Burning Spear opened

last updated 27 Jan 2007
last updated 9 Aug 2016 - full review

Audio 1 -
master aud.-  sound 3+ - 89.22min -  tracks 23

Audio to follow

Lesser versions circulate of the only circulating recording. The master audience source was posted on Dime in 2010. 

The sound is unusual; presumably affected by the reported poor sound with drums and vocals distant and weak but guitars particularly Mick’s prominent (with some distortion). Bass is buried and the overall sound is metallic and thin. Stereo mikes capture the atmosphere well though and the master source is crisp and it captures much of the live Clash twin guitar Clash “attack”. A number of short edits have been created when transferring the master tape to digital

The second night at Philadelphia’s Penn Rink was recorded and the master tape was circulated via Dime in 200?. [info from download]captured ticket

The recording suffers from a combination of the reported poor sound due to the ice rink acoustics and distance to the stage. It captures another high octane performance; the band after unusually a lengthy welcome from Joe at the start again features little communication between songs with the band slamming each song out with barely a pause from one song to the next.    

… back then, the Class of 23 Ice Rink was occasionally used for concerts as well as ice skating, and the Clash had outgrown the Tower but was not ready for the Spectrum.  My friend Jim Martini, his brother Chris and I went not knowing what to expect, and were completely blown away!  … they tore through selected hits from Combat Rock, with the core being the best of London Calling and Sandinista...a great show and just sorry we waited so long to see them.  .http://jeffconcerts.blogspot.co.uk/1982/08/the-clash-at-univ-of-pennsylvania-class.html

London Calling; Mick’s further variation on his solo is quite clear and there is a huge roar at end of the song from the hugely appreciative audience before the band go straight into Clash City Rockers. Mick and Joe belt out the vocals together and Mick’s guitar sound is again different on this tour (and within it) experimenting still with effects etc. After a short edit it’s Know Your Rights with Mick’s guitar dominates the metallic rather muddy sound. 

Another short edit between songs before an enjoyable Police and Thieves. There is more clarity on drums and bass on the slower songs. Mick’s solo is straight and clear with little improvisation, the drum and bass drop out section again memorable after which Mick in particular builds it up again effectively as Joe wails then adlibs a little (unclear)

Another mini edit before Guns of Brixton; Paul sounds distant but Mick’s backing vocals clear. Another extended instrumental finale adds to a very enjoyable performance. A further edit into Police On my Back; the recording captures the energy, excitement atmosphere of a very memorable night in the history of the Penn Rink.

The sound does few favours to the faster songs like Rock The Casbah, the recording continuing unedited into a charged English Civil War. More clarity on Bankrobber then Magnificent Seven where Joe adlibs over the bridge but sadly mostly unclear. Straight into Train In Vain each song again running into each other with little chat. Mick belts out his lyrics but his lead guitar over the final coda is unexceptional. There’s an edit into Radio Clash; the band tight and impressive. Another edit into Wrong Em Boyo. It is not a particularly enjoyable sound on this recording but there is decent clarity on the guitars in particular.

The Call Up next is signalled by Mick’s effects. Again an impressive performance just that there are better recordings from the tour and performances whilst very good are unexceptional mostly. With only a short pause again it’s into Somebody Got Murdered; the twin guitar attack clear and powerful as is Mick’s soloing over finale. There’s next a teased out intro to Brand New Cadillac which blasts along and then goes into I Fought The Law, ending the main set.

An edit as song ends cuts out the audience calls for more and restarts at beginning of the lengthy instrumental beginning of Armagideon Time, There’s plenty of Mick’s effects but few adlibs in fact not much unusually in the way of Strummer vocals or wails/cries. As usual next it’s Should I Stay, then into Complete Control (without the longer Mick intro as a week later in Boston on FHTE). Joe sounds more animated and energised, Mick plays around with his solo imaginatively if not effectively. Edit restarts with 2^nd encore and Straight To Hell, not a great Mick lead guitar night; plenty of invention and effects but not that effective, the sound though does him no favours. Another outing next for Pressure Drop, the band obviously enjoying playing this cover on this tour. Mick’s lead guitar work fine here but an edit loses a chunk at the bridge restarting on the final coda. The gig ends with a ferocious Garageland; tight and powerful.

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The Penn Rink was built in 1968 and was named after the generosity of the Class of 1923 who formed the group "Friends of Pennsylvania Hockey “ and  organized the largest class donation in the history of the university. 

It can seat nearly 3,000 people, more for concerts when the rink itself is used for occasional rock concerts. The appearance of The Clash there being the most memorable according to reports. Hardly an ideal venue for a Clash gig and the sound was reportedly poor, the acoustics not suited for music.  

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23	London Calling Clash City Rockers Know Your Rights Police & Thieves The Guns Of Brixton Police On My Back Rock the Casbah English Civil War Bankrobber The Magnificent Seven Train In Vain This Is Radio Clash Wrong Em Boyo Call Up Somebody Got Murdered Brand New Cadillac I Fought the Law Armagideon Time Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Complete Control Straight to Hell Pressure Drop Garageland

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