Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros

After splitting from the Clash, vocalist/guitarist Joe Strummer eventually started his own solo project with backing band the Mescaleros. Just like the Clash, the Mescaleros experimented with all sorts of styles like blues, funk, country, rock, and reggae. Unfortunately, Joe Strummer died of a heart attack in the midst of recording their third studio album, bringing a sad end to their band. I'm missing 2 of 3 albums.

Streetcore (2003) 8 Thumbs Up

Unfortunately, Joe Strummer unexpectedly died in the middle of this album's recording. As a result, it has an unfinished feel to it, as the Mescaleros were forced to use demo vocal takes to complete their songs. However, this gives the album a cool lo-fi feel similar to The Clash's debut album. "Get Down Moses" is a lo-fi reggae classic that could've been on The Clash's Give 'Em Enough Rope, and "Coma Girl" and "Arms Aloft" are great psychedelic rock songs. "Long Shadow" is a song Joe wrote for Johnny Cash to sing, and is a semi-country rock ballad. Nearly every one of these tracks explores a different style of music, and that's what Joe was truly good at.

"Midnight Jam" sounds like it would've made an amazing song, but Joe died before the vocals could be recorded, so it appears as an instrumental with clips from Joe Strummer's radio show, London Calling, mixed in. "Silver and Gold" and "Redemption Song" are both quiet, introspective covers, and showcase Joe Strummer's great vocal talents. It's too bad we had to lose such a talented guy so early. It's clear from these songs Joe had a lot of life and creativity left in him, and it's depressing to know he'll never get the opportunity to better himself after this album.

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