updated xmas 2013 with full review
updated August 2022 added new comments

Audio 1

Sound 3.5 - 1hr 26min - unknown gen?- tracks 23 - slight distortion -

Complete Control

Sources, quality

The only recording in circulation is an analogue copy or two off what must be a fine master recording. The assumption is this is an analogue recording but  presumably the taper was not the same one as recorded the night before or both would have been posted on Dime. Chris Knowles posted a speed corrected mp3 source on IMCT and believes it to be a soundboard source citing monitor feedback between songs and no ambient crowd noise between songs.  On further listening the clarity of instrumentation particularly the bass means it could well  be a soundboard with the seeming audience lack “of in your face” sound a result not of distance from taper to stage but too many analogue copies off the master. Either way Chris’ speed corrected and audio software treated version is a very welcome upgrade although it seems to come from the same generation as the previously circulated lossless source. The speed correction knocks 2minutes off the previously circulating source which is audibly running too fast. 

If the effects of copying; flatness, loss of clarity and definition are ignored this is still an enjoyable listen for the quality and energy of the performance; the band if not exactly on fire are certainly in fine form. All the instrumentation and vocals are present and correct. An upgrade to the master would indeed be very welcome but until then this is still worth seeking out.

8,000 fans

The second of 2 nights in “Clash city” San Francisco in front of 8,000 (according to Joe onstage) is performance wise at least as good as the first night and the recording was another high quality one although sadly the source in circulation is a copy or two off the master. Upgrade needed.

There were serious sound problems at the start with London Calling being repeated and the night is certainly unique for Joe adlibbing the chorus to Old Man River in Magnificent Seven! A Strummer admiration and knowledge of the late great Paul Robeson is for those of us for whom the 2 men are inspirational, entirely plausible (although apparently not documented) this recording then is perhaps proof enough for the converted.

According to the account below Pearl Harbor came on and sung Fujiyama Mama with the band. The recording ends with the usual Garageland, but maybe there was a final unrecorded encore with this performance, can anyone confirm?   

Tickets

Cheers for sharing your oOriginal ticket & Back Stage Pass Johnny Kardash
Clash City Collectors | Facebook

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“This is a public service announcement"

The recording starts without the usual intro nor as it turns out a first go at London Calling abandoned due to sound problems and then Joe announces ”We’re gonna do the same song again for good measure” London Calling sounds good; the quality of the recording coming through despite it being a copy or too off the master. Then after a fast tight Career Opportunities, Joe explains in Strummer style “You at the fuc’in back there who can’t understand what we’re saying that one was called Career Opportunities and anybody else who can’t hear what we’re saying which I expect is most of you ask the bloke at the sound desk just what it is I’m going on about!” 

The band then kick into an energetic Clash City Rockers followed by Guns of Brixton; Mick’s effective lead guitar clear and impressive. On Train In Vain Mick’s guitar has a different sound over the ending and Wrong Em Boyo again is very enjoyable, the band injecting plenty of light and shade after the “ breaks”.

Certainly a highlight tonight is Junco Partner; somewhat of a rarity in 82. “Hey down that road come a Junco Pardeneeeer” Joe sings acapella before the band come in and he proceeds to work through his repertoire of vocal chops, screams, and cries!

