In recent weeks I have had enjoyed some special gigs. On April 2nd I visited the Keltoi Centre in The Phoenix Park where I sang with people in recovery from addiction. It was an emotional but fun filled gathering. Some of them came up and sang beautiful songs. Thanks to Kieran and all the staff there for making it happen. Great atmosphere and healing plus strong tea and mighty sandwiches.

On April 18th I travelled to Derry lovely Derry. A great crowd assembled on the Banks of The Foyle River. His Holiness the Dalai Lama crossed the Peace Bridge with Richard Moore and a host of children. They entered a fine tent where thousands had gathered to hear The Dalai Lama speak. The event was to mark the work of Children in Crossfire. His words can be heard by clicking HERE

Richard Moore invited me to sing and I sang this song "How Long” from Jackson Browne.

When you look into a Childs face

You are seeing all the human race

The endless possibilities there

Where so much can come through

And you think of the beautiful things

A child can do

How long can a child survive

How long if it was up to you

When you think about the money spent

on defence by government

and the weapons of destruction they build

then tell us we need

and you think of the millions and millions

that money could feed

How long can you hear someone crying

How long can you hear someone dying

Before you ask yourself why

How long will we hear people speak

About missiles for peace and let it go by

How long will they tell us these weapons are keeping us free

It's a lie

If you saw it from a satellite

all the green and with its blue and white

The beauty of the curve of the earth

And the oceans below

You might think it was paradise

If you didn't know

You might think it was turning

But it's turning so slow

How long can you hear someone crying?

How long can you hear someone dying?

Before you ask yourself why

How long will it be till we've turned

To the tasks and the skills that we'll have to have learned

If we're going to find a place in the future

Have something to offer to the children of the world

Leaving Derry afterwards, having spent some hours in the presence of His Holiness and his people, having heard him share his philosophies on forgiveness and compassion, on peace and tolerance, I knew that my own prejudices and resentments had been challenged, that I might never think in the same way again. I am still absorbing it all.

On April 22nd it was into The City Hall, Dublin where The South African Ambassador was launching an event to remember Irelands Anti-Apartheid Movement. He invited me in to sing "The Dunnes Stores Song" (by Sandra Kerr) and The Biko Drum" (by Wally page) There were many dignitaries present. One of our Government Ministers was there plus many trade union officials, journalists, photographers and a good smattering of old (like myself) activists. Surprisingly there was not one woman from the Dunnes Stores Strike. I can’t figure out whether that was an oversight, a decision or an impossibility. I'm working on it. I dedicated the following song to The Dunnes Stores Strikers, and to two trade union workers Tommy Davis and Brendan Barron, who were very supportive of the strike.

Mary Manning

Karen Gearon

Catherine O'Reilly

Theresa Mooney

Vonnie Munroe

Sandra Griffin

Alma Russell

Michelle Gavin

Liz Deasy

Dorothy Dooley

The Dunnes Stores Strike (Sandra Kerr)

