updated 7 March 2007
updated 14 July 2008 - added ticket
Audio 1 -
Some distortion - Sound 3 - time 1hr 46mins - unknown gen - tracks 26
Complete Control
This is one of the poorer quality recordings from the tour, however an upgrade to the master would be very welcome as it would reveal a very good indeed audience recording as vocals are not distant and all the instrumentation is captured. The only circulating version however is from an unknown generation and the sound is shrouded somewhat in a aural fog of poorly transferred hiss.
Nevertheless the circulating tape still has enough clarity to be reasonably enjoyable. Vocals are not distant, Joe’s guitar and Topper’s drums are clear but Mick’s guitar is a little low in the mix and Paul’s bass is more so. There is a degree of overamplification but a wide-ish sound.The tape almost certainly excludes a second (and maybe third) encore.
inside Manchester Apollo now - back then it was still an old cinema with seating.
Poster and flyer
The recording begins with the air raid sirens intro and then a few electronic bleeps from Mick signalling this is 81 style Clash at the Apollo. “Good evening and welcome” says Joe who proceeds to sing his lyrics to Broadway with passion and precision. The Manchester audience no doubt stunned by such a low key start to a Clash gig but just as they think they are at the wrong concert the opening power chords ring out and the band kick into One More Time.
Mick’s guitar sounds a little distant, the sound mix lacking that powerful guitar attack of the best recordings. The performances are very strong throughout continuing the quality of the Mogador performances, although not as good as the excellent final night there.
Joe is in good form tonight ending an extended Radio Clash with a great screamed “pirate satellite!” “This is a song called Know Your Rights all 3 of them” Joe still sounds unsure of his lyrics for the song still very much in transition, mumbling them without conviction. Guns of Brixton next though is highly polished; the band very tight with Mick adding again his ‘backwards’ guitar section on an extended performance.
Protex Blue next, had not been played since June 1980 and here gets a variant on the intro and there’s plenty of punk attack from Mick whose song segues into another, his Train In Vain. There are some sound tape problems near the end of an excellent performance.
The scratchy interference type sound continues after an edit goes into the start of Magnificent Seven. The sound is mainly in the left channel only but soon improves and mid-song the sound problem ceases and a very enjoyable performance can be enjoyed. ”What time does your digital watch say now!” adlibs Joe , then “Is this the right way to guitar village” Joe wails away as the band take it into the bridge.
“I’m going to sing there’s a White Man in Hammersmith Palais” is greeted by a roar from the audience and the band respond with one of the highlights of the gig. An excellent performance the band really on the money and Joe adlibs over the ending;” Went down the Hammersmith Broadway..”
After a fine if unexceptional start the performance hits a higher level now. “Thank you, thank you, now I’d like to present for the first time in Manchester, except last night! Mr Topper Headon” Topper sings Ivan Meets GI Joe and then Joe says “just like on the record this….that’s out too bloody complicated, hang on a minute” . Mick bangs out the opening chords of Clash City Rockers which at the Mogador and here sounds revitalised, the band clearly enjoying playing it again. Due to the sound mix Mick’s guitar lacks that jolt of electrical shocker of the most enjoyable recordings.
“Elevator going up” shouts Joe and the band tear through Koka Kola. It’s straight into Junco Partner next, played faster than normal and a very good performance; another highlight. An edit restarts into The Leader and the sound dips but soon recovers. “If you don’t mind I’d like to get a bit folksy, yes, yes, yes, NO!” Joe continuing to chat with the audience as the band kick into Spanish Bombs. As usual its an opportunity for Mick to open out and play some great imaginative lead guitar.
“Control” wails Joe and Mick picks out intro to Complete Control over Tops great almost drum solo before the song kicks in hard and tight. No doubt the Apollo audience was now going ballistic and the band respond with a very strong performance. With the now usual disdain for the pacing of shows in earlier years, the band now fully a high energy audience pleaser with a low key new song.
Topper beats the bass drum and Joe wails “Ghetto defendant wwooah, followed by Paul’s mournful harmonica. Joe sings his urban lament with care and conviction, with the usual lyric changes common to performances at this time.
“Clampdown…uh yeah murder!” shouts Joe as Mick’s already picking out a great longer teased out intro than usual, to Somebody Got Murdered. Another fine performance, 90% full power Clash. An update to the master would be great.
“Clampdown” shouts Joe wanting to keep up the momentum. It’s a song that never disappoints - a showcase for the strengths of the Clash live. Mick sings his section with real passion and Joe adlibs over Topper’s thundering drumming. Joe’s rant is sadly most unclear but includes “got 4,000 rifles and 600? But a rifle can kill anyone and it can kill the man who paid for it but if you choice is not to do that calculation…every soldier in the nation” Joe screams over the extended ending, running out of words. There’s no let up as the band launch straight into London Calling ending the main set with a powerful intense performance.
With a “Thank you and good night” the tape edits abruptly into Charlie Don’t Surf. At the start Mick says “Saigon Radio , Hanoi Hannah” and plays plenty of improvised guitar. A further edit restarts with a touch better sound and less hiss.
A fine Police and Thieves drops down to drum and bass on Joe’s instructions and he tries to get the audience to sing the melody and adlibs including “riot shield, flame proof and brick proof”
Joe shouts “Europe” and the band slam into a charged Safe European Home followed by an equally audience pleasing intense Janie Jones. But this is 1981 Clash and Janie segues into Street Parade with an improvised extended ending with lots of “backward” guitar effects from Mick. The final song on the tape but surely not the last of the gig is Armagideon Time. Joe sings with real passion and there’s some great Mick Jones screams! The source tape fades out at the end. Not an essential boot but enjoyable and worth having nevertheless.
Did you go? What do you remember?
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The Clash returned yet again to the Apollo in 1981. It was the only venue in Manchester of sufficient size and remains today the major venue in Manchester. After management were persuaded to remove the seats in the stalls the venue was ideal for a Clash show. The Apollo witnessed many great Clash performances throughout the band’s history. Manchester was always a ‘Clash City’ as Joe put it, with the energy and passion of the audiences there always inspiring the band.
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There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.
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