“This is a public service announcement -hopefully!” shouts Joe before an OK Know Your Rights followed by a fine Police On My Back. After an edit Joe says, “Anybody speak a bit of Arabic? As-Salaam-Alaikum. You with the binoculars you must have been a boy scout! OK we’re gonna try and Rock The Casbah” After a good if unexceptional performance we get an exceptional Magnificent Seven. Beginning unusually with just chopped guitar rhythms then Joe shouts “Don’t you ever stop...” the band deliver a tight enjoyable performance the song allowing the band to stretch out. Dropping down to drum and bass Joe adlibs “spotlight down here, anybody on that light? Now where was I, I just can’t remember, I’m standing in front of 8,000 people and my mind’s gone completely blank! yes I must recommend this to you, to do this one day, a fascinating feeling! not that it matters now we’ve found the groove, yeah I got it now, really depressing verse!” going into the back to work verse. There’s a second adlib after the “guitar city” bridge “Old Man River he don’t say nothing but they say he must know something, Old Man River  - let’s go!” Unlikely the inspiration was a love of Oscar Hammerstein’s music or Jerome Kern’s lyrics! Its proof hopefully of Strummer’s knowledge of Paul Robeson; multi-talented for sure but inspirational for Joe and many others because he sacrificed wealth and fame to stand up and fight for what he believed in whatever the personal risk and cost. Robeson changed the lyrics to Old Man River in later performances from a song of resignation to one of defiance “You show’s a little grit and you lands in jail. I get’s weary and sick of trying I must fighting until I’m dying and Old Man River he just keeps rolling along”   

Joe introduces Terry Chimes who launches into I Fought The Law with Mick’s backing vocals to the fore. Joe lets out a scream and the band slam into a great Complete Control; another highlight Mick plays a different little guitar figure at the “I don’t trust you” drop down section. The band maybe not evolving musical changes as before but still in the Chimes era were breathing new life into punk era standards. 

Joe intro’s Radio Clash in Strum-Spanish; a strong band performance. Mick in inventive guitar form adding great fresh licks near the end. A charge through to the end of the set with a fiery Brand New Cadillac, then equally effective Somebody Got Murdered (although Mick’s guitar going out of tune). Clampdown, as usual ending the set, Joe adlibbing but most unclear.

The second CD restarts into first bars of Police & Thieves seguing into Armagideon Time as was now the norm on the tour (alternating with Ghetto Defendant as the first song). Also the norm now was the appearance of Rankin’ Roger whose’ toasting name checks “the drummer & Joe Strummer” Joe is clearly enjoying Roger’s presence; the two boucing off each other. After Roger leaves the stage to cheers Joe sings in a high pitched voice “Daffy Duck and Mickey Mouse”. Next a crowd pleasing if rarely exceptional on this tour Safe European Home.”Muchos gracias” says Joe at the end; if the band leave the stage at this point the edit is seamless more likely they played only one encore and it continued with a strong Straight To Hell. Both Mick and Joe are very energetic on Should I Stay the recording ending (if possibly not the gig) with a great sounding, pumped up Garageland. 

The police were out in full force

‘I would have to say this was my favorite. It was the second night of a two night stint at the Civic Center Auditorium. The police were out in full force while we lined up. The English Beat opened and they were absolutely brilliant!!!! The Clash came on and I don't think I have been the same since. From the opening of London Calling to the final note of the final encore, they delivered a powerful show. I will never forget Pearl Harbour coming out in her gold lamee and roaring through Fujiama Rocker and another number or Rankin Roger joining them for Armagideon Time. It should have been the live cd instead of Shea Stadium. Of course that would have to be a double cd to go out unedited’.

Did you go? Comments, info welcome...

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Pearl Harbour joined The Clash on stage

dukesharp - I was there...Opening band was the English Beat on their Special Beat Service tour...Paul Simonon was dating local musician Pearly Gates and she sang a song or 2 with the Clash backing up...Mick's guitar amp kept shorting out...During 'The Magnificent Seven' Joe forgot where he was in the lyrics...

Photos

Getty Images

Mike Murphy

Courtey of Mike Murphy / Flickr. Night unknown

also check out photos from Neil Fitzpatrick and Vincent Anton

Setlist

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

London Calling Career Opportunities Clash City Rockers The Guns Of Brixton Train In Vain Wrong Em Boyo Junco Partner Know Your Rights Police On My Back Rock the Casbah The Magnificent Seven I Fought the Law Complete Control This Is Radio Clash Brand New Cadillac Somebody Got Murdered Clampdown Police and Thieves Armagideon Time Safe European Home Straight to Hell Should I Stay or Should I Go? Garageland