Christy, how are things? Is it blowing a gale? We’re to Cork for four days so hopefully I will not get my hair blown off. Anyway I am not writing for a weather report. I hope the never ending tour is going well and you are looking forward to Ennis. Such a fab place. This is the 30th anniversary of the year my landlord gave me a cassette with the Ride On album on it. And the first gig of yours I went to. I was 18. What a journey. As the daily news highlights our fragile mortality I have started pilates which hopefully will ensure another glorious day on this earth. Keep warm, keep bendy, and drink the green tea. xx
Never ‘cool’ maybe,but I fondly remember your appearance on his tv show and the superb rendition of ‘The Voyage’.Prime time BBC telly too…
Also,TW’s hilarious,scathing ‘analysis’ of Eurovision Song Contest voting trends.Always worth turning on ‘the box’ for that,after the singing was done!
Luke Kelly is 32 years gone from us today ! As a kid I was so amused at the thought of you busking the queues outside of the Dubliners concerts.
Anyway I got a ticket to your gig in Guildford in March, timing is good again with my itinerary ! I was hoping you might squeeze in Ewan McColl’s Sweet Themes Flow Softly, and I was curious if you had played Guildford ever before and last question, how do you feel about performing Giuseppe or Scapegoats there. Cheers for now, see you soon.
Brian Connell.
Morning Christy.
Great to have a catch up on the posts. marvellous source of information and inspiration to take the time to look up new music from yourself and others. Good little article in the Irish Times this morning to mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of Luke Kelly. You get a mention from Damien Dempsey, like whom I remember the old Dubliner’s LP’s being put on the record player by my mum on a Sunday morning as she started peeling spuds for the dinner. I often recall how she had a record of the Gallowglass Ceilidh Band which I loved as a child but my dad hated. It had to be loud or there was no use in playing it she would say. She probably didn’t realise at the time but it was what gave me my first sense of how music transcends just the words and noise it makes.
On a lighter note. Tis the season to be stuck in front of the box watching the rugby. I’m coming over for the Italy game and can’t wait. take care of yourself
Frankie
Thanks for the response Christy! Really looking forward to seeing the show and wish you all the best with your upcoming gigs and as always hope to see you back in Glasgow soon!
Thanks for the update,Christy.I hadn’t realised MH were playing.Great news.I’m sure the old theatre will be rocking.
Great if the band could tour.’The Band on the Wall’ would be a great venue for a Manchester gig.
Hi Christy
Totally agree about the dynamism of early Fairport.Also Steeleye Span.Fantastic that Messrs Carthy and Swarbrick were so adventurous in their approach and skilful enough to adapt to electric instruments and be so integral to the development of ‘folk/rock’in the above bands..The Free Trade Hall was a perfect venue too and a home from home for me.Maybe for you too as a punter and performer.I have great memories of you playing there,solo and with Planxty.A neat bit of tripping the light fantastic by you and Maddy Prior one night as well,as Steeleye ripped into jigs for the encore.
On the subject of folk/rock…a rare Irish appearance by the mighty Oysterband on Friday 29/1 at The Button Factory in Dublin.Well worth a visit for readers in the area.A great mix of trad and contemporary music with a killer rhythm section and a hint of ageing punk attitude! Sounds like a great Friday night to me…
All the best
Dave
Christy's reply
Moving Hearts in Dublin Friday Night at Olympia Theatre
Hi Christy
On Fairport’s website today,there’s an update that ‘Swarb’ is in hospital ,battling respiritory problems.As ever,he’s determined to tough it out and will,hopefully be fighting fit asap.
This is the man whose obituary was once published in a national newspaper,after a health crisis that he survived ! At the next Cropredy Festival he did an autograph session,signing copies of the obit.. His official quote was ‘Its not the first time I died in Coventry’!….what a guy.
Fantastic memories of him and Martin Carthy setting the pace,followed by dynamite playing alongside Richard Thompson in 70’s Fairport.
Hope you trace the missing ‘Dave’….there are lots of us about!
Christy's reply
a vivid memory of the first time I heard Martin Carthy & Dave Swarnrick…..their rhythm,the fiddle and vocal were so tight and Martin’s guitar playing was like I had never heard before…50 years ago they were opening the ears of many….
…no sign yet of Dave from Brum…..also remember the first time I heard Fairport…circa 1970 in The Free Trade Hall…..would have been resisiting electrification until I heard them…..
Some great postings going on here.
There was a Dave ‘Swarbrig’ a guitarist, did he play with Fairport? (is that any help, C, to that enquiry?).
