Joe and William Burroughs

Good Morning wherever you may be reading and cheers for visiting the blog. A different sort of day here as its not hot, it rained all night long, I heard a woman screaming outside her boyfriend/husband/lovers house until the police came at 4am and now I’m watching Arsenal. Its like being back in London minus the new bicycle hire program. I think the bike idea is great though the sponsorship is hideous. As for The Clash, the last time we did this it seemed to get a favourable response so we’ll do it again as I scour vimeo, youtube, google video and other shared services for the best and worst new video uploads that hopefully most of you have yet to see before. If you stumble on something especially brilliant that might be good for the blog please contact me via the usual channels. Let’s get cracking then.

Billy Bragg performing Redemption Song on the Jail Guitar Doors road trip: As the Strummerville linked tour continued recently into Scotland and points North Bragg spoke and performed songs in addition to the film screening. The video is from some distance from the stage (no zoom on the camera?) but the audio is good, moreover the cause is tinged with Joe.

Big Audio Dynamite MTV concert from 1992: I’m sure this has been seen by some of you but it’s a new upload and I’ve seen it before it was probably not enjoyed as much as this in the days of dial-up! Mick sports one his nicest hats  as the band perform ‘Can’t Wait’ and ‘Contact’. Crowd sound seems a bit odd but good fun to watch, was Mick’s hair ever really that long? I think we previously determined that the pony tail was fake. The shirt…yes I made the same fashion mistake right around the same era. Clips remind me just how much of a party BAD were as a live proposition, I think I saw them four times in total and they were on form each time.

A cover of London Calling by…two people: Bloody hell…I had to watch this so you should too. I don’t quite know what to say. Is it the semi-operatic vocals she offers, the fact that her mouth doesn’t seem to sing or his ever so laid back delivery? Then just when you think you know what to expect at the very end she turns into Debbie Harry for a few lines. I am trying not to laugh and it’s nice that they covered the song and put it on youtube. If your response is good I may see what other work they’ve done. All I can tell you is she is called Claire….

Police on My Back bass / surgical mask: Do you remember Clinic? You should it was very recent, they used to appear on stage in full surgical gear and perform. I saw them live round about 2004 and I liked the band but the overriding memory was the oddness of not being able to see their faces in full, a bit like seeing the Wombles I would assume? This chap has the surgical mask on (indoors?) but don’t let that be a detriment, his bass work is flowing and competent as he plays Paul’s notes really well on one of my favourite Clash tracks for the bass.

To finish a few honourable mentions. Casey Neill & The Norway Roots perform a decent cover version of ‘Coma Girl’.  Audio only on this one sadly as Joe Strummer and the Latino Rockabilly War perform ‘Love Kills’ in Manchester ’85. This is good and you’ve probably heard it – Camper Van Beethoven doing ‘Kingston Advice’. Doesn’t top the original but it does bring its own flavour to the track.

Must be a Clash ~ there’s no alternative. Thanks for dropping by, please share on facebook below if you can…I’ll be back soonish. Arsenal drew 1-1; shadows of last season already….