Saw the Pogues in Brixton last night. Absolute ****ing genius.
The old line up all looked to be in good health and on fine form. They did a long set with several encores. Shane really seemed to enjoy himself, and he and Cait did a great job on Fairy Tale of NY, with Ms O’R taking the late Kirsty MacColl’s role.
Spider’s whistle was, sadly, all but inaudible in the livelier songs - with the notable exception of ‘Sally Maclennane’ (sp?) - and his haircut was decidedly ill-advised, but it was great to see he can still smash a tin tray over his head with the best of 'em.
To be honest, the sound quality was a bit muddy. I couldn’t say if it was down to the PA or to my position in the front of the balcony, but I’ve heard clearer. A minor gripe, and in no way detracted from an indescribably brilliant night.
That’s the Dubliners and the Pogues within a couple of months… Damn, it’s been a good year.
All we ever get up here is third rate tribute bands,most of whom are dodgy at best.
Anytime in the past that I’ve seen the Pogues the sound was very muddy but nobody seemed to mind to much such was the incredible atmosphere.
Around the time that Rum,Sodomy and the Lash was released I went to see the boys in Dublin.It was a dry venue with a midnight start.Having juiced up in a nearby pub beforehand my friend and I got to the venue only to find the doors locked - Full house!!
Now in view of the fact that we both had tickets for the gig I battled my way through the crowd to seek an explanation from the management of the Hall. This seemingly innocent activity brought a surge of people forward and someone informed the crowd that they had seen the bouncers taking cash payments for admittance even though it was strictly tickets only.Well with that the crowd rushed the doors and they burst open sending me and my little five foot nothing pal to the floor.About eight or nine bodies fell on top of us as the rest of the mob climbed over us and into the hall.I thought I was a goner when suddenly the cops arrived and pulled everyone up. The only thing that kept us out of a cell that night was the fact that we had tickets.
As scary as being trampled on was,what was even more worrying was what would happen if the half bottle of Jamesons I had concealed down the front of my jeans got smashed!!!
Luckily it didn’t and we were able to medicate ourselves for shock, not to mention my friends two broken fingers.
The gig was amazing,McGowan was at the peak of his powers in those days and I will never forget the vibe at that gig.I’ll probably remember the trampling too.
Ah! Sounds like it was a good time. Hopefully they will make it to the USA again soon so I can see them. I’m pretty sure that Boston is generally one of there tour stops.
Jeff- on a related note, the University of Hartford offers a nice series of music that you might be interested in. Here is the link. http://www.wwuh.org/concerts.htm
Not all of these are celtic, but among others, they are having Bohola in Jan., Dervish in February, Karen Casey in March and Flook in April. The venue is very small and great for this type of music. My wife and I attend a good number of these, normally.
You lucky man.
I’ve only seen Shane once, with the Popes in Portland, OR. Glad to hear he’s still functioning, and I would have given my eyeteeth to see that rendition of “Fairytale.”
I was so delighted that Shane made it. He’s had problems with making it to some gigs, so you can never take it for granted.
His ‘management’ gets the blame a lot of the time, and Cashman got firmly booed when Shane pointed him out to the crowd. Seems he might be back on roadie-duty. Someone on Shane’s site said they have a proper tour manager in place at the mo’. Still, no matter what Shane’s dad and a lot of fans reckon, it seems that Shane and The Pogues are still happy to work with Cashman in one or another capacity…
It was a bit of a circus: what with Spider’s Beatle hair-do, Phil Chevron’s very shiny suit and the usual acrobatics from Fearnley! I honestly haven’t had such fun in yonks.
There’ll probably be more reviews on the forum at Shanemacgowan.com…
I have to admit that I DIDN’T go to see the Pogues last thursday’s Newcastle upon Tyne gig,due to the fact that it was at the ‘Arena’-which is just a fckng aircraft hanger-and the thing that galls me is that the ‘Architect’ is/was a 'Musician(!!)-saxist Nigel Stanger
I saw Shane with the Popes in February,and I’m pleased to say that he was in fine form then.
A friend who did attend the gig said that it started off very quiet (!),but got louder as the night went on,and a ‘refreshed’ Shane was in top form!
No, but he’s putting on the beef,and a bit croaky these days ain’t he?(gosh, hope your not a rabid Morrison fan-his fans do seem a bit ‘obsessive’-at least the one’s I know are! ). Great Muso though,no denying that.
