London Calling
No this is not a threat to move to London in the wake of four more years of George W Bush, although I have read a number of blog posts threatining to do just that.
I went biking this morning and put London Calling on the iPod. It's been a while since I listened to this record.
London Calling is one of the all time great rock and roll records. Recorded the year I graduated from high school, this record has been with me for the past 25 years and still does it for me. Check out this song list:
1. London Calling
2. Brand New Cadillac
3. Jimmy Jazz
4. Hateful
5. Rudie Can't Fail
6. Spanish Bombs
7. Right Profile
8. Lost in the Supermarket
9. Clampdown
10. Guns of Brixton
11. Wrong 'Em Boyo
12. Death or Glory
13. Koka Kola
14. Card Cheat
15. Lover's Rock
16. Four Horsemen
17. I'm Not Down
18. Revolution Rock
19. Train in Vain
There is not a bad song on this record and at least 10 fantastic songs.
And those screams on the title track never fail to fire me up.
Plus it takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to listen start to finish. The perfect bike ride record!
Again we are moving in geo-synchronistic waves, I pulled out London Calling on my train ride this weekend. I'm particularly fond of 'Death Or Glory'.
Posted by: jackson | November 04, 2004 at 09:48 AM
You should also try the live album "From Here to Eternity", also great for running, biking, etc. I think the live version of "London Calling" is even better than the original.
A few months ago, some friends and I were trying to come up with the worst exercise album. First choice was Pink Floyd's "Animals".
Posted by: JayR | November 04, 2004 at 09:57 AM
Agreed, 'Animals' does not incite cardiovascular activity, it is however a great album to...uhm...NOT excercise to, if you know what I mean.
Posted by: jackson | November 04, 2004 at 11:10 AM
"uhm" is good cardio exercise and is part of my continuing weight loss effort :-)
Posted by: Tony Alva | November 04, 2004 at 02:33 PM
The "uhm" I thought Jackson was referring to, and the one I most associate with "Animals", had not much to do with cardio exercise and, in my case, led to significant weight gain.
We also voted Pink Floyd the worst concert to take a date to. George Thorogood and Molly Hatchet got honorable mention.
Posted by: JayR | November 04, 2004 at 06:37 PM
Hi!
Before anyone considers escaping to London, I'd recommend waiting to see what happens to Blair in the general election next year.
Best regards
Sian
Posted by: Sian Peters | November 05, 2004 at 02:32 AM
Have you ever considered living in London? The VC market and tech industry is booming on that side of the pond, and is ultimately in need of experienced folks to help pave the way for a new industry.
Posted by: CFK | November 05, 2004 at 07:49 AM
HI !
great pick :) simply one of the best albums of all times no wonder the clash still inspire a lot of these puny retro-bands around the world...move away the Libertines here come the last true giants of rock
Posted by: boris | November 05, 2004 at 12:47 PM
An absolutely stunning album. I recommend checking out the "London Booted" project, in which London Calling is remixed by a host of people I'm not ashamed to admit I've never heard of. Some of the remixes are great, others will leave you scratching your head. Burning Hot Jazz, which throws Jimmy Jazz in with shards of Meat Beat Manifesto and Elastica and a rapper I don't know, has been a must listen. I haven't had this much fun since Nouvelle Vague's cover of Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough".
http://www.culturedeluxe.co.uk/londonbooted.htm
Posted by: Charles Swift | March 04, 2005 at 11:29 AM