These guys seem pretty hit-or-miss. But, I picked up Tighten Up 88 on cassette at Wal*Mart for a buck, and I must say there are a handful of songs on here I really like.

Some brilliant stuff.
Some schlock.

I'll deal with the schlock because the good stuff is great.

Their good stuff is very good. Their bad stuff is really bad. Mick Jones voice in small doses on Clash albums was okay, but over an entire album can be grating.

Steve

here here!

hey Steve can you give me a heads up or a reccomendation on anything by Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros.....I know that that last disc that came out right before Joe passed was well received and I've picked it up several times but never pulled the trigger-----Any of it worth owning?

I know you didn't ask me, but "Streetcore" was in my Top 5 in 2003... I love it. Of course, I don't know about the other albums he released with the Mescaleros, so I'd like to know if they are worth picking up as well.

Streetcore was #1 in my listmania for that year! I can now admit that that probably had more to do with my Clash obsession and getting all sentimental over Joe's death. It is a good album though. I actually prefer Global A Go-Go in many ways. You just gotta know going in not to expect a Clash redux and it sure as hell aint punk. Sort of world folk music if that makes sense.

Steve

Oh, yeah, I've heard tracks so I kinda know what the sound is like. I just need to pick this one up, preferably used.

Hey Steve, I know, you have access to TV shows and whatnot (and I still really appreciate the Springsteen, REM, Pearl Jam, etal deal you sent me) but do you have an audio or video version of Springsteen, Grohl, MiamiSteve, and Costello doing "London Calling" from (I think it was) The Grammy's?

That was pretty nice.

PULL IT BLOOR!

Great F'n album. "Get Down Moses" off that record would be an INSTANT BINGO HIT.

Uh, can you just go ahead and Burn it for me B?


I'd totally appreciate that dude.

Plus, you owe me a mix.

The album is qual from start to end. You'll regret not having gotten it sooner.

As for the Grohl/Boss/Elvis performance, pretty sure I have it on tape. Lemme check. If I do I'll send it your way.

And there are half-dozen Bingo Hits in waiting on "Streetcore".

nice.

I remember being in high school and thinking that B.A.D.'s "Megatop Phoenix" was brilliant - a ton of samples and whatnot. I'm afraid to go back and listen because I know I'm so, so wrong.

Mick Jones = thinnest guitar sound in recorded music.

I dig most of the Strummer stuff, especially the last two records. I also like "Earthquake Weather," his first solo thing from the late 80's. He had a cool band and some great tunes, but nobody ever mentions that record. I doubt it's even in print anymore...

Mega-top is solid, as is No. 10 Upping and the debut.

By all means get the original vinyl pressing of Upping--they screwed around and re-mixed/recorded everything for the CD, and it pales in comparison. IIRC, the album was re-released with the CD after about four months with a bonus track. It's been nearly 20 years, so I could be mistaken, but I definitely remember the CD sounded a lot worse than my album.

My childhood friend had a special stereo that everything sounded extra cool on. Then I'd buy the record and it wouldn't be the same. I remember being amazed by Upping Street at his house, but it wasn't the same in my Chevy Citation. There's probably a German word for this phenomenon.

Fahrfegnugen?

some good BAD songs (there's more if I think harder): Medicine Show, Sony, E=MC2, Stone Thames, Beyond The Pale, C'mon Every Beatbox, Sambadrome, V. Thirteen, Ticket, Hollywood Boulevard, Other 99, Funny Names, Applecart, Mr. Walker Said, The Battle Of All Saints Road, 2000 Shoes, Baby Don't Apologize, Around The Girl In 80 Ways, Esquerita, Champagne, Everybody Needs A Holiday, House Arrest, The Green Lady, Green Grass, When The Time Comes, The Tea Party, Slender Loris, Melancholy Maybe, Lucan, Hope


My favorite has always been "V. Thirteen"

My fave is No. 10 Upping Street and right or wrong I consider the songs Mick wrote with Joe on this album as unofficial Clash songs.

Steve

BAD are all right but I prefer not to tarnish my fond memories of the past by listening now and findout out it's utter crap.

Streetcore, on the other hand, is a pretty fucking sure thing. Save your reciept and I'll buy it off you if you don't and give it to someone who appreciates good things.

Looks like I'm gonna have to break out some B.A.D. now.

Steve