Joe Strummer

[Potty Scotty]

So, now that some band members visit the forums, i've been wondering what the deal was with Joe Strummer doing vocals for the band. How come it didn't work out? Was he hard to work with? Was anything other then live stuff recorded with him as vocalist? Was Shane bitter about being replaced by him?


scott

[Guest]

not in the band but i did see the strummer shows. about it not 'working out' i think it was always a temporary contract, he stepped in at short notice to fulfil the Pogues already-booked touring commitments, after that he had his own projects. A 7 inch single was recorded under an alias called Afro Cuban be-bop. I doubt Shane thought that it was anything other than a good idea! as it let him off the hook.

[101er]

http://www.dangerousminds.net/comments/ ... _of_comedy

[Theodosia77]

I know Joe wrote a song for Horace Andy, but did they ever try anything else together? I remember hearing that Horace had covered 'Straight To Hell' with Massive Attack from one or more sources, but I also vaguely recall an article around the time of Mezzanine when it was said that he didn't want to sing the lyrics, and the backing music morphed into 'Angel.' Any truth in either part of this rumour?

On a similar theme, Joe co-wrote a song with Jimmy Cliff once. Did they try anything else?

I know it might be difficult to find out, although the duet with Johnny Cash gives me hope, even though neither should have been allowed to attempt a Marley song, even if you might argue that 'Redemption Song' could be open to covering by any half-decent artist.

By the way, the best Bob Marley cover/tribute, in fact the only/essential one to have is by Gilberto Gil, entitled 'Kaya N'Gan Daya’ it has most of the lyrics sung in Portuguese and includes a self-penned tribute. I'd trust Gilberto to do justice to 'Island Hopping', it would do Joe proud. Imagine a Strummer cover by the Cultural Ambassador for Brazil? Estupendo!

[Low D]

I know it might be difficult to find out, although the duet with Johnny Cash gives me hope, even though neither should have been allowed to attempt a Marley song, even if you might argue that 'Redemption Song' could be open to covering by any half-decent artist.

I like that duet, actually, but apparently it was a Rick Rubin studio mash up - Joe & Johnny never met, and did not record the song together. Joe did write "Cast A Long Shadow" for Johnny, apparently scrawled on a pizza box lid or something as he thought it up on the spot while hanging with Rick, and finding out Rick was on his way to meet Johnny. While cash didn't cover it, Joe's solo acoustic version turned up on "Streetcore".

[Clash Cadillac]

I know it might be difficult to find out, although the duet with Johnny Cash gives me hope, even though neither should have been allowed to attempt a Marley song, even if you might argue that 'Redemption Song' could be open to covering by any half-decent artist.

I like that duet, actually, but apparently it was a Rick Rubin studio mash up - Joe & Johnny never met, and did not record the song together. Joe did write "Cast A Long Shadow" for Johnny, apparently scrawled on a pizza box lid or something as he thought it up on the spot while hanging with Rick, and finding out Rick was on his way to meet Johnny. While cash didn't cover it, Joe's solo acoustic version turned up on "Streetcore".

Actually, I think Joe and Johnny did meet. Rubin introduced them with Henry Rollins I believe. Also, remember seeing or reading that Joe watched Johnny recording in the studio sometime.