The Clash - From Here to Eternity: Live

Great Clash CD at a great price

From Here to Eternity: Live
If you like the Clash, this is a must have. August 1, 2008

(4.5 stars) You gotta hear this one...

Pick this up right away if you're a fan. It's an archive release taken from four different years and three entirely different periods of the group's career that still has the coherency of old-school live albums that are devoted to the preservation of a single concert. See, no matter what phase they were at in their career, the Clash were vital and energetic and enthusiastic and just so alive. Everything on this album is taken at a slightly faster pace than on the original versions, and while these songs for the most part sound a lot like their counterparts, somehow tracks like "What's My Name", "Complete Control", "Know Your Rights", and "Capital Radio One" sound better live than in the studio. Hell, maybe "(White Man In) Hammersmith Palais" does. I'm not sure. I know that song is totally awesome, though. And so is "The Guns of Brixton", though I think this version is disappointing compared to the original. The hypercharged "London Calling" is slightly disappointing, too, but by no fault of its own. It's just that... well, have you heard the original? I think this version of "Train in Vain" is just bad, which is a shame because I love the original. It's too disco for me. Now, if they made it funk, I'd probably like it, because I love funk and hate disco. Oh, and speaking of funk, they play "The Magnificent Seven", but I'm not a fan of this version. I don't know why, either. I just don't. Despite those minor complaints, though, the sheer energy of this thing alone is enough to make it an essential purchase for any Clash fan, and besides, what's two weak songs out of seventeen? There are also a couple songs here that you can't get anywhere else, other than on Black Market Clash or Super Black Market Clash. I get the two confused. "City of the Dead" is a cool, hyper-energetic punk rocker, and "Armagideon Time" is a similarly excellent reggae song that sounds like it was a Sandinista! outtake. At least this arrangement does. Is that Mikey Dread (the reggae singer) on Sandinista! on vocals? He's got a sweeeet accent, whoever he is. Really fits the evil mood of the song. This thing is so cool I don't even know how to describe it... April 26, 2008

Not perfect, but awfully good!

The Clash were one of the greatest of the punk bands. Their music was raw, their lyrics often angry. This is a live album, with a twist that is somewhat problematic. This is not a single live performance, but bits and pieces of live performances from 1978 through 1982. There are 17 songs on this CD, most of which are well done indeed. Any such album will leave one wondering why some things were included and others not. But that is inherent in the process.

The CD begins with "Complete Control" and ends with "Straight to Hell." Let's take a look at a sampling of songs.

"Clash City Rockers" features raw guitar work and a strong rhythm section backing primal vocals. This is a compelling piece of work.

Another fine work, "I Fought the Law." The key recurring refrain:

"I fought the law
And the law won."

At another point:

"I needed money and I had none.
I fought the law and the law won."

This is a classic outlaw song. Some overdubs occurred with this song back in the studio to correct technical deficiencies in the recording of the concern version.

One of my favorite Clash tunes is "London Calling," with its familiar and dramatic opening chords. This is a political song, including railing against "phony Beatlemania." A typical line:

"London calling to faraway towns
Now that war is declared--and battle come down."

Something very different in "Train in Vain."

"Say you'll stand by your man. . .
Stand by me."

A more sentimental song (albeit hard rocking), very unlike "London Calling" or "Guns of Brixton."

Then, the chilling "Guns of Brixton." A hard-edged song, with raw vocals and instrumental work. Telling lines:

"When the law breaks in,
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row."

This song typifies the hard-edged punk of The Clash against established authority.

Finally, a more personal (but still rocking) song, "Should I Stay or Should I Go." Another intimate relationship song.

"Should I stay or should I go?
Tell me now
Should I stay or should I go."

Despite the many rough, political songs, here the work is about staying with your partner until the end of time (if the answer to "Should I stay" is yes) or be set free (if the answer is no). The music is typically Clash raw.

So, the rawness of these live performances is terrific (despite the weird premise of different performances from different times). The sound is more primal than on the albums (where the sound is pretty raw itself). This is a must listen for fans of this group. April 6, 2008

Good Stuff

I bought this after I had read the biography of Joe Strummer called redemption song. A great selection of songs, and you feel the experience the bands incredible stage presence. I wish I had bought it sooner. Enjoy. December 18, 2007

An album of a single tour please

Now really. Who ever heard of a live album that was a sampling over shows from many years? One can only suspect The Clash for having a personal hand in FHTE. If so, bless their hearts for trying something different, but it doesn't really work. A lot of the energy of a single show is lost in the potpourri format of this album. The Clash were hands down the best band I saw live---and I'm not the only one to think this. Surely, Sony can find time in their schedule to publish from a single show or tour, something to show everyone what The Clash were really like, something up there with The Who's "Live at Leeds." On the other hand, until _that_ album comes out, FHTE is better than nothing and I for one was glad to buy it. The three songs from the Bond shows, especially Complete Control, are worth the price all by themselves. October 21, 2007

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