The Medusa Fora

Have any of you guys heard the Pogues instrumental "The Ballinalee," I can't seem to find it anywhere. Hopefully, it is part of The Pogues box set. I know that Shane MacGowan wrote it, I've just not heard the fucking thing.

Any thoughts????

pogues22 wrote:Have any of you guys heard the Pogues instrumental "The Ballinalee," I can't seem to find it anywhere. Hopefully, it is part of The Pogues box set. I know that Shane MacGowan wrote it, I've just not heard the fucking thing.

Any thoughts????

It does exist, I found it on one of the album tape reels in 2004.

I heard it for the first time on that Finsbury Park bootleg and somehow it really sounded familiar to me. Did you guys use a bit of the melody line in another song?

Mick Molloy wrote:I heard it for the first time on that Finsbury Park bootleg and somehow it really sounded familiar to me. Did you guys use a bit of the melody line in another song?

Um...............of course not!

Thanks again for the clarification Mr. Chevron

Thanks,
Iain

I think it sounds quite similar to the instrumental bit at the end of Turkish Song Of The Damned (slowed down slightly).

I always loved 'The Ballinalee'. There's quite a few live versions from late 86/early 87 if you can get your hands on a gig from then. There's also a great version on the TV programme 'The Session', from June 87, with Mr Chevron sporting a very fetching green waistcoat, if I remember correctly.

Presumably it was recorded for 'Fall From Grace' but left off the finished album?

Kilmichael wrote:Mr Chevron sporting a very fetching green waistcoat, if I remember correctly.

Nice.

What exactly is this song. Was this song ever recorded as a demo or for an official release. Also, is this song an instrumental, I read somewhere; now don't quote me on this that this song was a precursor to Turkish Song of the Damned.

Iain

A year has passed, and The Ballinalee still haunts you?

If you are still interested in hearing the instrumental, open the following link and scroll down - you can find a live bootleg recording of it there.
Link

Thanks you immensely for that website. I just listen to this instrumental and it was fucking brilliant. Why did the Pogues never officially record this track, it would have made a great selection on If I Should Fall From Grace With God. Also I listened to some of the Falconer Demos, brilliant as well, including The Pogues live in Brixton in 1991, with the Chieftains. Thank-you again for this web site.

Slainte,
Iain

pogues24 wrote:Thanks you immensely for that website. I just listen to this instrumental and it was fucking brilliant. Why did the Pogues never officially record this track, it would have made a great selection on If I Should Fall From Grace With God. Also I listened to some of the Falconer Demos, brilliant as well, including The Pogues live in Brixton in 1991, with the Chieftains. Thank-you again for this web site.

Slainte,
Iain

We DID record The Ballinalee, at Abbey Road in December 1986. It was part of the "Terry Woods Solo Album". See Carol Clerk's book for further enlightenment.

Thanks should go to the person who created the site. I just found it by chance. I know it is a bit delicate situation with bootlegs being made accessible without the band's permission, but sometimes it is the only chance to hear tracks that have never been officially released. Hopefully The Ballinalee will make it to the box set!

Oooh. What a tasty website. Had to restrain myself.

Zuzana! I should kill you for not telling me about this site before!!!!!



Thanks though