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The Essential Clash
 
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The Essential Clash

The Clash Audio CD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
Price: £7.29 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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Music

Image of album by The Clash

Photos

Image of The Clash

Biography

The Sex Pistols may have been the first British punk rock band, but the Clash were the definitive British punk rockers. Where the Pistols were nihilistic, the Clash were fiery and idealistic, charged with righteousness and a leftist political ideology. From the outset, the band was more musically adventurous, expanding its hard rock & roll with reggae dub and rockabilly among other roots musics.… Read more in Amazon's The Clash Store

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Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this with The Very Best Of The Jam £4.99

The Essential Clash + The Very Best Of The Jam
Price For Both: £12.28

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Product details

  • Audio CD (25 April 2005)
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Label: Columbia
  • ASIN: B00008GRB9
  • Other Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,746 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Disc: 1
1. White Riot (Single Version)
2. 1977
3. London's Burning
4. Complete Control
5. Clash City Rockers
6. I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.
7. Career Opportunities
8. Hate & War
9. Cheat
10. Police & Thieves
See all 21 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. London Calling
2. The Guns Of Brixton
3. Clampdown
4. Rudie Can't Fail
5. Lost In The Supermarket
6. Jimmy Jazz
7. Train In Vain
8. Bankrobber
9. The Magnificent Seven
10. Ivan Meets G.I. Joe
See all 20 tracks on this disc

Product Description

Amazon.co.uk Review

The Essential Clash demonstrates once again why the Clash were so much better than any of their punk peers. It is the lasting irony of punk that while the effects of the movement continue to resonate decades later, most of the actual music has dated badly--there is no reason, other than the most desperate nostalgia, why any sane person should wish to subject themselves to the tuneless inanities of, say, Sham 69 or the Lurkers. Even the great singles of the Sex Pistols, perhaps because they encapsulated the time so perfectly, can do little more than remind the listener of 1977. It is a sorry reflection on the period into which this fine double-CD collection has been released that the Clash sound more and more vital from the apocalyptic foreboding of "London Calling" to the resentful sulk of "I'm So Bored with the USA".

There is simply nothing wrong with any of this. When Clash frontman Joe Strummer died, aged only 50, in late 2002, much was made of the political conscience he had brandished throughout his career. While he deserved some kudos on this front, it should be remembered that appearing a great thinker in comparison to other rock singers is no great accomplishment. Appearing a great rock singer in comparison to other rock singers is rather more impressive, and this collection is an irrefutable case for the genius of Strummer and the band he led. --Andrew Mueller


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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Chris C
Format:Audio CD
The Essential Clash falls into two categories on each CD. CD 1 is the old skool punk collection, CD 2 is the one that is designed to advertise.

I only got into The Clash a few months back and to be honest i can't find anything wrong with this collection, whether your a fan of the break neck speed of "White Riot" , the smooth jazzy sounds of "Rock the Casbah" or the reggae movements of "Police and Thieves" this is as essential as the title of the album says.

RIP Joe Strummer you left a legacy to be blessed :-)

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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Nearly all the classic Clash songs are featured on this compilation and it offers a useful insight into the sheer range and timeless craft of this definitive rock band of the late 70s. Compared with other Clash compilations, it is clearly a cut above "The Singles" but not a lot more imaginative than "The Story of the Clash, Vol 1" and trailing "On Broadway" IMHO. It is the only compilation, however, to feature the track "This is England" - although purists will probably reckon that the band were a spent force by the time this was released. All the same, if you don't have a Clash album in your collection, my advice is go out and buy this and get a flavour of what was the most imaginative and exciting rock band of its generation.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
So, here we are, 29 years on. I was 17 in 1977 and so this is my stuff. Saw them in Victoria Park in about 1978... Were you there? My 4 year old gets it to and from nursery - loves it! Does nothing for my driving style though. Having said all that I must be an old git because I much prefer the second CD (except the awful disco rubbish whach really hasn't crossed the gap). Some of this is still truly momentous. Get it, have it, love it. But be ready with the fast forward.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
A good morning
The last time I bought a Clash album it was vinyl and Margaret Thatcher was finding her way around Number 10

But within fifteen seconds of putting on White Riot on Disc... Read more
Published 23 months ago by anicoll5
Still rocks after all these years
As a teenager when The Clash first appeared I loved them from the start, dared to be different, songs with power and substance. Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2010 by J. Hyde
The Essential Clash
`The Essential Clash' is probably the best starting point if you're new to this band and want to give them a try. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2009 by Spider Monkey
I NEVER GET BORED OF THIS CD!
This is such an awesome collection!

I have more or less every Clash album made, but this 2 disc CD is a great mix of some of their best work, and really represents why... Read more
Published on 10 Jun 2007 by Mr. S. M. Kelly
Best Clash collection avaliable!
Like most people, I had only heard London Calling, when i decided to buy this CD. I was stunned right from the first song (white riot) and now, three or four months later i am a... Read more
Published on 28 Sep 2004 by "city_rocker89"
BUY BUY BUY BUY!!!
The Clash are undoubtedly one of the best british bands ever, and this compilation is a must-have for any clash fan and will probably be a good introduction for younger people who... Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2004
Good-ish
In all honesty, as a true Clash city rocker, this album is only good for those who are new to their awesome sound. Read more
Published on 8 May 2004 by "smirnoff_icequeen_69"
don't miss it!!
This disk is, as the title denotes, essential for any rock fan. Its as simple as that. Buy it!
Published on 12 Feb 2004 by "jasper862"
too much and not enough
where is The Call Up? where is Know Your Rights? where is Brand New Cadillac, with THAT guitar solo? where is Drug Stabbing Time? Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2004
Finally we have a "best of" compilation
There are almost more Clash compilations available than studio albums, but this must be the best.

Early compilations, such as "The story of The Clash" and "The Singles" never... Read more

Published on 11 Aug 2003
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