Album Description Recorded at New York's Shea Stadium in 1982, Live at Shea Stadium captures the band at the peak of its powers and on devastating form. Bristling with energy and attitude, Live at Shea Stadium is destined to feature alongside James Brown at the Apollo, The Who at Leeds and Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison as one of the greatest live recordings of all time!
The Clash, opening for The Who on their farewell tour of the US, played two nights at the legendary Shea Stadium (October 12th and 13th of 1982). Despite being the support act, the New York Post reported "there were as many Clash fans on those nights as Who fans."
Album Description 2008 release of the album Live At Shea Stadium by The Clash, recorded in NY in 1982, it captures the band at the peak of its powers and devastating form. One of the few remaining unreleased Clash treasures, the recordings have long been sought after by fans and they were unearthed by the late Joe Strummer while packing for a move. More than an album, it's an event. Bristling with energy and attitude, it is destined as one of the greatest live recordings of all time! The Clash, opening for The Who on their farewell tour of the US, played two nights at the legendary Shea Stadium, Oct. 12th & 13th, 1982. They had just released the Combat Rock album, plus the singles 'Rock The Casbah' and 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go'.
Customer Reviews:
Brilliant-just brilliantNovember 30, 2008 Jussi(Finland) It's not just brilliant because it's Clash. It is brilliant because you can rarely hear a whole live show. It would have been classic if Topper had been there!
Just Painful.November 28, 2008 demolition man(ohio) 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Don't get me wrong The Clash were, and still are one of the greatest bands to ever be put on this planet. It has to be pretty disappointing for me to talk ill of them, but The Clash without Topper Headon, forget it.
Excellent PerformanceNovember 28, 2008 Paulbiz 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I bought this on album and it stays on my turntable more than any other album! Great performance! I like the slightly sped up versions of Casbah and Train ...good stuff and certainly should be part of your collection. Produced by the famous Glyn Johns...produced several Who albums.
Wow, I am a little underwhelmedNovember 11, 2008 Christopher Bushman(Portland, OR USA) 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Don't get me wrong, any Clash soundboard release is reason to celebrate and I have enjoyed listening to this Shea Stadium gig but when you are talking about THE ONLY BAND THAT MATTERS, expectations tend to run high.
I guess I am a little spoiled but on the excellent From Here To Eternity, the smattering of live tracks on the box set and a handful of high quality bootlegs, I am used to hearing the Clash GO FOR IT. I am not used to hearing Joe Strummer sing London Calling "competently" I am used to hearing him rip it out of his guts...
At the time of this recording, The Clash was riding an international hit record, opening for The Who and undergoing the transformation from an outstanding theater band to professional arena rockers. You have to wonder if one reason for the breakup not long after this was this band looking in the mirror and not liking what they saw staring back.
In the end the positives outweigh the negatives on this recording but only just. This record has gotten a pretty big push from the record company for an archival release so maybe the best thing that will come out of Live At Shea Stadium is that enough fans will buy it to make it worth their while to initiate an ongoing vault release program. Maybe next time we'll see something comprehensive from the Bonds Casino stand or something else from the killer Sandanista era. For that matter how about a CD + DVD of the Concert For The People Of Kampuchea show?
I can always dream.
A Nice Slice ofHistoryNovember 9, 2008 Mayedag(Oakland, CA) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This album is a lot of fun. Sure, there are some great songs not included in the set list, but keep in mind, The Clash was an opening act this night.
In the car, my three-year-old daughter insists on listening to "Police On My Back" over and over again. She loves singing the days of the week at the top of her lungs. I'll take Mick Jones over Raffi any day!