Close your eyes and come with me back to 1984

We’ll take a walk down Henry St to Dunnes Department store

The supermarket's busy, the registers make a din

The groceries go rollin’ out and the cash comes rollin’ in

Mary Manning is at the checkout trying to keep warm,

A customer comes up to her a basket on her arm

The contents of that basket Mary's future was to shape

The label clearly stated, produce of The Cape

I can’t check out your oranges Mam, you'll have to put them back

They come from South Africa where The White oppress The Black

I'd have it on my conscience I couldn't sleep at night

If I helped support a system that denies Black People's Rights

CHORUS

The managers descended in an avalanche of suits

Mary was suspended cos she wouldn't touch the fruits

No one was goin' to tell Ben Dunne what he bought or sold

These women are only workers they must do as they are told

Isn’t that just typical of the way Apartheid works

It’s not just in South Africa that the Boss man calls the shots

Dunne's wouldn't have a boycott, couldn’t give a tinkers curse

Don’t matter how they filled the shelves so long as they lined his purse

CHORUS

Goodwill and solidarity came from all around the world

Such concern and sacrifice, such courage brave and bold

When 14 months were over 10 women and a man

Had helped to raise black consciousness all around the land

Clerys in O'Connell St stopped sellin' South African shoes

Best Man sent all their clothes back, Roches stores their booze

Til all South African Goods were taken off the shelves in Dunnes

Mary Manning was down in Henry St and she was sticking to her guns

CHORUS

On Saturday the 27th I had a great gig in Vicar Street with Martin O'Connor, Shamie O'Dowd, Cathal Hayden and Jimmy Higgins. It was our 5th outing. I love playing with these musicians. We hope to continue on this journey.When the stars are in alignment and when we all have corresponding gaps in our work schedules, The music will continue …

Here is the setlist;

SOLO

1. How Long

2. Arthur’s Day

3. Dunnes Stores

4. Ruby Walsh

5. DTs

6. Yellow Furze Woman

7. Magdalene laundry

8. Natives.

9. Quiet desperation

I was joined on stage by Martin, Shamie, Cathal and Jimmy, We did;

10. Chicago

11. Butterfly

12. McIlhatton

13 Finglas Boys

14 Smoke and Whiskey

15 St Brendan's Voyage

16. Michael Hayes

17. Sullivan’s John

18. Merseyside

19. Blue Rose

20. Missing You

21. Sally gardens

22 On the Mainland

23. The Blackbird.

24. Bogman

25. Back home in Derry

26. Ride On

27. Ord Man

28. Voyage

29. Yellow Triangle

30. Joxer

31. Black is The Colour

You can listen to Sullivan's John by clicking the link here ... Sullivan's John

The following day we made our way to Avondale where thousands had gathered protest against the proposed sale of our Woods and Forests. As I made my way towards the platform a man pressed a lyric into my hand. Sitting side stage I looked it over and decided to read it out. It was written by Paul whose Facebook moniker is Drum Stig… He is involved with Rage Against The Regime, who will be holding a gig on 13th June in the Grand Social … You can check out their webpage by clicking HERE

Also, you can check out their facebook page by clicking HERE

A Tree Falls in The Forest

If a tree falls in the forest – and there’s no one around to hear it – does it make a sound?

Surely the real question is “Why is there no one around?”

Where are the ramblers and the hill walkers?

Where are the Sunday strollers?

Where are the horse riders, taking their mounts from the soulless open field they’ve stood in all week up to the majestic, soulful mountain forests?

Where are the mountain bikers, risking life and limb with breakneck descents or straining on all the impossible climbs of their carefully mapped trails?

Where are the young families who bring their children to the wonderland of deer and squirrels and rabbits and foxes?

Where are the kids who don’t walk in the woods but actually explore the jungles hunting bear and tiger and wolf?

Where are the cowboys and the Indians, the wizards and the dragon slayers?

Where are the fairy queens and the sleeping beauties and the wood nymphs?

Where are the artists, the writers, the musicians, the poets who come to fill their souls with the spirit of the land and speak to the muse?

Where are the lovers who escape the glare of the city and find the silence to allow their hearts to beat loudly together?

Where are the people who come to speak to their loved ones passed on because the pain is too great in their homes or “life” does not go on without a place to grieve?

Is there no one around because the people entrusted with management of their country have betrayed their people and, for the price of a treasonous signature, have sold the land to faceless, soulless, heartless corporations who erect signs telling you you're now on private property?

Is there no one around because the government care nothing about the land and less about the people?

Because Taoisigh, Ministers and Public Servants have no hesitation in RAPING their own country, and when they have taken what they can, have no hesitation in PROSTITUTING out the carcass of the ancient land of their fathers to the highest bidder.

Neither will they hesitate to pursue, prosecute, convict and incarcerate any man, woman or child who trespasses on private property which they once owned as citizens of a sovereign nation.

Is there no one around because our Public Servants do not serve the public, but serve themselves in a continuous orgy of money worship and abuse of power?

