Showing posts with label The Pogues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Pogues. Show all posts

Wednesday, 15 May 2013

WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Pogues - Streams of Whiskey, Thin Lizzy - Whiskey in The Jar

WEDNESDAY CLUB - WHISKEY TIME
a wee dram a fore you go

 
THE POGUES - Steams of Whiskey

When I was between the age of 7 and 12 years old, during the summer holidays I was always sent to my aunt Nan and uncle Alex for 2 weeks. It was a place called Dalmore. It was situated on the other side of the BlackIisle, the other side from the Inverness side. For a young kid it was perfect, it was by the sea and there were many inlets,  that when the tide was out you could jump over, catch crabs and there was always something exciting to find which had been washed up by the sea.

It was in the countryside and was perfect for someone like me who loved all animals and birds. I found voles, moles, snakes, lizards, mice, rats, hedgehogs, weasels and stoats. I was in my element. They also had a dog named Whiskey which I was able to take for walks.

The highlight of my day was to walk to the distillery, only about 10mins from the house. I met there my uncle Willie. He was not really an uncle, but was the brother of my Aunt Nan. Willie was my favourite uncle we fought, we played tricks on each other and gambled for pennies, For some reason I always seemed to win.

At eleven sharp all the distillery workers met in a room for their elevenses, which was a large glass of raw whiskey. They had several of these breaks during the day so in effect they were kept 'topped up' all day.

Can you imagine that happening nowadays. It would be unthinkable.

I would then follow Willie to his work place and watch until I got fed up and then I would return home for my lunch by the seaside route.

I saw all the processes that go to making whiskey and the sounds, sights and smells have stayed with me until this day. What I am trying to say is I still enjoy a 'wee dram.'

If you ever get the chance to taste a malt from Dalmore  then you will be in for a treat. The bottle will have a picture of a stag. The emblem for Mackenzie (my name) and the owners of the distillery.

Happy memories, especially being woken up each day to the sounds of the rooks and the crows.
 
THIN LIZZY - Whiskey in the Jar

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

WEDNESDAY CLUB - The Pogues - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

- A WEDNESDAY CLUB AND SPECIAL BREW PRODUCTION -

If your gums bleed!

 
THE POGUES - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda (1985)

When I lived in Jeddah in the eighties, I was a fit guy, I played tennis, squash, ran and twice a week I played football. Monday nights were always the highlight in the football scene because at the finish we all tripped round to the house of a previously appointed player for beers, food, banter and craic. It was always a great evening and would last a couple of hours and sometimes more for the hard core.

My turn finally arrived, I had been busy for weeks trying to build up my stocks of homemade beer to satisfy the thirsty anticipation of my fellow footbal chums.

A 5 gallon gerry can, 5 kilos of sugar, a case of non alcoholic beer topped up with H20 and a pinch of bakers yeast. Then watch these baby bubbles rise, each one a little more alcohol. You little beauties!.
Bottling was always always a great occasion, usually after about 7 days due to the heat. Shellhunter was always there to lend a hand with the syphoning procedure and became quite an accomplished little helper.  I am  a great believer in training your daughter in the finer things, for later life, and felt this was all part of Shellhunter's 'finishing' school.   

I had prepared the 'stovies' a great dish for Scottish or any other 'piss artists'. It always goes down well after a skin full. I had carefully prepared the background tape and had several tracks from the then Pogues new album 'Rum, Sodomy and the Lash' (1985) . I had just managed to get it from the U.K.  I knew there were lots of Irish guys and this was sure to impress.
Can you imagine my horror when there was a collective shout by my 'Fenian' friends to get that rubbish off.  Have you not got the Dubliners or Paddy Mcgintys Goat, They said!. This is not 'proper' Irish music. They are a fad and will never last. God!. I thought for a horrible moment they were going to ask for the Nolans'.
How do you feel now guys as you join in singing your favourite Irish Christmas Song?. 

Thursday, 23 August 2012

DYLAN COVERS #63 The Pogues/Runrig - When the Ship Comes in/The Times the are a Changin'

Kiss my a*se


THE POGUES - When the Ship Comes In(1996)

This cover comes from the Pogues final studio album 'Pogue Mahone'(1996). I have loved the Pogues since their second album 'Rum, Sodomy and the Lash' (1985) and many an early morning, I have ended up listening to them, so it was a delight when I heard this version of WTSCI.

