A tribute album to Shane McGowan is on the way

Not just Bruce Springsteen: the Boss’ announced cover of “A rainy night in Soho” by the Pogues has been published, but the news is that the song will be part of a tribute-monster: “20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan” will arrive in November and will include 30 songs performed among others by Dropkick Murphys, Glen Hansard, Hozier, Johnny Depp, Primal Scream and Tom Waits. The title of the album is inspired by Shane “20th Century Paddy” was an album he had always wanted to make himself, as the notes explain. The album – edited by Victoria Mary Clarke, wife of Shane McGowan – will also include a 56-page book with memorabilia and liner notes.
“Shane’s spirit and writing are eternally magnified through this glorious collection; each song is uniquely and generously interpreted by these extraordinarily beautiful artists, and his family is honored and grateful to each of the musicians involved, to the wonderful team at Rubyworks, and to John Kennedy without whom none of this would have been possible,” Clarke writes. 50% of the artists’ royalties will be donated to the Dublin Simon Community, which provides housing and healthcare to the homeless in the Irish capital.

This is the lyric video for “A rainy night in Soho”. “Every now and then, really every now and then, comes an artist whose voice seems to speak to history itself. Shane’s voice was so profoundly real, profane and honest, his writing so luminous and alive and rich in history that his origin was a mystery to everyone, including, I believe, his own creator,” says Springsteen. “Shane’s voice was so profoundly real, profane and honest, his writing so luminous, alive and rich in history that his origin seemed a mystery to everyone, including, I believe, his own creator.”

This is the complete text written by Springsteen

Every now and then, really every now and then, an artist comes along whose voice seems to speak to history itself. Woody Guthrie, Jimmy Rogers, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Coltrane, Patti Smith, James Brown, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, John Lydon, Hank Williams, Sinatra. All geniuses, without a doubt, they were both timeless and the embodiment of their historical moment. Many, unsurprisingly, have led difficult lives, not easily bound by the shackles of convention. They were natural rebels, unable to stifle or ignore the impulses that led them to personal glory and hardship. Great art is by nature lawless. We can’t choose our obsessions. We cannot dictate our blessings or our transgressions. It’s a little trick the gods play on us.

Shane’s voice was so deeply real, profane and honest, his writing so luminous, alive and rich in history that his origin was a mystery to everyone, including, I believe, his own creator. The dangerous joy, the cheerfulness and courage, the humor in the face of fate, the wild wandering of a life driven towards the skies of art and the daily balm of self-annihilation. Shane was all of humanity naked and bottomless. It forced us to ask ourselves if we were living deeply, authentically. It was raw, hilarious, unapologetic and profound. His soul was filled with the transgressive and ecstatic properties of the saints. I don’t know who will listen to my music in 100 years but I know they will listen to Shane’s. Although I didn’t know Shane very well, I spent a lovely afternoon in his presence shortly before he died. He was unwell, but he and his wife Victoria proved to be warm and gracious hosts. When I left, I thanked him for his beautiful work, his music, his songs, his life. I stayed in his warmth, kissed him and told him I loved him.”

Here is the complete list of artists involved:

Amble
Bruce Springsteen
Camille O’Sullivan
Cronin
Damien Dempsey
David Gray
Dropkick Murphys
Garron Noone
Glen Hansard
Hozier & Jessie Buckley
Johnny Depp & Imelda May
Johnny Mac and the Faithful
Kate Moss
Liam Ó Maonlaí
Lisa Moorish & Another Day
Lisa O’Neill
LYRA
Madra Salach
Moya Brennan
Mundy
Picture This
Pinch of Snuff
Primal Scream
Steve Earle
High Kings
Jesus and Mary Chain
Libertines
Murder Capital
Pogues
Tom Waits