The Clash hit France

There are a few recurring themes on this site that I unapologetically hammer at the masses. There’s Prince, there’s Springsteen, and there is Joe Strummer & The Clash. I came across a cool bootleg recently of what I guess would be called Sandanista-era Clash.

This May 9, 1981 show came five months after the release of their ambitious, extremely eclectic 3-LP juggernaut that was (and is) ‘Sandanista’. The album review on All Music has it just about right:

The Clash sounded like they could do anything on London Calling. For its triple-album follow-up, Sandinista!, they tried to do everything, adding dub, rap, gospel, and even children’s choruses to the punk, reggae, R&B, and roots rock they already were playing. Instead of presenting a band with a far-reaching vision, like London Calling did, Sandinista! plays as a messy, confused jumble, which means that its numerous virtues are easy to ignore.

While it doesn’t come close to the brilliance and magnitude of London Calling, it does have its moments (“The Call Up”, “The Magnificent Seven”, “Washington Bullets”, etc.), but it is a triple album of 36 songs for cryin’ out loud, so there’s bound to be some less than stellar moments (like a reworked “Career Opportunities” sung by children).

So anyhoo, the bootleg was recorded live in France. It’s great quality, and really captures their F**ing brilliance….

The Clash live at Palais St. Sauveur, Lille in France
May 9, 1981

London Calling
Safe European Home
The Leader
Somebody Got Murdered
White Man in Hammersmith Palais
The Guns of Brixton
Lightning Strikes (not once but twice)
I Fought The Law
Corner Soul
Ivan Meets G.I. Joe
Radio Clash
Charlie Don’t Surf
Magnificent Seven
Bankrobber
Wrong ‘Em Boyo
Train in Vain