If we do nothing to stand against this unholy destruction of our beautiful country our children will not be asking “if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around, does it make a sound?”… Our children and our grandchildren will be asking us …

“Daddy, what was it like to walk in a forest?”

You can see some footage of the event by clicking HERE

 I sense an awakening around us. People are preparing to stand against oppression, austerity, cut backs, selloffs, awful corruption in high places and robbers walking free. lies are ringing louder these days.

On it goes – the quest for songs and places to sing them…

Just packing the bags for The Black Mountain - Two more nights in The Waterfront. I have not gigged with Declan Sinnott for over a month. I’m rearing to go, to hear his fender'n fuzz box, his Spanish, his folk jumbo, I've a feeling there may be long sets looming…

Some new gigs up on the Gig page and more to follow… next album release planned for November. Bealtaine (May) is upon us once more - what’s another year...

Shine On…

Christy

On the way in we encountered Seamus Heaney who was leaving having done his "Glaoch" with The President. Later, as I was leaving I met Bono on his way in… it struck me that The President had engaged with all three of us, plus whatever else was on his desk that day. The following day he was recalled from Rome to deal with a constitutional crisis and then flew back to Rome having done the necessary... and some of us think we are busy! It takes great discipline, energy, compassion, selflessness and a lot of help for The President, with his wife Sabina, to fulfil this role and to carry out all the duties involved. The last three Presidents have surely opened up Áras an Úachtaráin to all the people of Ireland…

What was to have been a brief filmed chat soon became a long conversation, with both of us becoming less aware of the technicians and equipment in the room.  He read two of his poems to me and I sang Gortatagort and Victor Jara. It truly is way beyond my expectation that these songs would take me to this place. I thought of all the musicians, singers and composers whose works inhabit my repertoire, whose songs give me purpose and pleasure, I felt them with me. These songs have taken me down so many different roads.

I was recently involved in a new film documentary made by Donald Taylor Black called “Skin In The Game”. The film examines the current recession/financial crisis through a number of artists (including myself) who are using it as subject matter for their work. Other participants include Seán Hillen (photographer); Rita Ann Higgins (poet); Brian Maguire (painter); David Quin (animator); Anthony Haughey (photographer); Nicky Gogan (film-maker); David Bolger (choreographer); Gerald Dawe (poet); and David Monahan (photographer) as they look at emigration, ghost estates and the legacy of politicians and bankers. Roddy Doyle has written texts for the film that are voiced by actors including Lorcan Cranitch and Hilda Fay. Showing at Belfast Film Festival on Saturday, April 20th at 5pm (click HERE for tickets) and, hopefully, at a screen near you!

The picture below is Brian Maguire's painting of Anglo Irish Banks aborted HQ on the banks of The Liffey in Dublin - A true portrait of the times in which we live.

Henry McCullough Tribute Gig

The gig for Henry was a great success. Henry has been seriously ill this past while. Pete Cummins and Frank Murray ran a night which allowed us all to gather and celebrate Henry’s contribution to music. I stood in the wings for most of the gig. It was great to see so many players up close. Henry’s brother Victor played a lovely set with Declan Sinnott. Nollaig Bridgeman set the tone for the night with a loving tribute. Ronan Collins compered and the Vicar Street crew were top notch, keeping the whole show on the road. There were a lot of acts to stage manage but it ran really smoothly. I did not last the whole night as I’d been out gigging all week but I did hear John Spillane, Johnny Duhan, Sweeney’s Men and Alan Murray from Glasgow. Thanks to all of you who came along.

