Pogues Sessions

[philipchevron]

Nb the sleevenotes to the Poguetry EP also mention I think 2 other studies where sessions were held but I don't have a copy anymore - could somebody check?!

The original sleevenotes state: RECORDED AT ELEPHANT STUDIOS SARMWEST [which Mr C has now noted above] AIR

(Excellent work, Kilmichael. )

Thanks FH, I have now corrected my note above accordingly. Jeez, if only I'd kept those sleeves and not just the records!

[philipchevron]

2nd Rum Sodomy & the Lash session
Late May 1985, Elephant Studios, London
1. A Pistol for Paddy Garcia (2:31)
2. The Parting Glass (2:14)
Produced by Philip Chevron
1,2) Rum Sodomy & the Lash CD

Ok, actually neither of these was done at Elephant, and they were both recorded at different studios - I cannot, for the life of me, remember their names. Because we had no stock of b sides in 1985, we had to record them as we needed them. "Pistol" was for the b side of "Dirty Old Town" but the bonus 12" track "Parting Glass" which, logically, should have been done at the same time, followed a few weeks later. Logic was not always Stiff Records' strongest suit.

[firehazard]

Thanks FH, I have now corrected my note above accordingly. Jeez, if only I'd kept those sleeves and not just the records!

I couldn't bear ever to let go of the sleeves, sadly obsessive though it may be. Oh, the artefact...

[Though the sleeve is pristine, my vinyl of Poguetry has always had a big scratch in it, right in the middle of "Planxty..." I suppose I should have taken it back to the shop and got them to change it, but then I wouldn't have had the copy I bought on the day of release, would I? ]

[philipchevron]

Red Roses for Me demo session
June/July 1984
1. The Rocky Road to Dublin (3:13)
2. Sea Shanty (2:20)
3. Transmetropolitan (3:10)
4. Kitty (3:29)
5. Connemara, Let’s Go! (2:59)
Produced by Stan Brennan
1-5) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

The other tracks recorded at this session are Greenland Whale Fisheries, Repeal of the Licensing Laws, Boys From The County Hell and Battle Of Brisbane. Alvic Studios, Engineer Richard Preston.

[Kilmichael]

Red Roses for Me demo session
June/July 1984
1. The Rocky Road to Dublin (3:13)
2. Sea Shanty (2:20)
3. Transmetropolitan (3:10)
4. Kitty (3:29)
5. Connemara, Let’s Go! (2:59)
Produced by Stan Brennan
1-5) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

The other tracks recorded at this session are Greenland Whale Fisheries, Repeal of the Licensing Laws, Boys From The County Hell and Battle Of Brisbane. Alvic Studios, Engineer Richard Preston.

Goddam, I'm so glad I started this thread now! Thanks a million to Philip, Firehazard and everybody who has/will contribute amendments and additions. I'll go back and edit all relevant posts tomorrow when I'm back in work (it's easier than doing it from home, believe me!).

[philipchevron]

Eight-track demo session
1983
Justin and Vicki Ward’s flat, London
1. Repeal of the Licensing Laws (2:08)
2. Dark Streets of London (2:37)
3. Greenland Whale Fisheries (2:39)
4. Streams of Whiskey (2:32)
Produced by the Pogues. Remixed (2007) by Nick Robbins and Rob Kyloch.
1-4) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

Actually, I think this was done on 4 track, not 8. The other track from this session is an absolutely insane version of "Connemara, Let's Go!" which I now regret having left off the box set.

There's a bit of a mystery about this session, in that the original 1983 mixes, if there were any, have vanished, including "Streams of Whiskey" which obviously DID get mixed at some point as it is the soundtrack to the "Streams of Whiskey" film promo, subsequently seen on Poguevision VHS and DVD. This is one reason the tracks were remixed in 2007. The other was that, on the evidence of the poor quality cassette copy I had on loan from Darryl which is, admittedly, almost no evidence at all, the original mixes were not very good.

[philipchevron]

Thanks FH, I have now corrected my note above accordingly. Jeez, if only I'd kept those sleeves and not just the records!

I couldn't bear ever to let go of the sleeves, sadly obsessive though it may be. Oh, the artefact...

[Though the sleeve is pristine, my vinyl of Poguetry has always had a big scratch in it, right in the middle of "Planxty..." I suppose I should have taken it back to the shop and got them to change it, but then I wouldn't have had the copy I bought on the day of release, would I? ]

Be consoled. There is a certain poetry in the fact that the scratch occurs in Noel Hill's tribute. Perhaps Jem did it deliberately?

[firehazard]

Be consoled. There is a certain poetry in the fact that the scratch occurs in Noel Hill's tribute. Perhaps Jem did it deliberately?

He did, he did! In person, and with a special tool devised for the purpose. Why did I not realise this before? I shall treasure it even more now.

It was years before I heard what Mr Hill's Tribute Tune really sounded like in full.

