That Time Of The Year

Indeed it's that time of the year again. Eat, drink, be merry and get "Fairytale Of New York" shoved down your throat at every given opportunity. It must be great to have a Christmas hit. You would never have to work again. Think of all that annual revenue from compilations and radio play. In fact wasn't Hugh Grant's character in the Nick Hornby book and film "About a Boy" living off his late dad's earnings.

"Fairytale of New York" was penned by Shane MacGowan and Jem Finer, so I am quite confident that they are OK for a few bob, so it's the other members I feel sorry for. For this time of the year for the Pogues pantomime to be wheeled out once again.

The Pogues split in 1991 when Shane was already long gone (in all senses of the word)and then ten years later that got back together to be perform a series of concerts that proved very successful that they have been doing it pretty much every year since. Not actually existing as a band, so not writing or recording any new music, but just doing a few dates here and there, usually in December and playing the same old songs. Ching ching!

I have seen the Pogues a number of times over the years, notably at the National Kilburn, London 1986, "Picnic In The Park" in a tent in Finsbury Park, London 1987 which were exciting, chaotic, drunken and violent. They were two of the most memorable gigs that I ever attended

I did see a couple of the reunion gigs a few years ago and they were not a patch on those heady dates and seemed to be just going through the motions which was to be expected, but sill extremely talented musicians and songwriters, especially MacGowan who is surprisingly still with us.

They have left an arsenal of classic tunes. Some of my favourites are "Dark Streets Of London", "The Sick Bed of Cuchulainn", "The Body Of An American", "Thousands Are Sailing", "Turkish Song Of The Dammed", "Lullaby Of London". The list goes on. The first three albums - "Red Roses For Me", "Rum Sodomy and the Lash" and "If I Should Fall From Grace With God - are essential

The Pogues are currently finishing a 12 date tour.

Some classic clips for you: