Ultra Rare Recordings Bolster Clash Classic Five never-before-heard Clash songs highlight the upcoming Legacy Edition of "London Calling," due Sept. 21 via Epic. As previously reported, the first disc of the set will feature a remastered version of the classic 1979 album, while the second disc sports 21 rehearsal sessions recordings dubbed "The Vanilla Tapes." The DVD "The Last Testament -- The Making of London Calling" comprises the third disc.
Previously thought lost, cassettes of "The Vanilla Tapes" were recently discovered in storage by Clash guitarist Mick Jones. Of greatest interest for fans will be "Paul's Tune," which morphed into "The Guns of Brixton," a cover of Bob Dylan's "The Man in Me," "Up-Toon," which turned into "The Right Profile," and an early version of "Clampdown" titled "Working and Waiting."
An in-progress take of the title cut reveals alternate lyrics and song structure, having not yet arrived at the snarling version eventually recorded for the album. Other unreleased items include the country-ish "Lonesome Me," the reggae-leaning "Where You Gonna Go (Soweto)," "Heart and Mind" and the instrumental "Walkin' the Slidewalk."
"The Last Testament" DVD, produced by longtime associate Don Letts, features 16 minutes of previously unreleased studio footage, promo videos, live clips and interviews with Jones, bassist Paul Simonon, late guitarist Joe Strummer and drummer Topper Headon and with band manager Kosmo Vinyl.
Here is "The Vanilla Tapes" track list:
"Hateful"
"Rudie Can't Fail"
"Paul's Tune"
"I'm Not Down"
"4 Horsemen"
"Koka Kola, Advertising & Cocaine"
"Death or Glory"
"Lover's Rock"
"Lonesome Me"
"The Police Walked in 4 Jazz"
"Lost in the Supermarket"
"Up-toon"
"Walking the Slidewalk"
"Where You Gonna Go (Soweto)"
"The Man in Me"
"Remote Control"
"Working and Waiting"
"Heart and Mind"
"Brand New Cadillac"
"London Calling"
"Revolution Rock"
-- Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