I recorded this song for Mike Harding's new show on Patrick's Day ...Click HERE to listen

You can also listen to Mike’s shows online by clicking HERE

We had a couple of great nights at The Mount Wolsley in Tullow, County Carlow.  I was playing with Martin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden, Shamie O'Dowd and Jimmy Higgins. This was our third outing and the curious combination is beginning to meld mellifluously (I've just had strong coffee). Two years ago I sat listening to this Band in Dublin. I was overwhelmed by the beauty of their music. A seed was sown that is now beginning to blossom. I am already looking forward to our next outing. These players are 4 long haul session men whose lives have been steeped in the music and songs of our land. I first played with Martin O'Connor over 30 years ago when we recorded the "Plane Crash at Los Gatos" for an album called The Spirit of Freedom. I met Cathal Hayden in a lay-by in Finland the late 80's. I was there gigging, as were Four Men and A Dog, with whom he still plays. Shamie O'Dowd is a son of the late (and much loved) Sligo Fiddle player Joe O'Dowd who graced the Sligo music scene for decades with his beautiful playing. I toured with Jimmy Higgins over 20 years ago when he played in Eleanor Shanley's Band. Since then he has played in the Riverdance ensemble and, these days, can be found with The Stunning, The Saw Doctors and also plays sessions with his wife Breda Smith.

I have been gathering up all my own songs and re-recording them. I hope to present them in a 4 CD release later this year. I have never been prolific but over 40 years have come up with 50 or so pieces of my own, some being collaborations with other writers, mainly Wally Page. I have decided that it’s better to do this while I'm still able rather then someone else trying to do it when I'm gone. The songs are scattered over numerous recordings and labels. I simply want to gather them under one roof, so I have re-recorded all. I’m enjoying the process, keeps me off the streets...

I have been invited to sing for The Dalai Lama, in Derry next month. The invite was issued by Richard Moore, the founder of Children in Crossfire. Click HERE to see their website.

Some new dates for the Diary - see gig page for details… Vicar St Dublin, Ballinasloe, Dundalk, 4 gig tour of Wales, Wexford, Mohill Co Leitrim, Cork, Limerick, Portlaoise, Liverpool, Newcastle, Coventry, Leeds, Derry, Trim Co. Meath… In April 2014 we hope to return to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and London.

See you along the way,

Christy

P.S...

Save Ireland’s Forests

There will be a walk in Avondale House & Forest Park, Rathdrum on Sunday, 28^th April at 1pm to highlight the campaign to stop the governments plan to sell off the harvesting rights to Ireland’s Public forests under the EU/IMF “Troika” programme and to maintain them in public ownership. There will be songs, poems and words from artists, musicians and activists.

Click HERE to sign the petition

Available from www.ticketmaster.ie

I had a great experience recently when meeting the president Michael D Higgins. He honoured my work by inviting me to be part of his Patrick's day "Glaoch", which will be transmitted on Patrick's day. All broadcasting details are available from the RTE website which is available by clicking HERE

My brother Luka Bloom is currently on tour in Australia. He’s got some beautiful new songs.

His dates are:

For more details and tickets you can visit Luka’s website by clicking HERE

All the best,

Christy

On March ^3rd a benefit concert will take place in Vicar Street in Dublin for guitarist and singer Henry McCullough who suffered a heart attack in November 2012 and has suffered permanent damage.

Henry started his music career with The Skyrockets and later Gene and the Gents in Enniskillen but came to prominence in the 60’s with his band The People later to be named Eire Apparent. They toured the world with The Animals, Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Things went well until, in Vancouver, Canada in mid February 1968 while the band was touring with The Animals, McCullough was busted for possession of marijuana and sent back to Ireland.

Henry returned to Ireland and joined the popular folk group Sweeney’s Men for a short time. Soon Henry was back in London as a member of The Joe Cocker Grease Band who was hugely successful worldwide, helped by a stunning performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969.

McCullough played on The Grease Band’s eponymous album after splitting with Cocker, and during his time with the Band he also appeared as lead guitarist on the original 1970 recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

In 1971 Paul McCartney asked Henry to join his post Beatles band Wings and his ad lib solo on the song My Love is considered one of the great guitar solos.

Henry spent 2 years in the band but quit Wings in 1973 and went on to play in The Frankie Miller Band before recording his first solo album for George Harrison’s Dark Horse label.

Sessions with Marianne Faithfull, Donovan, Spooky Tooth, Eric Burdon and Dr. Feelgood, among many others, followed.

