release date: Sep. 20, 1989
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,05]
producer: Joe Strummer
label: Epic - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Gangsterville" - 2. "King of the Bayou" (4 / 5) - 4. "Slant Six" - 6. "Shouting Street" - 8. "Leopardskin Limousines" - 10. "Jewellers & Bums" - 11. "Highway One Zero Street" (4,5 / 5) - 12. "Ride Your Donkey" - 13. "Passport to Detroit"
2nd solo studio album by Joe Strummer after his first full solo album - the instrumental soundtrack album Walker (1987) one could suggest that this is in fact his 'real' debut album releasing his own characteristic music inspired by reggae, garage rock, and punk rock with bits of folk as well as more traditional rock & roll.
The album received many positive reviews but generally failed to reach the record buyers. I think, the record company may have had the impression that his name and reputation would be enough to sell, and simply forgot to promote it. I found it shortly after the release at the local library, my huge source for new music at the time. So, for many years I kept a copy on tape until I finally found it on cd. I remember listening a lot to the album, and my surprise that no-one ever played it. It contains some great uptempo tracks that could easily have been fitted on a 'lost' The Clash album, say after Combat Rock (1982), which it rightfully should have followed instead of the mish-mash album, Cut the Crap (1985). Some of the slower tracks are typically more ska revival and / or reggae styled. "Highway One Zero Street" is a killer of a track on an album that only needs a remastered edition. The production sound is a bit on the muddy side, and with the right personnel it can only shine as the jewel it rightfully is.
Highly recommendable.
