It never ceases to amaze me the emotions that can be triggered when you hear a song play. After the sad passing of Pogues front man Shane MacGowan, the radio has been awash with the bands classic Fairytale of New York anthem. The bittersweet love story penned by MacGowan and Pogues bandmate Jem Finer has been a Christmas staple since 1987. Everything about the song has a way of reaching into your soul. The musical arrangements, the video, the story and of course the chemistry between the two great singers who are sadly no longer with us.
The meteoric rise of The Pogues in the 80s was a shining beacon for Irish music and signalled an awakening for a new wave of traditional folk sounds. My brother George was swept up in the euphoric musical movement that arrived at that time. Well that, and the links to Irish folk and rebel music through watching Celtic over the years opened the door for George; a self taught musician to become part of the live folk music scene in Glasgow.
From the late 1980s and for almost 30 years, George was part of great live music family in Glasgow and around Scotland. A regular in Jinty McGintys on Ashton Lane for of 20 years. George performed in pubs and clubs across the city. He auditioned for a role in a then new stage production under the management of legendary irish singer songwriter Phil Coulter and in 2007 George was chosen to make up part of the original lineup for Celtic Thunder. For the next seven years he toured north America and Australia as a kind of father figure in the group.
Fairytale of New York was as much an Easter song as it was a Christmas song for George. No matter the time of year George would always belt out the Pogues anthem as part of his set. Whether he sang it solo or performed a duet with friends or family in the bar, Fairytale became a signature of a live performance from George.
After George's death in 2014 I struggled to listen to his songs or voice, the pain of missing my brother was; and still is at times now too much. However, I know when I am ready there is a catalogue of songs available online where I can hear my brother doing what he loved.
A few years ago, a good friend of George’s contacted my older brother to say he found a recording that George had made for him. The CD was a collection of some old songs George would sing in the bars in and around Glasgow and George had made the disc for his friends to take back home to Germany with them.
The recording was made at home by George, probably around 2003. It was so nice to hear his voice back again and to once more listen to him perform Fairytale of New York.
The song will always be seen by most as a Christmas song, but for me it brings so many happy memories of going to see my brother doing what he loved.
