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This DVD version of the previously released
compilation of the same name is the perfect companion piece to
the excellent Clash documentary Westway to the World;
while the Don Letts film featured mainly interviews with the
principals and abbreviated performances, on Essential, the performances,
both promo videos (the satirical "Rock the Casbah,"
"London Calling," "The Call-Up") and live
work are in full. Particularly interesting are the early promotional
clips in 1976 as the band performed "White Riot" and
"London's Burning"--pure excitement. The bonus features
include the Joe Strummer directed black and white silent film
(with music) Hell W10, a tale of drugs and gangsters in
West London. Not exactly cinema verite, Hell W10 is interesting
to look at for Mick Jones playing a hood in a 3-piece suit and
Paul Simonon as a troublemaker a la Jimmy Cliff's Harder they
Fall character. Other goodies include the Clash on Broadway
trailer (with footage from the time the group played at the legendary
Bonds in Times Square) and an early interview. Through the videos,
one can trace the growth of this band from playing in rat holes
to Shea Stadium at their peak (i.e. "Should I Stay or Should
I Go"). Today's wannabe punk bands should look at these
fiery performances and see that rock wasn't about being cool
but affecting change.
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