Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros - 'Redemption Song' / 'Arms Aloft' (Hellcat)
4/5
By: Kevin Molloy
Thankful. Strummer, in a remarkably faithful rendition of Marley's 'Redemption Song', manages to make the song his own, and sing it with as much feeling as the reggae-master. Clearly, it is a statement to the original that its message remains as relevant today as it did over twenty years ago, and it fits Strummer's broken drawl perfectly.
It is, however, on the second A-side, 'Arms Aloft', that Strummer makes his lasting impression. Both title and chorus are anthemic to their core, but Strummer is well aware, himself warning of a 'repetitive strain' just before the chorus kicks in for the second time. His voice hoarse and honest, but still on spectacular form, celebrates The Clash-era music-scene, and the UK itself. Here we find no American-place names, as per usual, but Aberdeen and Newcastle... The lyrical spirit of 'London Calling' lives on...
And when he sings that, 'The stars can't see their age/Nor can they see their numbered days,' he was clearly conscious of his place in the music industry. But he had no need to worry. Whilst the words are uneasily prophetic of his death, Strummer remained as ever on classic, world-beating top form - as this posthumous package quite tearfully proves.
Artists in this article: Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros
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