Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Rolling Stone[3]
Robert ChristgauC+[4]

The Story of the Clash, Vol. 1 is a double-disc compilation album by the English punk rock band the Clash. Consisting of 28 tracks, it was released on 21 March 1988 by Epic Records. The compilation presents a relatively thorough overview of their career, but does not feature any material from their final studio album, Cut the Crap (1985). An anticipated second volume was to have consisted of live recordings but remains unreleased, although a live compilation, From Here to Eternity: Live, was released in 1999. The original vinyl set was released with four different colored cover variations: red, blue, yellow and green. The compilation was promoted by reissued singles of "I Fought the Law" and "London Calling".

Liner notes

The extensive inner notes are told from the perspective of frontman Joe Strummer's alter-ego, 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 it's 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."[5]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, except where noted

Disc 1
No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."The Magnificent Seven"The Clash12-inch version; original version from Sandinista! (1980)4:27
2."Rock the Casbah"The Clashsingle mix; original version from Combat Rock (1982)3:41
3."This Is Radio Clash"The ClashNon-album single (1981)4:10
4."Should I Stay or Should I Go"The ClashCombat Rock3:07
5."Straight to Hell"The ClashCombat Rock5:27
6."Armagideon Time"Willi Williams, Jackie MittooB-side of "London Calling" single (1979)3:50
7."Clampdown" London Calling (1979)3:45
8."Train in Vain" London Calling3:11
9."The Guns of Brixton"Paul SimononLondon Calling3:05
10."I Fought the Law"Sonny CurtisThe Cost of Living EP (1979)2:35
11."Somebody Got Murdered"The ClashSandinista!3:29
12."Lost in the Supermarket" London Calling3:41
13."Bankrobber" Non-album single (1980)4:31
Disc 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Original releaseLength
1."(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" Non-album single (1978)3:59
2."London's Burning" The Clash (1977)2:09
3."Janie Jones" The Clash2:04
4."Tommy Gun" Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978)3:13
5."Complete Control" Non-album single (1977)3:12
6."Capital Radio One" (preceded by Circle Line interview part 2)[6][better source needed]" Capital Radio EP (1977)5:18
7."White Riot" Single version, 18 March 19771:57
8."Career Opportunities" The Clash1:51
9."Clash City Rockers" Non-album single (1978)3:57
10."Safe European Home" Give 'Em Enough Rope3:48
11."Stay Free" Give 'Em Enough Rope3:37
12."London Calling" London Calling3:19
13."Spanish Bombs" London Calling3:18
14."English Civil War"Trad. arr. Strummer/JonesGive 'Em Enough Rope2:33
15."Police & Thieves"Junior Murvin, Lee "Scratch" PerryThe Clash5:57

Personnel

The Clash
Technical
  • Tricia Ronane – compiler
  • Pennie Smith – photography
  • Jules Balme – sleeve
  • The Clash – producer ("The Magnificent Seven", "This Is Radio Clash", "Armagideon Time", "Somebody Got Murdered", "(White Man) in Hammersmith Palais"), co-producer ("I Fought the Law", "Capital Radio One")
  • Guy Stevens – producer ("Clampdown", "Train in Vain", "Guns of Brixton", "Lost in the Supermarket", "London Calling", "Spanish Bombs")
  • Bill Price – co-producer ("I Fought the Law", "Capital Radio One"), remastering supervision (1999 version)
  • Mikey Dread – producer ("Bankrobber")
  • Mickey Foote – producer ("London's Burning", "Janie Jones", "White Riot", "Career Opportunities", "Clash City Rockers", "Police and Thieves"), co-producer ("Complete Control")
  • Lee "Scratch" Perry – co-producer ("Complete Control")
  • Sandy Pearlman – producer ("Tommy Gun", "Safe European Home", "Stay Free")
  • Mick Jones – remixing ("Rock the Casbah", "Should I Stay or Should I Go")
  • Bob Clearmountain – engineer ("Rock the Casbah", "Should I Stay or Should I Go", "English Civil War")
  • Glyn Johns – mixing ("Straight to Hell")
  • Howie Weinberg – mastering
  • Ray Staff – remastering (1999 version)
  • Bob Whitney – remastering (1999 version)

Charts

Chart (1988-1991) Peak
position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)[7] 52
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)[8] 45
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)[9] 22
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[10] 50
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)[11] 22
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[12] 3
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[13] 50
UK Albums (OCC)[14] 7
US Billboard 200[15] 142

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[16] 2× Gold 200,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[17] Gold 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[18] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[19] Platinum 1,000,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "Music Week" (PDF). p. 58.
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 at AllMusic. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
  3. ^ Rolling Stone 14 July 1988
  4. ^ Christgau, Robert. The Clash. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
  5. ^ Strummer, Joe (1988). The Story of the Clash, Volume 1 (CD, 2×LP). The Clash. CBS.
  6. ^ Discogs – Capital Radio E.P. 09th of April 1977 UK
  7. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 65. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  8. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8726". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  10. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Clash – The Story Of The Clash" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  11. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 20 August 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Clash".
  12. ^ "Charts.nz – The Clash – The Story Of The Clash". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  13. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Clash – The Story Of The Clash". Hung Medien. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  14. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "The Clash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  16. ^ "French album certifications – Clash – Story Of The Clash" (in French). InfoDisc. Select CLASH and click OK. 
  17. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – The Clash – The Story of the Clash". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
  18. ^ "British album certifications – Clash – The Story Of The Clash - Vol 1". British Phonographic Industry.
  19. ^ "American album certifications – The Clash – Story Of The Clash". Recording Industry Association of America.
Allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_the_Clash,_Volume_1
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