I too love that ‘Sun is Burning’ track, I’ve the orig tape of the album, it gets a play still, ‘The Iron Behind the Velvet’.
Someone mentions ‘Sweet Thames’, am putting together a story on a young man, a young Troubador, the late 60s Ireland, he’s leaving our shores for London, meeting the great London scene of the mid- to late 60s, I find myself inserting lines on a guy singing ‘Sweet Thames’ in a folk music pub of that era, but it looks cliched and it winds up being removed again…………
As for being a ‘threat to the state’, I was at gigs in the Meeting Place, Dorset Street way back when we were seen indeed to be ‘dangerous’ and a threat to the state, only for listening to ballads and trad music.
‘Oh Napoleon Bonaparte, you’re the cause of my woe….’
Christy's reply
that was Dave Swarbrick who played Fiddle…was part of that great duo with Martin Carthy before joined Fairport Convention…far as I know Swarbrick is still rosining the bow…himself and Martin were stellar in the 60s…made some great recordings too…their sound remains unique
so you were a frequenter of The Meeting Place….those were momentous years, Paddy, The Badger, Skinnier and Hanna Spillane with Christy Giles and Mary O’Dowd dispensed jorums to the thirsty troubadours…..other lotions and potions could be had on the ground floor….
“I was playing in The Meeting Place when half The Special Branch came thru the door,
they were lookin for McGlinchey stole their trousars back in1984
Started listenin to the songs and hung around ’til after the show
If you ever need a taxi plate or a massage at the special rate….thems the boys can tell you where to go”
after the gigs we’d cross the road to Dolores in The Roma Chipper..she had a soft spot for the balladeers, bluesmen, rockers, grifters, drifters,tax inspectors, spoiled priests, overweight jockeys, medical students, Guitar heroes, that frequented The Meeting Place….that watering hole of great renown….many of those players gone now…. Jimmy Faulkner, Declan McNelis,Michéal O’Domhnaill,Red Peters, Martin Egan to name but a few
Christy
I am heading over to Ireland see you at your show in Cork on Saturday night Feb 27th and have 2nd row tickets. I play in a small band at our local pub “Hanafin’s” and we sing most of your songs and lots of Shane as well. You will be glad to hear that you have a deep following here in the States and especially Hanafins Pub in CT.
I was wondering, do you ever do meet and greets with your fans or is there a possibility of getting you to autograph my guitar. I am hoping to join in a session or two while I am in town so I am bringing my guitar, I know sometimes fan clubs do such events.
As the son of Norse and Irish parents, I am excited for my first trip to the family ancestral home of County Cork and as a Rover I can’t wait to see you perform live.
Sláinte and as my mother used to say, “Up the Norse Irish!!”
Thor Torgersen-McQuillin
Christy's reply
it will all work out…..try 4711ers.org and maybe hook up with some regular listeners…they know the ropes
Hi Christy
I’ve made some enquiries about ‘Dave ,the Brum guitarist/ the Munster Men’.I’ll let you have any specific info that comes back.(It’s hard to get past ‘The Munsters’ on initial online searches!) Interesting though,that the band was on the gigs listed for Manchester’s MSG club in Summer,1967…..along with many of the usual suspects!
This morning I was listening to WatersonCarthy’s superb version of ‘Raggle Taggle Gypsies’.A few hours later,I came across a recording I’d made of your ‘Desert island Discs’ for BBC radio in Summer 2007.I’d forgotten what a moving programme it is .It must have been a tough gig to do,but its a wonderful listen with fine musical choices.Great to conclude with the incomparable John Reilly singing ‘Raggle Taggle……’ I can happily listen to that song several times a day.
I’m sitting here in a miserable West of Scotland evening reading your songbook and in particular, The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes. A great story on it’s own but totally brought to life in your rendition. Listening to this fine tale always lifts my spirits, it’s one of those songs that makes you right sure of yourself if you know what I mean?
Anyway, just thought I would check to see if you know when the RTE documentary on yourself is due out? They were filming at your last gig at the Barras and I believe it is called Journey?
Thanks
Sean
Christy's reply
Morra Sean….Michael Hayes is a fine song…. if memory serves I came across the lyric 40 years back..then Andy Irvine found a melody from the singing of John Lyons and we married the two. Donal Lunny then built the arrangement for the Planxty version from the 1977 album. The song disappeared for 3 decades until requests began to emerge and I took the song down again and it soon blossomed forth in a new arrangement and it now features in most gigs..
