Deep cuts from a punk legend
Joe Strummer is unquestionably a punk legend. A member of the only band that matters, the Clash, Strummer left a lasting legacy on the genre and the culture before his untimely death in 2002 at the age of 50. Now, almost 15 years after his death, fans can pay tribute to the artist with this previously unreleased compilation of songs entitled Joe Strummer 001.
These songs were at a time in Strummer’s life where he was no longer the Clash, but just Joe. A lot of these tracks are of a clear separate genre, but they distinguish Joe Strummer as simply a fantastic songwriter. “Love Kills” shows his diversity as a songwriter as this sounds like an ‘80s gem of a track. This vibe doesn’t stay long as “Tennessee Rain” is a country, folk vibe with harmonicas and strings. It is the track of a true road trip, with the cool breeze of an open window and a summer day.
“Ride Your Donkey” is, well, like a reggae track. It goes to show the fluidity and range Strummer has as a songwriter. Most artists that venture into various genres like this don’t have the skill to not seem silly when diving into so many other types of music. Strummer does it easily, to the point where if you didn’t know this was a Joe Strummer song you might not be able to tell.
There are also many tracks on this compilation with Joe Strummer’s other project: Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros. Tracks like “Coma Girl” tune into a classic rock vibe and easily get stuck inside your head. It almost feels like a modern indie rock song from a band like Joyce Manor, who like Strummer went from punk to indie rock. “London is Burning” is an extremely unique track that combines this hectic drum pad with the heavier guitars Strummer uses. This song later became “Burning Streets” off of his 2003 release Streetcore.
One of the most heartwarming gems of this compilation is a cover of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” by not only Strummer but a feature from the legendary Johnny Cash. His well-aged, “Hurt” era Cash distinct voice adds a bit of hope to this song. The track adds to the original while keeping the spirit of the Marley version–something every great cover should aspire to be.
Overall, for any Clash historian and enthusiast, this is a must listen. These songs are extremely catchy and highlight everything wonderful about an extremely influential musician like Joe Strummer. It covers a vast array of sounds, genres and decades of music–all of which Strummer seems to have mastered.
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