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From Here to Eternity: Live

The Clash - From Here to Eternity: Live Audio CD

A fair review of the The Clash "From Here to Eternity: Live" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Clash reviews here, or go back to the The Clash tabs.

Band: The Clash
Title: From Here to Eternity: Live
Rating:

Release Date: 1999-10-26
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Complete Control 2: London's Burning 3: What's My Name 4: Clash City Rockers 5: Career Opportunities 6: (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais 7: Capital Radio 8: City of the Dead 9: I Fought the Law 10: London Calling 11: Armagideon Time 12: Train in Vain 13: Guns of Brixton 14: Magnificent Seven 15: Know Your Rights 16: Should I Stay or Should I Go 17: Straight to Hell

Buy It.....Great
As soon as the opener "Complete Control" kicks in, you are transformed to a place that no longer exists. . . . . Witnessing the most important band of the punk movement at its finest. .

Another vote for perfection

I've been to many Clash concerts over the years, and this collection certainly captures many of the sparkling perfect moments of the live concerts. Add me to the chorus of the other Clash fans that this compilation truly deserves 5 stars. Although I'm sure it could have spanned to 2 or 3 discs, I am happy that we have a good solid 17 song collection of live songs.

You get some good solid drumming from Nick. Deep anchoring from Paul. Choppy chords and great singing from Joe. And great lead guitar and vocals from Mick. The songs highlight the band in its best performances and in great unison. This captures the magic of some of those golden live shows. Melody plus rock plus message.

This is the best live Clash album out there!.

Great Clash CD at a great price
From Here to Eternity: Live
If you like the Clash, this is a must have.

(4.5 stars) You gotta hear this one...
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. Pick this up right away if you're a fan. 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.

Not perfect, but awfully good!
Their music was raw, their lyrics often angry. The Clash were one of the greatest of the punk bands. 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.

You can see a complete list of all The Clash discography, or go back to the The Clash tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.