| The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Compilation album by | ||||
| Released | 29 February 1988 | |||
| Genre | Punk rock | |||
| Length | 99:00 | |||
| Label | Epic | |||
| Producer |
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| The Clash compilations and lives chronology | ||||
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| Singles from The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  
[1] |
| Rolling Stone | 
[2] |
| Robert Christgau | C+ [3] |
The Story of the Clash, Vol. 1 is a double-disc compilation album by the English punk rock band the Clash. Consisting of 28 tracks, it was released on 29 February 1988 by Epic Records. The compilation presents a relatively thorough overview of their career, but does not feature any material from their final studio album, Cut the Crap (1985). An anticipated second volume was to have consisted of live recordings but remains unreleased, although a live compilation, From Here to Eternity: Live, was released in 1999. The original vinyl set was released with four different colored cover variations: red, blue, yellow and green. The compilation was promoted by reissued singles of "I Fought the Law" and "London Calling".
Liner notes
The extensive inner notes are told from the perspective of frontman Joe Strummer's alter-ego, Albert Transom. Transom, described by himself as "...their valet from the early beginnings to the bitter end...", tells many anecdotes, including one about the beginning of the rioting at the Notting Hill Carnival in 1976. Many of the stories are about shows, such as one where, after their "3rd or 4th time out", Transom and a fellow punk named Sebastian barricaded themselves in a small room and were attacked by a group of " Teddy Boys". The story went that Sebastian's tie was ripped, and the general consensus was that the tie was now "much more punk". Many other musicians are mentioned in the liners, including experiences with Bo Diddley, Devo, and Roxy Music. The notes end with, "If I had to sum it up, I'd say we played every gig on the face of the earth and that's what it's all about...I've just heard they'll give me some room on Vol. 2 so maybe I will be able to tell the bits I've had to skip or leave out." [4]
Track listing
All tracks are written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, except where noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | " The Magnificent Seven" | The Clash | 12-inch version; original version from Sandinista! (1980) | 4:27 |
| 2. | " Rock the Casbah" | The Clash | single mix; original version from Combat Rock (1982) | 3:41 |
| 3. | " This Is Radio Clash" | The Clash | Non-album single (1981) | 4:10 |
| 4. | " Should I Stay or Should I Go" | The Clash | Combat Rock | 3:07 |
| 5. | " Straight to Hell" | The Clash | Combat Rock | 5:27 |
| 6. | "Armagideon Time" | Willi Williams, Jackie Mittoo | B-side of "London Calling" single (1979) | 3:50 |
| 7. | " Clampdown" | London Calling (1979) | 3:45 | |
| 8. | " Train in Vain" | London Calling | 3:11 | |
| 9. | " The Guns of Brixton" | Paul Simonon | London Calling | 3:05 |
| 10. | " I Fought the Law" | Sonny Curtis | The Cost of Living EP (1979) | 2:35 |
| 11. | " Somebody Got Murdered" | The Clash | Sandinista! | 3:29 |
| 12. | " Lost in the Supermarket" | London Calling | 3:41 | |
| 13. | " Bankrobber" | Non-album single (1980) | 4:31 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Original release | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | " (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" | Non-album single (1978) | 3:59 | |
| 2. | " London's Burning" | The Clash (1977) | 2:09 | |
| 3. | " Janie Jones" | The Clash | 2:04 | |
| 4. | " Tommy Gun" | Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978) | 3:13 | |
| 5. | " Complete Control" | Non-album single (1977) | 3:12 | |
| 6. | " Capital Radio One" (preceded by Circle Line interview part 2) [5][ better source needed]" | Capital Radio EP (1977) | 5:18 | |
| 7. | " White Riot" | Single version, 18 March 1977 | 1:57 | |
| 8. | " Career Opportunities" | The Clash | 1:51 | |
| 9. | " Clash City Rockers" | Non-album single (1978) | 3:57 | |
| 10. | " Safe European Home" | Give 'Em Enough Rope | 3:48 | |
| 11. | "Stay Free" | Give 'Em Enough Rope | 3:37 | |
| 12. | " London Calling" | London Calling | 3:19 | |
| 13. | " Spanish Bombs" | London Calling | 3:18 | |
| 14. | " English Civil War" | Trad. arr. Strummer/Jones | Give 'Em Enough Rope | 2:33 |
| 15. | " Police & Thieves" | Junior Murvin, Lee "Scratch" Perry | The Clash | 5:57 |
Personnel
- The Clash
- Mick Jones – guitar, vocals
- Joe Strummer – vocals, guitar
- Paul Simonon – bass
- Topper Headon – drums
- Terry Chimes – drums[ citation needed]
- Technical
- Tricia Ronane – compiler
- Pennie Smith – photography
- Jules Balme – sleeve
- The Clash – producer ("The Magnificent Seven", "This Is Radio Clash", "Armagideon Time", "Somebody Got Murdered", "(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais"), co-producer ("I Fought the Law", "Capital Radio One")
- Guy Stevens – producer ("Clampdown", "Train in Vain", "Guns of Brixton", "Lost in the Supermarket", "London Calling", "Spanish Bombs")
- Bill Price – co-producer ("I Fought the Law", "Capital Radio One"), remastering supervision (1999 version)
- Mikey Dread – producer ("Bankrobber")
- Mickey Foote – producer ("London's Burning", "Janie Jones", "White Riot", "Career Opportunities", "Clash City Rockers", "Police and Thieves"), co-producer ("Complete Control")
- Lee "Scratch" Perry – co-producer ("Complete Control")
- Sandy Pearlman – producer ("Tommy Gun", "Safe European Home", "Stay Free")
- Mick Jones – remixing ("Rock the Casbah", "Should I Stay or Should I Go")
- Bob Clearmountain – engineer ("Rock the Casbah", "Should I Stay or Should I Go", "English Civil War")
- Glyn Johns – mixing ("Straight to Hell")
- Howie Weinberg – mastering
- Ray Staff – remastering (1999 version)
- Bob Whitney – remastering (1999 version)
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ( Kent Music Report) | 52 [6] |
| German Albums ( Offizielle Top 100) [7] | 53 |
| New Zealand Albums ( RMNZ) [8] | 3 |
| Swedish Albums ( Sverigetopplistan) [9] | 50 |
| UK Albums ( OCC) [10] | 7 |
| US Billboard 200 [11] | 50 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| France ( SNEP) [12] | 2× Gold | 200,000* |
| United Kingdom ( BPI) [13] | Gold | 100,000^ |
| United States ( RIAA) [14] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
|
* Sales figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 at AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ Rolling Stone 14 July 1988
- ^ Christgau, Robert. The Clash. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
- ^ Strummer, Joe (1988). The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (CD, 2×LP). The Clash. CBS.
- ^ Discogs – Capital Radio E.P. 09th of April 1977 UK
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 65. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Clash – The Story of the Clash" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
- ^ "Charts.nz – The Clash – The Story of the Clash". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Clash – The Story of the Clash". Hung Medien.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "The Clash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
- ^ "French album certifications – Clash – Story Of The Clash" (in French). InfoDisc. Select CLASH and click OK.
- ^ "British album certifications – Clash – The Story Of The Clash - Vol 1". British Phonographic Industry. 6 December 1988.
- ^ "American album certifications – The Clash – Story Of The Clash". Recording Industry Association of America. 20 April 1999.
External links
- The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 at MusicBrainz (list of releases)
- The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 at AllMusic
