Pogues at their best. (The Best Of The Pogues - Pogues)

Member Name: paulhanton

Product:	The Best Of The Pogues - Pogues
Date:	02/06/08 (141 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some of the best songs they have produced.

Disadvantages: Couple of uneccessary fillers.

Some people think I drink too much - I think I drink just about enough, Shane McGowan.

This man is a lyrical genius, The pogues, musical wizards that combine some authentic Irish music with modern day lyrics and meaning. So when I decided to get a 'best of' from itunes, even though I have a fair few of these tracks anyway, I was happy to pay £7.99 for 14 songs, absolute bargain.

The songs, please note that the order of the CD is different from the order listed on itunes:

1. Fairytale Of New York
Is there a human being in the Western world that does not know this song? A collaboration with the late Kirsty McColl, probably the best known Pogues song and a fine way to open the album.

2. Sally MacLennane
A great Irish, rowdy song of travelling, love and drinking, McGowan at his best, you can imagine being sat in a rowdy Dublin bar on a Friday night, love this.

3. Irish Rover
To me, the essence of the Pogues, a great yarn, a great collaboration with the Dubliners, a traditional Irish jig telling the tale of the exodous to America, pure brilliance.

4. Dirty Old Town
Lyrically superb, melancholy, haunting yet in it's own way joyful, probably in my top three Pogues songs.

5. Pair Of Brown Eyes
Never really know whether this is great or not, there is certainly feeling to this song and depth, listen yourself and judge.

6. Streams Of Whiskey
I disagree with the incusion of this as a 'best'. It is rousing no doubt, but a bit 'formulaic' for me, nice use of pipes though.

7. Rainy Night In Soho
My favourite Pogues song, it still makes me cry. In fact I have just halted this review to listen again. Lyrically a masterpiece, a genius of story telling, musically very reserved for the Pogues. Vocally reserved for Shane too:

I took shelter from a shower, and I stepped into your arms,
On a rainy night in Soho, the wind was whistling all it's charms,
I sang you all my sorrows, you told me all your joys,

Fantastic saxophone backing and solo too.

8. Fiesta
Rowdy, bringing together the Spanish and Irish tradition, fun, but not the greatest.

9. Rain Street
To me this is a filler, never liked this.

10. Misty Morning Albert Bridge
Melancholy again, quite an interesting number, to me it smacks of Shane being 'lost' in England/London and trying find some meaning.

11. White City
Quite a good little rendition, very much McGowans personal feelings again, not the best, yet again.

12. Thousands Are Sailing
I do like this, whenever thePogues drop back into Irish history their strengths shine, the lyrics are telling, the music harps back to it's rootys, a worthy inclusion.

13. Broad Majestic Shannon
Strange song for me, quite incoherent in parts of this track, the best bit about it is the music, not the lyrics.

14. Body Of An American
I really don't know what to say about this song, it is a real mix n match of Pogues styles with a starnge storyline.....mmmm, best you judge this yourself, for me, not a good inclusion.

I would have included 'The boys from County Hell' and 'Streets of sorrow/Birmingham six' though both songs would not have appealed to the masses that this album was targeted at.

So is it the best of?
Wel, pretty much. The best of are included, but I would have maybe made it 10 tracks instead of 14, then it would have stood up to the title. Any Pogues album that includes 'Rainy night in Soho' 'Irish Rover' and 'Fairytale of New York' is a 'best of'.

Worth the money? Oh yes, without a doubt, if this is the only Pogues album you are to own, that's okay, you have the classics.

Summary: Best of the Pogues.