Originally posted by BookerT:
the US release of "the clash" is obviously waaaay better than the UK version, subbing in "Clash City Rockers," "Complete Control," "White Man In Hammersmith Palais," "I Fought the Law" and "Jail Guitar Doors" for some not nearly as good stuff.
I agree that the US version is better and you can even go into a record store right now and buy either the US version or the UK version of "The Clash."
However, I think MOST music fans prefer an album as the artist intended. The "original" version of the album, if you will. And the U.S. version of "The Clash" was officially released a year after their second album ("Give 'Em Enough Rope") was released in the U.S. Columbia added singles and B-sides that were released well after the initial release of "The Clash."
They did something somewhat similar to Robbie Williams. They took his first two albums, picked the best songs and some singles and made a whole new album ("The Ego Has Landed") for his US debut.
I still maintain that one of the greatest shows I EVER saw at the 9:30 club was Robbie Williams. A guy who would go on to play three sold-out nights at Knebworth and absolutely had the audience of Live 8 eating out of his hand playing for 1,200 in D.C.? Priceless.
Brian
P.S. The tracks they took off of the U.K. version of "The Clash" were "Cheat", "Deny", "48 Hours" and an ode to condoms, "Protex Blue."