The Pogues were to open for Dylan on the California leg of his 1989 tour, so he must have liked them too. However, Shane MacGowan collapsed at Heathrow Airport and kind of blew the the whole thing. Click for the whole story.

I raise my 'Special Brew' to you Shane, one of my favourite songwriters.

RUNRIG - The Times they are a Changin'(1989)

Keeping up with the Celtic Ray here is a version of TTTAAC by the pride of Scotland, Runrig. The lead singer on this track 'Donnie Munro' has one of my favourite voices. Runrig and  The Pogues definitely went down well when you are living abroad, as I did for 10 years. The track is available on the Album 'The BBC Archive Series' .

Saturday, 24 December 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011 FROM TUNE DOCTOR

Cold sweat, palpitations, vomit inducing excitement, yup it's Christmas Eve. Christmas songs, love them or hate them, there's really no getting away, so we at TuneDr have compiled our favourites to get you in the mood or tip you over the edge.




Ol Pa's Corner:-
ELVIS - Blue Christmas


I pulled the plug at the last minute and went for something a little more Christmisssiee, I prefer the Jim Reeves version (you old fart! - 'listen you can't beat a bit of Jim at 5 in the morning after a sesh!') but if I did write a Xmas song this would be it. Its all about colours!

JIM REEVES - Blue Christmas



Flycasual:-
The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl - 'Fairytale of New York' (1988)


I could have claimed any number of Christmas songs as my favourites, as they of course hold nostalgic value. I was delighted when Run DMC did 'Christmas in Hollis', as Hip Hop was finally represented at the Christmas table, I loved the Boss with the E-street band's impeccable rendition of 'Merry Christmas Baby' whipping me up into a frenzy. Even more recently Low's 'It was Just like Christmas' perfectly mixing the right amount happiness and melancholy that makes a great Festive tune. But if there's one song that's guaranteed to bring a tear to my eye it's that good, it's the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's iconic 'Fairytale of New York'. A little awkward when you are in the lingerie department in Primark looking for that 'something special' for the wife (though you don't need the Pogues to reduce you to tears there). It's a beautiful love story, flawless, musically and lyrically with some truly unforgettable lines, contrasted beautifully by Shane's and Kirsty's vocals, as it transports you away to New York....it's as good as being there! It's like you've stumbled upon a couple, mid row, the bitterness of a decayed relationship, the dreams and aspirations all but shattered and hanging on to hope. Not to mention a fantastic outro! It's perhaps an obvious choice but it doesn't mean you shouldn't pick it, for me it's the ultimate Christmas song and why I look forward to hearing it every year. As far as I'm concerned, Christmas hasn't got started until you hear 'Fairytale of New York'...

SFW:-
Band Aid - Do they know it's Christmas?


The greatest Charity & Christmas song of all time? Well I think so. When you look at the video, you think about the subject and read the back story and how the day unfolded, you realise how one song and two men (Bob Geldof & Midge Ure) changed potentially millions of lives - but also wrote a tune!

Being only 10 at the time, I just thought it was cool that all the 'pop' stars at the time were singing on one song - I was completely oblivious to the subject matter.  From Paul Young's opening line, to Bono's iconic line, it has everything you want in a epic pop song, and it's all for a good cause!

So do they know it's Christmas? Well I certainly know it's on the way when this starts playing!

Shell Hunter:-
The Waitresses - Christmas Wrapping (1981)


I've been trying to put my finger on why I like this song so much. Everyone I'm around shouts at me when I run to turn it up, screaming how annoying it is! But it's got a great bass line, its a bit rocky and describes the raw feelings of looking back over a year's worth of romantic disappointment! In the years before Youtube and the Internet, I wanted to learn the lyrics so I did the whole play, pause, write a line, play again until I had it all down. I hoped this would impress my pals when it played in the pub on Christmas eve. As soon as it came on I jumped up and bellowed the words mixed in with a bit of air guitar. Instead of being met with looks of amazement, I got an ear full of abuse and cigarette packets thrown at me! Nevermind, I knew that when I got home that night, my family would be there to continue the festive cheer and indulge my carolling! Feel free to sing along proper karaoke style! Merry Christmas everyone!


Happy Christmas!!
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