The Clash: Sandinista Revisited!

So, a few of us were having the usual argument about the Clash's 1980 3-LP opus Sandinista!--Is it a fascinating, sprawling opus akin to the White Album? Or a self-indulgent mess that should've been edited down to a shorter, great-if-imperfect follow-up to career-peak London Calling?

I fall a little into both camps. I appreciate the overkill of the original triple album, and it was intriguing to dive into it as a teenager impressed by the band's willingness to take risks. But I haven't played it in 40 years. Life is short, and there are only so many hours in the day. 

But buried within the sprawl is a pretty great album dying to get out. And like most fans, I've made various attempts at a condensed & improved Sandinista! over the years. This morning, I decided to head back to the drawing board one more time.

I cut the dub and experimental tracks, and some of the weaker songs. I did some re-ordering for flow. And I edited down the length of a few tracks which overstay their welcome.

For this version, I also took a few ahistorical liberties. I added "Armagideon Time" and "Bankrobber," two London Calling b-sides which fit in well with the overall vibe, as well as the later-recorded "Midnight to Stevens," a Combat Rock-era outtake. I also toyed with adding the 1981 single "This Is Radio Clash," as I think the album could use another upbeat rocker, but it sounded just a little too jarring stylistically and I opted against it.


Anyway, I like this new version. I think I'll stick with it. For now.

Here's the Spotify version (which, unfortunately, doesn't include the track length edits I made, or the child-sung "Guns of Brixton" appended to the record's "Broadway").


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