"In City Dreams" by ROBIN TROWER (Inside 2012’s 3CD Set ‘Father On Up The Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977-1983’) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...I Was Tasting The Charms..."

For years Procol Harum’s Robin Trower seemed locked into those Hendrix comparisons – pumping out album after album of Hard Rock Riffage – simple no-nonsense guitar classics like “Bridge Of Sighs” and “For Earth Below” in 1974 and 1975. Then come the late Seventies and his inner Bernard Edwards and Chic seemed to grab him by the short and curlies and the man went for it. And I for one - loved it to bits.

I’ve always thought his "In City Dreams" and "Caravan To Midnight" LPs from 1977 and 1978 (with the mighty James Dewar on vocals) to be Funky Rock meisterworks where Trower and his Flange Pedal got real familiar. And that’s where this fabulous Remastered 3CD set from EMI comes in. Here are the fret-flicking details...

UK released 27 Feb 2012 - "Father On Up The Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977-1983" on EMI/Chrysalis 301 3862 (Barcode 5099930138629) is the mega label's second anthology for Procol Harum’s first guitar virtuoso ROBIN TROWER (“A Tale Untold” was the first) and breaks down as follows:

Disc 1 (79:30 minutes):

1. Somebody Calling

2. Sweet Wine Of Love

3. Bluebird

4. Falling Star

5. Farther On Up The Road

6. Smile

7. Little Girl

8. Love’s Gonna Bring You Round

9. In City Dreams

Tracks 1 to 9 are the album "In City Dreams" released September 1977 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1148.

10. Bluebird (7" Edit) - a non-album version 

11. My Love (Burning Love)

12. Caravan To Midnight

13. I’m Out To Get You

14. Lost In Love

15. Fool

16. It’s For You

17. Birthday Boy

18. King Of The Dance

19. Sail On

Tracks 11 to 19 are the album "Caravan To Midnight" released August 1978 in the UK and USA on Chrysalis CHR 1189.

To get 6 albums and two 7" single sides thrown in for just over twelve quid is pretty amazing value for money (including a free rip to your PC or Mac). But the big deal here is the 2012 PETER MEW REMASTER. I've raved about this guy's touch at the tape before - even set a tag of his remastered issues for those interested in quality sound (there's hundreds) - and this double jewel-case set is no different. The sound is truly fantastic - full and clear without being over-hyped or amped up for the sake of it.

I've always thought "In City Dreams" to have been an overlooked funky nugget in his catalogue. Often associated with Hendrix in terms of guitar sound and technique - people are amazed at the sweetness of Trower's playing on lullabies like "Bluebird" and "Little Girl". The addition of Bassist Rustee Allen to his band (ex Sly & The Family Stone) only served to up the hip-swivelling gyrations by a factor of ten. And I've always thought the gritty vocals and songwriting talent of ex Stone The Crows vocalist JAMES DEWAR added so much to Trower's band - sadly lost to us years back.

This overlooked album opens with the brilliant Funky-Rock of "Somebody's Calling" – a seriously hooky groove that just builds and builds with its melodic strums and flange effect and Dewar's vocals that come sailing in only half way through. I've often included in on my 70's Fest CD Shop Plays and it used to always bring a customer hustling to the counter wanting to know - who this fantastic track is by (lyrics from it title this review). We mellow down with both the mid-tempo "Sweet Wine Of Love" and the lovely ballad "Bluebird". A more familiar "Bridge Of Sighs" Trower returns with the chunky Rock riffage of "Falling Star" while the side ends with an oddly placed 'live' rendition of "Further On Up The Road" where both Trower and Dewar elicit whistles and cheers from the Rock-Funkin' crowd.

Back to trippy business with the wickedly cool "Smile" - a flange and strummer similar to "Somebody's Calling" - while "Little Girl" sees his Bluesy Guitar doubled-up for effect as Dewar whispers the 'left on the ground...you could never fly...' lyrics. "Love's Gonna Bring You Round" should have been released as UK 7" single - catchy and representative of the album's overall sound. The guitars swirl and flange throughout the entire Bass-pumping Rock of "In City Dreams". Very cool...

On the celebratory "Sweet Wine Of Love" - James Dewar sings "...Let's throw a party...everyone is invited..." 

Accept the invitation as soon as your wallet will allow...

"Life For The Taking" by EDDIE MONEY (2013 Rock Candy ‘Remastered & Reloaded’ CD Reissue) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"...Can't Keep A Good Man Down..."

