Philadelphia Inquirer:Pogues please crowd in A.C.

[MacRua]

Pogues please crowd in A.C.
By Dan DeLuca
Inquirer Music Critic
Mon, Mar. 13, 2006
Full URL
<blockquote>Considering Shane MacGowan's hard-earned reputation as a two-fisted falling-down drunk of epic proportions, you'd think that the leader of the Pogues (and sometimes, the Popes) would have a long track record of disappointing his faithful fans with hopelessly inebriated performances.

But it isn't so. Sure, the bleary-eyed sentimentalist has been known to show up late, or not at all. When he steps up to sing his tales of hopeless romance and broken dreams, though, he snaps to with the discipline of a Catholic schoolboy reciting the catechism before a fearsome priest, never forgetting a word.

So it was at the Event Center at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City on Saturday, where MacGowan and the Pogues played a sold-out date before a rabidly enthusiastic audience on their first American tour together in 15 years.

Among the Irish rockers that invade these shores every St. Patrick's season (such as the Saw Doctors, the amiable Springsteen-ophile blokes who opened the show), the Pogues stand apart on two fronts.

First, there's the way the London-based, seven-piece band employs its traditional Irish instruments, such as Spider Stacy's tin whistle or Terry Woods' cittern, with fierce punk rock energy. Second, there's MacGowan, a first-class yarn spinner of the Irish (and Irish-American) experience with a touch of the poet, and a once-great singer with a battle-scarred voice, who can still put a lyric across with dramatic emphasis.

Entering after guitarist Philip Chevron's casino showroom in-joke reference to Sinatra at the Sands - "How did all these people get in Shane's room?" - the 48-year-old MacGowan was more than a wee bit wobbly at first, gripping the mike stand for balance with his right hand while he chain-smoked with his left.

But though he left the stage every third song or so, and his slurred song introductions made Bob Dylan seem like the Great Enunciator, MacGowan gathered strength as the night wore on. (And he didn't pick up the bottle of wine he brought on stage until the final encore of "Fiesta," when he guzzled from it, then successfully balanced it on his head.)

The show came to a head with the breakneck "Sally Maclennane" and a touchingly tender "A Rainy Night in Soho." The band's crowd-pleasing Christmas song, "Fairtytale in New York," appeared as an encore, with vocalist Ella Finer ably standing in for the late Kirsty MacColl, and trying to avoid getting her toes stepped on as MacGowan took her for a turn around the stage as fake snow fell from the rafters.

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Contact music critic Dan DeLuca at 215-854-5628 or ddeluca@phillynews.com.
</blockquote>

[Eckhard]

Nice review. The guy seems to know what he's writing about. And he did not even mention the word "teeth".

[CraigBatty]

Now there's a nice change. A review that doesn't just suck.

[MacRua]

He deserves a prize!

[CraigBatty]

Shall we grant him the boon of life eternal, m'lud?

[Alex]

Pogues please crowd in A.C.
By Dan DeLuca
Inquirer Music Critic
Mon, Mar. 13, 2006
Full URL
<blockquote>First, there's the way the London-based, seven-piece band employs its traditional Irish instruments, </blockquote>

wow everything correct this time, except I counted 8 members on christmas.

[MacRua]

Somebody left stage for a while when he was counting?

Shall we grant him the boon of life eternal, m'lud?

For wee and almost correct article? He should try harder. It's his duty after all to open our eyes and supply with semi-truth for reasonable fee...

[Niall]

Nice review. The guy seems to know what he's writing about. And he did not even mention the word "teeth".

maybe he didnt see them

[philipchevron]

He deserves a prize!

OK, he gets to keep his life. Oh, and much as I'd like to claim the Rat Pack gag, it was James's.

[Paddy Rolling Clone]

Great review, one of the best I've read. Fair play Dan DeLuca.



Thanks Mac.

[CraigBatty]

...

Shall we grant him the boon of life eternal, m'lud?

For wee and almost correct article? He should try harder....

True, m'learned friend. And BTW I'm not somebody, I'm MY body. I think. Or something. Or Neddy Seagoon. But only for professional theatrical-type engagements betwixt 1.35pm and 1.39pm on Sundays in Kent. Maybe.

[CraigBatty]

Pogues please crowd in A.C.
By Dan DeLuca
Inquirer Music Critic
Mon, Mar. 13, 2006
...hopelessly inebriated performances....

Now, THERE'S both a name for a band and my performance philosophy all in one...Hopelessly Inebriated Performance.... how hip. Yes, I'll hop off now ... *hippity-hoppity-hippity-hop!*

[Maija]

And BTW I'm not somebody, I'm MY body.

Shut up. You're MacRua and so is your wife.

[Noel Kenny]

Pogues please crowd in A.C.
By Dan DeLuca
Inquirer Music Critic
Mon, Mar. 13, 2006
Full URL
<blockquote>First, there's the way the London-based, seven-piece band employs its traditional Irish instruments, </blockquote>

wow everything correct this time, except I counted 8 members on christmas.

Alex.. There were seven of them playing tradidional Irish instruments

[Eric V]

First, there's the way the London-based, seven-piece band employs its traditional Irish instruments,

I guess he isn't counting Shane in the band, which is odd, and caused me to have to count and re-count more times than a Florida election.