The Old Vic Pub in Santa Rosa, where the Russian River Brewing Company is now, had a London Irish bartender, Brian Calliway, who hung out with Shane and Vivian and Malcolm and the rest as a starving Modern actor in the 70s. He played Rum, Sodomy and the Lash on every shift. Nobody complained. A soundtrack to a unique time in my and many other's life. When the RRBC took over so did The Crock of Gold, at least for me. Shane was always there in the wasteland of life in my late 20s to early 30s.
The only time I went to see the Pogues, Shane didn't make it. :)
I grew up in a house in which we ONLY heard Irish music, and my parents both warned us about this band who were bastardizing trad called The Pogues. So of course I HAD to listen. I taped my cousin's copy of Rum, Sodomy and the Lash (obligatory sign on bedroom door "Quiet. Taping") and it just blew my mind. I've shed a lot tears today for Shane. Slán go fóill, my friend.
Colin, it was because of you that I was introduced to Shane’s music years ago. It’s only fitting that I should hear this sad news first from you as well. Lovely tribute. Thanks.
A sad day indeed! One of the most brilliant songwriters of our time who could make you laugh out loud and cry with his beautiful, heartfelt words. I remember walking into the record store on the UCSD campus and buying Red Roses for Me and the employees looking at me like I was from another planet
Not many musicians can almost single handedly define a new genre, punk Irish folk and no one did it as true and powerfully as Shane. I was incredibly fortunate to see the Pogues at some memorable shows, but one of my favorite musical nights ever was on St Patrick's Day at Brixton Academy on March 17, 1989. A drunken smile never left my face from the first note to the last.
Thank you Shane for the privilege of listening to your beautiful music that always transports me to a better time and place.
Thank you Colin for your words and this beautiful cover!
Wow! On my long drive home today I was listening to the as Pogues (as I’m sure many of us were and are doing today). When Lullaby of London came on, I thought to myself, “this is the song Colin should play”.....and, sure enough, your post was waiting for me when I got home.
The Pogues were one of a handful of bands that I listened to on repeat throughout my 80’s teenaged years. I remember exactly where I was when I heard them for the first time. It was during a flood in Napa, CA, where I lived at the time. I was watching MTV (of course I was), and Fairytale of New York came on.....I was hooked. I asked my brother to brave the washed out streets of Napa and take me to the local record store where I purchased all the Pogues catalogue on vinyl..... the subsequent months following were exquisite. Thanks, Colin, for a beautiful version of a beautiful song by one of the best bands....full stop.
The moment I learned of his departure this morning, the news conveyed by a friend in form of an appropriately sad but snarky meme, I knew we would be hearing from you shortly, Colin, good fellow. I knew that whatever cover you had previously selected to bless us with would step aside in favor of a simultaneously soulful and perfectly punk rock Pogues tune.
Love to all who loved him. May the wake be worldwide.
Thanks Colin, that's lovely. Growing up in Dublin in the 80s, I was lucky enough to see the Pogues live on a fairly regular basis. It was carnage! Although steeped in Irish literature and music, Shane was at his best writing about London. From Transmetropolitan to Misty Morning, Albert Bridge, his songs painted an incredibly vivid picture of the city. Your song choice is spot on!
The Old Vic Pub in Santa Rosa, where the Russian River Brewing Company is now, had a London Irish bartender, Brian Calliway, who hung out with Shane and Vivian and Malcolm and the rest as a starving Modern actor in the 70s. He played Rum, Sodomy and the Lash on every shift. Nobody complained. A soundtrack to a unique time in my and many other's life. When the RRBC took over so did The Crock of Gold, at least for me. Shane was always there in the wasteland of life in my late 20s to early 30s.
The only time I went to see the Pogues, Shane didn't make it. :)
*Calloway, why is it so hard to edit comments in substack????
Pro tip - edits are easy in a browser. ;)
Capybara-tip?
I grew up in a house in which we ONLY heard Irish music, and my parents both warned us about this band who were bastardizing trad called The Pogues. So of course I HAD to listen. I taped my cousin's copy of Rum, Sodomy and the Lash (obligatory sign on bedroom door "Quiet. Taping") and it just blew my mind. I've shed a lot tears today for Shane. Slán go fóill, my friend.
Beautiful
That is a truly beautiful take thank you
Wonderful tribute. Thank you Colin.
The way this made me cry—a beautiful tribute. Thank you!
Colin, it was because of you that I was introduced to Shane’s music years ago. It’s only fitting that I should hear this sad news first from you as well. Lovely tribute. Thanks.
A sad day indeed! One of the most brilliant songwriters of our time who could make you laugh out loud and cry with his beautiful, heartfelt words. I remember walking into the record store on the UCSD campus and buying Red Roses for Me and the employees looking at me like I was from another planet
Not many musicians can almost single handedly define a new genre, punk Irish folk and no one did it as true and powerfully as Shane. I was incredibly fortunate to see the Pogues at some memorable shows, but one of my favorite musical nights ever was on St Patrick's Day at Brixton Academy on March 17, 1989. A drunken smile never left my face from the first note to the last.
Thank you Shane for the privilege of listening to your beautiful music that always transports me to a better time and place.
Thank you Colin for your words and this beautiful cover!
A perfect tribute, Colin. I'll sing "The Broad Majestic Shannon" in his honor this weekend.
He sneered directly at me during a concert in 89... an odd thing to be proud of I know...
Wow! On my long drive home today I was listening to the as Pogues (as I’m sure many of us were and are doing today). When Lullaby of London came on, I thought to myself, “this is the song Colin should play”.....and, sure enough, your post was waiting for me when I got home.
The Pogues were one of a handful of bands that I listened to on repeat throughout my 80’s teenaged years. I remember exactly where I was when I heard them for the first time. It was during a flood in Napa, CA, where I lived at the time. I was watching MTV (of course I was), and Fairytale of New York came on.....I was hooked. I asked my brother to brave the washed out streets of Napa and take me to the local record store where I purchased all the Pogues catalogue on vinyl..... the subsequent months following were exquisite. Thanks, Colin, for a beautiful version of a beautiful song by one of the best bands....full stop.
The moment I learned of his departure this morning, the news conveyed by a friend in form of an appropriately sad but snarky meme, I knew we would be hearing from you shortly, Colin, good fellow. I knew that whatever cover you had previously selected to bless us with would step aside in favor of a simultaneously soulful and perfectly punk rock Pogues tune.
Love to all who loved him. May the wake be worldwide.
Thanks Colin, that's lovely. Growing up in Dublin in the 80s, I was lucky enough to see the Pogues live on a fairly regular basis. It was carnage! Although steeped in Irish literature and music, Shane was at his best writing about London. From Transmetropolitan to Misty Morning, Albert Bridge, his songs painted an incredibly vivid picture of the city. Your song choice is spot on!
Very nice.
Excellent. Cheers x
This was beautiful. And also I'm thrilled we'll get to hear a cover of Those to Come.