Ex New York City Cop and raspy vocalist EDDIE MONEY produced a slew of albums for Columbia Records (CBS in the UK) between 1978 and 1992. But his reputation as one the great Ian Hunter Rock 'n' Roller-types rests on his first four albums - which America's 'Rock Candy Records' have chosen to reissue in 2013 as 'Collector's Editions Remastered & Reloaded'.

I bought the vinyl LPs at the time and loved every good time minute of them - in fact I worked with a band in Dublin called 'Rogue Angel' who used to cover several of his tunes in their brill residency at Toner's Bar in Baggot Street (great memories). But frankly the quality of Money's songs began to taper off by his third platter "Playing For Keeps" in August 1980 and "No Control" in July 1982 wasn't a whole lot better. For me there's only ever been his rattling "Eddie Money" debut from late 1977 and this - it's brilliant and upbeat follow-up "Life For The Taking" released Stateside in January 1979. You 'can't keep a good man down' as they say - so here are the lifelike details...

USA released January 2013 - "Life For The Taking" by EDDIE MONEY on Rock Candy Records CANDY173 (Barcode 5055300356574) is a straightforward Remaster of the 1978 US LP with upgraded booklet and plays out as follows (40:41 minutes):

1. Life For The Taking

2. Can't Keep A Good Man Down

3. Nightmare

4. Gimme Some Water

5. Rock And Roll The Place

6. Maybe I'm A Fool [Side 2]

7. Love The Way You Love Me

8. Maureen

9. Nobody

10. Call On Me

Tracks 1 to 10 are his 2nd studio album "Life For The Taking" - released January 1979 in the USA on Columbia JC 35598 and March 1978 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 83159. Produced by BRUCE BOTNIK (of The Doors fame) and Recorded/Engineered by ANDY JOHNS - it peaked at No. 17 on the US LP charts (didn't chart UK).

Musicians:

EDDIE MONEY - Lead Vocals, Piano and Harmonica

JIMMY LYON - Guitar

DAVID LINDLEY - Guitar on "Gimme Some Water"

LLOYD CHIATE and JOHN WHITNEY - Guitars on "Maybe I'm A Fool"

ALAN PASQUA and NICKY HOPKINS - Piano

GREGORY PHILLINGANES - Piano on "Maybe I'm A Fool"

JESSIE BRADMAN - Piano on "Rock And Roll The Place"

RANDY NICHOLS - Organ on "Rock And Roll The Place"

TOM SCOTT - Horns

LONNIE TURNER - Bass

TIM SHERIDAN - Bass on "Rock And Roll The Place"

GARY MALLABER - Drums

DAVE DANZA - Drums on "Rock And Roll The Place"

The 12-page booklet is pretty to look at - live photos from the period - repro's of Japanese and US singles, picture discs and new liner notes from HOWARD JOHNSON which include recent interviews with Eddie about that heady time (his debut had peaked at No. 39 but this album went Top 20 eventually peaking at No. 17 and lasting an impressive 26 weeks on the charts). Fans will know that only a couple of tracks from "Life For The Taking" have been available on a 'Greatest Hits' set as remasters - this is the first time the entire album has been done (ditto for the other three). There are no lyrics and its hugely disappointing that there isn't 'anything' extra but at least the Audio makes up for those shortcomings...

Experienced Audio Engineer JON ASTLEY (The Who, Pete Townshend, Tears For Fears, The Boomtown Rats, Bad Company and more) has handled the 24-bit Digital Remaster from original tapes at 'Close To The Edge' Mastering in Twickenham, England - and this sucker 'rocks' for all the right reasons. How good is it to hear songs like "Can't Keep A Good Man Down" and "Love The Way You Love Me" sound this good...

The album opens with the slow and weary-from-losing "Life For The Taking" - an Eddie Money original about his harsh upbringing in the big choke. Instant rush hits you with the fantastic 'rawk' of "Can't Keep A Good Man Down" - a song Money co-wrote with Dan Alexander of The Rockets and Chris Solsberg. This 'made some plans myself' thing kicks like a mule and that Jimmy Lyon Guitar solo roars out of your speakers ready to trample all over your apartment’s Feng Shui placements. The preposterously catchy "Nightmare" is a co-write Jimmy Lyon and features a riff many rock bands would nobble a close relative for. Upbeat riffage continues with Money's "Gimme Some Water" where our hero takes of guns and dead men on the Mexican Border (not that border rhymes with water you understand). Like a call to arms 'everybody' "Rock And Roll The Place" is a great Saturday Night booze and bands rocker and brings back great memories of doing just that in 1979.

