Earlier in the year Carbon Silicon hosted a weekly residency at West London’s Inn On The Green called the Carbon Casino. This set recorded at Casino VII on February 28 conveys the fun and celebration of the events as guitarists Mick Jones and Tony James, bassist Leo EezyKill and drummer Dominic Greensmith fire up songs off The Last Post album showing how much the group have progressed from their internet-only origins. It’s heart-warming to hear Mick so obviously happy on the intimate confessional of ‘National Anthem’ or leading a singalong on the Iraq-lambasting ‘Oilwell’. They even cruise through Jonathan Richman’s ‘Roadrunner’, a staple of 1977 Clash soundchecks. After former Clash drummer Topper Headon made a surprise appearance on opening night, the band were joined by different guests each week. Here Alabama 3 take the stage for a chaotic ‘Woke Up This Morning’, the theme from The Sopranos, before the Carbons sign off with ‘Why Do Men Fight?’, containing snatches of ‘Police On My Back’ from Sandinista!. Mick sounds quite overcome as he describes the residency as the best two months of his life. With this lovely album you no longer had to be there but will sure wish you were.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Kris Needs
