The feet have not touched the ground since that great night at the Barras. I shall recount it on the day she has the wedding (to a Celtic supporter no doubt) and the day I sit my grandson on my knee and teach him the words to Nancy Spain. I await tonight with grand anticipation. There are some fine folk coming to the ‘Royal’ Festival Hall. Sitting with me will be the smaller version of the one you saw the other night. This one is a harder nut to crack. Often I get home from work to hear The Ramones blasting from my house. For you and all the lads the fondest regards from London. xx
Christy's reply
anyone blasting out The Ramones is solid in my book…was that you egging on The MK Dons tonight ? any sign of Vinnie Jones these days?
Hi Christy, very excited to see you play tonight in the Royal Festival Hall. My Dad has come from Ireland to see you so could you please play Bright Blue Rose for him? We’re a Newbridge family and big Moorefield supporters! Una.
Christy, I am very excited about seeing you tonight at the RFH.Please make my evening by playing Little Musgrave…
Good luck anyway, hope it is a great evening!
Adrian
Christy's reply
” I’d gladly give a hundred pounds to be on yonder plain “…see you later
Hi Christy, just checking in to say how perfect Tuesday night was at The Bridgewater Hall. My son Sean (19) came with me and it was his first time seeing you live. He absolutely loved it and said to me afterwards how he could tell you were genuine (by the way you move your head!) I knew exactly what he meant!
The atmosphere was lovely and I don’t know if I imagined it but it seemed more informal than usual. Singing along to Ride on was a pleasure and I had to catch my breath during ‘The First Time Ever I Saw your Face’
Thanks for all of it, have a good day and another amazing night.
Gail x
Christy's reply
I think you are right…The atmosphere at Bridgewater last Tuesday was the best I have experienced..its a perfect venue..I still remember the Free Trade Hall, the Apollo in Ardwick, The Playhouse, The Opera House and a few others but Bridgewater trumps them all. Apart from the wonderful auditorium the Staff there are true “gig people” . They do their utmost to help production crews and musicians. This is not always the case. Staff in certain venues are wont to assume “classical” delusions of grandeur. As well as being home to The Hallé Orchestra, the Bridgewater welcomes all.
Christy, I was in the Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday night for another cracking gig. Just wanted to drop you a line to say “great job and thanks”. The Stardust song dedicated to Hillsborough victims was spot on. I wonder if Cerys Matthews was in the audience- she’s always playing your stuff on BBC6Music and they’ve relocated to Manchester now- a bit like myself. Anyway, from one Newbridge man to another, thanks for making us proud. Keep going the way you’re going and you might get an oul MBE yet!
Christy's reply
Thanks PB….your post brings me back to the Riverside, around by the back-of-the-barracks….I look forward to playing there in June as part of the June-Fest-Community-Week….playing a gig there in the Secondary School Hall along with Paul Keogh ( of King Modo)….hope Lymm is treating you well, its not too far from Home
Well, my apologies for yet another post last week that wasn’t worth posting.
But, as shameless as I am, and with all of my shameless previous drunken posts, I will now post pictures of my Great Grandfather from Ireland, William Carroll and my Grand Father, Andrew Robinson from Lisnaskea. I only hope that someone in Ireland will find it Interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tze0r8KDjVk
Great to see the positive feedback from the Scottish and English gigs – the never ending tour definitely seems to be as fresh as ever. Hope that the Connemara crew sing loud for you in London – a great crew they are. Looking forward to the Belfast gigs in May – and have Ralph McTell in Derry too which is a highlight to look forward to. Amazing the way all of the music lifts our spirits – and how so many of your generation seem to have that special magic. Keep on doing what you do Christy – it’s carried us all through manys a dark place and brought us out the other side.
Christy's reply
Jimmy Higgins is a great addition to the band….he rhythms us on and creates a fresh approach….we’ll be well refreshed by the time we meet again
Thanks for the lovely concert on Tuesday Christy. The place was buzzing on the way out. You were born for this job – tailor made for it and you make it look so effortless.
Although you don’t know me, only a face in the audience, I first saw you many years ago in Platt Fields, Manchester at a one day festival (1971?) and have seen you many times since. It occurred to me during the gig that I don’t remember you being so laid back, good humoured and at ease with things. Are you mellowing?
Hope you go on for many years to come – do a Pete Seeger for us. Maybe the thought of this gives you the screaming abdabs.
