Good Morning, it’s already been a busy weekend as I’m sure most of you will relate to as we get closer to Christmas. I’m working on a revised strategy for the Clash Blog for 2010 so that the site is easier to navigate and that you can expect posts at (roughly) the same time of day. I’m also 60% decided in favour of introducing some sort of podcast perhaps twice a month. I’ve found over the first 7 months of the blog that those both directly within the Clash camp as well as many on the fringes are happy to assist the blog with input or interviews. I want to encourage the choice of a written question and answer email or a brief phone interview which could be part of the podcast. It works really well on some other blogs that I enjoy so it is under serious consideration. I’m not going to make you suffer a videocast but I think audio would be fun and if I get the technology sussed out I think even featured songs are possible (now I am digging myself a hole).

Further to the worrying news about Brian Setzer (formerly of The Stray Cats) being taken ill during his live performance in New Mexico this week, I’m pleased to share that he has apparently made a full recovery and has subsequently returned to the touring schedule he was previously on. That’s what I like to hear!

As part of the events surrounding the 30th anniversary of the release of London Calling, the original sketches and design ideas for the albums artwork were put up for auction this week. Ray Lowry’s original sketches and ideas for the album artwork were all on sale and a price of $80-100,000 was anticipated to secure the collection. Even though it might be trite of me to say it (on this blog of all places) I think the famed Pennie Smith photo of Paul Simonon about to take out his frustration on his bass guitar in New York is one the greatest album covers ever made. It’s the whole tone of the image coupled with the ‘borrowing’ of the Elvis Presley album colours and font for the London Calling lettering that frames the black and white image that creates something so visually remarkable. As I’m sure many of you are aware there was a decided intention for London Calling to symbolise the end of Rock and Roll (as Elvis was the beginning), a bold idea for 1979 but some will argue music has been treading water ever since. Anyway, I’m rambling, I’m sure the original design sketches for the album are something else and perhaps the new ‘owner’ of the artwork will be kind enough to post this rare piece of Clash lore somewhere online.

I know there’s a variety of Joe Strummer memorial events around the world this month, so if you have photos or tales to tell of one you attended – please write in and I’ll be sure to include it. Next year this will be far more organised and I’ll seek Clash correspondents (you know you want to!)

Tim