In the wake of Joe Strummer's 60th birthday last
Tuesday, it seems appropriate this week, to
feature one of Lee Perry's best known
productions, 'Police & Thieves', which was
covered, in the year following it's original
release, by The Clash on their debut LP.
Scratch cut several tunes using the 'Police &
Thieves' rhythm, including three different Junior
Murvin vocal titles alone, but instead of a
familiar performance, I've selected 'Bingo Kid'
which is credited to The Upsetters featuring Earl
'Chinna' Smith and can be found on the deluxe CD
version of the 'Police & Thieves' album, issued
in 2010.
Strummer's Lee Perry connection didn't end there
though. In the summer of 1977, The Clash drafted
Scratch in to produce 'Complete Control', their
first cut with new drummer Topper Headon. What
remains of Perry's contribution in the final mix
is debatable, but it gives me an excuse to air
this early live bash through the tune, which I
literally discovered yesterday. The clip ends
with Mick Jones looking like he's about to kick into
another intro - is there more of this stuff out
there?
Finally, to round off this extended edition of
Saturday Scratch, a live version of 'Police &
Thieves' by The Clash, as featured in the film
'Rude Boy'. OK, so the overdubs render it not
totally live, but what the hell - we're right
down at the front of a Clash gig in 1978, so
enjoy it, enjoy your weekend - and remember, it's
very uncool to gob.
Previously on Saturday Scratch.
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5 comments:
Three tremendous songs here, sir. That video of 'Complete Control' is particularly fine. As for Junior Murvin's 'Police and Thieves' album, that must be one of the all-time greatest reggae LPs. If you take that, along with 'The Heart of The Congos' and Max Romeo's 'War In A Babylon', you have a solid argument for Scratch being just about the finest producer in any genre of music.
You'll get no arguments from me regarding your LP selections Mr Bear - pure genius.
I can't believe the Complete Control clip has existed for 34 years and I've only just bumped into it - it makes you wonder what else is out there.
Fabulous post Mr S that clip of the Clash rehearsing CC(my favourite C song) is superb, I can't stop watching it. Junior Murvin brilliant..have not heard full album and I am of to search for it right now....keep on scratching!
That Complete Control video was from a French TV show in '77.
London's Burning, a short interview, and 1977 were also played:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEzQXf7XEgo&playnext=1&list=PL1F47AA111345D17E&feature=results_video
biopunk, I'm in your debt. Thank you.
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