Tribute Album Honors Shane MacGowan
Three years after his passing, a number of prominent musicians have collaborated to produce a tribute album dedicated to Shane MacGowan, the lead singer of The Pogues.
The album, titled 20th Century Paddy - The Songs of Shane MacGowan, was announced on Thursday along with the release of its first single, a cover of "A Rainy Night In Soho" performed by Bruce Springsteen.
In an essay accompanying the announcement, Springsteen praised MacGowan's songwriting as "raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound."
Album Details and Contributors
Scheduled for release in November, the album features a variety of artists including a duet between Hozier and Oscar nominee Jessie Buckley. Other contributors include Tom Waits, Primal Scream, Steve Earle, and David Gray.
Actor Johnny Depp performs a duet with singer Imelda May, and the album also includes contributions from The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Libertines, and Kate Moss.
Remembering Shane MacGowan
MacGowan passed away in November 2023 at the age of 65 after a period of ill health. He left behind an unparalleled catalogue of songs that vividly depicted the experiences of working-class Irish immigrants, weaving narratives of love found in impoverished settings with references to literature, mythology, and the Bible.
Bruce Springsteen’s Reflection
Springsteen recounted spending an afternoon with MacGowan shortly before his death.
"He was not well but he and his wife, Victoria, proved warm and gracious hosts. As I left, I thanked him for his beautiful work, his music, his songs, his life. I stood in his warmth, kissed him and told him I loved him."
He described MacGowan as a writer in the tradition of "geniuses" and "natural rebels" such as Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, and Bob Dylan.
"Shane was all naked bottomless humanity. Threatening to force us to ask ourselves if we were living deeply, authentically,"
"[His] voice was so deeply real, profane and honest, his writing so flashing, alive and historically rich its genesis appeared as a mystery to all including, I believe, its creator,"
"His soul was filled with the transgressive and ecstatic properties of the saints.
"I don't know who'll be listening to my music in 100 years but I know they'll be listening to Shane's."
Family and Charity Involvement
Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan's wife and overseer of the tribute album, expressed gratitude in a statement:
"Shane's spirit and songwriting are eternally exalted through this glorious collection, each song is uniquely and graciously interpreted by these beyond-beautiful artists and his family are humbled by and thankful to each and every one of the musicians involved."
Half of the artist royalties generated by the album will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community, a charity supporting the city's homeless population.
Catherine Kenny, CEO of the charity, noted:
"Shane's empathy for people sleeping rough in Dublin was well known.
He never hesitated to stop, acknowledge, and share a moment with someone on the street."
Confirmed Artists
The list of artists confirmed to participate in the record includes Bruce Springsteen, Hozier, Jessie Buckley, Tom Waits, Primal Scream, Steve Earle, David Gray, Johnny Depp, Imelda May, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Libertines, and Kate Moss.
