Customer Reviews

Crock of Gold

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an album that you'll return to again and again, and one with hidden depths. Shane's most consistent work since The Pogues' 'If I Should Fall from Grace with God', he mixes Irish folk with a country twang and washes of slide guitar, rock'n'roll and dub reggae. If not a concept album, this seems to progress in theme, from the brashness and bravado towards the start with 'Paddy Rolling Stone', 'Rock'n'Roll Paddy' and 'Back in the County Hell', through more sensitive numbers like 'Lonesome Highway' and 'Mother Mo Chroi' to a kind of wistful nihilism towards the end with 'St. John of Gods' and its world-weary refrain of "F yez all, f yez all". The lyrics are by turns cynical, caustic, gentle and funny (the reggae pastiche 'B & I Ferry' praises "Mighty, mighty Jar"), and a flavour of the hazy world of MacGowan is conveyed. Tragic beauty in the most unlikely of places.

Shane has definitely edged out on the Irish-country music tunes. But, hey, if you are a traditional Irish music lover, like myself, you'll appreciate it. It definitely isn't "The Snake" which had such great melodious mixtures like "A Mexican Funeral in Paris" and Irish rebel tunes like "Rising of The Moon." For people new to Shane's work, I would suggest first buying MacGowan's "The Snake" or a Pogues album that predates 1992 such as "If I Should Fall From Grace with God" or others. Either way you decide, once you enter the fantastic muscial world of Shane, and are exposed that voice of his, you'll be hooked. Forever.

This CD is a bit more diverse than The Snake but lacks some of the traditional aspect of songs such as The Rising of the Moon. Lonesome Highway may be Shane's best song. Another seriously underrated song is More Pricks than Kicks, with the classic line, "I'll walk right through hell to buy you a jar". There are definitely some throwaway songs such as The Cowboy Song and the Nursery Rhyme song. Overall, though this contains typically great lurics by the Irish Bard. Friends recommend this as a great traveling CD. I would concur.

this cd is great from the beginning to the end,everything he does is great!

Shane is the best writter of our time! As always!

decent, albeit a better album than the snake. If you're not a Shane fan better to spend your money on some pogues than to drop $25 and begin your journey here.