Good luck – hope the family are all keeping well
Christy's reply
I remember that gig in Platt Fields. It was organised by 2 lads ( Harris and Appleton) who ran a very good Folk Club at The Golden Lion in Didsbury. My recall is a bit hazy but I do remember it as being a right good doo. Also on the bill were Mike Harding, Hamish Imlach and Diz Disley.
Karren B
April 16, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Location: At the Cottage in the Village by the River near the Castle...
Hi Christy,
My partner and I will be coming to see you on Friday at the Southbank. It will be my first Christy Concert so I am really looking forward to it. Just wanted to say hello and wish Declan and yourself all good things and a wonderful night!…
Karren.
Christy's reply
we’ll pull out all the stops, there will be new strings,fresh plectrums. Together, (players listeners and songs) we will make the rafters ring..its a fine venue, comfortable warm and welcoming…we will give it our very best…Declan Sinnott, Jimmy Higgins and I are all set and raring to go
Hi Christy
Taking my daughter to see you for the second time at the Royal Festival Hall on Friday. She has the temerity to be leaving home on Saturday (she’s 24!) so would love if you could play Lisdoonvarna for her (her favourite of your songs). Row BB of the rear stalls so hopefully no heads in the way this time! Looking forward to the show.
Mandy
Christy's reply
have a great night ..hope she is not going too far from home..
Christy's reply
..hope she is not going too far from home..enjoy yourselves
Hi Christy
Just arrived back in Usk after a memorable visit to Manchester. Fantastic evening, lovely atmosphere in the Bridgewater Hall last night. Fantastic to hear so many favourites, but as my husband says they are all my favourites. Over the years your music has helped me through and I can always find a song to suit my mood.
I was very pleased to meet you at the stage door and shake your hand and as I said then “Thank you for some fantastic music”.
What was the song which mentioned the nighthawk and Victor Jarra, it must be on an album I haven’t got. I would like to remedy that if possible. Thank you again and hope you have a safe journey back home
Fiona and Martyn
Christy's reply
Hi Fiona..that song is called Allende..Written by Don Lange I first recorded it with Moving Hearts circa 1982…more recently it is on the 2002 album “Live at Vicar St” where I performed it with Declan Sinnott and Donal Lunny…if you go to the 4711ers.org site someone may share it with you
Dear Christy, I hope you are enjoying your well deserved day off. I was wondering if you could please post the set list from your gig at the Concert Hall in Glasgow last Sunday. Many thanks if possible. I’m still on my Glasgow Gigs High. Haste ye back Christy! XOX P.S I hope Luka comes to Glasgow later this year. We miss him.
Christy's reply
RCH Glasgae 13-04-2014
Biko
Natives
Train to Merseyside
Scapegoats
Broomielaw
DTs
North&South
Chicago
Barrowland
Smoke&Whiskey
Michael Hayes
Rory
On The Mainland
Back Home in Derry
Kevin Barry
Brown Eyes
Rocky Road
Ride On
Quinte brigada
Blood Rushes
McIlhatton
Blue Rose
Joxer
Allende
Voyage
Ordinary Man
Stardust
JohnO’Dreams
Lisdoonvarna
Cliffs of Dooneen………..30 tracks… 2hours 11 minutes
Christy
Sunday 13th at Glasgow concert hall amazing :}
My Poppy is the daughter of the late Gerry McGregor. Gillian had a very emotional night and absolutely loved the evening.
Some tears were shed and laughs were had the night was fantastic.
Thank you again for your music
your time again
Timeless
Olliver
Christy's reply
what sustains us…as we leave town, our journey back commences
Thanks for last night in Manchester Christy. You never let us down. That was a beautiful set.
Every time I hear you singing live (and we are talking 20+ years and goodness know how many venues) I find a different song blows me away. Last night it was ‘Before the Deluge’. I’ve heard it sung many times before by Jackson Browne and yourself. I’ve always liked it. At the Bridgewater Hall it went onto a different plane.
keep up the good work
Looking
Christy's reply
it took on a whole new thought sequence last night….I sang it for many old friends from bygone times..all those singers I knew back in the day….Marie Little, Mike Harding, Des English, Tony Downes, The Beggarmen, Rose Hardman, Valley Folk, Harry Bradshaw, Jack and Mavis, Tom and Smiley,Tony and Arthur, Pete Ryder,Mary Asquith,The Union Folk, The Oldham Tinkers, Bernard Wrigley,The Pennine Folk….all these were crossing my mind as I sang that song last night..Declan picked up the different mood and coloured the song accordingley
Hi Christy We always come to see you when you play in London and we will be at the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday evening. On your album “Listen” you recorded a beautiful version of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, but we have never heard you perform this live in concert. For very personal reasons it would mean a lot to us if you could include this in your set tomorrow evening.