After all the men-in-tight trousers Rock of the Side 1 - the flip-side opens with a disconcerting "Maybe I'm A Fool" - a stab at Rock-Soul that aims its Saxophone and Lush Strings firmly at the crossover Top 20 without really convincing either (arranged by Albhey Galuten). Things instantly improve with "Love The Way You Love Me" - a joyful Rock romp that actually has Soul in it - the Remaster lifting up that great solo. We enter Southside Johnny & The Asbury Dukes territory with the Tamla Motown bop of "Maureen" while its finishes with a wicked one-two sucker punch - a Funky "Nobody" and the big pleader ballad "Call On Me" where Eddie wants his girl to give him a tinkle on the blower when she's tired and feeling weak (any other time she can bugger off).

"Life For The Taking" only consolidated the strides Money made on his "Eddie Money" debut LP after years in the Rock 'n' Roll wilderness (he'd been gigging since 1974). Despite the lack of extras and that greedy full-price tag - this is a stone 5-star CD remaster and I recommend you 'Rock and Roll' your place with it right soon...

The January 2013 'Rock Candy Records' CD Remasters for EDDIE MONEY are:

1. Eddie Money (November 1977 debut LP) - Rock Candy CANDY172 (Barcode 5055300356567)

2. Life For The Taking (January 1979 2nd LP) - Rock Candy CANDY173 (Barcode 5055300356574)

3. Playing For Keeps (August 1980 3rd LP) - Rock Candy CANDY174 (Barcode 5055300356581)

4. No Control (July 1982 4th LP) - Rock Candy CANDY175 (Barcode 5055300356598)

"Gasoline Alley" by ROD STEWART (Inside 2002's The Universal/Chronicles 3CD Set 'Reason To Believe: The Complete Mercury Studio Recordings' - Suha Gur Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Take Me Back To The Gasoline Alley…"

Arguing the merits of Rod Stewart's 'Mercury Records Years' albums (1969 to 1974) is like saying a few of the Beatles albums from the Sixties were 'pretty good' and you should 'probably' buy some. What I'm getting at here is 'which' version of "Gasoline Alley" should you buy? And while I'm at it what about 1971's "Every Picture Tells A Story" or 1972"s "Never A Dull Moment" or even the lesser-seen "Sing It Again Rod" LP compilation from June 1973 that went to No. 1 but never seems to show on CD? I want to argue that the whole period was magical musically (even the disappointing "Smiler" from 1974 had its fab moments) and this is one of those occasions where you should forego the individual purchase and buy the bleeding lot.

There's a Remastered stand-alone CD for "Gasoline Alley" from 1995 with just the 9-tracks and the gorgeous UK artwork inside and out – an expensive but audiophile Mobile Fidelity Gold CD release from 2011 and a beautifully done Japanese SACD from 2014 - as well as a dizzying array of '5 album collection' Mini Box Sets - most of whom use the 'US' artwork. But I say go for this instead...

US and UK released in November 2002 (reissued January 2005) – "Reason To Believe: The Complete Mercury Studio Recordings" by ROD STEWART on Mercury/Universal/Chronicles 440 063 422-2 (Barcode 044006342221) is a 3CD set of Remasters that offers fans all six albums from the period along with rare 7" single edits and five outakes first released on a 1995 2CD retrospective. 

This 3CD set will allow fans to sequence his six albums (5 studio and 1 compilation) - "An Old Raincoat Won’t Let You Down" (known as "The Rod Stewart Album" in the USA), "Gasoline Alley", "Every Picture Tells A Story", "Never A Dull Moment", "Sing It Again Rod" (compilation with one new track "Pinball Wizard") and finally "Smiler" – his last studio LP for Mercury Records.

Disc 1 contains the first two LPs including "Gasoline Alley" (79:19 minutes):

1. Street Fighting Man

2. Man Of Constant Sorrow

3. Blind Prayer

4. Handbags And Gladrags

5. An Old Raincoat Won't Ever Let You Down [Side 2]

6. I Wouldn't Ever Change A Thing

7. Cindy's Lament

8. Dirty Old Town

Tracks 1 to 8 are his debut LP "An Old Raincoat Won’t Let You Down" – released February 1970 on Vertigo VO 4 in the UK. It was called "The Rod Stewart Album" in the USA and its September 1969 release on Mercury SR-61237 featuring different artwork to the UK issue (same tracks). As this is effectively an American release – the booklet doesn’t picture the lovely 'photograph' gatefold of the UK artwork.