In the mid 80’s Henry returned to Dublin and joined The Fleadh Cowboys before resuming his solo career and writing and recording a number of records. His song Failed Christian was covered by Nick Lowe.

Up until his heart attack Henry was gigging regularly with his band from Northern Ireland and The Ed Deane Band in the South.

Sweeney’s Men are coming together for only the second time in decades to perform on this show.

The Fleadh Cowboys are playing together for the first time since 2011

SALUTE TO HENRY

Featuring

CHRISTY MOORE & DECLAN SINNOTT

SWEENEY’S MEN

MICK FLANNERY

THE FLEADH COWBOYS

JOHN SPILLANE

HONOR HEFFERNAN

JOHNNY DUHAN

ALAN MURPHY (SCOTLAND)

ED DEANE BAND

VICTOR McCULLOUGH

JIMMY SMITH

KEVIN DOHERTY

PHILIP DONNELLY

SARA PETITE (USA)

BP FALLON

RONAN COLLINS

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM TICKETMASTER  - CLICK HERE

The January Man comes round again in coat and boots of leather.

I just heard the sad news that Peter Cadle, poet, singer and songwriter has passed. We seldom met, but occasionally we did have dialogue about songs. When I recorded his song "Unfinished Revolution" in 1987 Peter generously allowed me to rewrite the 3rd verse. Later, for the book "One Voice", he allowed me to include his song "Bless This Guitar". I had attempted to record the song on a number of occasions but never succeeded. May he rest in peace.

Thanks to all of you who sent good wishes. The virus, which left me voiceless, seems to be receding. Having to cancel 2 concerts in the Bord Gais Theatre made for very difficult days. As my voice got weaker over the preceding days, I was left in a state of indecision and turmoil. I tried every cure suggested and I was also taking a course of anti-biotics. I subsequently learned that this had been a pointless exercise. Eventually on gig day I found myself unable to sing a note and had to throw in the towel. The most difficult aspect was knowing that a number of people were flying into Dublin to hear the songs. I was very aware of their dilemma yet helpless to do anything. The concerts were re-scheduled for February 1st and 2nd.

My colleague Paddy Doherty stayed at the venue both evenings. We expected huge numbers of people to arrive but the word went out very quickly. Thanks to Ticketmaster, Aiken Promotions, Áine Carmody, RTE and all who spread news of the cancellations. Four days on and the multitude of remedies and good wishes are taking effect. The old vocals are returning.

It is such a relief to be able to sing again. As I get older I realise more each day just how much singing means to me. I watched a brilliant programme on BBC4 during the week about Choristers in England's Salisbury Cathedral. The choirmaster reflected upon the power of singing and what it meant to both listener and practitioner. It brought me back to my own early days singing in choirs in both primary and secondary school. The feeling that came from being part of a 4 part harmony ensemble is still with me. Brother Michael was choirmaster in the Patrician Brothers National School Newbridge back in 1957. I can recall the discipline but not the music. In Secondary School I met with Fr. Henry Flanagan and that’s when the passion for singing began to kick in. My voice broke in 1959 when I was 14. By September 1960 my bass baritone began to emerge and I was soon singing again. By the following year I was back in the choir singing the Tantum and Kyrie in the Latin mass… I was singing the part of Koko in The Mikado… I was at the Piano singing Heartbreak Hotel… The Clancy brothers were about to resound across the Atlantic and change the direction of many's the young life.

53 years later I give thanks for everything that singing has brought to my life. Last week I also watched a programme from Alan Yentob's wonderful series "Imagine". He chronicled the life of Dame Shirley Bassey, "The Girl from Tiger Bay". What a wonderful Diva she remains. Again, I marvelled at the insight into another singers life experience in their world of song. Be it Bess Cronin or Shirley Bassey, John Reilly or Bono, the human voice is an amazing instrument. I am always intrigued to hear singers share their experiences, their inside story. All singers have a unique relationship with their instrument, repertoire and performance. I know that in my own life these 3 relationships have changed radically over a 50 year period and continue to change even still.

