Editing Streetcore

{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{not to be confused|street punk}}
{{Infobox album
| name       = Streetcore
| type       = studio
| artist     = [[The Mescaleros|Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros]]
| cover      = Streetcore_cover.jpg
| alt        =
| released   = 21 October 2003
| recorded   =
| venue      =
| studio     = {{hlist|2KHz (London)|[[Rockfield Studios|Rockfield]] (Wales)}}
| genre      = [[Alternative rock]], [[reggae rock]]
| length     = 41:39
| label      = [[Hellcat Records|Hellcat]]
| producer   = [[Scott Shields (musician)|Scott Shields]], [[Martin Slattery]], [[Rick Rubin]], [[Danny Saber]]
| prev_title = [[Global a Go-Go]]
| prev_year  = 2001
| next_title = [[Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros: The Hellcat Years]]
| next_year  = 2012
| misc       = {{Singles
 | name        = Streetcore
 | type        = studio
 | single1     = Coma Girl
 | single1date =
 | single2     = [[Redemption Song]]
 | single2date =
}}
}}

'''''Streetcore''''' is the third and final studio [[album]] by [[The Mescaleros|Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros]]. The album was completed after the death of frontman [[Joe Strummer]], primarily by [[Martin Slattery]] and [[Scott Shields (musician)|Scott Shields]], and released on 21 October 2003. The album marks the band's transition from their previous genre-bending work to a more straightforward rock album, reminiscent of Strummer's early work with [[the Clash]]. The album received a positive critical reception and is generally seen as a return to form and a high point for Strummer to have gone out on.

A remastered version of the album along with Strummer's other two Hellcat released albums was released as a special 57 song digital download titled ''[[Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros: The Hellcat Years]]'' on 21 August 2012 to celebrate what would have been Strummer's 60th birthday. Hellcat also released each remastered album individually on CD and vinyl on 25 September 2012.<ref>[https://www.wired.com/geekmom/2012/08/new-joe-strummer-album/ ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825022005/http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2012/08/new-joe-strummer-album/ |date=25 August 2012 }}</ref>

==Song information==
Due to Strummer's death, many of the vocal performances are first takes. "Midnight Jam" is completely without lyrics – instead, samplings of Joe's [[BBC 1|BBC Radio]] show ''Joe Strummer's London Calling'' are intermixed with the music. Other tracks, such as a cover of [[Bob Marley]]'s "[[Redemption Song]]" and "Long Shadow", were recorded with famed producer [[Rick Rubin]], and it is unclear whether or not these tracks were originally intended to be on this album. Another notable track is "Long Shadow", which was originally written by Strummer for [[Johnny Cash]].<ref>{{cite book |last=D'Ambrosio |first=Antonino |date=2012 |title=Let Fury Have the Hour: Joe Strummer, Punk, and the Movement That Shook the Word }}</ref> Rubin would however get Strummer and Cash, who died a year after Strummer, together in the studio as the two recorded a version of "Redemption Song" that was featured on Cash's posthumously released ''[[Unearthed (Johnny Cash album)|Unearthed]]'' [[box set]].

Music videos were released for the album's two singles, "Coma Girl" and "Redemption Song". The video for "Redemption Song", which was directed by [[Josh Cheuse]], who designed the cover art for Strummer's 1989 album ''[[Earthquake Weather (album)|Earthquake Weather]]'' and who also appears in the video, is a tribute to Strummer's life and legacy. Filmed in November 2003 in [[Manhattan]] in the [[East Village, Manhattan|East Village]], the video opens with a clip of Strummer talking from The Clash documentary ''[[Westway to the World]]'', with the focus of the video being a [[mural]] of Strummer that was painted by [[graffiti]] artists Zephyr and Dr. Revolt outside Niagra, a bar owned by musician [[Jesse Malin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theclashblog.com/joe-strummer-mural-new-york/ |title=Joe Strummer Mural New York |publisher=The Clash Blog |date=2009-07-15 |access-date=2014-05-20}}</ref> The video also features many New Yorkers, along with some of Strummer's closest famous friends including Malin, [[Matt Dillon]], [[Steve Buscemi]], [[Jim Jarmusch]], [[Tim Armstrong]], [[Lars Fredriksen]], [[Matt Freeman]], [[Cara Seymour]], [[Sara Driver]] and [[Cinqué Lee]] as they watch the mural being painted. Stock footage and photos of Strummer from his tenure with The Clash and Mescaleros is also featured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480457/new-joe-strummer-clip-shot-new-york.jhtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209222145/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1480457/new-joe-strummer-clip-shot-new-york.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 February 2012 |title=Joe Strummer Leaves Final Mark on New York With New Video |publisher=MTV |date=2003-11-17 |access-date=2014-05-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://videosift.com/video/Joe-Strummer-Redemption-Song |title=Joe Strummer – Redemption Song |publisher=Videosift.com |date=2002-12-22 |access-date=2014-05-20}}</ref>

