The legacy of late The Pogues leader Shane MacGowan will be honored in a new tribute album, 20th Century Paddy – The Songs of Shane MacGowan, due out November 13 via Rubyworks. It features contributions from Tom Waits, Dropkick Murphys, Glen Hansard, Lisa O’Neill, Primal Scream, Steve Earle, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Libertines, David Gray, The Murder Capital, The Pogues, and more, and 50% of artist royalties will be donated to Dublin Simon Community, to provide housing and healthcare to people experiencing homelessness. Catherine Kenney, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, says:
Shane MacGowan was a long‑time supporter of our work and it is because of this enduring connection that proceeds from the new tribute album will go to helping Dublin Simon Community support people who are homeless today. Shane’s empathy for people sleeping rough in Dublin was well known; he never hesitated to stop, acknowledge, and share a moment with someone on the street.
In 2021, Shane performed at the Christmas Eve Busk which turned out to be his last live performance before he passed away. Since then, one of his songs has been played at the Busk each year in tribute to him.
The funds raised from the tribute album will support Dublin Simon’s client development, supports that help to build resilience, dignity and confidence. Many of these initiatives focus on creativity and community, including music, as a powerful way to support people on their journey out of homelessness.
The first single is a new rendition of “A Rainy Night in Soho” from Bruce Springsteen. “Every once in a while, every once in a great while an artist comes along whose voice seems to speak to history itself,” Bruce writes. “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. Geniuses all, they were both timeless and the embodiment of their moment in time. Many, unsurprisingly, led difficult lives not easily bound by the shackles of convention. They were natural rebels unable to stifle or heed the impulses that led them to their glory and personal hardships. Great art is by nature lawless. We do not get to choose our obsessions. We do not get to dictate our blessings or our transgressions. It’s a little joke the gods play on us. Shane’s voice was so deeply real, profane and honest, his writing so flashing, alive and historically rich its genesis appeared as a mystery to all including, I believe, its creator. The dangerous joy, the glee and courage, the humor in the face of fate, the wild ramble of a life driven towards the artistic heavens and the daily balm of self obliteration. Shane was all naked bottomless humanity. Threatening to force us to ask ourselves if we were living deeply, authentically. He was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound. His soul was filled with the transgressive and ecstatic properties of the saints. I don’t know who’ll be listening to my music in 100 years but I know they’ll be listening to Shane’s. Though I did not know Shane very well, I spent a lovely afternoon in his presence shortly before he passed. He was not well but he and his wife Victoria proved warm and gracious hosts. As I left, I thanked him for his beautiful work, his music, his songs, his life. I stood in his warmth, kissed him and told him I loved him.” Listen below.
20TH CENTURY PADDY – THE SONGS OF SHANE MACGOWAN CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
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
The High Kings
The Jesus and Mary Chain
The Libertines
The Murder Capital
The Pogues
Tom Waits