Thought I might see if I can type in some Christmas favorites...

This is the Pogues song, sung by Christy Moore, the great Irish balladeer, folk singer and all round good bloke.

There's a studio version on his 'Smoke and Strong Whiskey LP'. The LPs great, but the version of 'A Fairy Tale' is not half as good as the live version from (I think) Live at the Point.

Christy's shows at the time were just him and an acoustic guitar. It was still a cracking show. He's now accompanied by another acoustic guitar (hey - lets rock!! :) ).

Anyhow he seems to get a big sound out of just guitar and voice.

Coming to the point...

This version is just Christy and his guitar. It preceded by a long story about how he 'stumbled into a fairy ring and bejasus I couldnt get out'. He's eventually helped out by a stranger who takes him by the hand and takes him to a pub. They sing each other songs and tell each poems. Then the stranger starts to sing 'It was Christmas Eve, babe...' .... and you know the rest. It finshes with Christy kissing the stanger on the lips and declaring Shane MacGowan 'I love you baby too'

Other Christmas songs:
Cajun Christmas
Il est Ne le Devine Enfant - Siouxsie and the Banshees
All I really want for Christmas - Ini Kamoze (maybe?)
Christmas Lullaby - Shane MacGowan
White Christmas - The Drifters

This is the man who did 'Here Comes the Hot Stepper'. This is in a fairly similar vein - the payoff is 'all I really want for christmas, is to be a little bit more conscious'. Its kind of serious for a Christmas record (ragga singers always sound really really stressed out to me...), but, well, I llke it a lot


Other Christmas songs:
Cajun Christmas
Il est Ne le Devine Enfant - Siouxsie and the Banshees
All I really want for Christmas - Ini Kamoze (maybe?)
Christmas Lullaby - Shane MacGowan
White Christmas - The Drifters

This is Shane MacGowan who wrote and sung 'A Fairy Tale of New York' with Kirst MacColl (and in the near future, Kate Moss, according to the papers). As far as I know this is his only other Christmas song.

Its a good song, although not as good as 'Fairy Tale'. Its slower and its late period Shane, so his voice isnt quite as strong as it once was, but its got bags of atmosphere, and his song writing is always great

It came out on an EP I've not seen very often.

A great Christmas song - it starts with a kids choir (of course...) then about a minute in the band and Cyndi kick in with a very vaguely reggae influenced song. Its a great Christmas LP - I think this is my favorite song on it