Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Johnny Depp confirmed for Shane MacGowan tribute album
An all-star cast has been confirmed for a tribute album in memory of the late Pogues icon Shane MacGowan.
MacGowan, who struggled with his health for many years, sadly passed away on November 30th, 2023, due to pneumonia.
Since then, The Pogues have headed out on the road in his memory, and tribute shows have been held to honour MacGowan. Now, it has been confirmed that 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan will arrive on November 20th.
The first release from the tribute album, Bruce Springsteen’s cover of ‘A Rainy Night In Soho‘, is out now, and ‘The Boss’ has also shared an essay in memory of his late friend.
Springsteen wrote, “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. It’s a little joke the gods play on us.”
He powerfully continued, “Shane’s 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. The dangerous joy, the glee and courage, the humour in the face of fate, the wild ramble of a life driven towards the artistic heavens and the daily balm of self-obliteration.”
Springsteen went on to describe MacGowan as “all naked bottomless humanity” who was an expert at “threatening to force us to ask ourselves if we were living deeply, authentically”.
‘The Boss’ added, “He was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound. 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.”
In addition to Springsteen, the album also includes Tom Waits, Steve Earle, The Libertines, Primal Scream, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Pogues, Lisa O’Neill, Damien Dempsey, plus Imelda May duetting with Johnny Depp, and Hozier joining forces with Jessie Buckley.
In a statement, MacGowan’s wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, who is behind the tribute album along with said, “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.”
20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan will raise money for The Dublin Simon Community, which works with the homeless population in the Irish capital, with 50 per cent of artist royalties set to be given to the charity.
A tracklist is set to be revealed at a later date.
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