==Reception==
===Critical===
{{Album ratings
| MC = 85/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/streetcore/joe-strummer-the-mescaleros |title=Reviews for Streetcore by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref>
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="AllMusic">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/streetcore-mw0000317945 |title=Streetcore – Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros / Joe Strummer |last=Jurek |first=Thom |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=16 February 2012}}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]''
| rev2Score = 5/5<ref name="Alternative Press">{{cite journal |title=Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros: Streetcore |journal=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]] |issue=185 |date=December 2003 |page=135}}</ref>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3score = B+<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/10/24/streetcore/ |title=Streetcore |last=Sinclair |first=Tom |date=24 October 2003 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=3 July 2019 |page=106 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703092133/https://ew.com/article/2003/10/24/streetcore/ |archive-date=3 July 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[The Guardian]]''
| rev4score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2003/oct/17/popandrock.shopping1 |title=Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros, Streetcore |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=17 October 2003 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=16 February 2012 |location=London}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Mojo">{{cite journal |title=Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros: Streetcore |journal=[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]] |issue=120 |date=November 2003 |page=131}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]''
| rev6score = 6.9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7540-streetcore/ |title=Joe Strummer / The Mescaleros: Streetcore |last=Goldstein |first=Hartley |date=8 December 2003 |work=Pitchfork |access-date=16 February 2012}}</ref>
| rev7 = ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]''
| rev7Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Q">{{cite journal |title=Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros: Streetcore |magazine=[[Q (magazine)|Q]] |issue=208 |date=November 2003 |page=123}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''[[Rolling Stone]]''
| rev8score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/streetcore-20031008 |title=Streetcore |last=Miles |first=Milo |date=8 October 2003 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=16 February 2012}}</ref>
| rev9 = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''
| rev9score = B<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6CTUGqnYjTwC&pg=PA101-IA1 |title=Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros: Streetcore |last=Dolan |first=Jon |date=January 2004 |journal=Spin |volume=20 |issue=1 |access-date=3 July 2019 |page=102}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Uncut (magazine)|Uncut]]''
| rev10score = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/last-but-not-least |title=Last But Not Least |date=November 2003 |magazine=Uncut |issue=78 |access-date=3 July 2019 |page=110 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703092135/https://www.uncut.co.uk/reviews/album/last-but-not-least |archive-date=3 July 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

The album received a positive critical reception and is generally seen as a return to form for Joe Strummer that sees him going out on a high point. [[AllMusic]] wrote "Like [[Muddy Waters]], whose final albums were among the best in his catalog, ''Streetcore''... sends Strummer into rock & roll heaven a roaring, laughing, snarling lion", calling the album "truly the finest, most cohesive work he did after ''[[London Calling]]''."<ref name="AllMusic"/> ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' wrote "Streetcore is an amalgam of all that made Joe Strummer, the musician and the man, so great."<ref name="Mojo"/>

===Impact===
Strummer's cover of "[[Redemption Song]]" was featured as outro music for the [[Red Hot Chili Peppers]] during their historic show at [[Slane Castle]] and can be heard on their 2003 live DVD, ''[[Live at Slane Castle (Red Hot Chili Peppers video)|Live at Slane Castle]]''.

The song "Coma Girl" was performed as the opening track at [[Bruce Springsteen|Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band]]'s performance at the [[Glastonbury Festival]] on 27 June 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/festivals/glastonbury/archive/2009/ |title=Glastonbury 2009 |publisher=BBC |access-date=16 February 2012}}</ref> "Coma Girl" was also covered by [[The Loved Ones (American band)|The Loved Ones]] on their EP ''[[Distractions (The Loved Ones EP)|Distractions]]''.

"Arms Aloft" has been covered by American rock band [[Pearl Jam]] and a live recording is featured on their 2011 [[live album]], ''[[Live on Ten Legs]]''. 