[Kilmichael]

Eight-track demo session
1983
Justin and Vicki Ward’s flat, London
1. Repeal of the Licensing Laws (2:08)
2. Dark Streets of London (2:37)
3. Greenland Whale Fisheries (2:39)
4. Streams of Whiskey (2:32)
Produced by the Pogues. Remixed (2007) by Nick Robbins and Rob Kyloch.
1-4) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

Actually, I think this was done on 4 track, not 8. The other track from this session is an absolutely insane version of "Connemara, Let's Go!" which I now regret having left off the box set.

There's a bit of a mystery about this session, in that the original 1983 mixes, if there were any, have vanished, including "Streams of Whiskey" which obviously DID get mixed at some point as it is the soundtrack to the "Streams of Whiskey" film promo, subsequently seen on Poguevision VHS and DVD. This is one reason the tracks were remixed in 2007. The other was that, on the evidence of the poor quality cassette copy I had on loan from Darryl which is, admittedly, almost no evidence at all, the original mixes were not very good.

Philip, as ever, thanks for the info. I listed it as the 8 track demo as The Lost Decade states an 8 track was hired to record the demo, but of course that may not be 100% accurate. I'll change the name in the list! Also, is the version of 'Stream of Whiskey' used on Poguevision definitely the one from this session? I only have the VHS version, and don't have a VHS recorder to play it on anymore, but I always thought it was the version from Red Roses that was on the soundtrack? Where the version from this session definitely does feature is on the extract from the video - basically the first verse and chorus - included in the Completely Pogued film, which of course is now on the Poguevision DVD. Nothing's ever straightforward with you guys, is it?!

Anyway, I'll edit my previous posts today and try to tidy things up a bit. It seems that the general view is that people are interested in all of the tracks recorded at a particular session, not just the ones that have been officially released, so if I know them I'll list them.

[philipchevron]

Also, is the version of 'Stream of Whiskey' used on Poguevision definitely the one from this session? I only have the VHS version, and don't have a VHS recorder to play it on anymore, but I always thought it was the version from Red Roses that was on the soundtrack? Where the version from this session definitely does feature is on the extract from the video - basically the first verse and chorus - included in the Completely Pogued film, which of course is now on the Poguevision DVD. Nothing's ever straightforward with you guys, is it?!

Ok, I have to confess I may not be an expert on this and, at the moment, lack both VHS and DVD copies of Poguevision to make the comparison. It may well be that different versions of "Streams" were used for different purposes. I'm pretty certain that the original soundtrack is the 4 track demo, though it makes perfect sense that Warners may have replaced this with the "Streams Of Whiskey" master tape - of which they are, after all, so fond - at certain appropriate opportunities. But essentially there are now three "Streams" - the 4-track demo which formed the original soundtrack of the film, albeit in a mix for which the tape now appears to be lost. This can best be identified by the drunk and badly out of tune backing vocals; the Red Roses master with which the entire world is intimately familiar, as Warners have hardwired it into everyone's consciousness while they were sleeping. This has more pleasant backing vocals; and finally the 2007 remix of the 4 track demo which appears on the Box Set. I approved the mix in which Nick and Rob acknowledged the tunelessness of the backing vocals but resisted the temptation to deafen everyone with them. I was a choirboy you know. James too. We have certain standards to maintain.

[Jon]

Actually, I think this was done on 4 track, not 8. The other track from this session is an absolutely insane version of "Connemara, Let's Go!" which I now regret having left off the box set.

...and that way, madness lies!
Plus if there's even a hint of tunes which got left off of the Box set, there's bound to be lots of begging (from myself included) for an additional bonus CD

[Kilmichael]

Straight to Hell film shoot
August 1986, Almeria, Spain
1. Danny Boy (1:45)
1) Straight to Hell Returns CD

Driving Through the City demo session
September 1986
1. Driving Through the City (2:47)
Produced by The Pogues and Nick Robbins
1) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

Janice Long radio session
10 October 1986, BBC Maida Vale Studios, London
1. The Rake at the Gates of Hell (2:26)
2. Turkish Song of the Damned (3:56)
3. If I Should Fall from Grace with God (2:31)
4. Lullaby of London
1-3) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set
4) unreleased

The Irish Rover session
29-30 October 1986, Elephant Studios, London
1. The Irish Rover (4:09)
2. Mountain Dew (2:19)
Produced by Eamonn Campbell
1) Celebration CD
2) If I Should Fall from Grace with God CD

The Irish Rover remixes
Late 1986/Early 1987
1. The Irish Rover (remix) (4:07)
2. The Irish Rover (extended remix) (5:06)
3. The Irish Rover (edited remix) (3:39)
Produced by Eamonn Campbell. Remixed by David Jordan
1) If I Should Fall from Grace with God CD
2) The Irish Rover 12” single
3) The Ultimate Collection 2xCD

