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The little that is known about the immediate relations of Shane MacGowan is that they are from Tipperary and that they've largely lived in the shadow of their outrageously talented son and brother.
The former Pogue's sister, however, is set to change that perception when in April she releases an album of her own, with a guest vocal appearance by none other than MacGowan's mother and father, both of whom are in their late 60's.
Siobhan MacGowan - Shane's younger sis - is said to have worked as a singer of some sort for a number of years. This upcoming solo debut - entitled CHARIOT - is a collection of Irish flavored ballads written by Siobhan herself. The MacGowan Mon and Pop contribute to one of the album's nine tracks, speaking Gaelic. Shane's mother - a small time model and actress back in 1960s London - also sings on CHARIOT's last track. it's easy to be a bit skeptical about this, but if Siobhan has even half her brother's talent, this one could be good. We'll keep you posted.
As for Junior MacGowan himself, Shane has just recorded a strange tribute of sorts to the middle of the road Irish balladeer Johnny Logan. Contributing to an album of Eurovision song contest cover versions, MacGowan tried his hand at Logan's "What's Another Year", a huge hit for the heartlands hearthrob a generation ago.
One more note on MacGowan; friends in London called to say the great one is currently in yet another campaign of TV commercials. Regular readers will recall that MacGowan did an inspired rendition of "My Way" (as popularized by Sinatra and, much later Sid Vicious) for a Christmas 1996 TV commercial for Nike. Sadly, that version was not released in the U.S. and is available only among hard-to-find imports.
This time, MacGowan stays closer to home with a remake of the old ballad "She Moved Through The Fair". The company MacGowan is shilling for this time around seems to be a bit closer to his heart than does Nike - it's Kilkenny beer.