I really don't know where to begin!

One of my favourite songs from one of my favourite bands has just been ruined by themselves! Shane MacGowan, I'm amazed he is still alive to be honest! was absolutely rat faced - nothing new there but he looked a wreck. He was never an oil painting to begin with but what a mess! Katie Melua looked out of place, out of tune and totally embarrased.

The only saving grace is that they announced that proceeds from the re-release will go to charity. Although on that performance I doubt they will find any new fans.


I'm in shock!

:o

I agree!! I saw it and thought it was horrid.

Shane could barely sing and yeah Katie Melua was seriously struggling.

It really did spoil a brilliant song...

:mad:

Something tells me it wasn't water in his glass! :rolleyes: :hihi:

Hope someone buys Katie Melua some GHD's for Christmas - her hair is shocking :shocked:

Ah, but surely you must now get the point of the Pogues.

Even in his state, with no teeth, off his face, and 20 years of abuse, Shane made Katie look like a 6th form play singer. What makes Shane and the band so good is the crap that they do to themselves. They are like Hemmingway, Coward, and Lawrence.

Self destructive maybe, but I reckon it's just what they need to do to be what they are. We should be glad they are prepared to destroy themselves for what they do. Enjoy it, and don't be sad for them.

Originally posted by Tony
Self destructive maybe, but I reckon it's just what they need to do to be what they are. We should be glad they are prepared to destroy themselves for what they do. Enjoy it, and don't be sad for them.

Unless they are using non-state authorised drugs, in which case castigate them to hell.....

Originally posted by Tony
Ah, but surely you must now get the point of the Pogues.

Even in his state, with no teeth, off his face, and 20 years of abuse, Shane made Katie look like a 6th form play singer. What makes Shane and the band so good is the crap that they do to themselves. They are like Hemmingway, Coward, and Lawrence.

Self destructive maybe, but I reckon it's just what they need to do to be what they are. We should be glad they are prepared to destroy themselves for what they do. Enjoy it, and don't be sad for them.

I was lucky enough to see The Pogues twice during the 80's including a great performance with Kirsty MacColl at the City Hall in Sheffield. Shane was out of his head then but was able to put on a great show. He was given many warnings by his doctor to stop the drinking that's why I'm so surprised he's survived this long. The band went on without him and brought out some decent stuff but it wasn't the same Pogues.

To see him like he is now is not what I call entertainment.

I saw the programme a few nights ago on BBC3 about the writing of Fairytale.

Not only did Shane look bad he looked positively yellow - I believe that is a sign of liver damage.

Saw the band twice, in late 80's at the Apollo in Manchester and circa 1991 at Sheffield City Hall.

Absolutely brill both time.

He is indeed in a bad way, and I hear that he may not last another 12 months, so enjoy it while you can.

Has he been given a "Lifetime Achievement" award at any showbiz bash lately?
Thats usually a sign that they wont be with us long.....erm...thinks.....now where's that award for Westlife

Originally posted by Tony

Even in his state, with no teeth, off his face, and 20 years of abuse, Shane made Katie look like a 6th form play singer. What makes Shane and the band so good is the crap that they do to themselves. They are like Hemmingway, Coward, and Lawrence.



Out of his mind and why not, not a clue what he shouted at the end of the performance ?

A true living legend, they are currently touring, as mentioned probably your last chance :(

I'd rather watch the likes of the Pogues, drunk to the eyeballs and as rough as they come, than some plastic do-as-I-tell-you muppet sat on a stool in a suit (eg. Westlife).

I agree this was a record the likes of Katie Melua should have left well alone. Her dulcet tones was a bad decision on a song that requires balls.

Incidentally, the other night there was an hour long programme on BBC3 (TV) about the story of Fairytale of New York which was truly fascinating. They worked on the song for two years and it was only by chance that Kirsty McColl got to sing on the record. She was married to producer Steve Lillywhite and it was he who recommended Kirsty to Shane and co. after the original bassist (and vocalist) left. (She married Elvis Costello. Her name evades me at the moment.) It was always intended to be a male/female duet song.

When questioned about his memories of Kirsty, Shane MacGowan wept. Quite touching.

If anyone is going to cover this wonderful song, then please let it be the Pogues.

Finally, all he said at the end as he left stage was 'Buy the record'.

Most of us already have it!

Originally posted by Ousetunes
...after the original bassist (and vocalist) left. (She married Elvis Costello. Her name evades me at the moment.) It was always intended to be a male/female duet song.
Cate O'Riorden.

Originally posted by ppn_2204
Cate O'Riorden.

That's her!

(I'm hoping to receive a new memory for Christmas:thumbsup: )

Originally posted by Ousetunes
That's her!

(I'm hoping to receive a new memory for Christmas:thumbsup: )
I'm a Costello fan (well was, before he started going down the easy-listening route and composing operas), which is why I remembered her name. A better memory's on my Christmas list too!

Originally posted by Tony
He is indeed in a bad way, and I hear that he may not last another 12 months, so enjoy it while you can.

Christmas isn't Christmas without someone predicting that Shane "won't see another one" - it's been going on for at lease the past 10 years. Incidentally, it's his birthday on Christmas Day, so another good reason to raise a lemonade to the toothless old alky. I love 'im. :thumbsup:

Costello produced Pogues LP Rum, Sodomy and the Lash which is brilliant.

Their appearance on the JR show was a bit of a mixed bag, though.

Do they intend to tour, or was that performance just a one-off?