Disco de The Clash: “From Here To Eternity Live”

I'm not usually a fan of live albums, but "From Here To Eternity" is a much-appreciated exception. Any one who doubts the Clash's greatness, needs only to hear this album. Yeah, I would like to have "Safe-European Home," "Bankrobber," and something else from "Sandinista!" on the album, and I could do without "Armigideon Time," but that's mere quibbling. The song selection is generally outstanding, the recording quality is as good as you could hope for in a live recording (strong and clear, while still sounding 100 % live), the energy is sky-high (Strummer on "Know Your Rights" or Jones on "Train In Vain," e.g.) and, to top things off, the Clash jazz their songs up just enough to make it fresh and compelling. I, in fact, PREFER a few of the songs on this CD to the originals (and I love the originals), including absolutely stellar versions of "White Man in Hammersmith Palais," "What's My Name," "Know Your Rights," "Straight to Hell," and "Guns of Brixton." I've always heard the Clash were amazing live, and this album proves it to me. Man, I wish I had been there!

This album admits to being slightly overdubbed on tracks 2,3 and 9 due to technical deficiencies. This bothers me. To me a live album should be as the audience heard it. If the overdubbed songs are really that horrendous left untouched, I am sure they could find more live clash material. Other than those three songs, the album is a gem. The Clash are one of the greatest live bands ever. I wish I were there. Listen to it and you will agree, it really leaves you wanting more. Let's all pray to the big punker in the sky for more live clash. It would have gotten the extra star if it wasn't overdubbed.

I absolutely love the clash. i am too young however to have seen them play but what i would do to have been at just one clash concert. this album is the closest ill ever get to being at a show and i love it. it has most of the good songs but then again its impossible to get all the good ones on a single cd. my only reason for not rating this cd a 5 is that it has only 17 tracks and is missing some of the great ones like police on my back, clampdown, or washington bullets but it is a great cd. if you havent often heard the clash live you should get this album. it is a new experience from the studio versions and shows the clash at their best, in concert. CLASH FOR ETERNITY.

Although the Clash are the greatest and most influential band of the last 30 years, for some reason there has not been an official live album released. Until Now. I saw the Clash in Manchester in 1981 and it STILL remains the most powerful set I have ever seen. For those of us who were fortunate enough to witness them live, this CD works for bringing back memories of great music played with unbridaled passion. And for those who did not see them, I can tell you, you have not been shortchanged.

The recordings are top quality and the atmosphere of the crowds really add to the songs. Joes' voice is, as usual, all over the place - that's not a criticsm, that's what makes him unique. Mick's vocals on SISORSIG are a revelation, which enhances the song tenfold.

I am delighted they have decided to release this, I just wish it would have been a double.

Sure, it's yet another attempt to suck the wallets of Clash fans dry, but its a pretty good record, and long overdue.

What makes this disc shine are the live versions of their early material, some of which was very poorly produced. The Jamaican feel of "Clash City Rockers" and "White Man in Hammersmith Palais" really come through here and both are 500% better than the studio versions on _The Clash_. I would have appreciated a live version of "Police & Thieves" as well.

Mikey Dread (who produced much of _Sandinista!_) toasts over top of "Armagideon Time" giving it a quality of transcendence equal to or greater than the "live" studio version on _Black Market Clash_. "The Magnificent Seven" kicks an incredible amount of butt too, much more than the funkier studio version, which is still great in its own right.

Joe's sense of humor really shines through as well, a great gift for those of us born too late to experience the young Joe live. This is most apparent on Capital Radio and Joe's sardonic delivery on "Know Your Rights".

There are several mediocre tracks here though, too. "Train in Vain" is much too fast, although Topper very obviously tries to slow it down during the intro. It has a very spontaneous feel that makes it worth hearing nevertheless. The inclusion of "London's Burning", the blatant Sex Pistols rip-off (homage?) "What's My Name?", and "City of the Dead" is questionable. "1977", "Groovy Times" or "Pressure Drop" would have been much better. "Should I Stay..." is much too fast too (coincidence?), and lacks the nastiness of the studio version, one of the few bright spots on Combat Rock.

Paul's menacing vocal on the studio version of the "Guns of Brixton" was brilliant on London Calling, but it is just terrible here. I mean really, really, REALLY bad. It makes me cringe to think about it. I love Paul, but the man should not be allowed within 25 ft. of a microphone.

Still, overall, it is a must-buy. One final complaint: Terry Chimes gets screwed once again. He plays on close to half of the tracks yet fails to get his picture in the booklet. Topper was great, but Terry, we love you too!