Capital Radio, 12-11: Fairytale of Shane

Things don’t always go right when you pre-record a show. Sometimes, last week’s show repeats by mistake, which it did today. And as happy as I was with that show, I’m sadder that the today’s Shane MacGowan-dominated show didn’t go live.

But here it is, a few hours later, in archived form. Besides our full-bodied salute to the great Pogues frontman and songwriter, 65, whose funeral was held over the weekend, we noted the recent passings of Denny Laine, Scott Kempner, Norman Lear and Henry Kissinger.

There were birthdays, too, of unexpected current charttopper Brenda Lee, turning 79; Jermaine Jackson, 69; and Mos Def, 50. Candles were also lit, figuratively, for McCoy Tyner, born this day in 1938, Big Mama Thornton (1926) and J. Frank Wilson (1941).

Was there also room for a handful of Christmas songs? Yes there was. And some for Hanukkuh too. More next week – live, and without the worry of prerecording. 

Here’s the setlist:

Capital Radio, December 11, 2023, 1- 4:26 p.m., www.cygnusradio.com 

“Capital Radio Two,” The Clash

“All in the Family (Those Were the Days),” Carroll O’Connor and Jean Stapleton 

“Go Now!,” Moody Blues 

“Say You Don’t Mind,” Colin Blunstone

“No Words,” Paul McCartney & Wings 

“What It Is,” The Dictators 

“Baby Let’s Twist,” The Dictators 

“River of Justice” The Del Lords 

“Henry Kissinger,” Monty Python 

“I Wonder Who[s Kissing Her Now?” Billy Murray

“Last Kiss,” J Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers 

“Papa Noel,” Brenda Lee 

“I’m Gonna Lasso Santa Claus,” Brenda Lee

“Christy Christmas,” Brenda Lee 

“Ball n’ Chain,” Big Mama Thornton 

“Ms. Fat Booty,” Mos Def 

“Let’s Get Serious,” Jermaine Jackson 

“Greensleeves,” McCoy Tyner with Derek Trucks 

“What a Wonderful World,” Nick Cave & Shane McGowan 

“Dark Streets of London [demo],” The Pogues 

“Do You Believe in Magic?” The Pogues 

“Boys from The County Hell,” The Pogues 

“The Auld Triangle [live],” The Pogues 

“Streams of Whiskey [demo],” The Pogues

“Dirty Old Town,” The Pogues 

“The Irish Rover,” The Pogues & The Dubliners 

“Something Wild,” The Pogues

“Rainy Night in Soho,” The Pogues 

“A Pair of Brown Eyes,” The Pogues 

“Aisling,” Shane MacGowan & The Popes 

“Haunted,” Shane MacGowan & The Popes with Sinéad O’Connor 

“The Snake with Eyes of Garnet,” Shane MacGowan & The Popes 

“Fairytale of New York [Demos],” The Pogues 

“Latke Clan,” The LeeVees 

“Applesauce Vs. Sour Cream,” The LeeVees 

“8 Days (Of Hannukah),” Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings 

“Festival of Lights  (Hanukkah Song),” The Minus 5 with Mike Mills 

“Feast of Light,” They Might Be Giants 

“What Christmas Means to Me,” Cher and Stevie Wonder 

“Christmas Bop,” T. Rex 

“Feelin Sorry,” My Morning Jacket 

“Listening to Otis Redding at Home During Christmas,” Okkervil River 

“I’ve Got Dreams to Remember,” Otis Redding

“Merry Christmas Baby,” Otis Redding 

“Christmas Presents,” Solomon Burke 

“Give Love This Year,” Fitz and the Tantrums 

“Here Comes Santa Claus,” Bob Dylan

“Santa Claus,” Fuzztones 

“Mr. Santa Claus,” Nathaniel Mayer

“Rockin’ Santa Claus,” The Moods

“Rocking Disco Santa Claus,” The Sisterhood 

“To Heck With Ole Santa Claus,” Loretta Lynn 

Capital Radio returns live Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. ET at www.cygnusradio.com. Also available on the cygnusradio.com app, available free at iTunes or ApplePlay.