Tune du Jour: “Safe European Home” – The Clash
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: Sonic Boom Six vs. The Magic Touch vs. The HempSteadys
VOTE, COMMENT, then DO SOMETHING NICE FOR YOURSELF
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I cannot exactly say why but this just might be my favorite song by The Clash. The driving, pitch-perfect, in-your-face, and above all pissed off delivery had me from the first time needle hit vinyl!
The Original
The Clash:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
Sonic Boom Six vs. The Magic Touch vs. The HempSteadys
From my research Suze DeMarchi’s version (feat. Dallas Frasca) is one of the best covers of this song. Unfortunately it is on an Australian small label album (“Home”) that, short of flying Down Under for a used copy, is damn near impossible to get a hold of (and even at that it apparently would be pretty difficult to locate!). Even appealed directly to Suze on Twitter … no response. 😦 I had never heard of Suze but apparently her Aussie acclaim arose from her earlier ’90s band Baby Animals who were apparently known for their high-energy, guitar-driven sound (never heard of them either). So, alas, had to go with the best (or, at least, most interesting) of what was the available.
Sonic Boom Six:
The Magic Touch:
The HempSteadys:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On!??!
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
As I’ve said, I simply love this song!
Well you certainly can’t complain with the creativity angle on Sonic Boom Six’s cover. I liked the female vocalist’s tone and the overall tempo of the song.
The Magic Touch adds a pleasant island feel. Sounds nice but the problem is the song is not meant to exude irie. Ten level angst is integral to the song, which is nowhere to be found in this reggae version.
The HempSteadys’ deliver the urgency of the original. Perhaps lacks originality but still a very good cover. However, the “fade out” just keeps fading and fading and fading … Too much! There is no reason for this song to eclipse the four minute mark.
I have to go with Sonic Boom Six’s clever albeit ponderous journey on the state of the homestead.
Sonic Boom Six features female vocals and changes the original in a creative way, shifting gears a few times in the course of the song.
I liked the reggae version offered by The Magic Touch. Looks like it’s from a compilation of reggae-fied Clash covers.
The Hempsteadys perform a credible version, staying true to the sound and style of the original, but I agree the outro is too long and pointless.
Sonic Boom Six gets the vote.