The Clash London Calling double LP in time for Christmas
London Calling was the third album by The Clash is to be released 114th December. Said to “comprise of a range of styles from punk to reggae and ska to rockabilly, dealt with many issues of the day such as unemployment and racial conflict.
The double LP is preceded by a few days by the single of ‘London Calling’ due December 7th,
The title-song was written while Strummer was living beside the River Thames on the World’s End estate in Chelsea, fuelling the lyrics’ apocalyptic vision and the line ‘London’s drowning but I live by the River’.
Watch video here
It’s the quartets first new material of 1979 really, as their only other the released ‘Cost of Living’ EP, composed of a cover song and three songs that had all been written over twelve months earlier.
The cover of The Clash’s London Calling album, released in 1979, featured a photograph of Paul Simonon smashing up his bass guitar onstage at the New York Palladium. The shot was taken by Pennie Smith,
Back In August, the band entered Wessex Studios to begin recording ‘London Calling’. The Clash asked Guy Stevens to produce the album, much to the dismay of CBS Records it was reported. As Stevens had alcohol and drug problems and his production methods were unconventional.[2] During a recording session he swung a ladder and upturned chairs – apparently to create a rock & roll atmosphere. The Clash, especially bassist Paul Simonon, got along well with Stevens, and found Stevens’ work to be very helpful and productive to both Simonon’s playing and their recording as a band. The album was recorded during a five- to six-week period involving 18-hour days,[17] with many songs recorded in one or two takes.
The Clash – London Calling Double LP
UK Release Date: 14th December 1979
Tracklisting
Credits
Bass, Vocals – Paul Simonon
Brass – The Irish Horns
Design – Ray Lowry
Drums, Percussion – Topper Headon
Engineer [Chief] – Bill Price
Engineer [Second] – Jerry Green
Guitar, Vocals – Mick Jones
Lacquer Cut By – TY*
Organ – Micky Gallagher
Photography By – Pennie Smith
Producer – Guy Stevens
Technician [Pre-production] – Baker Glare
Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Joe Strummer
Whistling – Baker Glare
Written-By – Strummer* (tracks: A1, A3 to B4, C2 to D3), Jones* (tracks: A1, A3 to B4, C2 to D3)
℗ 1979 CBS Records
© 1979 CBS Records
Original sound recording made by CBS Records
Shorepak by Shorewood Packaging Co. Ltd, England.
Recorded at Wessex Studios, Winter 79.
Track D5 only listed in etching on Side 4, it is not listed on the label/sleeve.
First release / pressing came with printed inner sleeves.