Really looking forward to the concert and seeing you again.
Cheryl & Dominic
Christy's reply
its a song we have seldom performed..maybe 10 times in 4 years..its one of those unique songs that needs special air and circumstance…if the time is right we may give it a birl but, to be honest, it is unlikely..then again, you have sown a seed !
Christy thank you for a great concert last night. It was moving for me as my great friend Steve Khan from Liverpool who has had email communication with you is having treatment for throat cancer. He left full time work 18 months ago to follow his dream of singing and is doing well on the NW circuit. You did some of his and my favourite songs last night and so I felt like he was there with us! Motherland, North & South and Nancy Spain he belted out in our garden at the 4th July celebration last summer. Brilliant atmosphere, thanks Andrea
Christy's reply
our pleasure Andrea…..to sit before such an audience is one of life’s priviledges
Good morning Christy, hope you had a great sleep after last nights wonderful gig! The husband and myself woke early (despite the late night) and sat talking in the bed for an hour about how great the concert was, and all our favourite bits. Allende is the song in my head this morning, not heard it in a very long time, but Moving Hearts will be in the CD player today. Jimmy Higgins sensitive drumming brought a really interesting and enhancing layer to the performance without changing the dynamic between you and Dec and we loved it, please pass on our thanks to him and Declan too of course. Delighted to have been able to take your hand and say thank you to you in person, the thanks comes from the bottom of my heart as I celebrate 30 years (aaahh!!) of seeing you live. Have a safe onward trip and let the music keep your spirits high, love from Maggie and John xx
Christy's reply
Maggie and John…we travelled on to London after Bridgewater..we enjoyed last night too..it gelled right from the off..great listeners in the room..no demands for songs as the audience seemed happy to go with the flow….always been a good music town, when I first arrived there in 1966 there were numerous Folk Clubs every night of the week….in Manchester I first heard The Watersons, Carthy & Swarbrick, MacColl & Seeger, Fairport Convention and also all those fine resident singers around the various clubs which I frequented as I sought to make my way…thanks for your feedback
The feet have not touched the ground since that great night at the Barras. I shall recount it on the day she has the wedding (to a Celtic supporter no doubt) and the day I sit my grandson on my knee and teach him the words to Nancy Spain. I await tonight with grand anticipation. There are some fine folk coming to the ‘Royal’ Festival Hall. Sitting with me will be the smaller version of the one you saw the other night. This one is a harder nut to crack. Often I get home from work to hear The Ramones blasting from my house. For you and all the lads the fondest regards from London. xx
anyone blasting out The Ramones is solid in my book…was that you egging on The MK Dons tonight ? any sign of Vinnie Jones these days?
Hi Christy, very excited to see you play tonight in the Royal Festival Hall. My Dad has come from Ireland to see you so could you please play Bright Blue Rose for him? We’re a Newbridge family and big Moorefield supporters! Una.
you left out something very importatnt
Christy, I am very excited about seeing you tonight at the RFH.Please make my evening by playing Little Musgrave…
Good luck anyway, hope it is a great evening!
Adrian
” I’d gladly give a hundred pounds to be on yonder plain “…see you later
Hi Christy, just checking in to say how perfect Tuesday night was at The Bridgewater Hall. My son Sean (19) came with me and it was his first time seeing you live. He absolutely loved it and said to me afterwards how he could tell you were genuine (by the way you move your head!) I knew exactly what he meant!
The atmosphere was lovely and I don’t know if I imagined it but it seemed more informal than usual. Singing along to Ride on was a pleasure and I had to catch my breath during ‘The First Time Ever I Saw your Face’
Thanks for all of it, have a good day and another amazing night.
Gail x
I think you are right…The atmosphere at Bridgewater last Tuesday was the best I have experienced..its a perfect venue..I still remember the Free Trade Hall, the Apollo in Ardwick, The Playhouse, The Opera House and a few others but Bridgewater trumps them all. Apart from the wonderful auditorium the Staff there are true “gig people” . They do their utmost to help production crews and musicians. This is not always the case. Staff in certain venues are wont to assume “classical” delusions of grandeur. As well as being home to The Hallé Orchestra, the Bridgewater welcomes all.
