A Pogue recollection
Joe Strummer’s time with the Pogues is something I’ve always been fascinated with. I never saw him play with them though I’ve seen many video clips. It’s a topic that lends itself to more discussion as it was interesting to say the least. If you ever saw them please write in with your memories.
As you may be aware The Pogues are currently touring the States with Shane MacGowan back on board. I just wanted to link to this great interview with Philip Chevron from the Pogues who discusses many things and especially playing with Joe. Quotes below courtesy of Denver Westworld.
There were times where I felt like I was a sideman in a jazz group. Joe (Strummer) just had that ability to lead people off into strange, stray directions and also being able to pull it back together when necessary, and that’s a particular talent for a frontman to have. It was the first time, in my experience, that I’d actually worked with somebody like that. It was fascinating, because we didn’t realize that Pogues music would lend itself to that, and of course it did.
Phil Chevron – The Pogues
If you have 5 minutes it’s definitely worth a read.
Good read.
I wish they released some live recordings with Strummer.
I really like to hear that.
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I saw Joe with The Pogues in Toronto in the early 90’s. It was in a circus tent on the Exhibition grounds and the tent had a stage at one end so you felt like you were just standing around listening to them play. That was the closest I had ever been to Joe. They did London Calling as one of the encores. This Toronto band Dream Warriors opened and joined them on stage for a song at the end which I remember being quite spectacular but I wish I could remember what song it was(sorry). I was fairly close to the stage and I remember being entranced with watching him play/sing with his usual intensity.