Pogues Sessions

[Kilmichael]

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.

True. Just think, in 100 years there'll be bands playing Thousands Are Sailing (trad. arr. whoever) all over New New York...

[philipchevron]

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.

True. Just think, in 100 years there'll be bands playing Thousands Are Sailing (trad. arr. whoever) all over New New York...

Well yes, though for all the royalties I see from the dozen or so cover versions I know about, it might as well be trad arr already! What I need is a Metallica cover.

[firehazard]

Just think, in 100 years there'll be bands playing Thousands Are Sailing (trad. arr. whoever) all over New New York...

Well yes, though for all the royalties I see from the dozen or so cover versions I know about, it might as well be trad arr already! What I need is a Metallica cover.

That could be fun. Or maybe you need it sung by the ultimate winner of X Factor or whatever dire unreality show is currently running on tv. Then released just in time to storm its way into the Number 1 slot at Christmas...

[Jon]

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.

D'you know - I'd never given a moments thought to the idea that a 'trad tune' had even been written by someone- I'd always assumed it was a fairly generic process but I suppose 2 chaps sat around a table riffing something can be classed as authors.

[Jon]

That could be fun. Or maybe you need it sung by the ultimate winner of X Factor or whatever dire unreality show is currently running on tv. Then released just in time to storm its way into the Number 1 slot at Christmas...

Number 2 surely? Fairytale should get the top spot!

[firehazard]

... released just in time to storm its way into the Number 1 slot at Christmas...

Number 2 surely? Fairytale should get the top spot!

Should, yes of course, but what should happen is by no means what always does happen. Which has already long been established in this particular context. I think I was going for mega-irony there.

[Kilmichael]

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.

True. Just think, in 100 years there'll be bands playing Thousands Are Sailing (trad. arr. whoever) all over New New York...

Well yes, though for all the royalties I see from the dozen or so cover versions I know about, it might as well be trad arr already! What I need is a Metallica cover.

Thousands Are Sailing (trad. arr. Metallica)?! Now that I'd like to hear! If they can let Ronan murder Fairytale, why not?! (I can feel a split thread coming on...)

[Kilmichael]

If I Should Fall from Grace with God sessions
May, Mid July- August 1987, RAK Studios, London
1. Turkish Song of the Damned (rough mix) (3:27)
2. Thousands Are Sailing (backing track with guide vocal) (extract) (4:14)
3. If I Should Fall from Grace with God (2:21)
4. Turkish Song of the Damned (3:27)
5. Bottle of Smoke (2:47)
6. Fairytale of New York (4:36)
7. Metropolis (2:50)
8. Thousands Are Sailing (5:28)
9. Fiesta (4:13)
10. Medley: The Recruiting Sergeant/The Rocky Road to Dublin/Galway Races (4:01)
11. Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six (4:39)
12. Lullaby of London (3:31)
13. Sit Down by the Fire (2:18)
14. The Broad Majestic Shannon (2:52)
15. Worms (1:05)
16. The Battle March Medley (4:10)
17. Shanne Bradley (3:41)
18. South Australia (3:27)
19. The Balinalee (2:57)
20. Nicaragua Libre (2:36)
21. Fairytale of New York (Instrumental) (4:32)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite
1) The Rest of The Best CD
2, 19, 20) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set
3-18) If I Should Fall from Grace with God CD
21) Fairytale of New York CD single

NW3 demo session
October 1987
1. NW3 (2:52)
2. Maggie May (4:28)
3. Boat Train (2:48)
4. Night Train to Lorca (2:50)
Produced by The Pogues
1-4) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set
Nb. I know these could be classed as 'Peace & Love' demos, but the fact that they were recorded nearly 18 months before that album has lead me to listing them differently.

Live
17/19 December 1987, Barrowlands, Glasgow
1. Sally Maclennane (2:48)
2. A Pair of Brown Eyes (3:40)
3. Kitty (3:42)
4. Maggie May (4:23)
5. Dirty Old Town (3:48)
6. The Sickbed of Cuchulainn (3:19)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite
1-6) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

[Jon]

... released just in time to storm its way into the Number 1 slot at Christmas...

Number 2 surely? Fairytale should get the top spot!

Should, yes of course, but what should happen is by no means what always does happen. Which has already long been established in this particular context. I think I was going for mega-irony there.

I knew that
Ironically there are a couple of acts in this particular talent show that probably could do Thousands some justice, the young harmony group aren't bad and there are a couple of the solo singers that seem to be using their own voices and not eschewing the virtues of Britney / Christina.

'course I wouldn't know - I'm more a Strictly person myself

[Kilmichael]

If I Should Fall from Grace with God overdubs and remix session
Late 1987/Early 1988, RAK Studios, London
1. If I Should Fall from Grace with God (7" remix) (2:22)
2. If I Should Fall from Grace with God (extended remix) (4:18)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite
1) If I Should Fall from Grace with God CD single
2) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

Johnny Come Lately session
16 March 1988, Livingstone Studios, London
1. Johnny Come Lately (4:02)
2. Johnny Come Lately (7" edit)
Produced by Steve Early and Tony Brown
1) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set
2) Johnny Come Lately CD/7" single

Live
17 March 1988, The Town and Country Club, London
1. Goodnight Irene (3:37)
1) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

Fiesta session
March/April 1988, RAK Studios, London
1. Fiesta (7" remix) (3:54)
2. Sketches of Spain (2:14)
3. Sketches of Spain (long version) (3:34)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite
1) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set
2) If I Should Fall from Grace with God CD
3) Fiesta CD/12” single

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah session
August/September 1988, RAK Studios, London
1. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (3:19)
2. The Limerick Rake (3:12)
3. Honkey Tonk Women (2:55)
4. Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (long version) (6:44)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite
1-3) Peace and Love CD
4) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

