It was a surprise for me to realise that it was only just over twelve months since Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan, singer-songwriter, musician and poet best known as the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of Celtic punk band The Pogues had passed away. Shane had previously toured with Clare-born accordionist Sharon Shannon and so it was fitting that this evening was billed as a tribute to the late Shane MacGowan with The Sharon Shannon Big Band. The Sharon Shannon Big Band would be accompanied by a lineup of special guests including Imelda May, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Camille O’ Sullivan, Cait O’Riordan and Mundy, for a showcase of not only traditional Irish music but a celebration of Shane’s legendary songwriting.
Sharon`s eight-piece big band took to the stage including original Pogues bass player Cait O’Riordan and ran through a couple of traditional Irish tunes and reels to warm up this expectant crowd, one of which was the infectious `Blackbird`. The special guests are introduced and share the wonderful `Dirty Old Town` written seventy-five years ago by Ewan McColl and made famous by the Dubliners before becoming a Pogues staple. We also enjoy `The Irish Rover` which the Pogues and the Dubliners co-sang and managed a top ten chart spot back in 1987.
This evening’s homage continues with songs and stories from the individual guests or a combination of such with the lounge like `Summer in Siam` sung by Liam, a song that was a favourite of Shane and The Popes track `Mama Lou` from alternative rock baroque pop singer, musician, and actress Camille O`Sullivan, who is a real force of nature and somebody who I’d wanted to catch live for a long time.
I must admit `A Pair of Brown Eyes` brought tears to my eyes and had all and sundry singing and swaying along before the rousing `Streams of Whiskey` lightened the mood. The reflective `I’m a Man You Don’t Meet Every Day` was sung by Cait O’Riordan who sang the recorded version on the Pogues second album `Rum Sodomy & the Lash` back in 1985 before Dublin singer-songwriter Imelda May steps up for the thoughtful `The Broad Majestic Shannon`.
Liam Ó Maonlaí, vocalist from Hothouse Flowers steps forward to serenade us with `Lullaby of London` before Cait heads up the raucous Pogues classic `Dark Streets of London`. Sharon`s band offer a couple of numbers which includes `Cavan Potholes` written by Donal Lunny who was a founding member of Planxty, The Bothy Band and Moving Hearts. The mayhem returns with `The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn` before `Haunted` is passionately sung by Camille.
Offaly`s finest Edmond Enright, better known as Mundy is encouraged to share `Galway Girl` which was penned by Steve Earle and became for Mundy the biggest single in Ireland two years in a row in 2007 and 2008. I saw Mundy play this song at a music festival at Belvedere House, Mullingar, Co Westmeath with Steve Earle in attendance, no pressure there!! The number morphs into `Iko Iko` before the band and guests wrap up the evening with the boisterous `Sally MacLennane` and exuberant `Fiesta`.
As it was a few days before Christmas the gang returned and led us all in what, for me is the best Christmas song ever written with `Fairytale of New York` and we were all left to mull over the last two hours as we headed out into the blustery cold winter`s night.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect this evening but whatever expectations I had the were exceeded and surpassed by this wonderfully warm and enveloping show of love and affection for the talents of the late Shane MacGowan. This show made me appreciate what a wonderful poet the man really was. This tribute heads to London and Manchester so if you want to catch a performance, you`ll need to get moving.
