Monday, January 10, 2011

The Clash: Manhattan Calling! (Live Bootleg, 1979)


"...there's a line in this next number, which is entitled 'All that phoney Beatlemania has bitten the dust!'"

And then the guitars slam in, and in a fraction of a second sound waves become corroded red cables connected to your blood pumping chest. Recorded in the crosshairs of their live and creative peak in September, 1979, this live bootleg is most likely the most explosive recording I have in my music library. I originally shelled out $12 for this bootleg at a record stand, but I'm giving it away free here because I share the wealth like a communist.  

This is the product of a radio broadcast, and the professional mixing is stellar, letting all instruments shine when they should (most especially the ultraviolent guitars) while still holding on the grit and edge of the raw encounter of actually being in attendance at a Clash show. In a word, this bootleg is everything The Clash were when they were the Greatest Band On Earth for a brief period of time. I reviewed the recently released (and slightly mediocre) Live At Shea Stadium for Lost At Sea Magazine a few years back, and in that review I lamented that there must be a great 77-79 era show in the vaults somewhere that is a true testament to the band's powers. 

"Manhattan Calling!" is it.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Safe European Home
2. I'm So Bored With the U.S.A.
3. Complete Control
4. London Calling
5. White Man in Hammersmith Palais
6. Koka Kola
7. I Fought the Law
8. Jail Guitar Doors
9. Guns of Brixton
10. English Civil War
11. Clash City Rockers
12. Stay Free
13. Clampdown
14. Police + Thieves
15. Capitol Radio
16. Tommy Gun
17. Wrong 'Em Boyo
18. Janie Jones
19. Garageland
20. Armagideon Time
21. Career Opportunities
22. What's My Name
23. White Riot

Source: FM Radio Broadcast
Date: 9/21/79

DOWNLOAD (MediaFire)

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