Impossible Mission Tour

In 1981 the gigs at Lille and Amsterdam were supported by the Belle Stars (they were travelling on the tour coach which we bummed a ride on!), I think they did most of those European dates. J Heath

updated 10 Oct 2004
updated 7 June 2007
updated 25 Dec 2008 -added support info

Audio 2 - France 81 CD - enhanced
Sound 4.5 - time 60min - CD/M - tracks 16

Lightning Strikes

Audio 3 - France 81 CD -
Sound 4.5 - time 60min - CD/M - tracks 16

Lightning Strikes

The only known recording from this concert is on the France 81 CD.

France 81 CD
This great sounding source did not circulate until 1995 when it was released as a commercial bootleg CD on an Italian label, reference number: RED LINE RLCD 31011. It is fairly readily available to purchase and circulates widely. It is the only known source for the gig but unfortunately it is incomplete capturing the first hour of the concert only.

A soundboard source, with very clear vocals and instrumentation but just lacking the maximum dynamic range of a pro-source. Bass is excellent, even a little too dominant but that is easily remedied. Guitars are a touch too far back in the mix, losing some of the impact and attack but this results largely from the sound mix on this tour (in contrast to the guitar heavy mix on the 16 Tons European leg in particularly) rather than a failing of the recording.

There is some stereo separation but it lacks a pro sound mix so it is probably not from an FM radio source. Presumably due to master tape wear or to it being a 1st generation source, there is minor loss in the left channel which every so often is remedied, such as during White Man. Sound quality is best at these points but the improvement is usually short lived before the left channel minor loss reverts back.

Lille was the next night after the Paris concert where the energy and enthusiasm of the ‘Clash city’ audience there had inspired the band to produce one of the best and most committed performances of the tour. In Lille though, getting its first sighting of The Clash, the audience is noticeably quieter and the band sound tired at times resulting in a good but unexceptional performance. There are a number of very enjoyable highlights though and this coupled with a very good soundboard recording of the majority of the gig, makes this a bootleg very well worth having.

Although not one of the best performances from the tour, this CD is a great place to check out the developing new arrangements on this tour of the Sandinista songs and the variations on the older songs in soundboard hifi quality.

London Calling fades in at its start to begin the CD. A good performance but with Mick’s solo too far back in the mix, a feature of this tour. Safe European Home and The Leader are both fine performances. “And now we have Mr Mick Jones” and the afore mentioned duly picks out the intro to a powerful Somebody Got Murdered with committed vocals and playing from Mick and some great drum fills from Topper.

The sound improves in the left channel early on in White Man In Hammersmith Palais. An excellent performance only marred by Mick’s ineffective solo. “You better watch the Guns of Brixton are going to crash you” intros Joe with its new arrangement heard very clearly here.

The audience are markedly less lively than at Paris the night before. Joe tries to understand the shouts from the audience but although he tries hard with his pigeon French tonight he proves again that his Spanish was much better than his French! Topper then starts up a solo drum intro, Joe comes in but then breaks off, and a still rather ragged performance of Lightning Strikes proceeds. Its wing and a prayer stuff with Lightning Strikes on this tour with the band improvising each night with Joe struggling with the mass of lyrics and changes to the rhythm. Much more familiar territory next for a powerful “Un chanson de 1958” I Fought The Law ending with Joe screaming “But the fuckin’ law won!”

Joe then announces amusingly “I would now like to sing for a change” before an excellent performance of Corner Soul. It is tight and committed with Mick’s guitar fills effective and inventive, certainly one of the highlights of this CD.

There is an edit, which restarts into the beginning of Ivan Meets GI Joe that still sounds ragged and ineffective with Topper getting the lyrics jumbled. Joe has the same problem during Radio Clash singing at one point “I got the words wrong!” It’s an enjoyable performance the band delivering an extended improvised ending. Joe adlibs over the ending of a fine Charlie Don’t Surf suggesting the audience don’t like it and no doubt many in the audience would be struggling with these unfamiliar Clash fayre. Back to more typical Clash energy and attack next with an excellent Magnificent Seven, which just lacks an inspired rant from Joe to make it exceptional!

Joe sounds tired and pissed off asking, “Where’s Junco Partner?” but as if to lift their own spirits the band play a soulful, almost mournful, slowed down Bankrobber, another definite highlight. At one point the music drops down and Joe just whispers the lyrics hoping to hear the “Ooh’s” backing from the audience, after a few seconds he is duly rewarded and thanks the audience.

The variations in the new arrangement of Wrong ‘Em Boyo are well evidenced here but tonight’s performance is somewhat lacking in fire. The recording sadly ends with Train In Vain, now a little slower, more soulful performance than in 1980.

Did you go? What do you remember?
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Lille, an industrial city in northern France was the centre of the coal industry at a time when both France and Britain had a coal industry. Thatcher of course was already working on that one! There is little known about this venue, which was used by other bands at the time but was then demolished or underwent a change of use.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16	London Calling Safe European Home The Leader Somebody Got Murdered White Man In Ham Palais The Guns Of Brixton Lightning Strikes I Fought the Law Corner Soul Ivan Meets GI Joe This Is Radio Clash Charlie Don’t Surf The Magnificent Seven Bankrobber Wrong ‘Em Boyo Train In Vain

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

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