'It's a double-edged sword': Victoria Mary Clarke on creating Shane MacGowan tribute album

20th Century Paddy features the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Kate Moss, and Tom Waits. Not surprisingly, it has been an emotional experience all round for the Co Cork-reared widow of the late Pogues' singer 

Victoria Mary Clarke at home in Dublin. 20th Century Paddy is released on Friday, November 13. Picture: Ishmael Claxton 

When Shane MacGowan died in November 2023, there was no shortage of tributes from peers who acknowledged his genius. It’s difficult to encapsulate MacGowan and the glorious chaos and contradictions of his life but Bruce Springsteen, who paid a visit to the Pogues frontman at his home in Dublin not long before his death, came close.

“Shane’s voice was so deeply real, profane and honest, his writing so flashing, alive and historically rich, its genesis appeared as a mystery to all including, I believe, its creator,” said Springsteen. “He was raw, hilarious, no apologies and profound… I don’t know who’ll be listening to my music in 100 years but I know they’ll be listening to Shane’s.”