Christy, I was in the Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday night for another cracking gig. Just wanted to drop you a line to say “great job and thanks”. The Stardust song dedicated to Hillsborough victims was spot on. I wonder if Cerys Matthews was in the audience- she’s always playing your stuff on BBC6Music and they’ve relocated to Manchester now- a bit like myself. Anyway, from one Newbridge man to another, thanks for making us proud. Keep going the way you’re going and you might get an oul MBE yet!
Thanks PB….your post brings me back to the Riverside, around by the back-of-the-barracks….I look forward to playing there in June as part of the June-Fest-Community-Week….playing a gig there in the Secondary School Hall along with Paul Keogh ( of King Modo)….hope Lymm is treating you well, its not too far from Home
Well, my apologies for yet another post last week that wasn’t worth posting.
But, as shameless as I am, and with all of my shameless previous drunken posts, I will now post pictures of my Great Grandfather from Ireland, William Carroll and my Grand Father, Andrew Robinson from Lisnaskea. I only hope that someone in Ireland will find it Interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tze0r8KDjVk
thanks for sharing your story
Great to see the positive feedback from the Scottish and English gigs – the never ending tour definitely seems to be as fresh as ever. Hope that the Connemara crew sing loud for you in London – a great crew they are. Looking forward to the Belfast gigs in May – and have Ralph McTell in Derry too which is a highlight to look forward to. Amazing the way all of the music lifts our spirits – and how so many of your generation seem to have that special magic. Keep on doing what you do Christy – it’s carried us all through manys a dark place and brought us out the other side.
Jimmy Higgins is a great addition to the band….he rhythms us on and creates a fresh approach….we’ll be well refreshed by the time we meet again
WOW! THANK YOU CHRISTY! THANX FOR EVERYTHING! XOX
Thanks for the lovely concert on Tuesday Christy. The place was buzzing on the way out. You were born for this job – tailor made for it and you make it look so effortless.
Although you don’t know me, only a face in the audience, I first saw you many years ago in Platt Fields, Manchester at a one day festival (1971?) and have seen you many times since. It occurred to me during the gig that I don’t remember you being so laid back, good humoured and at ease with things. Are you mellowing?
Hope you go on for many years to come – do a Pete Seeger for us. Maybe the thought of this gives you the screaming abdabs.
Good luck – hope the family are all keeping well
I remember that gig in Platt Fields. It was organised by 2 lads ( Harris and Appleton) who ran a very good Folk Club at The Golden Lion in Didsbury. My recall is a bit hazy but I do remember it as being a right good doo. Also on the bill were Mike Harding, Hamish Imlach and Diz Disley.
Hi Christy,
My partner and I will be coming to see you on Friday at the Southbank. It will be my first Christy Concert so I am really looking forward to it. Just wanted to say hello and wish Declan and yourself all good things and a wonderful night!…
Karren.
we’ll pull out all the stops, there will be new strings,fresh plectrums. Together, (players listeners and songs) we will make the rafters ring..its a fine venue, comfortable warm and welcoming…we will give it our very best…Declan Sinnott, Jimmy Higgins and I are all set and raring to go
Love
Again thank you :}
Hi Christy
Taking my daughter to see you for the second time at the Royal Festival Hall on Friday. She has the temerity to be leaving home on Saturday (she’s 24!) so would love if you could play Lisdoonvarna for her (her favourite of your songs). Row BB of the rear stalls so hopefully no heads in the way this time! Looking forward to the show.
Mandy
have a great night ..hope she is not going too far from home..
..hope she is not going too far from home..enjoy yourselves
P.S I was wondering if anyone has a recording of the Glasgow Gigs they would be willing to share? Thank you.
hope that works for you
Hi Christy
Just arrived back in Usk after a memorable visit to Manchester. Fantastic evening, lovely atmosphere in the Bridgewater Hall last night. Fantastic to hear so many favourites, but as my husband says they are all my favourites. Over the years your music has helped me through and I can always find a song to suit my mood.
I was very pleased to meet you at the stage door and shake your hand and as I said then “Thank you for some fantastic music”.
What was the song which mentioned the nighthawk and Victor Jarra, it must be on an album I haven’t got. I would like to remedy that if possible. Thank you again and hope you have a safe journey back home
Fiona and Martyn
Hi Fiona..that song is called Allende..Written by Don Lange I first recorded it with Moving Hearts circa 1982…more recently it is on the 2002 album “Live at Vicar St” where I performed it with Declan Sinnott and Donal Lunny…if you go to the 4711ers.org site someone may share it with you
Dear Christy, I hope you are enjoying your well deserved day off. I was wondering if you could please post the set list from your gig at the Concert Hall in Glasgow last Sunday. Many thanks if possible. I’m still on my Glasgow Gigs High. Haste ye back Christy! XOX P.S I hope Luka comes to Glasgow later this year. We miss him.