9. Gasoline Alley

10. It's All Over Now

11. Only A Hobo

12. My Way Of Giving

13. Country Comforts [Side 2]

14. Cut Across Shorty

15. Lady Day

16. Jo's Lament

17. You're My Girl (I Don’t Want To Discuss It)

Tracks 9 to 17 are his 2nd solo LP "Gasoline Alley" – released May 1970 in the USA on Mercury SR-61264 and September 1970 in the UK on Vertigo 6360 500. Produced by ROD STEWART and LOU REIZNER.

18. It's All Over Now – issued as a 7” single edit in the UK on Vertigo 6086 002 in September 1970 (the album track "Jo's Lament" was its B-side).

As you can see - with this set you also get the 7" single edit of "It's All Over Now" - something none of the individual "Gasoline Alley" CD releases offers. The packaging is tasty too and the Audio stunning. The 24-page booklet is housed in a three-way foldout card digipak with each flap featuring live photos (pictures beneath the see-through plastic trays also). AMY LINDEN provides the liner notes and there’s discography info on each track and overall recording credits. But the big news is the SUHA GUR remasters which are fantastic – full of presence and life and that raunchy feel Stewart got at the time. Lyrically and musically – there is so much richness here. Armed with a God-given set of tonsils, melodies that haunt and a way with observation - song after song smacks you over the head with greatness and smart choices. And all of it with that fantastic band of his - Ronnie Wood, Martin Quittenton, Ronnie Lane, Mick Waller, Kenny Jones and Ian McLagan - all dripping British Rock’n’Roll swagger that seemed to come so easily to them. The only real disappointment for me - especially with regard to artwork - is that this 3CD compilation is essentially an American release and therefore uses the 'US' artwork for "Gasoline Alley" and unfortunately the lovely British artwork (inside and out) is AWOL.

The opening song "Gasoline Alley" (co-written by Rod with Ron Wood of The Stones) is likely to reduce most ardent Rodders fans to mush within seconds - a plaintive and heartfelt ache for the simple times and even the grimy streets of old as depicted on the stippled gatefold cover. It's trite I know to call songs 'beautiful' but this one is and its been covered many times as proof (Elkie Brooks reminded people of its beauty in 1983 with synth version on A&M Records). And that Ron Wood bottleneck guitar and Stanley Matthews on Mandolin add so much too.

Recorded at Morgan Studios in London - there's a ramshackle feel to the "Gasoline Alley" LP from the off - an unplugged feel that lends the music an authenticity that the later polished Riva material abandoned (different times, different approaches). A nice addition on this set is the 3:37 minute 7" single edit of Bobby Womack's witty and caustic "It's All Over Now" - shorter and punchier that its 6:24 minute big brother on the album (Ian McLagan and Pete Sears plink away on the piano). Written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane for the Small Faces self-titled Immediate Records LP in 1967 – both Ronnie Lane and Kenny Jones join Rod on Vocals and Drums for his clever cover of "My Way Of Giving". Bob Dylan's gorgeous "Only A Hobo" was apparently a "Times They Are A-Changin'...'" outtake and Rod's version can only be described as magical. He takes the original melody's Folk elements and infuses it with that British Faces/Rod Stewart sound - lifting the air and the aching lyrics about 'lying in the gutter and dying with no name' into something so special.

Another clever choice is his Side opener - Elton John's "Country Comforts" taken from his "Tumbleweed Connection" album of October 1970. Rod makes the ballad feel like his own and is ably abetted by wonderful counterpoint vocals from Jack Reynolds as the song winds its way to the end. Rod's brilliant cover of "Cut Across Shorty" (written by Marijohn Wilkin and Wayne Walker) - an Eddie Cochran classic made almost unrecognisable with rattling acoustic guitar strings, Dick Powell on Violin and chunky Ron Wood Rock 'n' Roll guitar licks (and I love that acoustic fade out). "Lady day" is a wickedly good Rod Stewart original ballad with his 'north winds have made my face a little older' lyrics confessing. But there's a warmth to his affection towards his lady that's intensely moving - 'scared when I remember too much' - it's the kind of wonderful overlooked album gem that needs to be in your life - a 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' song I never tire of. And "Jo's Lament" is the same - another RS original that shows his amazing knack for a melody - all those acoustic guitar strums and bottleneck slides that warm your bones like an afternoon on a river. It ends on the fantastic Funk-Rock of "You're My Girl (I Don't Want To Discuss It)" - a Dick Cooper, Beth Beatty and Ernie Shelby song that was done by Little Richard in 1967 on Okeh Records and Rhinoceros in 1968 on their self-titled debut LP on Elektra Records. A great way to end a great album...

