Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. White Riot (Single Version)
2. 1977
3. London's Burning
4. Complete Control
5. Clash City Rockers
6. I'm So Bored With The U.S.A.
7. Career Opportunities
8. Hate & War
9. Cheat
10. Police & Thieves
11. Janie Jones
12. Garageland
13. Capital Radio One
14. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
15. English Civil War
16. Tommy Gun
17. Safe European Home
18. Julie's Been Working For The Drug Squad
19. Stay Free
20. Groovy Times
21. I Fought The Law

Disc 2:

1. London Calling
2. The Guns Of Brixton
3. Clampdown
4. Rudie Can't Fail
5. Lost In The Supermarket
6. Jimmy Jazz
7. Train In Vain
8. Bankrobber
9. The Magnificent Seven
10. Ivan Meets G.I. Joe
11. Stop The World
12. Somebody Got Murdered
13. The Street Parade
14. Broadway
15. This Is Radio Clash
16. Ghetto Defendant
17. Rock The Casbah
18. Straight To Hell
19. Should I Stay Or Should I Go
20. This Is England

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1592 in Music
• Released on: 2005-04-25
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Essential Clash demonstrates once again why the Clash were so much better than any of their punk peers. It is the lasting irony of punk that while the effects of the movement continue to resonate decades later, most of the actual music has dated badly--there is no reason, other than the most desperate nostalgia, why any sane person should wish to subject themselves to the tuneless inanities of, say, Sham 69 or the Lurkers. Even the great singles of the Sex Pistols, perhaps because they encapsulated the time so perfectly, can do little more than remind the listener of 1977. It is a sorry reflection on the period into which this fine double-CD collection has been released that the Clash sound more and more vital from the apocalyptic foreboding of "London Calling" to the resentful sulk of "I'm So Bored with the USA".

There is simply nothing wrong with any of this. When Clash frontman Joe Strummer died, aged only 50, in late 2002, much was made of the political conscience he had brandished throughout his career. While he deserved some kudos on this front, it should be remembered that appearing a great thinker in comparison to other rock singers is no great accomplishment. Appearing a great rock singer in comparison to other rock singers is rather more impressive, and this collection is an irrefutable case for the genius of Strummer and the band he led. --Andrew Mueller

CD Description
This double CD set brings together the most popular tracks by the influential London-formed punk act. 'The Essential Clash' includes material from their 1977 eponymously titled debut right through to 1985's 'Cut The Crap'. Its release follows the death of Joe Strummer their frontman and main songwriter who passed away in December 2002 before the completion of this project.

Customer Reviews

Great collection.. but do we need another Clash compilation?
Nearly all the classic Clash songs are featured on this compilation and it offers a useful insight into the sheer range and timeless craft of this definitive rock band of the late 70s. Compared with other Clash compilations, it is clearly a cut above "The Singles" but not a lot more imaginative than "The Story of the Clash, Vol 1" and trailing "On Broadway" IMHO. It is the only compilation, however, to feature the track "This is England" - although purists will probably reckon that the band were a spent force by the time this was released. All the same, if you don't have a Clash album in your collection, my advice is go out and buy this and get a flavour of what was the most imaginative and exciting rock band of its generation.

They Don't Make Them Like This Anymore
The Essential Clash falls into two categories on each CD. CD 1 is the old skool punk collection, CD 2 is the one that is designed to advertise.

I only got into The Clash a few months back and to be honest i can't find anything wrong with this collection, whether your a fan of the break neck speed of "White Riot" , the smooth jazzy sounds of "Rock the Casbah" or the reggae movements of "Police and Thieves" this is as essential as the title of the album says.

RIP Joe Strummer you left a legacy to be blessed :-)

I NEVER GET BORED OF THIS CD!
This is such an awesome collection!
I have more or less every Clash album made, but this 2 disc CD is a great mix of some of their best work, and really represents why they are one of the greatest and most important bands ever formed.
The first disc is my personal favourite - opening with the stomping 'White Riot', this CD shows their early work...tracks such as 'Complete Control' and 'London's Burning' have heavy political views, but performed in such a furious rage that demands your attention. This is the band in their youth years - all the tracks are pure punk anthems, which I love!
Disc Two starts off with their best work - a mixture of genres such as reggae and rock are clearly heard in 'London Calling' and 'Rudy Can't Fail', but particularly in 'The Guns Of Brixton'; one of my favorite Clash songs. This stage saw the band at their peak, and made them unique compared to many other punk bands at the time.
The last few tracks in my opinion are not as good, as this shows the bands more mainstream approach...although 'Stay/Go' is still very catchy!
All in all, this for me is a perfect tribute to one of my favorite bands ever. 30 years on, and many modern bands (The Libertines etc) are still influenced by this group, as this CD clearly shows. I'm only 20 years old, meaning I wasn't even around when the group were formed...but in my opinion this band simply wipe most of the modern so-called-punk bands off the floor!
If your new to The Clash or an old school fan, you owe it to yourself to buy this collection - enough said, BUY NOW!