow in 1978 on the Out of Control Tour. I saw them several more times in the UK during the punk years, notably at the famous Rock Against Racism concert in London’s Victoria Park which was featured in “Westway to the World.” You can actually see me in a crowd photo in the “Clash Songbook.” My claim to fame : ) Fortunately we were not annihilated by skinheads at that show, which got pretty rough at times. Saw the revamped Clash again in Providence, RI in 1982 (?) with Terry back on drums and Burning Spear as the opening act. I was lucky enough to see Joe at the great NYC Palladium show in 1989 on the “Earthquake Weather” tour and then several Mescaleros shows.
I flew up to San Francisco last spring specially to catch Carbon/Silicon at The Independent. How great to see Mick onstage again (and looking so very happy!) in a small, intimate venue. I am a huge Tony James fan as well, so to see Mick and Tony together on stage was just brilliant!
How great that you live in Phoenix! I guess we’ll have to get together and compare notes one of these days. Cheers from 99 miles down the road!
Cool ‘n out,
Geoff
Tony James is starting a proper blog it seems ~ let me know if the image issue got resolved…thanks!
Geoff -
Thanks for your CV – all kidding aside, it’s great to hear from you. A pint is in order next time you drive up or I drive down. Tucson will be on my Clash Landmarks series at some point so I’ll need your expertise! Totally agree about Mick enjoying CSi it’s all over his face isn’t it?
Tim
Hi, Tim — the image issue is not resolved, but it is not affecting all images. It was the BBC article that had a problem, and there were others, but I’ll have to let you know which ones. There’s so much good stuff here I am getting in over my head (but in a good way). Totally unrelated to your site, I had issues with a TimeOutNY photo spread of the Green Day concert in NY last week, so it is definitely nothing to do with your site. Maybe it has something to do with the file size…not sure. Again, thanks for all your input. And I’m looking forward to Tony’s blog—should be quite lengthy I suspect. xxx
Hi Geoff: Just read your article about missing Joe and the Clash. Some of your thoughts mimic mine almost verbatim! And those lyrics from Cheapskates…absolutely genius! I have always marvelled at Joe’s lyrical power. coke sniffing and Moses parting the red sea…who else could pull that off with the eloquence and panache that Joe did? My jaw drops every time I hear that song. I adore the photo of Joe from 89 — when he was sportin that hairstyle — I just can’t describe how cool it is to me. Quite touching obit as well, somehow I’d never seen it before. My first Clash gig was Bond’s Casino on the afternoon of my high school graduation…a family bbq and big cake can’t really top that. I forgot to stand up when they called my name for French Honor Society because all I could think about was getting to that show and seeing “MY” band.
I do have one comment, and for sure it’s to each his own, but I feel I have to say that I love every song on Combat Rock. in fact I love every song on Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg. But, that’s neither here nor there I suppose. I have always felt completely in tune and somehow wired to receive music by The Clash, Joe, Mick, and Paul in all their bands—The last Post and The Good The Bad and The Queen being 2 of my favorite cds from the past few years. It’s all kind of weird, but I feel as if I was “born for a purpose” — to be a Clash fan and receive and spread their message far and wide. And on thatnote, I’m pretty sure that you and Tim and I are kindred spirits who will someday maybe work together on something really great. So glad to have become acquainted with you. xxx
PS…I’m thinking a big fundraiser for the 1oth anniversary of Joe’s passing, connected through Strummerville. I’ve got plenty of ideas, we should brainstorm.