To sum up - six whole albums, rare single sides and a batch of previously unreleased for under nine-quid is a bit of a no-brainer really.

Carry yourself back to the "Gasoline Alley" with the "Reason To Believe” 3CD set - a rare instance of quality and quantity combined - and of all of it wrapped up in that top-quality remastered sound…

PS: The first album gives you a superb keyboard contribution from a pre ELP Keith Emerson on "I Wouldn't Ever Change A Thing" - a brilliant song added to hugely by his playing. RIP Keith...

"Sound System" by THE CLASH (2013 Sony Multi-Disc/Memorabilia Box Set) - A Review by Mark Barry...

"…Something About England…"

I'll openly admit to a wee tremble when this beauty got handed over by a relieved postman - his arms reverting back to normalcy. This thing is big and heavy and yet I love every mad over-the-top inch of it. There's a ton of info to get through so let's do the Armagideon Times, Badges and Dog Tags...

Released September 2013 and featuring full involvement with the band - "Sound System" by THE CLASH is a multiple CD, DVD and Memorabilia Box Set on Sony 88725460002 (Barcode 887254600022) and features the following:

A beautiful and thoughtfully put together Box Set shaped like a Ghetto Blaster Radio (270 x 420 x 100mm) - and once you open the flip-top lid - it reveals each item has been carefully placed inside in a numerical order - their exact placing within laid out in detail in the 'Service Manual'. Here are the contents - numbered 1 to 22 (1 to 8 housed in hard card book sleeves – the music is 1 to 6):

MUSIC:

1. The Clash CD (Newly Remastered by Tim Young and The Clash)

2. Give 'Em Enough Rope CD (Newly Remastered)

3. London Calling 2CD (Newly Remastered)

4. Sandinista! 3CD (Newly Remastered) [1 to 4 on the left side]

5. Combat Rock CD (Newly Remastered)

6. The Clash Extras 3CD (Newly Remastered)

EXTRAS:

7. The Clash DVD (Newly Remastered)

8. Service Manual (Hardback Book Sleeve Like The CDs) [5 to 8 on the right side]

9. Flightcase: 5 Badges and Dog Tags [centred between-and-dividing 1 to 8 CDs]

10. Flightcase: 3 DIY Stickers: 85 x 140mm [behind 1 to 4 CDs]

11. Flightcase: The Clash Paperback Book ("The Future Is Unwritten" - blank inside) [behind CDs 5 to 8]

12. The Clash Folder (contains 13 to 18 below)

13. The Armagideon Times Special Edition (36 Pages)

(Features written contributions from The Baker, Robin Banks, John Cooper Clarke, Johnny Green, Ray Jordan, Don Letts, Alex Michon, Chris Salewicz, Pennie Smith and Kosmo Vinyl. There are also essays from each member of the band - JOE STRUMMER, MICK ONES, PAUL SIMONON and TOPPER HEADON)

14. The Armagideon Times  (Reprinted Fanzine - 24 Pages)

15. The Armagideon Times 2 (Reprinted fanzine  - 24 Pages)

16. Bumper Sticker 88 x 297mm

17. Bumper Sticker 88 x 297mm

18. The Clash Vintage Sticker Set: 180 x 280mm (9 peelable stickers on one sheet)

19. Riser (Black & Yellow Card at the base of the box)

20. Poster Tube (Looks Like A Large Cigarette with a 'Clash' Filter Area)

21. Poster (15" x 15")

22. The Box Itself (inside Divider Has Number 22 on it)

Disc 1 - "The Clash" - 35:20 minutes:

