The Joe Jackson Interviews

Shana McGowan 1994 from The Joe Jackson Archive

This time thirty years ago, Shane and I sat in the Shelbourne Hotel and had this chat. We also, as he says, met each other a lot while drinking late at night in clubs in Dublin. Shane is gone. I'm reposting this to try in my small way to ensure he is not forgotten  

Where Do You Go To My Lovely. Peter Sarstedt on his Classic Song

A song loved by millions of people, still, and by me since it was released and because I knew a woman like its subect. It was a delight to talk with its creator, a lovely guy.

"I tried every drug to try stay sane" Elvis told Tom Jones in 1969. The Joe Jackson Archive

As a kid I argued against anyone who said Elvis used drugs. But later i life I got to interview the likes of Tom Jones and got to know more about Elvis's use of drugs. 

The 1988 James Taylor Interview from The Joe Jackson Archive

I always loved Taylor's music and was delighted that he turned out to be such a provocative thinker and interviewee. 

Frank Zappa "The Chieftains make more timeless music that U2!"

Imagine the scene. It's a morning after the Grammy Awards show, I'm sitting in Frank Zappa's studio in LA, watching Tom Jones record with The Chieftains. Zappa, who rarely gives interviews, is told that U2 are more appreciated in Ireland than The Chieftains, gets angry, and gives me one of his rare interviews. It was also one of his last 

David Gray on Dylan, Morrison and Springsteen

Gray was at the peak of his popularity in Ireland when we did this interview in his home. He talks with great passion about Dylan, Morrison and Springsteen. It's a team of solicitors! Kidding

Damien Dempsey on Phil Lynott, Christy Moore and Sinead O Connor.

I love celebrating the music of the Irish in particular, because I am a proud 'Paddy"! Here I am in 2004 discussing some Irish great with Damien Dempsey.

Joe Elliot on David Bowie, Marc Boland and Thin Lizzy

We all remember the music that first moved us. I did a series of interviews with musicians about just that. This is a chat I had with Mr Elliot, from Def Leppard.

George Benson remembers playing for Sinatra on the LA Is My Lady L.P.

I bought that Sinatra album when it was released. It has been reissued this month. It isn't Sinatra at his best vocally, but he's still bnuiriong it up and the band is fantastic, including Benson

Dermot Morgan Uncensored and Enraged Dublin 1993

I have many reasons for reposting the podcast from The Joe Jackson Archive. 

One is that it has Dermot, a man I very much admired, angry at the fact that he was driven out of his homeland and ours in order to make Father Ted. 

Sometimes, a country scatters its finest to the furthest shores.