The Crock of Gold
Encyclopedia
The Crock of Gold was the second full length album by Shane MacGowan and the Popes
and was released in November, 1997. The Crock of Gold followed The Snake, MacGowan's
first solo album after the breakup of The Pogues
, and was less critically acclaimed than its predecessor. The album is named for the novel by Irish writer James Stephens
.
According to Rob Martin, writing for Spinal Column in 1998, "The Crock of Gold has one really solid song after another in the quasi-Celtic folk rock traditional style. The only negative is that there's not too much experimentation on the album. The only real unusual track is 'B&I Ferry', which has a reggae dub style. However, all the songs on the album are exactly what you'd expect from MacGowan. There are songs of lost love, drunken sorrows, loneliness, character portraits, and pride. All contain Shane's gritty and soulful trademark voice (and the vocals actually come off clear on the recordings- always a crapshoot when it comes to MacGowan's pipes). Although it's tough to top the work that MacGowan did with the Pogues, The Crock of Gold is a worthy effort that fans of MacGowan and the Pogues are sure to enjoy." Like a number of songs by The Pogues
, traditional Irish tunes are used as base melodies for some songs; including "Paddy Public Enemy Number One", which combines the tune of "The Man From
Mullingar" with "The Kesh Jig"; and "More Pricks Than Kicks", to the tune "Tabhair Dom Do Lamh".
Shane MacGowan and The Popes
Shane MacGowan and The Popes was a band formerly led by Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, who played a blend of rock, and Irish folk, sometimes referred to as Paddy Beat, borrowing from World Beat, a popular genre name in the 1980s. Shane MacGowan and the Popes released two studio and one live album in...
and was released in November, 1997. The Crock of Gold followed The Snake, MacGowan's
Shane MacGowan
Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan is an Irish musician and singer, best known as the original singer and songwriter of The Pogues.-History:...
first solo album after the breakup of The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
, and was less critically acclaimed than its predecessor. The album is named for the novel by Irish writer James Stephens
James Stephens (author)
James Stephens was an Irish novelist and poet.James Stephens wrote many retellings of Irish myths and fairy tales. His retellings are marked by a rare combination of humor and lyricism...
.
According to Rob Martin, writing for Spinal Column in 1998, "The Crock of Gold has one really solid song after another in the quasi-Celtic folk rock traditional style. The only negative is that there's not too much experimentation on the album. The only real unusual track is 'B&I Ferry', which has a reggae dub style. However, all the songs on the album are exactly what you'd expect from MacGowan. There are songs of lost love, drunken sorrows, loneliness, character portraits, and pride. All contain Shane's gritty and soulful trademark voice (and the vocals actually come off clear on the recordings- always a crapshoot when it comes to MacGowan's pipes). Although it's tough to top the work that MacGowan did with the Pogues, The Crock of Gold is a worthy effort that fans of MacGowan and the Pogues are sure to enjoy." Like a number of songs by The Pogues
The Pogues
The Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
, traditional Irish tunes are used as base melodies for some songs; including "Paddy Public Enemy Number One", which combines the tune of "The Man From
Mullingar" with "The Kesh Jig"; and "More Pricks Than Kicks", to the tune "Tabhair Dom Do Lamh".
Track listing
All tracks composed by Shane MacGowan; except where indicated- "Paddy Rolling Stone"
- "Rock 'n' Roll Paddy"
- "Paddy Public Enemy No. 1"
- "Back in The County Hell"
- "Lonesome Highway"
- "Come to The Bower" (traditional; arranged MacGowan)
- "Céilídh Cowboy"
- "More Pricks Than Kicks"
- "Truck Drivin' Man"
- "Joey's in America"
- "B&I Ferry" (The Popes)
- "Mother Mo Chroi"
- "Spanish LadySpanish Lady"Spanish Lady" is a traditional Irish folk song, also found in England. The Bodleian Library has several broadsides of an English ballad with this name, one dating from the 17th century. Fragmentary or related versions from the US date from 1883. It is #543 in the Roud Folk Song Index...
" (traditional; arranged MacGowan) - "St.John of Gods"
- "Skipping Rhymes" (traditional; arranged MacGowan)
- "Maclennan" (The Popes, Tom McManamon)
- "Wanderin' Star" (Al LernerAl Lerner (composer)Al Lerner is an American pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor from the Big band era. He was a member of the Harry James band for many years, playing piano. He wrote music for several artists, including Allan Sherman and Liza Minnelli...
, Frederick Loewe)
Personnel
- Kieran Kiely - saltarelle accordion, overton whistle, backing vocals
- Tom McAnimal - banjo
- "Lucky" Dowling - bass, backing vocals
- Danny Pope - drums, percussion, backing vocals
- Shane MacGowan - vocals, cover painting
- Ed Deane - lap top steel & Spanish guitar
- Paul "Mad Dog" McGuinness - guitar, backing vocals
- Adrian SherwoodAdrian SherwoodAdrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music as well as for remixing a number of popular acts such as Coldcut, Depeche Mode, The Woodentops, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, and Skinny Puppy...
- mixing - John "The Riddler" Myers - fiddle, whistle, guitar