A good number of songs in the workroom these days. I've been working with Luka on a song. It is based on a piece of his from 10 years ago. I have also been working with Wally Page on two pieces. "The Pearly King" has been on the screen for a few years and may blossom. A second piece is finished and ready to roll. It celebrates a recent cultural development here in Arthurland. I Have been working on and off for months on a piece by Mick Blake from Leitrim. He is a really good writer and musician highly respected on the Leitrim circuit. Declan and I have been wrestling on and off with Noel Brazil's "Suffocate". I recorded it back in 1987 but find myself back playing it again.

The "One Night Only" film with Gay Byrne got another whirl on RTE recently and was well received. The Barrowland gig received yet another outing on TG4. Recently happened upon it by chance one night and got sucked in again. What a great job done by Don Coutes and his team. Considering he had no rehearsals, Don got great shots of Declan’s breaks and licks, great audience shots too. He and his crew captured the Barrowland experience perfectly. I hope to work with them again.

I first met Tony Small at a Folk Club in London back in 1969. Later we swapped songs and I got to know all his family over the years. He gave me "Tribute to Woody", the first Dylan song I learned to sing. Another night, decades later, he sang me the beautiful "Grey Lake of Loughrea". Tony released a number of albums over his working life as a singer. Most recent was "Mandolin Mountain" which I spoke of here in a recent post. I was deeply saddened to hear of his death late last night. My sympathies to his family. They will be lonely without their singing boy.

This morning my thoughts are with two women. I watched Fiona Doyle being interviewed on TV. I am still reflecting upon her loss, her courage and that of her husband and children. I feel that this State of ours has failed Fiona Doyle. My mind turns to the recent death of Savita Halappanavar. We got to know Savita through hearing of how she was allowed to die whilst in the "care" of an Irish Hospital. We will never know the names of those who allowed her premature death. It’s almost as if they are cloaked by protective layers of secrecy behind which so much horror, abuse and cruel behaviour has taken place, much of it within the secret societies of the Catholic Church. I saw their cohorts protesting and railing against those of us who chose to walk silently through the streets in Savita's memory.

In recent years we have learned of the cruel horror of symphysiotomy, that horrific and unnecessary procedure that left so many women disabled for life. We learned about the tragedy of countless, unnecessary hysterectomies carried out in Drogheda by Dr. Michael Neary and his staff. Let us not forget the Blood Transfusion/Hep C scandal where hundreds of victims were dismissed and treated with incredible callousness by this State when our Minister for Health was Mr Michael Noonan. Over the past 3 decades we have gradually become aware of the criminal behaviour in Magdalene Laundries, where State agencies colluded with Religious Orders to lock up and exploit innocent young women, sometimes for life. Similar attitudes within Church and State Agencies led to the forced adoption of countless infants from all parts of Ireland. Despite all these tragedies and injustices we still live in a country that refuses to grant equal rights to women, that gives bail and short sentences to rapists, that allows a young woman to die in Galway rather then permit a life saving procedure because "this is a catholic country".

What a contrasting picture was there to be witnessed in Ruán Magan's riveting documentary “LIFERS” which was screened recently on RTE TV. A beautifully made film it followed the life's work of three Irish Missionaries who have devoted their lives to the communities with whom they live. John Glynn from Clare has been 40 years in Papua New Guinea, Father Pat Brennan from Roscommon lives with the indigenous people of the Amazon Rain Forest in Brazil. Sister Patricia Murray lives amongst the poorest of people in South Sudan (the world's youngest State). Ruán Magan, with great skill care and sensitivity, gave us an insight into their lives. We saw the horrendous difficulties under which their communities struggle. We were also shown the love and affection these oppressed communities hold for John Glynn, Pat Brennan and Patricia Murray. All three, despite living in different continents, have much in common. All three live in constant and extreme danger. Each have witnessed terrible violence and have seen colleagues cut down. No one of them is seeking to conquer or convert, to break or to brainwash. Their mission seems to be to Love, to Share and to Learn. I felt at one with John when he stated that the Hierarchy of his church appears to live on a different planet.

