The Clash - Live at Shea Stadium

The Clash were always a band of contradictions because of the mix of personalities involved and their changing ideologies. 'Live at Shea Stadium' is a recording of a gig in the U.S. in 1982 and comes as the band were starting to fall apart. The sound isn't bad considering it was a stadium show and they were the opening band for The Who. '
'The Guns of Brixton' is a bit too fast for my liking. 'Tommy Gun' is ferocious and builds nicely towards a flailing ending. 'London Calling' and 'Police on my back' are great as well. 'Magnificent 7' is okay but doesn't have the slight weirdness it has on cd. It segues into 'Armagideon Time' before returning to 'Magnificent 7'. 'Train in vain' sounds as lovely as ever even in a stadium of largely indifferent fans. The live version of 'Career Opportunities' stays short, sharp and full of anger. 'Clampdown' is stretched out which works well in the live setting. 'English Civil War' is okay - i've never thought it was one of their best songs anyway. 'Should I stay of should i go' gets a positive crowd reaction and is played near the end of the gig - a brilliant piece of pop/rock and it ends as chaotically as it should. 'i fought the law' ends the cd (and the gig?) and is another great sing-a-long song.
As with most bands playing stadiums some of the edges are rougher live and something is inevitably lost but the energy of The Clash make this a pretty decent live recording of a band nearing the end of its peak. Still one of the few bands that really mattered! Just ask my son who he likes almost as much as the Tweenies.