Listening To Projects of Former Colleagues

[KevinMc]

Hi Phil,
In a few of the posts about old Pogues material Shane did on his solo albums you say you have not heard Shane’s version. Is this really true, and if so why?

Thanks,
Kevin

[philipchevron]

Hi Phil,
In a few of the posts about old Pogues material Shane did on his solo albums you say you have not heard Shane’s version. Is this really true, and if so why?

Thanks,
Kevin

Is there any particular reason why I would have heard them? In the years the Pogues were not together, I missed out on hearing quite a few music projects by my former colleagues, as they missed out on mine. Nothing personal. I don't automatically listen to much contemporary music by choice anyway, so anything I'd have heard by Shane is likely to have been one or more of his singles, if anything.

I did not, incidentally, hear the Pogue Mahone album either until much later when we remastered all seven studio albums in 2004.

[theCOOP]

Hi Phil,
In a few of the posts about old Pogues material Shane did on his solo albums you say you have not heard Shane’s version. Is this really true, and if so why?

Thanks,
Kevin

Is there any particular reason why I would have heard them? In the years the Pogues were not together, I missed out on hearing quite a few music projects by my former colleagues, as they missed out on mine. Nothing personal. I don't automatically listen to much contemporary music by choice anyway, so anything I'd have heard by Shane is likely to have been one or more of his singles, if anything.

I did not, incidentally, hear the Pogue Mahone album either until much later when we remastered all seven studio albums in 2004.

Not that it should be so, or that it has to be so, but I think it's only natural for fans to believe that the members of their favorite band are true friends with each other and are genuinely interested in the projects of their fellow band members.

At first it seems strange that you wouldn't have listened to the album(s), but that feeling quickly passes.

[philipchevron]

Hi Phil,
In a few of the posts about old Pogues material Shane did on his solo albums you say you have not heard Shane’s version. Is this really true, and if so why?

Thanks,
Kevin

Is there any particular reason why I would have heard them? In the years the Pogues were not together, I missed out on hearing quite a few music projects by my former colleagues, as they missed out on mine. Nothing personal. I don't automatically listen to much contemporary music by choice anyway, so anything I'd have heard by Shane is likely to have been one or more of his singles, if anything.

I did not, incidentally, hear the Pogue Mahone album either until much later when we remastered all seven studio albums in 2004.

Not that it should be so, or that it has to be so, but I think it's only natural for fans to believe that the members of their favorite band are true friends with each other and are genuinely interested in the projects of their fellow band members.

At first it seems strange that you wouldn't have listened to the album(s), but that feeling quickly passes.

Ok, all points taken, but our friendship tends to be based on our friendship rather than on our music which is, nevertheless the thing that brought us together in the first place. We do actually take varying degrees of interest in each other's external work, more by way of subjects of conversation than in the actual act of putting a CD on the player - not always possible in Jem's case, anyway! But if I'm honest, I'm much more at home discussing Terry's 1971 classic The Woods Band, which I knew as a fan at the time it was released, than his more recent works like Four Corners Of Hell or Dancing To The Ceili Band which were records made by a mate.

James is the exception to all this. James makes us all attend every Cranky George gig whether we want to or not.

[Hone Mapogue]

There's a line in "B & I Ferry" on Shane's second solo album which I imagined to be an affectionate tribute to Mr. Chevron. The thought that Phil hasn't even heard it never crossed my mind!

[DzM]

There's a line in "B & I Ferry" on Shane's second solo album which I imagined to be an affectionate tribute to Mr. Chevron. The thought that Phil hasn't even heard it never crossed my mind!

Presumably you mean this:

And the faithful departed
Fell in the church and farted
And Father Philip's queer
And Father Emmett's full of beer
Saying: "Take her away from my eyes
The Gartless the rock on which we shall all perish!"

[philipchevron]

There's a line in "B & I Ferry" on Shane's second solo album which I imagined to be an affectionate tribute to Mr. Chevron. The thought that Phil hasn't even heard it never crossed my mind!

Presumably you mean this:

And the faithful departed
Fell in the church and farted
And Father Philip's queer
And Father Emmett's full of beer
Saying: "Take her away from my eyes
The Gartless the rock on which we shall all perish!"

Strangely enough, I seem to be aware of this lyric without ever - knowingly - hearing it. Osmosis is a strange thing and no mistake. Fr Emmet is Terry Woods, I think.

