Joe Strummer, Mescaleros - Streetcore
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Free Music Notes for Streetcore
Free Music Review: This is London Calling...
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the first review ive ever written mostly because this is the firts album ive felt this strongly twords. This was Joe Strummer's last stand as an artist before he died. Every song is nearly perffect its a blend of all music. Coma Girl- first time ive heard rock and roll and reggae combined like this nothing quite like it
Get Down Moses- amost a 60's phycadelic twist on reggae with an almost NIN sounding drums duing several brekas at the end some synth
Long Shadow- Strummer at his most defiant and poetic and most Dylan in very good way
Arms Aloft- amazing chorus and hopeful
Ramshackle Day Parade- hard to descibe sounds like somthing mellow off of Sadanista only refined and unrushed
Redemtion Song- at least as good as Marley's
All in a Day- great rock song with synth and a great chorus reptative but hasnt gotten tired yet
Burnin' Streets- a perfect reflection on London Burning basicly a relaxed rewrite but music is so much better because he as twice as much emotion and the music twice a smuch depth
Midigh Jam- a really good jam over which Joe overdubs statement such as "this is london calling... this is london caling"
Silver and Gold- beutiful acoustic, its a painfully ironic reminder in which Joe sings "Im gona do everything silver and gold and i gota hurry up before I grow to old"
Free Music Review: Ten More Reasons to be Depressed That Joe Died
Hit: 5 Stars
Joe Strummer's death was not the end of a nostalgia act. He was on a creative groove that was shaping up to be one of the great second acts in rock and roll. With each Mescaleros album, Joe's voice has gotten looser, more comfortable and emotive. Here he was in a primarily American music mood (one of his constant obessions) with a little of the world beat groove from Global A Go-Go mixed in. The songs get stronger on repeat listening, particularly Long Shadow, Ramshakle Day Parade, and Midnight Jam. But the heart and soul of this record--and as close to a coda we could have hoped for--is his heartfelt, moving cover of Bob Marley's classic Redemption Song. Without doubt, Joe is the only one who could have pulled that off. In addition to the politics Joe and Marley had in common, they are simialr in stature--great presences reminding us of the possiblity of what music can accomplish. But I also think it brings the growing spiritual sense that was understated by very discernible within Joe's last three albums.It's heartbreaking to think that this is the last new Strumemr material we will ever hear. I could easily imagine another half dozen records coming from him, but...At least we have these last three CD's to bring this great career full circle. Thanks Joe. You were my hero.
Free Music Review: A heart-breaking, essential cd
Hit: 5 Stars
For many, the Clash were a way of life - they changed lives around the world. Listening to this cd is heartbreaking in places (hey, I've been a die-hard Joe / Clash fan since I was 12, which is getting on for 20 years now). Joe ain't dead, and here's the proof. Immortality pretty much guaranteed herein.
Best tracks: Coma Girl, Get Down Moses, Arms Aloft, Ramshackle Day Parade. I'm not a big fan of 'Redemption Song', but it works here somehow. There are shades of Combat Rock, London Calling, Earthquake Weather, and pretty much anything you care to name here. It rocks, and it is very difficult to take off your stereo, once it is there.
It is a pretty bitter pill to swallow, knowing that there is no more chance to hear these tracks live, especially since that is where Joe came across best. But many of these tracks have such an immediate, raw quality, they sound live anyhow.
On that note, if you can get ahold of the Japanese release, there are 4 extra (live) tracks - The Harder they come, A message to you Rudy, Yalla Yalla, and Blitzkrieg Bop. All top-notch, of course, but Yalla Yalla is really amazing.
RIP, Joe - Santamasagana. . .
Free Music Review: Last call...
Hit: 5 Stars
Joe Strummer didn't mount much of a solo career during the years between the breakup of The Clash and his tragic passing in 2002. A couple of solo records and some acting and producing duties and that was about it. So this posthumous CD comes as something of a shock, all the more surprising and saddening is how good it is. If Strummer had this music in him all along, where was it? Or was he starting to come into his own as a solo artist right when he was cut down by illness, just as he was ready to take his rightful place as one of the elder statesmen of rock & roll?
There's a fascinating mix of songs on this record. It takes a great deal of moxie to cover Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" and while it doesn't quite come off as straight reggae, Strummer certainly gets points for trying. What works well for the record is when disparate music is blended together, whether it's the rock and dub of "Midnight Jam" or the gospel/reggae of "Get Down Moses." Strummer mixes and matches music like a mad scientist, and in staying away from the tried and true makes a fascinating record that will cement a lasting legacy.
Free Music Review: Checking out on a High Note
Hit: 5 Stars
I am just so happy that Joe Strummer was able to get this album completed after his untimely death. STREETCORE is a classic that rivals his esteemable work with the Clash. Though basically a rag tag collection of demos and unfinished tracks, the Mescalero's pitched in to finish off what Strummer had started to great effect. This is a remarkably consistant album considering it's origins.All tracks are of excellent quality with the rocking COMA GIRL, GET DOWN MOSES and ARMS ALOFT leading the way. STREETS ARE BURNING successfully revisits an earlier Clash anthem and MIDNIGHT JAM is an revelation, that perhaps could have pointed a way towards future recording. Covers of Marley's REDEMPTION SONG and Bobby Charles' SILVER AND GOLD are especially touching given the context.
Strummer seemed to lose his muse with the disolving of the Clash and wandered for the better part of two decades before finding himself again by recording with the Mescaleros. Although it's certainly sad to see him go so soon after restarting his career, STREETCORE provides an apt coda to a great musical career and a great life.