The Clash

Live From Here To Eternity

Eternal, indeed. . . .

Review Score:

(10/10)
I don't know what I could possibly say about this record that the music doesn't say for itself. It certainly is the record that every single person who was fortunate enough to know The Clash in their heyday has been waiting for. And for those of us who were born too late or just didn't wise up in time, it's an invaluable slice of history from a band whose legacy will never be in danger of being overrated.

Although the songs are really only drawn from a handful of concert dates and venues, the album definitely shows the evolution of The Clash from a great live band to one of the most commanding acts on the planet. It's especially rewarding to hear just how tight they'd become musically during the "Combat Rock" era of 1982, even with Terry Chimes replacing Topper Headon on drums. I've heard a lot of people post-mortem that era as their sellout time, but, to me, they sound more powerful than ever on here. "Know Your Rights" sounds like an impending riot, "The Magnificent Seven" redeems itself (with a vengeance) and their live take of "Straight to Hell" is definitely a fitting swansong.

There isn't a song on this album that didn't deserve to be on there, although, I'm sure, everyone will have their own list of titles that they're disappointed in not seeing on it. (My personal wish list would have included "Janie Jones," "Police and Thieves" and "Police on My Back," as well as at least a couple of selections from "Give 'Em Enough Rope.") But, all in all, it goes without saying that this is one of the strongest releases of the year, and as the 20th century peters out its last couple of months, I think I can safely say that this will be just about the last record to come out during it that says so much and has this much power.

Not bad for a bunch of tape that had been lying around for 20 years.

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