1. Janie Jones

2. Remote Control

3. I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.

4. White Riot

5. Hate & War

6. What's My Name

7. Deny

8. London's Burning [Side 2]

9. Career Opportunities

10. Cheat

11. Protex Blue

12. Police & Thieves

13. 48 Hours

14. Garageland

Tracks 1 to 14 are their UK debut LP "The Clash" released April 1977 on CBS Records S CBS 82000 and August 1979 on Epic Records JE 36060 in the USA (with a Free 7" single containing "Groovy Times" and "Gates Of The West"). To sequence the USA 15-track version of their debut LP in remastered form - use the following tracks off Disc 1 and CD1 in the "Extras" 3-disc set [3/1] = Track 3 on Disc 1 etc:

1. Clash City Rockers [Track 8 - Disc 1 of 6 "Extras"]

2. I'm So Bored With The U.S.A. [3/1]

3. Remote Control [2/1]

4. Complete Control [Track 6 - Disc 1 of 6 "Extras"]

5. White Riot [4/1]

6. White Man In Hammersmith Palais [Track 10 - Disc 1 of 6 "Extras"]

7. London's Burning [8/1]

8. I Fought The Law [Track 15 - Disc 1 of 6 "Extras"]

9. Janie Jones [1/1] - Side 2

10. Career Opportunities [9/1]

11. What's My Name [6/1]

12. Hate & War [5/1]

13. Police & Thieves [12/1]

14. Jail Guitar Doors [Track 9 - Disc 1 of 6 "Extras"]

15. Garageland [14/1]

FREE SINGLE:

16. Groovy Times [Track 16 - Disc 1 of 6 "Extras"]

17. Gates Of The West [Track 17 - Disc 1 of 6 "Extras"]

Disc 2 - "Give 'Em Enough Rope" - 37:02 minutes:

1. Safe European Home

2. English Civil War

3. Tommy Gun

4. Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad

5. Last Gang In Town

6. Guns On The Roof [Side 2]

7. Drug-Stabbing Time

8. Stay Free

9. Cheapskates

10. All The Young Punks (New Boots And Contracts)

Tracks 1 to 10 are their 2nd album "Give 'Em Enough Rope" - released October 1978 in the UK on CBS Records S CBS 82431 and February 1979 in the USA on Epic JE 35543

Disc 3 - "London Calling"

CD1 (33:37 minutes):

1. London Calling

2. Brand New Cadillac

3. Jimmy Jazz

4. Hateful

5. Rudie Can't Fail

6. Spanish Bombs [Side 2]

7. The Right Profile

8. Lost In The Supermarket

9. Clampdown

10. The Guns Of Brixton

CD2 (31:36 minutes):

1. Wrong 'Em Boyo [Side 3]

2. Death Or Glory

3. Koka Kola

4. The Card Cheat

5. Lover's Rock [Side 4]

6. Four Horsemen

7. I'm Not Down

8. Revolution Rock

9. Train In Vain

All 19-tracks are their 3rd album release - the double-LP "London Calling" released December 1979 in the UK on CBS Records CLASH 3. The track "Train In Vain" on the end of Side 2 was not listed on the sleeve of original copies even though it was on the album (the run-out groove gave you the name of the track). Released January 1980 in the USA on Epic E2 36328 as a 2LP set - initial copies were the same regarding "Train In Vain".

Disc 4 - "Sandinista!"

CD1 (45:42 minutes):

1. The Magnificent Seven [Side 1]

2. Hitsville U.K.

3. Junco Partner

4. Ivan Meets G.I. Joe

5. The Leader

6. Something About England

7. Rebel Waltz [Side 2]

8. Look Here

9. The Crooked Beat

10. Somebody Got Murdered

11. One More Time

12. One More Dub

CD2 (51:31 minutes)

1. Lightning Strikes (Not Once But Twice) [Side 3]

2. Up In Heaven (Not Only Here)

3. Corner Soul

4. Let's Go Crazy

5. If Music Could Talk

6. The Sound Of Sinners

7. Police On My Back [Side 4]

8. Midnight Log

9. The Equaliser

10. The Call Up

11. Washington Bullets

12. Broadway

CD 3 (47:32 minutes):

13. Lose This Skin [Side 5]

14. Charlie Don't Surf

15. Mensforth Hill

16. Junkie Slip

17. Kingston Advice

18. The Street Parade

19. Version City [Side 6]

20. Living In Fame

21. Silicone On Sapphire

22. Version Pardner

23. Career Opportunities

24. Shepherds Delight

All 36-tracks are the 3LP set "Sandinista!" - released December 1980 in the UK on CBS Records FSLN 1 and Epic E3X 37037 in the USA

