The Story of the Clash, Volume 1

Untitled

The Story of the Clash, Vol. 1 is a double-disc compilation album by the English punk rock band The Clash. It was released with 28 tracks on 29 February 1988 through Epic Records. The compilation presents a relatively thorough overview of their career (except Cut the Crap). An anticipated second volume was to have consisted of live recordings but remains unreleased. The original albums on vinyl were released with 4 different colored covers, Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green.

Track listing

All songs written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones except where noted.

Disc 1

1. "The Magnificent Seven" (12" version) (The Clash) (original version from Sandinista!, 1980) - 4:27
2. "Rock the Casbah" (US single mix) (The Clash) (original version from Combat Rock, 1982) - 3:42
3. "This Is Radio Clash" (The Clash) (A-side of non-album single, 1981) - 4:10
4. "Should I Stay or Should I Go" (The Clash) (from Combat Rock, 1982) - 3:06
5. "Straight to Hell" (The Clash) (from Combat Rock, 1982) - 5:30
6. "Armagideon Time" (Willi Williams, Jackie Mittoo) (B-side of "London Calling" single, 1979)- 3:50
7. "Clampdown" (from London Calling, 1979) - 3:50
8. "Train in Vain" (from London Calling, 1979) - 3:10
9. "The Guns of Brixton" (Simonon) (from London Calling, 1979) - 3:12
10. "I Fought the Law" (Sonny Curtis) (from The Cost of Living EP, 1979) - 2:35
11. "Somebody Got Murdered" (The Clash) (from Sandinista!, 1980) - 3:34
12. "Lost in the Supermarket" (from London Calling, 1979) - 3:47
13. "Bankrobber" (A-side of non-album single, 1980) - 4:31

Disc 2

1. "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" (non-album single, 1978) - 3:58
2. "London's Burning" (from The Clash, 1977) - 2:09
3. "Janie Jones" (from The Clash, 1977) - 2:04
4. "Tommy Gun" (from Give 'Em Enough Rope, 1978) - 3:14
5. "Complete Control" (non-album single, 1977) - 3:12
6. "Capital Radio One" (preceded by Circle Line Interview Part 2) (from Capital Radio EP, 1977) - 5:18
7. "White Riot" (single version) (album version from The Clash, 1977) - 1:59
8. "Career Opportunities" (from The Clash, 1977) - 1:51
9. "Clash City Rockers" (non-album single, 1978) - 3:57
10. "Safe European Home" (from Give 'Em Enough Rope, 1978) - 3:49
11. "Stay Free" (from Give 'Em Enough Rope, 1978) - 3:37
12. "London Calling" (from London Calling, 1979) - 3:18
13. "Spanish Bombs" (from London Calling, 1979) - 3:18
14. "English Civil War" (trad. arr. Strummer/Jones) (from Give 'Em Enough Rope, 1978) - 2:34
15. "Police & Thieves" (Junior Murvin, Lee "Scratch" Perry) (from The Clash, 1977) - 6:00

Liner notes

The extensive inner notes are told from the perspective of Joe Strummer's alter-ego, one Albert Transom. Transom, described by himself as "...their valet from the early beginnings to the bitter end...", tells many anecdotes, including one about the beginning of the rioting at the Notting Hill Carnival in 1976. Many of the stories are about shows, such as one where, after their "3rd or 4th time out", Transom and a fellow punk named Sebastian barricaded themselves in a small room and were attacked by a group of "Teddy Boys". The story went that Sebastian's tie was ripped, and the general consensus was that the tie was now "much more punk". Many other musicians are mentioned in the liners, including experiences with Bo Diddley, Devo, and Roxy Music. The notes end with "If I had to sum it up, I'd say we played every gig on the face of the earth and that's what its all about...I've just heard they'll give me some room on Vol. 2 so maybe I will be able to tell the bits I've had to skip or leave out."

External links

• The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (disc 1) at MusicBrainz
• The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (disc 2) at MusicBrainz
• The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 at Allmusic