What took ’em so long?
If ever there was a band that just crossed over from cool for kids to cool for cool adults that band is Dropkick Murphys. I am a long term fan, put them behind, I dunno, the Pogues, Black 47s and the Saw Doctors in the wild world of Celtic Rock. But with the Pogues gone, Black 47s disappointing the last time I saw em and the Saw Doctors not so hot on record, Dropkick Murphys have gone to the top of the class.
That would be enough for me despite a pre-Patrick’s Day show at T5 ruined by the lousy venue AGAIN. I left before the encore, if I had stayed I’d have caught the defining moment in Dropkick Murphy’s renovation into seriously cool rock and roll band. A skinhead jumped on stage and started Seig Heiling and Ken Casey bashed him the head with the bass guitar. Kinda sent a message, right?
Well, everybody got it and Dropkick Murphys went from extras in “Good Will Hunting” to a band with cred.
Adding to their cred it this EP, Rose Tattoo, released on Wednesday, May 15th.
According to their website:
“Today we release a special Charity EP with all proceeds to benefit those affected by the marathon bombings… Our friend Bruce Springsteen joins us for a new version of “Rose Tattoo,” featuring his vocals, plus two live acoustic tracks recorded at the Gibson Showroom in Las Vegas just four days after those tragic events.
It’s available exclusively through iTunes for the special price of $1.29. Everyone involved has agreed to donate 100% of the money raised through this release. The funds will be disbursed directly by our charity The Claddagh Fund to those affected by the tragedy. The Claddagh Fund is a nationally-recognized official 501(c)3 charity whose mission is to serve the most vulnerable in our communities. Innocent people being hurt by terrorists fits the core of that mission and we are proud to be able to help.
Full track listing for the Rose Tattoo: For Boston Charity EP is:
- Rose Tattoo featuring Bruce Springsteen
- Don’t Tear Us Apart (live acoustic, Las Vegas, 4/19/2013)
- Jimmy Collins’s Wake (live acoustic, Las Vegas, 4/19/2013)
We thank everyone who graciously donated their time and energies for this special release, especially Bruce Springsteen and his team.”
All three songs are off their current album, 2013’s excellent Signed and Sealed In Blood. “Rose Tattoo” is re-recorded with the Boss sharing the song (probably the reason it took em a month to drop kick it on Itunes)and the other two songs were recorded at an in store performance four days after the terrorist attack that killed three people and left many more injured at the Boston marathon.
How good is it? I’ll give it two out of three. “Rose Tattoo” has a great vocal performance by young Bruce and the second verse is a real keeper. The song is not a classic but this version has all the passion it needs to make it real. And despite the third song tributing the Boston Red Sox (apparently when a former Sox croaks they have a huge wake), the occasion, and the song which is a wow of a singalong, makes us all Red Sox fans for a very brief while. “Don’t Tear us Apart” is a lesser song and though it is given a heartfelt rendition, I disagree with Jimmy, it isn’t that appropriate.
But three tracks for a buck 29 ? A pretty damn good deal. Get it on Itunes.
Grade: A-