[FAY]

WOW. I FIND THIS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE.
I JUST CAN'T FATHOM BEING SO CLOSE TO SOMEONE AND YET BEING SO REMOVED FROM THEIR CRAFT/PASSION/ARTISTIC CREATIONS (as extracurricular as it may be)..
PHILIP, YOU'RE JUST TAKING THE PISS, RIGHT?
POOR, POOR PITIFUL ME IS SOMEWHAT CRUSHED.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT....
WHAT'S THE POINT IN PACKAGING A SET OF SONGS IF EVEN YOUR CLOSEST FRIENDS AREN'T EVEN GOING TO LISTEN TO IT?
HAS SHANNE BRADLEY EVER HEARD "FAIRYTALE OF NEW YORK?" (sarcasm)
PHILIP- WE READ THE "WHAT ALBUM HAVE YOU JUST BOUGHT?" THREAD... SO, I'M EVEN MORE HIGHLY SUSPISCIOUS............ (you listen to more non- Rufus Wainright, Broadway, Classical than you would like us to believe.)
(Ok, devil's advocate...) GIVE ME A GOOD REASON TO LISTEN TO THE NEW RADIATOR'S ALBUM IF I'M now to believeTHAT ANDREW RANKEN IS NOT EVEN GOING TO LISTEN TO IT, AND YOU'RE NOT GOING TO LISTEN TO THE (hypothetical) NEW SPIDER ALBUM?
IF ONE DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, ONE WOULD SAY, THIS SMELLS OF DAMAGED EGO(s), POSTURING AND MAJOR DYSFUNCTION.
MAY I BE SO BOLD AND BEG OF YOU ALL TO MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO (go back and...) LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHERS' SOLO EFFORTS?
IF WHAT YOU WROTE IS REALLY TRUE, THEN- WELL, WHAT A SHAME. WHAT MISSED OPPORTUNITY, I THINK.
THERE'S SOME REALLY, REALLY GREAT MUSIC YOU'RE ALL DEPRIVING YOURSELVES OF.
TRUST ME. I'VE HEAR IT ALL.
WITH A HEART FULL OF HATE AND A LUST FOR VOMIT....
SHIT, IT MAY EVEN INSPIRE A NEW POGUES ALBUM.
PEACE AND LOVE.

[Sandyfromvancouver]

WOW. I FIND THIS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE.
I JUST CAN'T FATHOM BEING SO CLOSE TO SOMEONE AND YET BEING SO REMOVED FROM THEIR CRAFT/PASSION/ARTISTIC CREATIONS. . . .
IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, I WOULD SAY, THIS SMELLS OF DAMAGED EGO AND MAJOR DYSFUNCTION.
MAY I BE SO BOLD AND BEG OF YOU ALL TO MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO (GO BACK AND...) LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHERS' SOLO EFFORTS?

Um. Ever been to a friend's book launch, and bought the book? Maybe you read it later, maybe not. If you like it you tell them, but if you don't, you prob don't say anything negative, right? Ditto with art shows. Close friends aren't always the projected audience of an artist. Shouldn't be, after a certain point. Loyalty comes in many forms.

[FAY]

WOW. I FIND THIS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE.
I JUST CAN'T FATHOM BEING SO CLOSE TO SOMEONE AND YET BEING SO REMOVED FROM THEIR CRAFT/PASSION/ARTISTIC CREATIONS. . . .
IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, I WOULD SAY, THIS SMELLS OF DAMAGED EGO AND MAJOR DYSFUNCTION.
MAY I BE SO BOLD AND BEG OF YOU ALL TO MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO (GO BACK AND...) LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHERS' SOLO EFFORTS?

Um. Ever been to a friend's book launch, and bought the book? Maybe you read it later, maybe not. If you like it you tell them, but if you don't, you prob don't say anything negative, right? Ditto with art shows. Close friends aren't always the projected audience of an artist. Shouldn't be, after a certain point. Loyalty comes in many forms.

Sorry. Don't get the analogy of a book launch, nor do I suspect that Philip was cryptically implying that- they do listen to each others' albums but if they don't like what they heard they deny ever listening to it- but I appreciate you chiming in and your many, many contributions to this forum!

[Sandyfromvancouver]

WOW. I FIND THIS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE.
I JUST CAN'T FATHOM BEING SO CLOSE TO SOMEONE AND YET BEING SO REMOVED FROM THEIR CRAFT/PASSION/ARTISTIC CREATIONS. . . .
IF I DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, I WOULD SAY, THIS SMELLS OF DAMAGED EGO AND MAJOR DYSFUNCTION.
MAY I BE SO BOLD AND BEG OF YOU ALL TO MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO (GO BACK AND...) LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHERS' SOLO EFFORTS?

Um. Ever been to a friend's book launch, and bought the book? Maybe you read it later, maybe not. If you like it you tell them, but if you don't, you prob don't say anything negative, right? Ditto with art shows. Close friends aren't always the projected audience of an artist. Shouldn't be, after a certain point. Loyalty comes in many forms.

