Review #6 A Drink With Shane MacGowan by Victoria Mary Clarke and Shane MacGowan

A Drink with Shane MacGowan

                            

                                Musical, Violent, Controversial, Brilliant

Some of you may know him, some of you  might not, but love him or hate him you will know at least one of his songs, most likely the Christmas hit 'Fairytale of New York'. That's right I'm on about the one and only Shane MacGowan.
Known for his drinking habits and over all feckery, this book shows readers where it all began and also his views on the world, from politics to religion, and from immigration to how it can effect music. This book is clear evidence of how intelligent and obviously well-read MacGowan actually is, which has given way to some of the most beautiful lyricism and hit songs to hit the charts in the past 30 years.

Told in interview form, this book is in a back and forth format. Victoria is the one asking the questions here and all of her words are in a bold font. It's an endearing trait for the book, as you can see the banter between the couple and clearing how mad about each other they really are, especially when they get off track in the middle of a story and tell each other about books they once read, or try to correct the other one.

Personally, I have read this before and I have actually just reread it, I enjoyed it that much. I first read it when I was 15 and on a boat bound for France. This time around I'm an adult that has had to immigrate from Ireland to England, which only makes the book that bit more relatable.
Beginning with his childhood and family in a rural community in County Tipperary, MacGowan discusses how he began drinking, smoking, and even refusing to sleep or bathe. This gives the book a very homely vibe, especially for Irish people reading this abroad. He describes colourful vibrant characters with which he grew up, while keeping his dark sense of humor and laughing at some of the cruel things he had done as a child, while treating supernatural experience with such nonchalance that, as a reader, you feel the need to laugh yourself.

Later on in the book he discusses immigration and the effort of trying to settle down in London, the difficulty in the differences and the racial attacks that had ensued during that decade. It is here that he mentions all of the times he has been arrested, his stints in mental hospitals and falling in love with punk rock, going to see the Sex Pistols and finding his cliche to join. In his youth, he obviously followed the mantra of the Father Ted character, Father Jack 'Feck, Drink, Girls'.

This book also goes into the formation, and eventual end to the band that made him a household name, The Pogues. He reminisces all of the key events, shares his opinions and regrets, and shares a few funny stories too. This part of the book certainly highlights how musically in-tune he really is, as he explains about playing things like the banjo, accordion, and bar-tray. It also shows fans and readers alike, just how much touring affected him in those days, and might still do. About how he felt at the time,and how it was helped shape who he is today. This is certainly something that a lot of musicians don't always complain enough about. This book shows people the darker side of 'the biz'.

He also discusses his opinions on other Irish writers and those who have influenced him, from Beckett to Yeats, and from Edna O'Brien to Frank McCourt. He doesn't show any hesitation on calling anyone out or criticizing their work, remaining as honest as possible at all times. He also discusses his opinions on other Irish musicians, and the music business in general. His total disregard and refusal to believe in the 27 curse, along with his approval of artists who refuse to compromise musically is probably one of the most interesting parts of an already interesting book.

Difficult to put down. At sometimes contradictory.

These memoirs of a proud Irishman are not for the socially sensitive.

If you'd like a copy, you will probably be able to order it in your local bookstore, or you can be a cheapskate, like me, and order an already used copy for a pound (which includes shipping) on Amazon. Kindle stores may do copies too.

Thank you for reading my review, comments and book suggestions are always welcome. Hopefully updates will become much more fixed. Maybe by Christmas eh? Please enjoy the link I have provided below, for those of you wishing to get into the holiday spirit, or to find out who I've been ranting about.