Shane - I hardly knew ya

Shane MacGowan was the outward symbol of what millions of people globally saw as Irishness.  He was & will forever remain at the forefront of Irish music, culture and storytelling.  From his punk days in London in the 1970s and the rise of The Pogues, to his long illness and subsequent withdrawal from public life, Shane took the torch that was passed to him from generations of Irish troubadours and used his rare abilities to reach new heights for Irish folk music.

 

It is almost 40 years since The Pogues debut album was released.  Red Roses for Me would be the initiation for many to the new wave Irish/Punk/Folk fusion that would allow the band to remain at the pinnacle of the music scene for over a decade & beyond.

For me, as an 8 year old growing up the youngest of 9 children in the east end of Glasgow, I can be thankful to my older siblings for introducing this music to me.  How we consume music has certainly changed in the last 40 years, but the lasting legacy of the unique style Shane had, means he along with The Pogues still list in my top 5 artists when it comes to Spotify Wrapped at the end of every year.

 

Shane was more than a front man.   He was a teacher, a poet, a director and a star.  He had the ability to not only paint a beautiful picture with his words, but build a set, furnish the surroundings and then make you feel like you were living and breathing every word he sang.   A one-off and a legend in his time.

 

His tour stories are legendary, all of his gigs memorable to anyone fortunate enough to be there.  I was too young to see The Pogues live first time around, but was lucky to see him play in and around Glasgow, including the reunion tour in 2002.   However to see to him play at the Barrowlands along with the full arrangement of musicians is a memory that will stay with me forever.

 

From The Pogues to The Popes, the master lyricist always produced a story that had you mesmerised from the opening chords and words.   Collaborations with Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, The Dubliners & Johnny Depp all broadened the appeal of the lovable rogue.

A genuine sadness hit me when I heard the sad news of Shanes passing.  So many happy memories of family gatherings and gigs, or introducing his music to my own children now.   Shane has been a staple of my music tastes for 4 decades and his gift to us will be that his music and poetic storytelling has already become part of the great Irish songbook, shared and cherished by those who knew him well, and folk like me who just connected with his music.

Christy Moore probably put it best "Fair play to you Shane MacGowan.......but you sure know how to write them boy"

I’ve been loving you a long time,

Down all the years, down all the days

And I’ve cried for all your troubles

Smiled at your funny little ways

Jamie Webster - Live O2 Academy Glasgow

 Sometimes, just sometimes, the stars align and for a minute or two and you feel like the luckiest guy on the planet.  Well, that was me, that was how I felt walking out of The Glasgow O2 Academy at about half ten on Friday the 10th November.  A blistering night of music and stories from Liverpool songwriter Jamie Webster lit the fire to help  take the chill out of a cold night in Glasgow's south side.

Now, my only knowledge of the latest scouse troubadour to take Glasgow by storm, was that he led the chants of the Anfield faithful as Liverpool conquered Europe in Madrid 2019, and sealed their first English premiership title in 2020.   Cover versions, football chants and a healthy loathing of the current Tory government and their policies, in fact probably Tories in general.  

My 15 year old son has become a huge fan of Webster’s music since I first introduced him to his sounds when then European champions Liverpool played Napoli at Murrayfield in 2019.   Since then he has been an avid fan and listener.  So when I picked up 2 tickets for the O2 in the day of the gig - you can imagine, he was buzzing.

From the lights being dimmed to the strains of Fatboy  Slims “Praise You", the raucous Glasgow crowd needed no invitation to launch into a chorus of “Here we, Here We, Here We Fuckin’ Go".  As Jamie and the band strolled on stage, he was given the welcome akin to a champion returning to his home town.  The stage was set and  the O2 was crackling just waiting for that switch to be flicked.

The opening chords to Voice of the Voiceless sent another charge across the Glasgow crowd.

I cant speak 

I cant dream

I cant change it so you see the world like me

But there’s a pulse

So still I try.............

The O2 just erupted.

From in front of the stage, to the balconies and behind the bar – the euphoria exploded.  There were no voiceless there, it was a united chorus, movement and cause.   Make no mistake, there was Something in the Air, a synergy that flowed the entire night.

Jamie gave a breath-taking performance along with his band.   A brilliant set list ranging from his early song writing days and cover versions, to his collaboration with Billy Bragg and his most recent album kept everyone lucky enough to be there in the palm of his hands.

The gig passed way too quickly, 18 songs including the encores were perfect.

I walked into the venue not knowing any of the songs or what to expect, the playlist my son made for the drive over was my only gauge.   I walked back to my car after the gig with a spring in my step and a wish to relive the entire night again.

It looks like I’ve got some catching up to do with Jamie Webster songs and I honestly cant wait.  If like me you’re new to his music I promise you wont be disappointed.