Big George & his Fairytale of New York

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.

A Songbook for Big George

Walking up the cobbled stone street the noise of Byres road slowly fades, a busker belts out an Oasis song while a smoker stands at the entrance of a bar, he's looking on in deep appreciation of the street fayre in front of him. The smoker throws a few coins on to the buskers ruffled up leather guitar case before opening the door to head back to his pint, momentarily the sound of a hundred conversations drift out from the packed bar before falling silent again as the door closes keeping in the heat and revelry. For me I’ve only got a few more steps along the lane before heading through the double doors of Jinty McGuinty's and all at once I am content.

The drinkers queueing at the bar behind me 4 or 5 people deep all looking for space to try to shout in another round – bar manager Caroline controlling it expertly as always.

Waiting my turn I take a quick look round to the fireplace where George is serenading the packed pub with his stories and songs, he greets me with a wide eyed beaming smile and a gentle nod, I know I've been welcomed into the pub. He gestures down to his half finished pint, just to let me know he needs another freshly poured beer brought over when I’m ready.

The walls are decorated with the literary gems of Ireland. Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde and WB Yeats are remembered through their social commentary from yesteryear. Mixed with the modern score from artists like Christy Moore, Shane MacGowan, Jim Croce and many many more........... It’s all too perfect.

This is where I went for years, this is where I grew up, this is where I go now to remember my brother George. 

Sometimes I close my eyes and for a fleeting moment I hear his voice, I see his smile and feel his warmth again.

There isn’t a day goes by where I don't miss him.

Those years following George from pub to pub across Glasgow, and if I could get the time off work, across Scotland too are cherished memories. They were an education for me, and an opportunity to embrace the beauty within folk music, from it's picture perfect lyrics to the touching melodic arrangements that accompanied every heartfelt tale.  These songs don't just linger in your head, they settle in your soul.

George's wife Carolyn dropped off his gigging guitar to me last year. I had hoped I could maybe pick up the guitar and actually learn to play it properly this time, but so far I haven't got very far. In amongst the guitar case was an old song list that George handed round at the bars and clubs he played so that people could request songs – the list wasn't extensive, probably only covering a small clipping of his regular material.  A very early version of a playbook.

The list got me thinking about the songs George would sing and the variety of genres it crossed over. Digesting the content of the playbook I created a playlist on Spotify of the tunes I would hear George perform in my younger days, like all good playlists it has become a fluid score of not only the songs George sang, but those I would hear in the bars where he played and in the car travelling between venues.

Simply called Big Geo Songlist it has become my go to soundtrack when I am ironing, cooking, driving or spending time with family and friends. The biggest compliment I can give it is that both my children are tuned in to it regularly.

So, I thought I would share it with you to hopefully bring back some memories of your own and help toast my brother and our friend George.

Big Geo Songlist

A Tour With Big George

When I jumped into my brothers car that day & held his guitar case across my lap, I didn’t realise just how much things were about to change.  George was on his way to perform at one of the O’Neills bars that were starting to open across the country.

 

The pub scene was going through a major overhaul & the O’Neills franchise was offering a taste of Irish culture here in Scotland.

Irish pubs were opening up all over the country & live music was to become a staple, my brother George had played a major part in the folk music scene in & around Glasgow for the previous 6 years performing in The Old Burnt Barnes, The Tollbooth & Jinty McGintys to name a few, he’d also just stepped off the stage at the famous Glasgow Barrowlands supporting the Wolfe Tones.

With a few days off from work, I thought spending some time with my brother & a wee trip through four of Scotland's cities would be nice.  

The first stop on the trail would be Aberdeen where George, Carolyn & I met up with my sister Helen & her friends.   

I don’t recall too much about the pub or the songs played on the night, but after the show we ended up back at a friends house in Aberdeen till the early morning & I was introduced to the works of Devo, Half Man Half Biscuit & the Men They Couldn’t Hang.  

The next day we made our way to Dundee, but only after a quick curer in O’Neills for those that needed it.

Having visited both the cities as part of the Celtic support at away matches it was good to see what both cities had on offer, but again the main view we would get was of the inside of city bar.

My brother Stephen joined us in Dundee to celebrate his birthday, although there were only a couple-of days left of the tour, he seemed to bring a bag of clothes to last about 2 weeks.  The night went on long after the gig had finished & there were a few sore heads in the morning, breakfast was little bit quiet.

By the time we reached Perth I was really getting a taste for the live music scene.   Watching George interact with the crowd during his songs, people singing along, dancing, it was great to be part of it.

On the final night of the mini-tour, George played in a bar in Stirling.   He had played the same bar 4 days earlier, the venue was packed & at standing room only.  Playing through his song list of traditional folk & modern hits, everyone was on hand to sing every word.

The Fields of Athenry, Ye Jacobites by Name, Four Green Fields, Black is the Colour, Seven Drunken Nights, Young Ned, 500 Miles, McIlhatton, Irish Rover.

These songs & other will be etched in my head forever after those few days away in July 1995.

I had made some great new friends on that tour, extended my music taste & met Linda who would become my wife (some years later). 

After the tour finished George flew to America & played some more gigs in Pubs & clubs in Boston & New York arranged through family & friends in both cities.

On his return from America George gave up his day job & singing became his career.  He told me he wrote a song about that mini tour, but I never did get to hear it.  He then got the chance to sing on the pitch at Celtic Park pitch as part of the pre match entertainment.

Many years later in 2007 George would live out his dreams by touring America & Australia as part of Celtic Thunder, he created a new list of admirers & they too experienced the warmth & attention he would share with everyone who took the time to speak to him.

As part of Celtic Thunder he performed at the opening of the St Patricks Day Parade in New York & sang for President Obama in the White House. 

When home from the tours he would always look forward to going back to his old venues & love nothing more then performing in Jinty McGintys on a Wednesday & Sunday night, in a place that became home for him.

Raised in Easterhouse to performing in the Whitehouse.   George loved what he did & he done it all.

In 2014 George suffered a Heart Attack & died at home.    At only 46 he had achieved so much through his music, releasing albums of his own & touring the world, but he loved nothing more than being back home with his friends & family.

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