Sorry. Don't get the analogy of a book launch, nor do I suspect that Philip was cryptically implying that- they do listen to each others' albums but if they don't like what they heard they deny ever listening to it-

Of course he wasn't implying that. I rushed through supper dishes so I could delete my offering. Since you've replied, it stands and I must let my not-particularly-admirable-musings remain.

[philipchevron]

GIVE ME A GOOD REASON TO LISTEN TO THE NEW RADIATOR'S ALBUM IF I'M now to believeTHAT ANDREW RANKEN IS NOT EVEN GOING TO LISTEN TO IT

I can't think of a single reason why you should listen to the Radiators' album except that, as contemporary rock albums go, it stands well above the crowd. If it makes you feel any better about our casual indifference to each other's work, Shane is a fan of my work as a writer of theatre music, understandably so. Jem and I sometimes have chats about "process" which both of us find more interesting than end results. And most of our friends, not excluding Shanne Bradley, would be on at least nodding terms with "Fairytale Of New York". Otherwise, all excellent points duly noted, thank you.

[Clash Cadillac]

In the years the Pogues were not together, I missed out on hearing quite a few music projects by my former colleagues, as they missed out on mine.

I must second FAY's suggestion to check some of this material out. I truly love Home Fire and Dancin' To The Ceili Band which feature's some brilliant work from Terry and Ron Kavana. I'll be keeping an eye on the What Song Are You Listening To thread...

[theCOOP]

In the years the Pogues were not together, I missed out on hearing quite a few music projects by my former colleagues, as they missed out on mine.

I must second FAY's suggestion to check some of this material out. I truly love Home Fire and Dancin' To The Ceili Band which feature's some brilliant work from Terry and Ron Kavana. I'll be keeping an eye on the What Song Are You Listening To thread...

I've thought about it with Phil's reasoning, and it all seems to make sense. Afterall, I love the Pogues, but have yet to hear any of Fearnley's solo stuff. Spiders stuff was (is?) sounding promising and I look forward to hearing more of it. Anything I've found about Jem's solo career and other activities seem rather strange (some video on You Tube where he dismantles an upright Piano and later plays it like a harp).

As much as I love Shane, and especially his earlier work with The Pogues, I really don't think Phil is missing much by not hearing much of his Popes stuff. I'm being honest. The musicianship is very good IMO. The lyrics are far from his best work and the vocals are terrible, yet they sit in my collection in multiple copies/formats nonetheless.

ON THE OTHER HAND, The Bucks' Dancin' To The Ceili Band w/ Terry Woods and Ron Kavana is something from out of this world. Simply an amazingly beautiful album. But Phil is familiar with at least some of it, as I had the pleasure to see Phil & Terry perform some of it in my own home town of Halifax back in 2003 with The Mahones (and were The Peelers there as well?). An amazing night, long before I ever had any hopes of finally seeing the full band live in '06, '07 and '08.

[philipchevron]

In the years the Pogues were not together, I missed out on hearing quite a few music projects by my former colleagues, as they missed out on mine.

I must second FAY's suggestion to check some of this material out. I truly love Home Fire and Dancin' To The Ceili Band which feature's some brilliant work from Terry and Ron Kavana. I'll be keeping an eye on the What Song Are You Listening To thread...

I've thought about it with Phil's reasoning, and it all seems to make sense. Afterall, I love the Pogues, but have yet to hear any of Fearnley's solo stuff. Spiders stuff was (is?) sounding promising and I look forward to hearing more of it. Anything I've found about Jem's solo career and other activities seem rather strange (some video on You Tube where he dismantles an upright Piano and later plays it like a harp).

As much as I love Shane, and especially his earlier work with The Pogues, I really don't think Phil is missing much by not hearing much of his Popes stuff. I'm being honest. The musicianship is very good IMO. The lyrics are far from his best work and the vocals are terrible, yet they sit in my collection in multiple copies/formats nonetheless.

ON THE OTHER HAND, The Bucks' Dancin' To The Ceili Band w/ Terry Woods and Ron Kavana is something from out of this world. Simply an amazingly beautiful album. But Phil is familiar with at least some of it, as I had the pleasure to see Phil & Terry perform some of it in my own home town of Halifax back in 2003 with The Mahones (and were The Peelers there as well?). An amazing night, long before I ever had any hopes of finally seeing the full band live in '06, '07 and '08.

Yes, it is true that I had to learn songs from both Dancing To The Ceili Band and Four Corners Of Hell for those Canadian shows, as Terry had to learn from my old repertoire. My only regret is we did not have a bash at "An Poc Ar Buile [The Raging Goat]", which I always loved back in the 60s when Sean O'Sé had a hit with it on the old Gael Linn label.