Bruce Springsteen Pens Tribute to Shane MacGowan as All-Star Covers Album is Announced
Legendary musician Bruce Springsteen has authored a heartfelt essay commemorating the influential songwriting of Shane MacGowan, the celebrated frontman of the Pogues, who passed away in late 2023. The tribute coincides with the announcement of an all-star covers album, titled 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan, which features an impressive lineup including Springsteen, Kate Moss, and Johnny Depp.
The first single from the album, a rendition of “A Rainy Night in Soho” by Springsteen, has already been released ahead of the album’s anticipated debut on November 13.
In his essay, Springsteen positions MacGowan alongside a lineage of iconic musicians such as Woody Guthrie, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley, describing them as “timeless geniuses” who encapsulate both their artistic eras and the essence of their crafts. Springsteen writes:
“Many, unsurprisingly, led difficult lives not easily bound by the shackles of convention. They were natural rebels unable to stifle or heed the impulses that led them to their glory and personal hardships. Great art is by nature lawless. We do not get to choose our obsessions. We do not get to dictate our blessings or our transgressions… Shane was all naked bottomless humanity. Threatening to force us to ask ourselves if we were living deeply, authentically. He was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound.”
Springsteen recounts a touching encounter with MacGowan shortly before his passing, emphasizing the warmth and hospitality extended by MacGowan and his wife, Victoria Mary Clarke. Springsteen expressed his gratitude during that visit, saying, “I thanked him for his beautiful work, his music, his songs, his life,” and shared a poignant farewell.
The album also boasts contributions from a diverse array of artists, including American musicians Tom Waits and Steve Earle, as well as British indie bands like the Libertines and Primal Scream. Notable Irish talents such as Lisa O’Neill and Damien Dempsey are also among the collaborators, alongside the surviving members of the Pogues.
In an exciting twist, the album features notable duets, including Hozier with Jessie Buckley and Johnny Depp with Imelda May. While specific track details have yet to be unveiled, Kate Moss’s contribution continues her sporadic musical ventures, which include past collaborations with various artists.
A significant portion of the proceeds—50% of artist royalties from the 20th Century Paddy album—will go to the Dublin Simon Community, a charity dedicated to supporting the homeless population in Dublin.
Victoria Mary Clarke, MacGowan’s wife, expressed her gratitude in a statement acknowledging the impact of the album: “Shane’s spirit and songwriting are eternally exalted through this glorious collection… his family are humbled by and thankful to each and every one of the musicians involved.”
Shane MacGowan, born to Irish parents in England, is renowned for his compelling and diverse contributions to Irish music, both with the Pogues and as a solo artist. His enduring classic “Fairytale of New York” continues to resonate, re-entering the UK Top 10 annually since 2017.
Following MacGowan’s death at the age of 65, the collection serves as a continuation of posthumous musical tributes to his legacy. Earlier this year, New York’s Carnegie Hall hosted a tribute concert honoring both MacGowan and the late Sinéad O’Connor, featuring performances from artists such as David Gray and the Dropkick Murphys.
The Pogues recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of their debut album, Red Roses for Me, with a series of performances, including a special show in London with notable guest appearances. They have announced a new greatest hits tour across Europe scheduled for November and December, promising additional collaborations during the concerts.
Source: Original Source