Disc 5 - "Combat Rock" - 46:21 minutes:

1. Know Your Rights

2. Car Jamming

3. Should I Stay Or Should I Go

4. Rock The Casbah

5. Red Angel Dragnet

6. Straight To Hell

7. Overpowered By Funk [Side 2]

8. Atom Tan

9. Sean Flynn

10. Ghetto Defendant

11. Inoculated City

12. Death Is A Star

Tracks 1 to 12 are the album "Combat Rock" - released May 1982 in the UK on CBS Records FMLN 2 and Epic FE 37689 in the USA

"Sound System Extras" (6)

CD1 (75:25 minutes):

1. White Riot (Single Version)

2. 1977 (B-side)

3. Listen (Capitol Radio EP) / Interviews (Capitol Radio EP) - 11:08 minutes

4. Capitol Radio (Capitol Radio EP)

5. London's Burning (Live B-side Remote Control)

6. Complete Control (Single Version)

7. City Of The Dead (B-side)

8. Clash City Rockers (Original Single Version)

9. Jail Guitar Doors (B-side)

10. White Man In Hammersmith Palais (A-side)

11. The Prisoner (B-side)

12. 1-2 Crush On You (B-side Tommy Gun)

13. Time Is Tight (Black Market Clash 10" LP)

14. Pressure Drop (B-side English Civil War)

15. I Fought The Law (Cost Of Living EP)

16. Groovy Times (Cost Of Living EP)

17. Gates Of The West (Cost Of Living EP)

18. Capitol Radio (Cost Of Living EP)

19. Armagideon Time (B-side London Calling)

20. Bank Robber (A-side)

21. Rockers Galore On A UK Tour (B-side)

CD2 (75:45 minutes):

1. Magnificent Dance (12" (Available On Singles Box Set)

2. Midnight To Stevens (Outtake)

3. Radio One (B-side Hitsville UK)

4. Stop The World (B-side The Call Up)

5. The Cool Out (US 12" B-side The Call Up)

6. This Is Radio Clash (A-side)

7. This Is Radio Clash (B-side 7" - Different Lyrics)

8. First Night Back In London (B-side Know Your Rights)

9. Rock The Casbah (Bob Clearmountain 12" Mix)

10. Long Time Jerk (B-side Rock The Casbah)

11. The Beautiful People Are Ugly Too (Outtake)

12. Idle In Kangaroo Court (Outtake listed as Kill Time)

13. Ghetto Defendant (Extended Version - Unedited - 6:14 minutes)

14. Cool Confusion (B-side Should I Stay Or Should I Go)

15. Sean Flynn (Extended 'Marcus Music' Version - 7:24 minutes)

16. Straight To Hell (Unedited Version from Clash On Broadway)

CD3 (35:16 minutes)

Extracts from The Clash's first-ever recording session at Beaconsfield Film School 1976 - Recorded by Julian Temple

1. I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.

2. London's Burning

3. White Riot

4. 1977

Polydor Demos - The Clash's second recording session January 1977

5. Janie Jones

6. Career Opportunities

7. London's Burning

8. 1977

9.White Riot

Live At The Lyceum, London 28th December 1979

10. City Of The Dead

11. Jail Guitar Doors

12. English Civil War

13. Stay Free

14. Cheapskates

15. I Fought The Law

DVD, Region 0:

"Julien Temple Archive" - 6:20 minutes

"White Riot Promo Film" - 7:20 minutes

Promo and Interviews with Tony Parsons

1977

White Riot

London's Burning

"Sussex University 1977" - 8:25 minutes

I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.

Hate & War

Career Opportunities

Remote Control

"Don Letts Super 8 Medley" - 11:40 minutes

White Riot

Janie Jones

City Of The Dead

Clash City Rockers

White Man In Hammersmith Palais

1977

"Clash On Broadway" - 19:50 minutes

London Calling

This Is Radio Clash

The Magnificent Seven

Guns Of Brixton

Safe European Home

"Promo Videos"

Tommy Gun

London Calling

Bank Robber

Clampdown (Live)

Train In Vain (Live)

The Call Up

Rock The Casbah

Should I Stay Or Should I Go (Live At Shea Stadium)

Career Opportunities (Live At Shea Stadium)

The detachable card list on the rear falls away easily so I simply store it inside with the 'folder' in the rear pouch. Quite apart from the sheer visual and tactile whack of this thing - the big news for fans is brand new remasters from first generation tapes by TIM YOUNG in conjunction with the band at Metropolis Studios in London. We should talk about the REMASTERS because they're fabulous. Tim Young's notes in the "Extras" 3-disc set explain that "Rope" has had the first generation tapes used for the first time to his knowledge - so I immediately went to my favourite track "Guns On The Roof" - and WOW is the only appropriate response. It sounds just incredible with all that guitar power you always thought was buried in the mix somewhere now to the fore. "Drug-Stabbing Time" and "Stay Free" are even better - leaping out of your speakers with renewed venom.

