If I Should Fall from Grace with God [EXTRA TRACKS] [IMPORT]

Pogues

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 30, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B000005S6B
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,906 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
After three releases that fused Clash-like punk and Celtic folk, the Pogues stretch their boundaries with If I Should Fall from Grace with God. Produced by Steve Lillywhite (U2, Psychedelic Furs), Grace flirts with jazz, world music and even norteno--the gloriously romp-y "Fiesta" sounds as if whiskey-parched vocalist Shane MacGowan hooked up with East LA's Los Lobos. Nonetheless, this is still the Pogues, meaning that when the day is done, Grace still feels as if it was born out of the bottom of a pint of Guinness. It's gritty, wildly spirited and, in the case of the ballad "Fairytale in New York" (a duet featuring Kirsty MacColl), heartbreakingly beautiful. Another great record by one of the '80's more iconoclastic bands. --Neal Weiss --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Deleted in the U.S., this is their 1987 album on Stiff/ WEA International featuring their unforgettable collaboration with Kirsty MacColl, 'Fairytale Of New York'. Produced by Steve Lillywhite (U2, Simple Minds, Big Country), it contains a total of 15 tracks. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential recording for any fan of truly great music, May 27, 2000

By	M. Alberts (seattle, wa United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: If I Should Fall from Grace With God (Audio CD)

This was the first Pogues album I ever bought. I had listened to Peace and Love when it came out, but I had (I am embarrassed to admit) dismissed this band as creators of "pirate music". And indeed, they do have a bit of a sea-shanty feel to them at times on their romps. But for me to continue to hold the "pirate" opinion would have been to blindly ignore the tremendous musicality and brilliant poetry of this band.

Most everyone realizes that the drunken delivery of Shane McGowan of poetic lyrics are brilliant. But would the brilliance come through without the tight composition of rollicking Irish music that backs the words? The seven backing musicians, especially on the fast, punk-tinged romps such as "Sit Down By The Fire" and the title track, show of a virtuosity unknown within the realm of punk (the place where most people put the Pogues). Songs such as "Metropolis" are nothing short of amazing. Songs such as "The Broad Majestic Shannon" glisten with a Joycean sheen of Guinness in pubs on a Saturday morning before going off to watch the local rugby club combined with a feeling of a stone house in a heather lea in the mist. Old Ireland meets "London Calling".

I have a collection of almost 1000 cds, and this one is always in the rotation, along with "Rain Dogs" by Tom Waits, David Bowie's "Heroes", and "Workbook" by Bob Mould. While it may take a few listens to really discover what makes this disc tick, it is worth the effort. Nothing short of the most rewarding disc to come out of England in the mid-80s.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No room in the USA for this album? Shame on us!, February 16, 2002

By	William E. Adams (Hobbs, NM USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This is a unique piece of work. It is Irish, folky, punk, poetic, rocking, universal. It is hard to understand each sung word because many of the songs race along at break-neck speed and are sung by people with heavy accents, and dubious sobriety. You know what? That doesn't even matter. One is swept away by the glorious sense of fun which leaps from the disc. The "Fairytale of New York" number with guest vocalist Kristy McColl (alas, no longer alive) is worth the purchase price all by itself, and in that one, the diction is just fine. It is one of the best songs and performances I've heard in more than 50 years of listening. I learn from reading the reviews of the other 39 fans who got to this item ahead of me that one can only buy this via Import now...there is no cheaper, U.S.-manufactured disc available. That is incredible. I've heard three other Pogues releases, and this is the most memorable.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Pogues..., June 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: If I Should Fall from Grace With God (Audio CD)

As a longtime Pogues fan I can only say "WOW" when I put "If I Should Fall From Grace..." in the CD player. I had the good fortune to meet Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers once and while talking with him over a cup of tea I mentioned my affection for the Pogues to which he replied... "The Pogues are a cross between the Clancy Brothers and the Sex Pistols...with five teeth between them." If that isn't a ringing enough endorsement to buy this CD I don't know what is.

I've heard the album, no lie, over 1,000 times and every time I am struck with awe at the passion and musicianship and songwriting prowess of Shane, Spider (aka "three teeth") and the boys. Streets of Sorrow/Birmingham Six has enough raw power and emotion to transport the listener to the troubled streets of Belfast. And the two tracks on the CD which don't appear on the original album, the Broad Majestic Shannon and South Australia (I think that's the name of the song) are worth the $$$ alone. The music is fantastic as the band produces it's most mature and self-assured sound of any of their albums.

Grab a pint of Guiness, put the CD on, sit back and enjoy this talented band that kicks serious ass while playing traditional instruments of their forefathers.