Streetcore

by

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros

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Joe's passing was one of the hardest days of my life. I've never met someone as truly dedicated to his art as Joe. So, when it was announced that there would be one last cd released by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, I was unbelievable happy. Sitting on pins and needles, I finally heard the cd. I was truly amazed. After Joe's last brilliant cd, "Global A Go-Go", I wasn't sure what to expect. The world music isn't as prevalent on this new cd, "Streetcore". However, the cd still delves into a variety of music: rock, folk, blues, hip hop, reggae...it's all here in true Strummer style. Joe was lucky to have had Mick Jones as his songwriting partner during the days of the Clash. He was blessed twice, because Martin Slatery and Scott Shields were the perfect complements for Strummer's writing.

"Coma Girl" is as good a song as Strummer has ever released. Great melody and a good rockin' song. I would have loved to have seen him play this song live. "Get Down Moses" is another fun song with elements of reggae and hip hop. "Long Shadow" was a song written for Johnny Cash. A very poignant song. It was written about Cash's legecy, but fits Strummer's just as well. It was recorded with Beck's guitarist, Smokey Hormel. Joe's version of "Redemption Song" is amazing. His vocals are truly awesome. I would never say anyone could sing it better than Bob Marley, but Joe does a damn good job. "Midnight Jam" is a really cool song that's mostly an instrumental. Joe passed on before he was able to add lyrics to the song, but it was too great of a song not to add, so Slattery and Shields added it to the cd. "All In A Day" is a great rocking song. When I read the liner notes, I was half expecting to see it listed as a Jones/Strummer song. It definitely sounds like something that Big Audio Dymanite would have put out back in the days when they were good.

One note about the cd packaging. It's done in such a way that I was reminded of the packaging of the Clash's "Sandinista". Lots of little quotes and, as one other reviewer said, "half thoughts", that are very much something that Joe Strummer was known for. His wife, Lucinda, even has a little "Thank You" section in the liner notes which is really sad.

This last cd by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros is, in my opinion, the best one of the three on Hellcat Records. It takes the best elements of the first two cd's and melds them together. If we're lucky, Hellcat will be able to release a live cd by Joe and the Meskies. If not, I think this is a great place to end an amazing career. Godspeed, Joe. And, thanks for the memories!

I read all these reviews and I get excited then buy the CD only to be let down. I love everything the Clash ever did. I thought earthquake weather was very good. The Walker soundtrack was excellent. Loved Trash City and Love Kills. Rock Art was OK (Yalla Yalla's a great tune), I didn't like Global as much as I tried to. Same deal for streetcore. Get Down Moses is very good, the best song on the album. I thought his version of Redemption song was quite awful to be honest. I like Arms aloft and Coma girl could be a great tune but I cant get past the lyrics. The other tunes just seem to ramble lyrically and melodically and don't go anywhere. If it weren't Strummer I'd only give it 2 stars. Oh yeah- try listening to his vocal on the Blackhawk Down version of Minstrel Boy-- It'll send chills down your spine. RIP joe

P.S. don't bag on me for being honest..I'm just as much a fan as you are