"Unbelievable" for a number of reasons. First, the sound quality is fantastic, which is not the case for most of the Pogues live recordings issued as bootlegs, etc. Second, Shane MacGowan sounds MUCH more coherent than he has recently on his live solo album ("Across The Broad Atlantic"), or even on his studio albums ("The Snake" & "The Crock of Gold"). It is still the MacGowan sound that makes you wish that you were as drunk as he is, but the lyrics are decypherable. Finally, the song selection is great, including such post-Shane songs as "Tuesday Morning" (written and sung by Spider Stacy).

All in all, a great album, which is a "must" for Pogues fans and a fun, enjoyable listen for new Pogues listeners.


A Pogues Ulitmate Collection, I'll Drink To That!!!!   May 3, 2005
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Although there have been many "best of" compilation albums by the seminal Irish-folk punk rock band, this one by far is the most important and exciting one. The first disc, showcases the brilliant songwriting of Shane MacGowan, however, all of this material is found on other Pogues "best of" albums, not to mention their original albums. The compilation album features classic cuts from the Pogues brilliant first three albums, (Red Roses For Me, Rum Sodomy and the Lash, and If I Should Fall From Grace With God,) up to their very good follow-up albums (Peace and Love and Hell's Ditch.) There even is a post-Shane song on this first disc as well. But as before, all of this material can be found on other mediums.
The best feature of this new compilation album, is the bonus live CD of the Pogues in 2001, at London's Brixton Academy. This live album showcases the amazing energy that made the Pogues such an exciting live act in the first place, even Shane seems up to task as well. When listening to this CD, I felt that I was actually there, man what a feeling!!!!!
All in all a very good album, hopefully a new live CD will eventually be produced covering the Pogues 2004 reunion tour. But for right now, grab a Guinness, and drink up lads, its the best of the Pogues.


Give Best of as a Gift, Keep Live CD for Yerself   January 16, 2006
 8 out of 10 found this review helpful

Can't really say what hasn't been said previously and say it better, so in short, yeah, the best of is pretty much a toss off if you have all of the albums or one of the many best ofs available in import and domestic formats. The real treat here is the live reunion disc, squashing the inferior, band-disowned _Streams of Whiskey_ like the corn that went into many a bottle of Jameson's that's gone down MacGowan's throat. And when Shane goes off for a break (read: drink), you get Spider Stacy's beautiful post-Shane "Tuesday Morning." Buy it and listen to it 'til we see El Maria once again.

Signed,
epsteinsmutha


Bury me at sea where no murdered ghost can haunt me.....   March 17, 2005
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

While no CD can truly capture the energy and excitement of a Pogues show, this is the next best thing. Sure, Shane's voice isn't what it once was, but God bless him, he still delivers. The rest of the band is in top form. Of special note is the one and only James Fearnley. I don't think any other band has more "best of" collections than the Pogues, but don't hold it against the boys. Any long time Pogues fan only wants the live CD, which rumor has it will be released on it's own at a later date. Everything on the first CD has been released several times, nothing new here. This would be a fantastic introduction to anyone new to the band. These are songs that will live forever from one of the best bands in history.

May the ghosts that howled
Round the house at night
Never keep you from your sleep-
May they all sleep tight
Down in hell tonight
Or where ever they may be...