As children, we were forced to learn the catechism "parrot fashion" off by heart. I still recall how the liturgy fashioned itself as “one, holy, catholic and apostolic."

Weeks passed and the vocals healed, thanks be. The re-scheduled gigs went off very well. Declan and I both enjoyed the performances. I went to hear Declan gig his new album at The Button Factory where he performed with Vicky Keating. Having sat beside Declan for a thousand gigs it was very interesting to sit out front watching and listening to him perform.

Work is progressing on the next album. I am going back into the studio next week to continue the process. I’m looking forward to hearing what the musicians will play.

There was a query on the sister site 4711ers.org enquiring about the set lists for the recent rescheduled gigs. Here they are…..

This arrived this morning from Maryline in Chile who translated the words of Joan Jara.

__________________________________________________________________________

Interview Joan Jara, Santiago, Chile, January 2013

“I am 85 years and a half. I have four grandsons. No girl, no great-grandsons… well, the grandsons are a bit slow…

I live on my own in the same house I lived with Victor. I never got married again; I never had a fling since he died. To be a widow was terrible at first, I was like a zombie. Especially because I had to flee from Chile. Therefore, it was not only the loneliness; it was also missing Victor and missing everything around him.

I have been Victor’s representative for 40 years. It has not been a heavy backpack; on the contrary, it has defined my life before and after the Coup. I am grateful I had to carry this legacy, because it pushed me to overcome my grief and carry on.

Today I feel tired but I cannot let myself be tired while I receive so much support and solidarity from the people, more than I deserve. They show me their love for Victor, they kiss me, they hug me. So I cannot allow tiredness and I try to go ahead.

My favorite songs by Victor are Paloma quiero contarte (Dove I want to tell you) and Deja la vida volar (Let the life fly), they are the ones I feel the closest to. But I don’t listen to his songs at home: one of the reasons is that it makes me sad to listen to him on my own and the other is that I am a bit deaf now.

His hand. This is my most repetitive memory of Victor. I will never forget the first time he took my hand tentatively, very slowly as he did not know if I was going to respond well. And of course I did. Since that moment we never left each other.

The last time I saw him was on the morning of the 11th of September. He said “I’ll be back as soon as I can”. Before that we had listened to Allende’s speech on Radio Magallanes. He had called the University and decided to go, in spite of the threats that he had received. He was wearing a very nice black alpaca jumper that he had brought from Peru, and his black trousers. I looked at him through the window; he grabbed the petrol can and poured the few drops left onto the Renault 4 and left. When I went to identify him at the morgue a few days later he did not have the same clothes.

For a long time I had nightmares thinking they could steal Victor’s body. Today, I don’t have bad dreams anymore but I confess I don’t sleep well. I stay awake thinking of all the pending tasks to do in the Foundation, so many things to solve. I fear I will not be able to accomplish all that has to be done. Also, I don’t know how to make speeches and now with the 40th anniversary of his death I get nervous as I have to make them.

I have not had much faith in the legal results of Victor’s case. In spite of the professional and persisting work of the Human Rights Brigade of the PDI (Police of Investigation) and of the Forensic Office, I still don’t get how the Legal System really works. The latest events have opened a little door, I would not say hopes. A few weeks ago, the judge prosecuted 8 ex-Army officers, two presumed authors and six accomplices of his death. We’ll see what happens. I take it with calm. I am not celebrating.

I don’t expect the responsible will ask for my forgiveness. Also, I don’t think it would make any difference for them if I forgave them. I would not like to have any contact with them. I feel a bit of repulsion.

While Victor was alive I was cheerful. In this second life that I have lived I have become more introverted, sadder. I am not very funny, I am rather gloomy. If someone were to  invite me for tea and to watch the soap on TV I would likely say no.

I don’t have many friends. I don’t teach dancing anymore and I have been narrowing my doors. My personal friends are related to what I do and represent. I don’t have friends who distract me of it all because they are all connected to Victor’s world.

