The Rare Oul' Stuff

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Total Tracks: 21   Total Length: 72:48

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Colin Irwin

eMusic Contributor

04.22.11
The punk singer who re-educated a whole generation about the wide-eyed wonders of the bar-ballad tradition.
2001 | Label: ZTT Records / ZTT

You can't go far into the study of Irish rock without worshipping at the altar of His Holiness Shane MacGowan, the punk singer who re-educated a whole generation about the wide-eyed wonders of the bar-ballad tradition. This thoroughly likeable compilation offers 21 of MacGowan's tracks with the Popes, including traditional favourites like “Nancy Whiskey” and “Spanish Lady,” a gorgeous duet with Maire Brennan of Clannad (“You're The One”) and the occasional curiosities like his maverick covers of “Danny Boy” and Neil Diamond's “Cracklin'Rosie.” The common misconception is that MacGowan lost the plot at the end of the Pogues, but this collection shows he merely mislaid it a bit. The drunkard image gets in the way, but he's bought into that dynasty and wouldn't be half the songwriter or performer without all the baggage that surrounds him. He's the real deal whose influence has spread into all aspects of Irish culture. Treasure him.

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I loved the Pouges

naldini

because they were the first to introduce me to Irish angst. Personally I think that this stuff holds up equally as well. I was thrilled to find it out here and will collect all that I can. If you like this get some "Enter the Haggis". Just as much fun!

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Please stop already, Shane

Liam665

Shane MacGowan was great, once upon a time. But he wasted it--literally drank away his talent. There is no reason to prefer anything here to his work with the Pogues. Go hear the real (pre-1990) Shane on the Pogues albums and leave this slurred, out-of-tune mess for the boys who think self-destruction is just awesome.

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Shane MacGowan- literary genius.

EMUSIC-00E7F0BF

I had the honour of spending a (late) night with Shane and Cherish the ladies in a Glasgow hotel lounge a few years ago. Yes we were all bladdered but one of the girls - I cant remember her name but she played the bodhran and had the voice of an angel - said that she thinks that in years to come the works of Shane Macgowan will be taught and studied in Irish literature classes along with Yates, Joyce, Shaw et al. I agreed with her then and I couldn't agree more today. He inspired a revolution of irish music and suddenly the world was overrun with Irish boozers, giving her musicians the chance to travel the globe playing the tunes and singing the songs of home. God bless you Shane - long may you run.

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Irish Cred

BluegrassSailor

To the guy who called Shane MacGowan a "pretend" Irish Man. Check your facts smart guy. Being born in England to 2 Irish Parents and then moving to Ireland to spend a large proportion of childhood there qualifies you as an "Irish" man in my book. Oh, and he's a real, dyed in the wool drunk too. I've witnessed it firsthand. Attack the man's cred...what have you done lately?

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Songwriting Legend

sigster

Shane Macgowan: Genius. Enough said!

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Shane MacGowan a rare talent

Mabeuf

Shane MacGowan with his rough voice may strike some as an untalented lout, but there are few better song writers in the world today. Great collection.

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Dirges

richbucknall

Halfway through the third track we had a power cut. What a relief it was! Pretend Irishman MacGowans slurred vocals and the messy arrangements make this tortuous listening. Irish folk music and punk make natural bedfellows, as both have a philosophy of seeing who can play loudest and fastest. Talent doesn't come into it however.

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They Say All Music Guide

The Rare Oul’ Stuff by Shane MacGowan & the Popes is a bit of a misnomer in that not all of these tracks are rare, and all of them have been released in one form or another before. First off, healthy bits of both Snake and Crock of Gold make up over half the set. The rest of the cuts are either bonuses, such as “Donegal Express,” which was the extra cut on the limited edition of Snake, and “Roddy MocCorley” and “Minstrel Boy” from the That Woman’s Got Me Drinking EP. But there are a few choice things here as well, such as the cover of “Cracklin’ Rosie”, and, of course, “St. John of the Gods,” but for the most part, hard core collectors will already have all this. For the newcomer, this is a fine and good spirited introduction. – Thom Jurek

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