Ever danced with the Devil at the Fleadh?

United Kingdom | by John Bownas | 08 June 2002

Hawksley Workman and the Wolves were perhaps an apt band to start us in our quest for the Fleadh Stars' take on the best song in the world. All that talk of hawks and wolves evokes just the right atmosphere for our lonely crossroads. So what's it to be Hawksley? 'In the Ghetto', and not a pause! As a first entry that's a difficult one to beat.

Cornershop's Tadjinder Singh was the next to stumble into our trap and he was in a devilish mood indeed as he slated his record company for being a 'destitute bank'. Tadjinder didn't have to think too hard to come up with 'Devil's Watching Over Me' by Johnathan Richman. Maybe a little predictable to have that Devil reference in the song title - old Lucifer might think you're just trying to butter him up. But then Johnathan Richman is a cracking good choice of artist, so that scores a couple of brownie points. Personally I'd have gone for 'Roadrunner' as it's always been a favourite of mine anyway...but that's just me.

Aslan was pretty busy doing the signing tent thing when we acosted him with threats of Devilish skullduggery - Pink Floyd's 'Wish you were here' came without an explanation...but maybe Aslan has a friend who battles Demons in his spare time?

Jesse James had taken off their silly sombreros just long enough to sign the arses of a few adoring fans. We machine-gunned all of the guys with a quick-fire blast of best songs against the Devil questions:
Donagh - 'First cut is the deepest' - Rod Stewart's version, or maybe, 'Death or glory' by The Clash.
Drag Queen - 'Girls, girls, girls' by Motley Crue.
Bill - 'Psalm 69'
Pete - 'I'm getting the fuck out of here' - 'That's by me - I just wrote it ten minutes ago!'
Ben - 'Over the rainbow' by Judy Garland
...sorry Donagh, I don't think the Devil gives second chances. We just can't see the what was going through Drag Queen's mind, but there were some pretty ladies waiting to have him write on their anatomy just then, so I guess we can excuse his going a little off the track. We're guessing that PSalm 69 is the Ministry track...but maybe Bill thought that a good old Bible reading would be the safest bet? Now Pete's idea that his latest work is not only his greatest work but also THE greatest work does seem a little megalomaniacle to me! Can Judy Garland really take on Old Nick? I don't really see her in the Buffy role to be honest.

Fleetwood Mac veteran Peter Green was our last victim, and maybe it was just my strange British accent, but all we got here was a blank and vacant stare. I guess we now know what happened on that trip to the supermarket... [back in late sixties when he went missing during a Fleetwood Mac tour, and never returned to the group - rock history Ed]looks like that Ol' Devil got here first!