"Clash on Broadway" is a comprehensive box set compilation by the English punk rock band The Clash, released in 1991 by Legacy Records. The set spans the band’s career from their 1977 debut single, "White Riot," through to the Combat Rock album of 1982. It consists of 64 tracks across three CDs, offering an extensive look at the band's most productive years. Notably, the box set excludes material from the band's later work, specifically the Cut the Crap album (1985), which was recorded after Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon took over the band's direction following the departures of Mick Jones and Topper Headon.
The compilation includes a mix of previously unreleased tracks, two early demo recordings, and three live recordings. One of the live tracks had been previously released on a film soundtrack. The set also includes 13 of the 18 singles the band released during this period. However, it does not feature singles like "Remote Control," "English Civil War," and "I Fought the Law" (though live versions of the latter two are included), or "Hitsville UK" and "Know Your Rights."
The content is divided as follows: Disc One primarily focuses on the early period of The Clash, featuring tracks from their debut album The Clash (1977) and their Capital Radio EP. It also includes the four songs ("Deny," "Protex Blue," "Cheat," and "48 Hours") that were originally removed from the British version of The Clash album and replaced by singles for the American release.
Disc Two highlights the material from the band's albums Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978) and London Calling (1979), along with tracks from their The Cost of Living EP (1979). This disc captures the band's development as they began to blend punk with more diverse musical influences, a hallmark of London Calling.
Disc Three features material from Sandinista! (1980) and Combat Rock (1982), including both the edited and unedited versions of songs from Combat Rock. Sandinista! is known for its experimental style and expansive range of musical genres, while Combat Rock would later be recognized for its more polished, radio-friendly sound, producing some of the band's biggest hits.
Clash on Broadway is a definitive collection that offers a detailed retrospective of The Clash's early years, highlighting both their singles and album tracks, along with some rarities and live recordings. It serves as an essential set for any fan, capturing the essence of the band’s impact on punk rock and their evolution into one of the most influential and politically conscious bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
