I've been familiar with the Joe/ Mescaleros live tune 'Guitar Slinger/ Slinging Man' (depending which bootleg listing you read) for years - and more recently found out that it was basically a rewrite of the old theme tune 'Secret Agent Man' which the band had worked on in the past.
I also knew there was an album 'Guitar Slinger' by the Brian Setzer Orchestra in 1996 which Joe had contributed to, co-writing two tracks Ghost Radio and Sammy Davis City.
https://www.discogs.com/Brian-Setzer-Or ... se/7812622
But until today, I had no idea there was an album title track, completely different to the Mescaleros tune, only released on a Japanese CD with the same title, but different tracks and running order, to the album I was familiar with:
https://www.discogs.com/Brian-Setzer-Or ... e/12741029
(Although in 2002, the album was re-released, with the three Japan-only tracks added at the end of the 'regular' album:
https://www.discogs.com/Brian-Setzer-Or ... se/7932952 )
Why the track was confined to a Japan-only market is a mystery, maybe something to do with licensing since Joe's vocals are all over it. Was he in managerial limbo in 1996?
Apologies if this is common knowledge to others, but I've only just discovered this Joe Strummer co-written 'Guitar Slinger' on youtube.
Guitar Slinger Slinging Secret Agent Man confusion
Guitar Slinger Slinging Secret Agent Man confusion
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Silent Majority
- Singer-Songwriter Nancy
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Re: Guitar Slinger Slinging Secret Agent Man confusion
Nice. All new to me.
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Low Down Low
- Unknown Immortal
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Re: Guitar Slinger Slinging Secret Agent Man confusion
Great find John. Seems odd that there was actually a title track and it didnt get included on the original release over here, whatever the reason. On my third listen now, really like it.
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Telecaster
- Dirty Punk
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Re: Guitar Slinger Slinging Secret Agent Man confusion
I think Joe wrote the lyrics to Sammy Davis City and Ghost Radio on the same album. Very Joe lyrics too.
Another Setzer Strummer composition is on the album Ignition,
Who Would Love This Car But Me?
Another Setzer Strummer composition is on the album Ignition,
Who Would Love This Car But Me?
Re: Guitar Slinger Slinging Secret Agent Man confusion
Thia is such a fun song.