The Clash “London Calling” « Cool Album of the Day

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The Clash “London Calling”

Posted 26 Jan 2011 in 70s, Albums of 1979, Albums of the 70s, Punk / Post Punk, Rock + Roll, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#267 in the Series) is The Clash, London Calling

“The Only Band That Matters” that is one of the names that was given to the The Clash. Some people could also say that London Calling was the only album that mattered.

London Calling was the The Clash’s 1979 (1980 in the US) double album. It contained many of their most well-known songs. The title cut plus, ‘Spanish Bombs, Lost in the Supermarket, Clampdown’ and ‘Train in Vain’ are just some of the highlights. There really isn’t a bad track amongst the 19 on this double album release.

One of the few bands that I missed seeing. There were not many!

Joe Strummer passed away in December 2002. In his honor, his family has started a foundation to promote new music and support for new musicians. It’s called Strummerville. Visit them Here.

In March of 2003 he was also honored at the Grammy Awards. They did so with a moving rendition of London Calling performed by Elvis Costello, Dave Grohl, Bruce Springsteen and Steven Van Zandt. Look for the video below.

The accolades rolled in for this one. Let’s look at some of them, shall we?

Accolades.

Rolling Stone critic’s poll called it the Best album of 1980
A 1987 poll by Rolling Stone called it the 14^th best album in the last 20 years.
In 2003 Rolling Stone also called it the 8^th best all time album on it’s Top 500 albums of all time. (Doesn’t that contradict the last entry?)
Q Magazine called London Calling the 4^th best British album of all-time.
I lked it

Track listing

London Calling – Jones, Strummer 3:19
Brand New Cadillac –Taylor 2:08
Jimmy Jazz – Jones, Strummer 3:54
Hateful – Jones, Strummer 2:44
Rudie Can’t Fail – Jones, Strummer 3:29
Spanish Bombs – Jones, Strummer 3:18
The Right Profile – Jones, Strummer 3:54
Lost in the Supermarket – Jones, Strummer – 3:47
Clampdown – Jones, Strummer 3:49
The Guns of Brixton – Simonon 3:09
Wrong ‘Em Boyo – Alphanso, Alphonso, Jones, Strummer 3:10
Death or Glory – Jones, Strummer 3:55
Koka Kola – Jones, Strummer 1:47
The Card Cheat – Clash , Jones, Jones, Strummer 3:49
Lover’s Rock – Jones, Strummer 4:03
Four Horsemen – Jones, Strummer 2:55
I’m Not Down – Jones, Strummer 3:06
Revolution Rock – Edwards, Jones, Ray, Strummer 5:33
Train in Vain – Jones, Strummer 3:10

Personnel

Joe Strummer – lead vocals and backing vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
Mick Jones – lead guitar, piano, harmonica, lead vocals and backing vocals
Paul Simonon – bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on “The Guns of Brixton”
Topper Headon – drums, percussion

The Clash was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in1993

Look for a movie about the recording of London Calling. The BBC reported this in December 2010.