"London Calling" is like a different animal ("Jimmy Jazz", "Death Or Glory" and "Train In Vain" are unbelievably good with "Train" running out longer by about five seconds) - but to my ears "Sandinista!" feels the least improved. It's definitely clearer on the bass and rhythm section ("The Magnificent Seven" and "The Call Up" and Timon Dogg'svocal on "Lose This Skin") but the differences are not as stark as the first 3 LPs - they're just subtler. Despite the sprawl of "Sandinista!" - I've always loved it precisely because its like "The White Album" or "Exile On Main St." or "Physical Graffiti" - you can dip into it and still seemingly find something new every time. The choral brass arrangements at the beginning of "Somewhere In England" is now gorgeous while the game-machine noises on "Ivan Meets G.I. Joe" are even more manic. "Somebody Got Murdered" and their take on Eddy Grant's "Police On My Back" are much improved - ballsy as they should be. Back to "London Calling" and I'm impressed with "Lost In The Supermarket" and "Brand New Cadillac" - comparing them against my 1999 versions - there's more going on with the high hats, drums and bass. And that Rock 'n' Roll guitar as "Brand New Cadillac" begins punches way above its former weight now. I also love the way each of the CDs has their original vinyl bits reproduced - the "Armagideon Times" for "Sandinista!", the inner sleeves of "London Calling" made into one fold-out lyric poster - the inner and poster of "Combat Rock" combined in the same way - and all the CDs are black like vinyl LPs. The driving backbeat behind "Combat Rock's" Side 2 standout "Overpowered By Funk" is a little improved but I can't say I hear much difference in "Should I Stay Or Should I Go".

I own the Singles Box Set on CD so I compared the remasters and again the "Extras" versions are far superior - that guitar into on "Clash City Rocker" and distant Strummer vocal are better - and the balls of "I Fought The Law" is truly fantastic (a cover of an old Bobby Fuller Four hit). And my favorite B-side ever - their genius take on Willie Williams reggae tune "Armagideon Time" sounds like its going to do your speakers harm. That amazing bass and percussive beginning of "The Magnificent Dance" (the 12" remix) has jaw-dropping sound quality as does the US 12" B-side "The Cool Out" (an instrumental version of "The Call Up") - both with meaty rhythm sections. The early Polydor demos show a band getting there and the expert Glyn Johns produced that amateur feel out of the first album. I'm not sure I like them having loved the originals for all these years. Other disappointments include the outtakes on Disc 2 like "The Beautiful People..." and "Kangaroo Court" which are wholly dismissible and "Sean Flynn" has huge hiss levels on it. But I'm glad to see that Metropolis again mastered the DVD because the picture quality on the Don Letts and Clash On Broadway segments is brill (you get a sense of their danger live).

To sum up - "The Last Gang In Town" and "The Only Band That Ever Mattered" - there's been an awful lot of knob written about The Clash across the years (what about the Ramones, The Pistols or even Television) - and "Sound System" conveniently exorcises out the infamous and horrible end of "Cut The Crap" in 1985. You could also argue that you'd be better off just spending twenty quid on the simpler "5 Studio Albums Box Set" released in tandem with this - but I'd say if ever a band deserved this kind of over-the-top celebration - then England's heroes The Clash are the boys. And when you think of how EMI has consistently cheaped-out Stranglers fans with card sleeves and little else - thank God Sony stumped up. I love the care and attention that went into "Sound System". So there you have it - all those old bits spangly new again and presented to us in a fabulous setting.

Tim Young has described remastering The Clash's six years of output as a 'labour of love'. Well - while the future may indeed be unwritten - I suspect his brilliant work here (in conjunction with surviving members of the band) will be written about for decades to come. Well done and 'Career Opportunities' to all involved...