Straight to Hell session
February 1987, Elephant Studios, London
1. Rabinga (original mix) (2:20)*
2. Long Cool Day in Hell (1:26)
3. Bolero del Perro Listo (2:55)
4. Night on Bald Mountain (1:51)
5. Harmonicas (2:22)
6. Rabinga (2:18)*
7. Big Question Mark (1:35)
8. L’Amoria (2:09)
9. Obsession (1:20)
10. Quiet Day in Blanco Town (1:50)
11. If I Should Fall from Grace with God (2:39)*
12. Taranta del Fuente (1:14)
13. Rake at the Gates of Hell (2:25)*
14. Rince del Emplacada (3:14)
15. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (original version)*
Produced by the Pogues
*Produced by Paul Scully and Dave Jordan
1) Straight to Hell CD
2-13) Straight to Hell Returns CD
14) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set
15) unreleased

‘The Terry Woods Solo Album’ demo sessions
Late 1986/Early 1987, EMI Studios Abbey Road, London
1. The Kerry Polka (1:28)
2. Fairytale of New York (extract) (2:11)
3. Battle March (2:22)
4. Lullaby of London (4:48)
5. Shanne Bradley (3:22)
6. Streets of Sorrow (2:08)
7. The Broad Majestic Shannon
8. The Medley
9. The Ballinalee
10. Birmingham Six
11. Fiesta
12. Greek Salad
13. Turkish Song of the Damned
14. Metropolis
15. I Don’t Know About Love
Produced by The Pogues
1-6) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set
7-15) unreleased

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly overdubs and remix session
April 1987, Elephant Studios, London
1. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly (3:45)
Produced by David Jordan
1) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

[philipchevron]

There are several "masters" of "The Irish Rover". The original recording on the Dubs anniversary CD was not quite bollocking enough for a single, so Davey Jordan remixed it, doing some or even most of the 12", instrumental, extended, edited etc etc mixes at the same time. This means, to the best of my knowledge, there are 2 basic versions of the mix - the Dubs' version and our version, and all subsequent versions are variations of these.

"Mountain Dew" only ever had one mix, I think. I was surprised to find out only last week that "Mountain Dew", written by Ed Harrigan and David Brahams, was originally in a New York show by the seminal Irish-American vaudevillians and theatre managers Harrigan and Hart. "Harrigan" was commemorated, of sorts, in a famous song of the same name by George M. Cohan, on whom he and Hart were a big influence.

"Rince Del Emplacada" was done, yes, at the same time as the Straight To Hell music.

[Kilmichael]

There are several "masters" of "The Irish Rover". The original recording on the Dubs anniversary CD was not quite bollocking enough for a single, so Davey Jordan remixed it, doing some or even most of the 12", instrumental, extended, edited etc etc mixes at the same time. This means, to the best of my knowledge, there are 2 basic versions of the mix - the Dubs' version and our version, and all subsequent versions are variations of these.

"Mountain Dew" only ever had one mix, I think. I was surprised to find out only last week that "Mountain Dew", written by Ed Harrigan and David Brahams, was originally in a New York show by the seminal Irish-American vaudevillians and theatre managers Harrigan and Hart. "Harrigan" was commemorated, of sorts, in a famous song of the same name by George M. Cohan, on whom he and Hart were a big influence.

"Rince Del Emplacada" was done, yes, at the same time as the Straight To Hell music.

As ever Philip, thanks for the additional info. I'd always assumed 'Mountain Dew' was a trad tune, so shows what I know!I've amended the listing accordingly, and also added what I think are the recording details for Good, Bad & Ugly.

[philipchevron]

There are several "masters" of "The Irish Rover". The original recording on the Dubs anniversary CD was not quite bollocking enough for a single, so Davey Jordan remixed it, doing some or even most of the 12", instrumental, extended, edited etc etc mixes at the same time. This means, to the best of my knowledge, there are 2 basic versions of the mix - the Dubs' version and our version, and all subsequent versions are variations of these.

"Mountain Dew" only ever had one mix, I think. I was surprised to find out only last week that "Mountain Dew", written by Ed Harrigan and David Brahams, was originally in a New York show by the seminal Irish-American vaudevillians and theatre managers Harrigan and Hart. "Harrigan" was commemorated, of sorts, in a famous song of the same name by George M. Cohan, on whom he and Hart were a big influence.

"Rince Del Emplacada" was done, yes, at the same time as the Straight To Hell music.

As ever Philip, thanks for the additional info. I'd always assumed 'Mountain Dew' was a trad tune, so shows what I know!I've amended the listing accordingly, and also added what I think are the recording details for Good, Bad & Ugly.

By now it is well and truly a trad tune, as Harrigan and Hart barely survived the start of the 20th century. But even trad tunes have to be actually written by someone, and I always like to know the sources whenever possible.