Impossible Mission Tour

last updated 21 August 2004
updated June 2021 added poster

Audio 1 -
Poor/distant - Sound 2 - Time 1hr 20mins - from master - tracks 21

Charlie Don't Surf

Very distant sound and low volume

The recording has a very distant sound and low volume. It has limited range and clarity, the poorest of the recordings from this tour. The sound though is not awful, with all the instrumentation audible with vocals the clearest.

From the master, its problems resulting from the inadequacy of the original equipment and the distance from the stage. Levels rise and fall with the second half of the recording having slightly the better sound. The recording is probably not complete losing maybe Street Parade and Spanish Bombs.

This new addition to the Impossible Mission Tour recordings only came into circulation recently. It is though sadly a poor recording but good enough to convey the strength of the performance (particularly from Career Opportunities onwards.)

The crucial ingredients for a great Clash performance, namely the right dynamics between Joe and Mick were clearly present that night in Lausanne. Mick is fired up, sharing lead vocals with Joe and playing great guitar, and Joe feeds off Mick’s energy with the result that this is the best of the recorded performances so far from the Tour.

The recording is good enough to hear how as the tour progresses the performances are getting tighter. Strong performances throughout but from Career Opportunities they hit top form.

On Career a fired up Mick shares lead vocals with Joe and Magnificent Seven is very exciting with Joe sparking off Mick’s energy and inspired playing. Clampdown is probably the best performance of the song so far on this tour with a bass and drum section in the extended ending.

In a change to the normal set, Armagideon Time follows with Mick experimenting to good effect with his array of effects.

Joe is clearly fired up tonight, the band enjoying playing this song after a number of tired unimaginative performances earlier in the tour. The song segues unusually into a great One More Time followed after an edit by Janie Jones.

The encore includes fired up performances of Brand New Cadillac and London’s Burning with the recording then ending abruptly.

Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash

The Palais de Beaulieu in the beautiful Swiss city of Lausanne.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21

London Calling
Safe European Home
The Leader
Somebody Got Murdered
White Man In Hammersmith Palais
The Guns Of Brixton
Lightning Strikes
Corner Soul
Radio Clash
Ivan Meets GI Joe
Train In Vain
Charlie Don't Surf
Career Opportunities
The Magnificent Seven
Wrong Emboyo
Bankrobber
Clampdown
Armagideon Time
Janie Jones
Brand New Cadillac
Londons Burning

There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.

from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)

from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
... both have lists of people who say they went

& from the newer Concert Database

Also useful: Ultimate Music datbase, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS

If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.

Rock n Folk 170 (March 81)
Interview
...cover ...pg1/2 ...pg3 ...pg4 ...pg5 ...pg6 ...pg7 ...pg8

Best Magazine 152 (March 81)
Mick Jones-Paul Simonon
...Cover ...pg1-2 ...pg3-4 ...pg5-6

A collection of articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from the Clash's 'Impossible Mission' tour of Europe. Articles cover the period form January upto Bonds in May.

sveral post gig interviews. Go to page.

The Clash Live - Barcelona - Jeuvetewal Pavillion - Monday 27th April 1981 - Impossible Mission Tour

Synced version with better audio above - link

The Clash Live - Amsterdam - Jaap Edenhal - Sunday 10th May 1981 - Impossible Mission Tour

Magnificent 7 video - shot at Amsterdam .. we think
for discssion thread on it, go here.

If you know any please let us know

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