RCH Glasgae 13-04-2014
Biko
Natives
Train to Merseyside
Scapegoats
Broomielaw
DTs
North&South
Chicago
Barrowland
Smoke&Whiskey
Michael Hayes
Rory
On The Mainland
Back Home in Derry
Kevin Barry
Brown Eyes
Rocky Road
Ride On
Quinte brigada
Blood Rushes
McIlhatton
Blue Rose
Joxer
Allende
Voyage
Ordinary Man
Stardust
JohnO’Dreams
Lisdoonvarna
Cliffs of Dooneen………..30 tracks… 2hours 11 minutes
Christy
Sunday 13th at Glasgow concert hall amazing :}
My Poppy is the daughter of the late Gerry McGregor. Gillian had a very emotional night and absolutely loved the evening.
Some tears were shed and laughs were had the night was fantastic.
Thank you again for your music
your time again
Timeless
Olliver
what sustains us…as we leave town, our journey back commences
Thanks for last night in Manchester Christy. You never let us down. That was a beautiful set.
Every time I hear you singing live (and we are talking 20+ years and goodness know how many venues) I find a different song blows me away. Last night it was ‘Before the Deluge’. I’ve heard it sung many times before by Jackson Browne and yourself. I’ve always liked it. At the Bridgewater Hall it went onto a different plane.
keep up the good work
Looking
it took on a whole new thought sequence last night….I sang it for many old friends from bygone times..all those singers I knew back in the day….Marie Little, Mike Harding, Des English, Tony Downes, The Beggarmen, Rose Hardman, Valley Folk, Harry Bradshaw, Jack and Mavis, Tom and Smiley,Tony and Arthur, Pete Ryder,Mary Asquith,The Union Folk, The Oldham Tinkers, Bernard Wrigley,The Pennine Folk….all these were crossing my mind as I sang that song last night..Declan picked up the different mood and coloured the song accordingley
Hi Christy We always come to see you when you play in London and we will be at the Royal Festival Hall on Thursday evening. On your album “Listen” you recorded a beautiful version of Shine On You Crazy Diamond, but we have never heard you perform this live in concert. For very personal reasons it would mean a lot to us if you could include this in your set tomorrow evening.
Really looking forward to the concert and seeing you again.
Cheryl & Dominic
its a song we have seldom performed..maybe 10 times in 4 years..its one of those unique songs that needs special air and circumstance…if the time is right we may give it a birl but, to be honest, it is unlikely..then again, you have sown a seed !
Christy thank you for a great concert last night. It was moving for me as my great friend Steve Khan from Liverpool who has had email communication with you is having treatment for throat cancer. He left full time work 18 months ago to follow his dream of singing and is doing well on the NW circuit. You did some of his and my favourite songs last night and so I felt like he was there with us! Motherland, North & South and Nancy Spain he belted out in our garden at the 4th July celebration last summer. Brilliant atmosphere, thanks Andrea
our pleasure Andrea…..to sit before such an audience is one of life’s priviledges
Good morning Christy, hope you had a great sleep after last nights wonderful gig! The husband and myself woke early (despite the late night) and sat talking in the bed for an hour about how great the concert was, and all our favourite bits. Allende is the song in my head this morning, not heard it in a very long time, but Moving Hearts will be in the CD player today. Jimmy Higgins sensitive drumming brought a really interesting and enhancing layer to the performance without changing the dynamic between you and Dec and we loved it, please pass on our thanks to him and Declan too of course. Delighted to have been able to take your hand and say thank you to you in person, the thanks comes from the bottom of my heart as I celebrate 30 years (aaahh!!) of seeing you live. Have a safe onward trip and let the music keep your spirits high, love from Maggie and John xx
Maggie and John…we travelled on to London after Bridgewater..we enjoyed last night too..it gelled right from the off..great listeners in the room..no demands for songs as the audience seemed happy to go with the flow….always been a good music town, when I first arrived there in 1966 there were numerous Folk Clubs every night of the week….in Manchester I first heard The Watersons, Carthy & Swarbrick, MacColl & Seeger, Fairport Convention and also all those fine resident singers around the various clubs which I frequented as I sought to make my way…thanks for your feedback