Glen Hansard cover of 'Bottle Of Smoke' released ahead of Shane MacGowan tribute album

Ahead of the release of 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan next month, Glen Hansard's cover of 'Bottle Of Smoke' has been released as the project's latest single.

Glen's version features The Pogues' James Fearnley on accordion – as well as contributions from DUG's Jonny Pickett, Séamus Ong, Mary-Aoife Ong, Rob Bochnik , Joseph Doyle, Ruth O'Mahony Brady, Gareth Quinn Redmond and Tim Neuhaus.

“I’m eternally grateful to Glen for being such an incredible friend to both myself and Shane and for being such an integral part of making this album possible," Shane MacGowan's wife, Victoria Mary Clarke, comments. "He did a magnificent version of ‘Bottle of Smoke’ and he infused it with all of the soul and spirit and passion that he was famous for.

"I know that Shane adored Glen and admired his work and was hoping that Glen would produce an album for him. His passing is a profound loss to the music world and to humanity in general but it is some comfort to have his voice and presence and beauty on this album which would not have been made without him."

Glen Hansard died on July 29, at the age of 56, following a road traffic accident in Dublin. Many of his fellow contributors to 20th Century Paddy performed at his funeral – including Lisa O'Neill, Damien Dempsey, Liam Ó Maonlaí, and U2's Bono and the Edge.

“It’s really special for us to have recorded ‘Bottle of Smoke’ with Glen on the Shane MacGowan tribute album," says Mary-Aoife and Séamus Ong. "After a chance meeting with Glen in the Wren's Nest in 2023, he introduced us to Victoria and a beautiful friendship formed. Glen and Victoria gave us so many opportunities from playing at Shane’s funeral, to managing his social media and working on the tribute album.

"When Glen asked us to record 'Bottle of Smoke' with him in January, little did we know it would be our last time to record together. Now looking back, it’s like Shane brought us full circle with Glen to create something special. We promise to do our best to make them proud through our music and keep their legacy alive.

"God bless ye Shane and Glen – we miss you so much and thank you for everything..."

'Bottle Of Smoke' originally featured on The Pogues' third album, If I Should Fall from Grace with God, released in 1988.

20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowan is out November 13, via Rubyworks – and features contributions from Bruce Springsteen, Hozier, U2, Tom Waits, Steve Earle, Imelda May, David Gray, The Libertines, Shane’s former bandmates in The Pogues, and more.

Listen to Glen Hansard's rendition of 'Bottle of Smoke' below: