Fairytale of New York's full story & the imperishable genius of Steve Cropper

The boys of the NYPD choir are still singing Galway Bay, so pour yourself a measure of the Rare Old Mountain Dew and warm your toes on the following …

… Steve Lillywhite (in Bali!) remembers making Fairytale Of New York and how “a fiery redhead” kicked the Chrissie Hynde duet into touch

… the most recent singer-songwriter you could call “a ledge”?

… records we loved in our 20s but now feel a bit embarrassing  

… “discipline and economy, tension and release”: the immortal twangs and tweaks of Steve Cropper and how the MGs redefined the idea of a great record

… Green Onions, I Thank You by Sam & Dave and the white heat of Otis Blue’s 24-hour recording

... Tim Buckley’s Greatest Misses

... performative listening: the exquisite awkwardness of the album playback!

… the link between Imogen Heap and the Hissing of Summer Lawns

… Jon Bon Jovi’s version of Fairytale – “so bad they had to turn the YouTube comments off!”

… plus Gram Parsons, the cult of the Blues Brothers, the Monochrome Set and a quiz from birthday guest Peter Petyt: spot the Hepworth/Ellen reviews of yesteryear!

The new live version of Fairytale of New York: http://pogues.lnk.to/FONYLiveGlasgow1987

Josh Smith demonstrating Steve Cropper’s guitar parts: https://youtu.be/LJEIwggKAsg?si=29weA4tBQE6ccj1-

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