Live
30/31 October 1988, MZA Ariake, Tokyo
1. Japan (3:02)
Produced by Paul Scully
1) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

The Aria demo session
Late 1988/Early 1989
1. The Aria (2:42)
Produced by Jem Finer
1) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

Peace and Love sessions
February/March 1989, RAK Studios, London. Additional recording at Ealing Studios, London
1. Gridlock (3:33)
2. White City (2:31)
3. Young Ned of the Hill (2:45)
4. Misty Morning, Albert Bridge (3:01)
5. Cotton Fields (2:51)
6. Blue Heaven (3:36)
7. Down All the Days (3:45)
8. USA (4:50)
9. Lorelei (3:33)
10. Gartloney Rats (2:32)
11. Boat Train (2:41)
12. Tombstone (2:57)
13. Night Train to Lorca (3:27)
14. London You’re a Lady (2:58)
15. Train of Love (3:08)
16. Everyman Is a King (3:54)
17. The Mistlethrush (2:45)
18. Young Ned of the Hill (Dub Version)3:46)
Produced by Steve Lillywhite
1-16) Peace and Love CD
17, 18) Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone!! 5xCD Box Set

[philipchevron]

"Yeah several times" was recorded at RAK, yes. The sessions to make singles of "If I Should Fall" and "Fiesta" were separate (and later) undertakings, though using the same raw materials as the Fall From Grace album. "Sketches Of Spain" was done at the "Fiesta" session. I don't know about the "Fiesta" CD without delving into the archive which is currently inaccessible to me. There are, I believe, two versions of the Steve Earle thing, single and album versions.

[Kilmichael]

"Yeah several times" was recorded at RAK, yes. The sessions to make singles of "If I Should Fall" and "Fiesta" were separate (and later) undertakings, though using the same raw materials as the Fall From Grace album. "Sketches Of Spain" was done at the "Fiesta" session. I don't know about the "Fiesta" CD without delving into the archive which is currently inaccessible to me. There are, I believe, two versions of the Steve Earle thing, single and album versions.

Thanks Philip, amended accordingly. Can't believe I forgot about the single version of 'Johnny' - not heard it for a while but from memory it's pretty much the same as the album version but fades out more quickly. It's the 'White City' single mix next - do you recall if your and Kirty's backing vocals were done during the 'P&L' sessions or added as overdubs later?

[philipchevron]

"Yeah several times" was recorded at RAK, yes. The sessions to make singles of "If I Should Fall" and "Fiesta" were separate (and later) undertakings, though using the same raw materials as the Fall From Grace album. "Sketches Of Spain" was done at the "Fiesta" session. I don't know about the "Fiesta" CD without delving into the archive which is currently inaccessible to me. There are, I believe, two versions of the Steve Earle thing, single and album versions.

Thanks Philip, amended accordingly. Can't believe I forgot about the single version of 'Johnny' - not heard it for a while but from memory it's pretty much the same as the album version but fades out more quickly. It's the 'White City' single mix next - do you recall if your and Kirty's backing vocals were done during the 'P&L' sessions or added as overdubs later?

No, cannot recall that, though they are likely to have been added later. I had also forgotten that Kirsty shared those BVs with me, though if you say it's so, you must have good cause to believe so. And indeed, I had completely forgotten that the single of "White City" was at all different from the album version. I really MUST play my own singles some day!

[Kilmichael]

"Yeah several times" was recorded at RAK, yes. The sessions to make singles of "If I Should Fall" and "Fiesta" were separate (and later) undertakings, though using the same raw materials as the Fall From Grace album. "Sketches Of Spain" was done at the "Fiesta" session. I don't know about the "Fiesta" CD without delving into the archive which is currently inaccessible to me. There are, I believe, two versions of the Steve Earle thing, single and album versions.

Thanks Philip, amended accordingly. Can't believe I forgot about the single version of 'Johnny' - not heard it for a while but from memory it's pretty much the same as the album version but fades out more quickly. It's the 'White City' single mix next - do you recall if your and Kirty's backing vocals were done during the 'P&L' sessions or added as overdubs later?

No, cannot recall that, though they are likely to have been added later. I had also forgotten that Kirsty shared those BVs with me, though if you say it's so, you must have good cause to believe so. And indeed, I had completely forgotten that the single of "White City" was at all different from the album version. I really MUST play my own singles some day!

Well, the reason I thought Kirsty sang on it was coz of a very sarcastic post made by a certain Philipchevron a while back, having a go at Warners for insisting that every track released as a single was remixed and included backing vox from Kirsty! Of course I can't find the bloody post now, but it was something along the lines of you quoting Warners as saying 'I know, let's remix it with some of those Philip & Kirsty harmonies, we can never get enough of them' or some such. Having listened to it again having read the post, it does sound like the two of you on backing vox on the chorus. And it definitely is a different version.

Interestingly, I'm fairly certain that when you played White City at Manchester Apollo on the first reunion tour in 2001, you did the 'remix' version, with you and Daryll (I think) doing dome lovely "ooooh wooooh oooohs' on the chorus.

[philipchevron]

Interestingly, I'm fairly certain that when you played White City at Manchester Apollo on the first reunion tour in 2001, you did the 'remix' version, with you and Daryll (I think) doing dome lovely "ooooh wooooh oooohs' on the chorus.

I may have been referring to "Lorelei", who knows? The "single version" of "White City" (with the Curragh Of Kildare BVs) did not survive for long on the 2001 tour. The rhythm guitar part on that song is murder and multitasking has never helped to nail it down accurately, in addition to which the song's key (G Major) is not particularly comfortable for the falsetto "oohs" required.