Simonon and Jones on a Gorillaz track recorded near Ladbroke Grove is denser than a dying sun.
So said Damon Albarn in the Guardian today. He’s right I suspect (not well tuned on the density of a dying star, astronomy was not my strong point). I do encourage you to get over and read the article in The Guardian where you can learn more about how he hooked up with them and his Clash ‘desert island discs’ – I should have him vote in the Clash Cup eh? I know we’ve covered their contribution to the new Gorillaz album but can you really understate the significance of Mick and Paul recording together again – in truth you cannot – and Joe of course would have been
Camouflage vinyl edition of Combat Rock
invited if he was still with us I’m sure.
This is also worth an extended look on the BBC website. Jim Garrets has amassed a bloody impressive collection of Clash records since 1977, to the point where he tries to get hold of everything and each version of every single he can. His collection has now reached 330 (vinyl) records, singles and albums, by the band. The article explains he was a fan from the beginning and was lucky enough to see the band at the famed Victoria Park, Hackney event in April 1978. Worth a read for the photos alone – what a chap he is, if he can’t display them himself I’ve a feeling Mick Jones might be interested in helping show these to the British public eh? The story also features an interview with Simon Warner, a lecturer at the University of Leeds about the legacy of The Clash. I’ve never reached that level of obsession to collect every version I could find of each record by a band, I always saw that as money I could spend on other new music – but I’m glad people like Jim had the needed dedication. Jim echoes my sentiments about digital music:
“You can’t collect that sort of thing with digital downloads. Quite a lot of the records in my collection I have never actually played. Although when I get a ‘new’ record to add to my collection it’s an opportunity to take a look at some of them again, but mainly the collection sits there quietly.”
Right – I enjoyed that! As for non-Clash artist of the day, I suggest you check out St. Vincent who recorded a session for NPR’s World Cafe. St Vincent is Annie Clark from Oklahoma, this link features an interview with her and a few tracks. Definitely interesting stuff – she doesn’t make music with any rules which I enjoy. The link is here – audio link is on top left of the page. (It’s mellow…listen with coffee)
Let me close with this – A new fashion collection for the Spring is ‘using the Clash as it’s Muse’ – the results are a bit…I won’t comment yet but the results are as linked beneath. I’d love to know what you think. Clash Fashion for 2010? (we’re decades ahead of you!) They’ve called it the “Magnificent Seven Collection”….and I’m signing off til tomorrow.
Hi Tim
interesting to read about Jim Garretts, I’m trying to do the same thing but only have 167 vinyl singles albums etc, got a long way to go! May try and contact him and see if he has any for duplications for sale and see if he is a list he would let me have…..
Cheers
Bruce
Talk about “looking uncomfortable in their own skin” those male models could take a few lessons from Paul Simonon. Now perhaps if they’d used him as their model, the designers might have pulled it off. As it is….
As it is….it was weak eh?
Still an impressive haul Bruce!
Reading about the Gorillaz recording with “half of the Clash!” gave me the chills. I couldn’t put it any better than Damon Albarn re: The Clash and the desert island discs he used to reach his own Plastic Beach (what a wordsmith!)
And to describe Mick and Paul’s contribution as the essence of West London grey and Jamaican sunshine in 3 chords is just brilliant! I am anxiously awaiting this disc!
These are indeed exciting times in the music world with artists freely working with each other and crossing all sorts of boundaries and breaking down walls. I’m thrilled to think that Mick and Paul would share a stage again — it seems to good to be true. We shall see what transpires…
cheers xxx
as you can see in this post I made http://strummernews.websitetoolbox.com/post?id=4583908 when I discovered this collection.
well, you can read in that thread what me and some others think about it, and what happened when I commented the blogpost about the collection..