What does it sound like?:
Getting a Radio 1 Session (preferably a Peel Session) is something of a rite of passage for many bands. It was one of the first steps along the path of “making it” (or nearly making it, as some bands who never progressed from the BBC Studios found it).
And established bands had a habit of returning when asked – there is usually something from a Radio 1 Session that marks a difference to the studio version, whether it is an early sketch for a song, a changed lyric, or a new bridge that was later dumped and then resurrected for an entirely different song.
The Pogues did their fair share of Sessions – not just John Peel, but also Kid Jensen, Janice Long and Phil Kennedy (who? Me neither), and this set collects those Sessions from 1984 to 1986 and covering their earliest songs through to (maybe) the first recorded attempts at If I Should Fall From Grace With God material.
It’s an expansion of an earlier Record Store Day release adding 7 additional tracks. and including 13 tracks available for the first time on CD that have not been heard since initial broadcast.
The first session is delivered under their original name – Pogue Mahone – and comes from John Peel in 1984.
The Pogues may only have existed for a couple of years at this point, but they sound exceedingly tight and competent, and these tracks also boast of (near) fully coherent Shane MacGowan.
As time progresses the band achieve that rare trick of becoming both tighter and sounding more ramshackle – I’m sure those times in the Maida Vale Studios were nothing but fun, that’s certainly what comes across. Their live shows were a massive party, and this is close to that same feeling. The lyrics get broader, arguably more poetic, and the band sound gets fuller and more confident. Admittedly, Shane does become more slurred/mumbled, but never to the detriment of the song, and if anything is probably trying harder to ensure it’s the best performance he can give.
What does it all *mean*?
Shane’s public persona overshadowed what a fine band The Pogues were, and these Session tracks – often recorded against the clock – show how competent, committed and impassioned they could be.
Goes well with…
Guinness, Uilleann pipes, a tin whistle, and a Clash album
Release Date:
30 October
Might suit people who like…
If you own the first three Pogues albums, these alternative versions are a welcome addition
I’m in. I nearly bought the RSD vinyl but bottled it when I saw the bill for the other stuff, so I’m pleased this is on CD.
What a fine band, and such great songs. I never saw them live which I regret.
I only saw them at the Reading Festival by which time Shane had trouble standing up, let alone singing. I really wish I’d seen them play indoors.
Great band. When If I Should Fall From Grace With God came out, I picked it up, played it over a weekend and then went straight back to the record store to buy their first 2 albums as well.
I had seen them live previously supporting Elvis Costello in London. Was now living in Switzerland and over the next 3 or 4 years I obsessively went to many concerts there and in parts of Germany. Don’t remember how many times, maybe up to 10. I don’t have records (ticket stubs) and I am guessing beer was taken by yours truly in some volume.
I just remember a sensational live band, great crowds and Shane holding himself up with one hand on the microphone stand and the other invariably grasping a bottle of wine. His performances did deteriorate and I think the final show I saw was with Joe Strummer on vocals as Shane was “unwell” for that tour. Never saw any reunion shows, may have seen one with Spider Stacy on vocals, not sure.
Love the Pogues and Shane MacGowan undoubtedly a great lyricist. I have their complete studio album box and also a box with rarities so dont need this one.
Sadly only saw them live as Shane had deteriorated. They were supported by the Saw Doctors who frankly blew them off the stage.
I saw them live twice, first time in Liverpool in 1988 when they were in their pomp and Shane was elegantly wasted rather than just wasted. Magical gig, highlighted by Kirsty coming on for FONY even though it was March 😉 Second time was with Joe Strummer (as advertised) and I went thinking it would still be a good craic. It wasn’t, really.
One of my very favourite bands. A Rainy Night In Soho is on the list of songs for my funeral (note to self: should probably tell someone else about this list). I saw them a few times once they reformed. It was all carefully managed – every fourth song would be an instrumental or one of the ones someone else sang so Shane could disappear offstage for a “rest”. Great shows though, with some fantastic memories – Cerys Matthews doing the female part on Fairytale… in Cardiff, a crowd of young(!) Japanese people going crazy in Tokyo, and an open air gig as the sun set over Bristol Harbour.
Back in the day I had the VHS of a live show at the T&C from 1989 or so. There’s a moment where Shane, Kirsty MacColl and Joe Strummer are all on stage singing. I wonder what odds you would have got back then on Shane being the only one still alive fifteen years later?
And now 30 years later
I remember being somewhat intimidated by their, um, lively and partisan audience at the Top Rank Ballroom, Brum, under whatever daft name it was then trading as. Mind you, mid December and the whole of Brum was somewhat refreshed. Long before Fairy Tale, it would have been maybe 1986. MacGowan had more bottles at his feet than the Edge has pedals. He was very very drunk.