The Non-Shane Showcase

[glonn]

I guess in every organization there are politics to contend with. After listening to the Live at Brixton Academy CD (and with the background knowledge of several other live shows) it seems to me that there are several "showcases" for each of the non-lead singing Pogues. For example, on the Brixton Academy CD, Phillip Chevron does Thousands are Sailing, Spider does Tuesday Morning, and Terry Woods does Young Ned of the Hill.

In my opinion the results of including these selections are mixed. I never get tired of Phil's impassioned singing so I would always include "Thousands" in any Pogues set. It is nice to hear Spider sing and he should get props for fronting the band for those last years but Tuesday Morning could easily be replaced by Johnny Come Lately. It could just be the recording but I notice a precipitous decline in crowd cheering during Tuesday Morning on the CD. Finaly, I think that Young Ned of the Hill is a fine song but it would be a welcome change if Terry decided to substitute Streets of Sorrow.

Have any of you who have seen the Pogues in the last few years heard Spider sing Johnny Come Lately or Terry sing Streets of Sorrow? Phillip, is it a correct assumption that you, Spider and Terry have your slots and can use them to sing whatever song you want? If this is the case would Spider and/or Terry ever select something different than what is heard on the Brixton Academy CD?

Thanks for reading my rambing minutia.

[philipchevron]

The solo spots are there partly to allow Mac some breaks to do whatever it is he does in breaks. But they are also there on merit rather than for some spurious reason of vanity or democracy.

We don't really have much choice in the numbers we do. Terry has periodically mentioned Streets Of Sorrow and Spider now and then offers Jessie James and Johnny Come Lately without much takeup. For a while in the late 80s, I tried to alternate between Thousands Of Sailors and Lorelei, but it didn't last. Ultimately, every time we add a new song we have to drop an old one, that's the bald reality. Our show is already edging two hours long.

And we do Star Of The County Down not so Andrew can sing but so that Darryl can play the drums.

But what the world has really been waiting for is James Fearnley's "The Rock Upon Which My Dreams Will Perish"

[Celtic.Dave]

I think its great whatever the rest of the fellow Pogues sings.
To me it shows its the Pogues.Not Shane MacGowan + The Pogues
The only thing am getting bord with is Spider doing Tuesay Morning.Think he needs a change and Johnny Come lately is first pick.But what about him doing a song writen by Shane? Like he has done back in the day when he had to cover Shane?

Mr C,you got to get James to sing.That would be so cool!

[nonconformist]

Eh, I always thought Tuesday Morning was a fantastic song.

[Paddy Rolling Clone]

Me too, I hope to God that it's played in Dublin. As for dropping Thousands Are Sailing or Young Ned..

[nonconformist]

The man above speaketh the truth.

[srk]

--Spider now and then offers Jessie James and Johnny Come Lately without much takeup.

Jesse James? Who doesn't want to play Jesse James? (Smack whoever it is upside the head next time you see them, please...)

[georgecat]

Eh, I always thought Tuesday Morning was a fantastic song.

I LOVE the song Tuesday Morning. And look forward to hearing it in Dublin as well.

[glonn]

Phillip,
Thanks so much for your insightful response. It's really interseting for a Pogues geek such as myself to get glimpse into the inner workings of the band. Just to clarify my feelings about the band I agree with Celtic Dave and many others in that The Pogues isn't just Shane. You said it best yourself when you suggested that the band is greater than the sum of its parts. The songs and voices of you, Spider, and Terry (and ever Andrew and James) are an integral part of the Pogues performances. In terms of merit, my opinion is that Streets of Sorrow and Young Ned are equal, the same goes for Johnny Comes Lately and Tuesday Morning, although I see that Spider gets writing credit on Tueday and Johnny is Steve Earle's song. I realize that there is not much flexibility in the set list which is a great problem to have. Swapping in and out numbers from show to show is very much appreciated, especially if a person can attend more that one show. No doubt you will not play someone's all time favorite song in doing so but I think that it is healthier for the band and more interesting for the auduience to mix things up. The bottom line though is that ANY Pogues show is an embarrasement of riches. Thanks so much for doing what you do.

[Eric V]

Eh, I always thought Tuesday Morning was a fantastic song.

I have always had a warm place in my heart for that song as well. I remember when it came out and got radio play over here. It reminds me of more simple times, the early days of dating my now wife, and living in a basement apartment in a shitty part of Baltimore. And I just like it.

[philipchevron]

In the very early days Jem used to sing Me And Bobby McGee, and later he sang Train Of Love for a while. But we have a new Finer upfront now.

[glonn]

I think that the only solution is for the Pogues to institute a 3-hour set. Phillip, I suggest that you and the boys use the months of January and February to condition yourselves physically. If Shane's not up to it let him do his two hours and then Spider can take over. You owe it to your long suffering fans

[philipchevron]

...........or you could always go see the Cranky George Trio, the hKippers, the Radiators, DM Bob and Country Jem, The Good The Bad And The Ugly, the Vendettas, the Woods Band, Nigel Burch and the Fleapit Orchestra, Bish.........

[georgecat]

I think that the only solution is for the Pogues to institute a 3-hour set. Phillip, I suggest that you and the boys use the months of January and February to condition yourselves physically. If Shane's not up to it let him do his two hours and then Spider can take over. You owe it to your long suffering fans

Ditto. 15 minute booze/bathroom breaks are acceptable during the set.

[glonn]

...........or you could always go see the Cranky George Trio, the hKippers, the Radiators, DM Bob and Country Jem, The Good The Bad And The Ugly, the Vendettas, the Woods Band, Nigel Burch and the Fleapit Orchestra, Bish.........

Doesn't that constitute the sum of the "parts"?