crock of gold film review

​Crock of Gold (from the album Crock of Gold available through Magnolia Pictures) (by Joe Burcaw)
OPENS DECEMBER 4, 2020
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan
A film by Julien Temple
I have never been a huge fan of American cinema; the oversaturated rubbish coming out of Hollywood focuses on bombastic explosions, the exploitation of women in scantily clad clothing, and rudimentary dialogue any fourth grader would enjoy. When I saw Johnny Depp’s name linked as producer to Shane’s documentary my heart sank, not because I dislike Johnny, he’s a true pioneer of quality acting, but because of ‘the hipster’ scene he is so often associated with. Well, I was pleasantly surprised after viewing Crock of Gold. This brilliant film hits home for any fan of Irish music, and for anyone who gives a feck (Shane’s favorite family word) about Irish history and struggle. I was sold from the opening scene hearing the haunting brass of Sean Ó Riada’s “Mise Éire”, a traditional song BLACK 47 (Joe Burcaw, writer, was bass player for BLACK 47 – editor) used before walking onto the stage, that surely warmed my soul. I came away with a better perspective of who Shane McGowan truly is, an Irish Catholic (with a brief stint of atheism) who holds a strong allegiance to his Irish heritage, and to the tradition of Irish music. There is no dancing around issues with him, and that is what I found so endearing about his sense of character. He is not in denial of being a former junkie who drank too much. He still drinks, but he says that it’s under control. Whether or not this admission is true really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. After watching the film it’s clear this has been a lifelong addiction starting from the age of five, so chances are high the demons remain deeply embedded. 
 
Director Julien Temple did a wonderful job grabbing archival footage of Shane back in his punk days flailing around at London-based shows by The Clash, and even capturing him getting his ear bitten off by a fellow fan. This event got him into the British zines and newspapers granting Mr. McGowan complete street credibility for his pain. I also appreciated hearing his family, most importantly his sister Siobhan, who cast an inside look at what the family went through leaving Ireland for England in search of better employment opportunities. She laments over her brother’s near nervous breakdown when forced to leave behind the quiet farming lifestyle for an urban upbringing in a residential complex named Barbican, of Central London. 
 
This was the time Shane started experimenting with drugs, booze, and women running around with mates from the other side of the tracks. Even though he was a very bright student on academic scholarship, conventional schooling was not meant for him as he eventually dropped out to pursue his passion to make it as a musician, and the rest is history. You know what you get with Shane, take it or leave it his honesty is admirable. He can be moody and abrasive if he feels like he is being pushed into a corner by journalists asking ridiculous questions. He can also be charming and engaging if caught at the right time of day, you just never know what you will get. One observation is very clear, and that is how sharp, and aware he is, it may take him a little bit of time responding to a question, but his cognitive faculties are completely intact. It’s his body that is failing him due to a pelvic injury from a fall. He has been confined to a wheelchair for the last few years, and he hopes to someday walk again on his own. It’s this sense of positivity that seems to keep him motivated to tread above water and not acquiesce to the bodily issues plaguing him from day to day. The Pogues have become legends worldwide, influencing legions of artists to fuse Trad with Rock & Roll. The mark they left behind will remain untouchable, and no one can deny the magical pixie dust Shane McGowan sprinkles on top of his lyrics and songs. 
 
I used to enjoy hearing the stories of how Frank Murray (former Pogues manager) got wind of BLACK 47 and signed them to his record label resulting in them opening for The Pogues multiple nights at Brixton Academy in London. The shows were complete madness, and the amount of energy circulating around the venue could make one’s head explode. Few musical acts have succeeded in making such a huge emotional impact on their audience, The Pogues were all in a league of their own. It is undeniably apparent while watching the live footage the surge of exhilaration and excitement oozing from fans pores when Shane and company performed. They created a movement that demanded people to take a serious listen to what they were trying to convey, and fortunately a lot of us jumped onto the bandwagon and listened intently. Whether you’re a fan, or an individual discovering his music for the first time, I cannot stress enough the importance of giving Crock of Gold a chance to sway you into becoming an admirer of his supremely talented style of songwriting. Kudos to Senor Depp for honoring the legacy and genius of a man named Shane McGowan.
 
View the trailer for Crock of Gold
 
For more information head on over to the Crock of Gold website
OPENS DECEMBER 4, 2020
Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan
A film by Julien Te

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