"Ramshackle Day Parade", the fifth song of the album, was featured on the acclaimed movie ''[[The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (film)|The Diving Bell and the Butterfly]]''.

==Track listing==
{{Track listing
| all_lyrics = [[Joe Strummer]], except where noted
| title1 = Coma Girl
| music1 = [[Scott Shields (musician)|Scott Shields]], [[Martin Slattery]], Strummer
| length1 = 3:48
| title2 = Get Down Moses
| music2 = Luke Bullen, Shields, Slattery, [[Simon Stafford]], Strummer
| length2 = 5:05
| title3 = Long Shadow
| music3 = [[Smokey Hormel]], Strummer
| length3 = 3:34
| title4 = Arms Aloft
| music4 = Bullen, Shields, Slattery, Stafford, Strummer
| length4 = 3:47
| title5 = Ramshackle Day Parade
| music5 = Bullen, Shields, Slattery, Stafford, Strummer
| length5 = 4:02
| title6 = [[Redemption Song]]
| lyrics6 = Bob Marley
| music6 = Bob Marley
| length6 = 3:28
| title7 = All in a Day
| music7 = [[Danny Saber]], Strummer
| length7 = 4:55
| title8 = Burnin' Streets
| music8 = Shields, Slattery, Strummer
| length8 = 4:32
| title9 = Midnight Jam
| music9 = Bullen, Shields, Slattery, Stafford, Strummer
| length9 = 5:50
| title10 = Silver and Gold
| lyrics10 = [[Dave Bartholomew]], [[Antoine Domino]], [[Bobby Charles]] (Robert Guidry)
| music10 = Dave Bartholomew, Antoine Domino, Bobby Charles
| length10 = 2:38
| note10 = cover of [[Bobby Charles]]' "Before I Grow Too Old"
}}

==Personnel==
; The Mescaleros
* [[Joe Strummer]] – Vocals (all tracks), Telecaster (1), Guitar (3,6), Vocal Samples (9)
* [[Martin Slattery]] – Organ (1,2), Guitar (1,4), Backing Vocals (1,5,8), Synthesizer (2,4,5), Tenor Saxophone (2), Electric Guitar (5,8), Drums (5), Percussion (5), Chamberlain Strings (8-9), Tambourine (8,9), Piano (9), Mellotron (9), Wurlitzer (10)
* [[Scott Shields (musician)|Scott Shields]] – Guitar (1-2,4), Percussion (1-2,5), Backing Vocals (1-2,4-5,8), Drums (2,5,8-9), Small Kit (4), Electric Guitar (5), Acoustic Guitar (5,8,10), Bass (8-10), Slide Guitar (8,10), Synthesizer (8), Cowbell (9), Harmonica (10)
* Simon Stafford – Bass (2,4-5), Cornet (2), Trombone (5), Backing Vocals (5), Guitar (9), Cello (9)
* Luke Bullen – Drums (1-2,4-5), Loops (5), Congas (9)
* [[Tymon Dogg]] – Violin (10)

; Guest musicians
* [[Josh Freese]] – Drums (7)
* [[Smokey Hormel]] – Guitar (3,6), Backing Vocals (3)
* [[Rick Rubin]] – Piano (6)
* Peter Stewart – Backing Vocals (1,8)
* [[Benmont Tench]] – Harmonium (6)
*[[Danny Saber]] – Musician (7)

; Production
{{div col}}
* Joe Strummer – photography, artwork
* Martin Slattery – [[Programming (music)|programming]], production, [[Audio engineering|engineering]], [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]]
* Scott Shields – programming, production, engineering, mixing
* Rick Rubin – production, mixing
* Danny Saber – production, mixing
* Cameron Craig – programming, mixing, engineering
* Tim Bran – programming
* Richard Flack – programming
* Roger Lian – digital editing
* [[Greg Fidelman]] – editing
* Howie Weinberg – [[Audio mastering|mastering]]
* David Ferguson – engineering, mixing
* Niv Adiri – engineering
* Thom Russo – engineering
* Lindsay Chase – production co-ordination
* Lucinda Mellor – project co-ordination
* Paula Woolfe – project co-ordination
* Art Dog – artwork
* Josh Cheuse – photography
* [[Jill Furmanovsky]] – photography
* Colin Glen – photography
{{end div col}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Discogs master |167996}}

{{Joe Strummer}}
{{The Clash}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2003 albums]]
[[Category:Joe Strummer albums]]
[[Category:Epitaph Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums published posthumously]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Rick Rubin]]