I don’t mind being physically alone. All my life I feel I have been in the company of Victor. Also, he lives in the Foundation, which is full of posters, exhibitions. So much that I could say “Ah… I cannot escape from Victor”. I don’t know how his presence can be captured but I have always felt his love and affection. This has given me the strength to carry on.”

__________________________________________________________________________

See you along the road if all goes well…

Christy

PS … Doing a bit of work in The Factory Recording Studio at the moment. It is located in a funky building on Barrow St. Lots of film and drama activity happens there and there is a creative buzz in the air. I was standing in the jax yesterday, minding my own business, when a poster caught my eye. It was from 1976 and was announcing an outdoor gig in Dalymount Park featuring Status Quo, Judas Priest and … Suddenly it dawned on me that I played that gig. Between Priest and Quo I played a set with Jimmy Faulkner, Declan McNelis and Philip Donnelly. Kevin Burke may have been there too. If memory serves no one paid the slightest bit of attention to our set. To say we died the death would be gilding the lily. The Festival was promoted by Pat Egan. We adjourned to the Artists Bar for soothing lotions and we were settling in nicely when all hell broke loose. Seemingly there existed bad blood between two of the Heavy Metal Crews and suddenly it all kicked off into the most amazing melee. We became extremely anxious as we had a table full of drink that needed protecting. When The Garda arrived we realised twas time to get out of Dalymount Park. We loaded up the Renault 4L and drove a half mile down to The Meeting Place where Red Peter's Band were getting ready to blast off in the upstairs Lounge of those most agreeable premises. That day we played;

One Last Cold Kiss

Tim Evans

Go Move Shift

Van Diemen’s Land

Home by Barna

January Man

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Here is a night to which we are looking forward …

On March 3rd a benefit concert will take place in Vicar Street in Dublin for guitarist and singer Henry McCullough who suffered a heart attack in November 2012 and has suffered permanent damage.

Henry started his music career with The Skyrockets and later Gene and the Gents in Enniskillen but came to prominence in the 60’s with his band The People later to be named Eire Apparent. They toured the world with The Animals, Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Things went well until, in Vancouver, Canada in mid February 1968 while the band was touring with The Animals, McCullough was busted for possession of marijuana and sent back to Ireland.

Henry returned to Ireland and joined the popular folk group Sweeney’s Men for a short time. Soon Henry was back in London as a member of The Joe Cocker Grease Band who was hugely successful worldwide, helped by a stunning performance at the Woodstock festival in 1969.

McCullough played on The Grease Band’s eponymous album after splitting with Cocker, and during his time with the Band he also appeared as lead guitarist on the original 1970 recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar.

In 1971 Paul McCartney asked Henry to join his post Beatles band Wings and his ad lib solo on the song My Love is considered one of the great guitar solos.

Henry spent 2 years in the band but quit Wings in 1973 and went on to play in The Frankie Miller Band before recording his first solo album for George Harrison’s Dark Horse label. Sessions with Marianne Faithfull, Donovan, Spooky Tooth, Eric Burdon and Dr. Feelgood, among many others, followed.

In the mid 80’s Henry returned to Dublin and joined The Fleadh Cowboys before resuming his solo career and writing and recording a number of records. His song Failed Christian was covered by Nick Lowe.

Up until his heart attack Henry was gigging regularly with his band from Northern Ireland and The Ed Deane Band in the South.

Sweeney’s Men are coming together for only the second time in decades to perform on this show. The Fleadh Cowboys are playing together for the first time since 2011

SALUTE TO HENRY

Featuring

CHRISTY MOORE & DECLAN SINNOTT

SWEENEY’S MEN

MICK FLANNERY

THE FLEADH COWBOYS

JOHN SPILLANE

HONOR HEFFERNAN

JOHNNY DUHAN

ALAN MURPHY (SCOTLAND)

ED DEANE BAND

VICTOR McCULLOUGH

JIMMY SMITH

KEVIN DOHERTY

PHILIP DONNELLY

SARA PETITE (USA)

BP FALLON

RONAN COLLINS

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM TICKETMASTER - CLICK HERE