Shane MacGowan

My wife came home the other day and told me that, as she was driving listening to the college radio station (CJSR), they played a solid half hour of The Pogues. My initial reaction to this was “Oh my god – Shane MacGowan must’ve died!” and frantically searched the Internet for something to either confirm or deny my thoughts. I was very much relieved to learn that Shane is still alive (though given his troubles with alcohol and drug abuse I won’t say ‘well’) and performing.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Pogues, pay a visit to http://www.pogues.com/ for a list of their CD’s, etc. In a nutshell, the Pogues were pioneers in combining the rawness of punk rock with the melodic and lively sounds of traditional Irish music, and eventually went on to evolve their sound through the incorporation of World music (Middle Eastern and Spanish for example). Shane left the group after their first few and greatest recordings to strike it out on his own with his band, The Popes.

In spite of his self-abuse, I believe that Shane MacGowan is one of the greatest folk writer’s of the 20th Century, along the likes of Bob Dylan. Shane wrote some of the most beautiful ballads and tumultuous drinking songs, with the odd political statement, in the entire folk canon.

In any case, my words could never be adequate in the whole Poguetry experience – check out some of their stuff and, if they are making a rare and united appearance, check them out! I’ve seen them twice in the post Shane days with Spider Stacy up front and, though a great show, it was like putting Famous Grouse next to Langavulin! (scotch drinkers know what I'm on about !) All I can say, as I watch my musical icons get old and die as with Joey Ramone, Kirstey McColl and Joe Strummer, thank god we’ve got some Shane left!