To the best of my knowledge, the RTE doc will be transmitted over two Mondays, the 11th and 18th of April. Called Journey it was filmed by Mark McLoughlin and his crew over a 6 month period in 2015. I thoroughly enjoyed the process but I’m getting a bit windy now as the time comes to view “Journey”
We filmed in Newbridge, The Curragh, Various locations around Dublin City, Derry, Bellaghy, Belfast,Clonmel, Granard,Ballyporeen, Carnsore, Belfast, London, Glasgow, the Dublin Hollyhead Ferry, Arklow, Inis Meáin, Lisdoonvarna, Spainish Point, Milltown ( Co Kildare) Pollardstown, The Gibbet Rath, Newbridge College, my workroom, a recording studio, on the road, above The River Boyne at Ardmulchan, Tralee, Claremorris,…..thats what I remember tonight…..its all about the songs…where they were found, written and sung
Hi Christy, I first went to see you in theatre L in UCD in 1981 and I have been to see you many times since. I live in London now and I am looking forward to hearing you at the RFH on 6th April with my husband Seamus and two children , Fionn 18 & Asha 17. We always listened to you on the long drive from London to Dublin and they have grown to love your wonderful voice also. No requests from me just looking forward to it very much.
Kay Harney
Christy's reply
That must have been the last time I sang in Theatre L ….back in the 70s and 80s used to play regularly in various 3rd Level venues….had some good nights too….good to hear from you, to know that the next generation is listening to the songs….the RFH is a great venue..looking forward to returning to where The Sweet Thames flows softly
hi christy
huge fan ,love the obvious time you must take on gettin that right lyric.
i write Parody lyrics purely for fun sometimes recorded sometimes not,they can be frivolous (friends and family celebration etc.) ar mildly political.E.G.
‘ARLENE’ parody of Jolene for our mew !st minister arlene foster who is a big
Dolly fan.Recorded last week to good reaction (esp.the shinners).
So gettin to the point, i have written a parody on Donald Trump to the melody of
your acclaimed Honda 50 (Tom Tuohy) Hope you dont mind and i would love to hear you sing it or at least send you the lyrics.
regards
brendan mc gonagle (Ben Madigan)
Christy's reply
deeply immersed in new songs here at the minute….not ready to forsake The Honda 50 yet…Tom Tuohy’s classic has plenty of miles left in it yet….passed its NCT last week
Good luck with yourTrump and Arlene….I’m a Dolly fan myself so I have that in Common with The First Lady
When we’re playing duo gigs,I sing harmony on several songs.Its enjoyable and made easier by the fact that my partner’s lead line is rock solid.I’m sure that’s been the case with you over the years,and the harmonies on the new recording will be as tight as the proverbial with Declan at the helm.When I saw you in Kells,late last year,the blended vocals on ‘True love knows no season’ were a gig highlight for sure.
I’m really looking forward to the next release.
I only heard the Campbell’s once, at the epic 1972 one day fest in Manchester’s Platt Fields.By that time, the two Daves were playing their hearts out with Fairport.Ian and Linda were a tour de force that day.It was a fine sound…
‘and couples in the park
are holding hands and waiting for the dark
an the sun burns in the sky…’
Regards
Dave
Christy's reply
there used to be another “Dave” on The Brum Scene then. really good guitar player.He played a bit with a Band callled “The Munster Men” and I think he may have also gigged with Luke Kelly. Cant remember his surname. Anyone got any info ??
Christy, how are things? Is it blowing a gale? We’re to Cork for four days so hopefully I will not get my hair blown off. Anyway I am not writing for a weather report. I hope the never ending tour is going well and you are looking forward to Ennis. Such a fab place. This is the 30th anniversary of the year my landlord gave me a cassette with the Ride On album on it. And the first gig of yours I went to. I was 18. What a journey. As the daily news highlights our fragile mortality I have started pilates which hopefully will ensure another glorious day on this earth. Keep warm, keep bendy, and drink the green tea. xx
RIP Terry Wogan,Christy.
Never ‘cool’ maybe,but I fondly remember your appearance on his tv show and the superb rendition of ‘The Voyage’.Prime time BBC telly too…
Also,TW’s hilarious,scathing ‘analysis’ of Eurovision Song Contest voting trends.Always worth turning on ‘the box’ for that,after the singing was done!
Have a good day,Dave
Luke Kelly is 32 years gone from us today ! As a kid I was so amused at the thought of you busking the queues outside of the Dubliners concerts.
Anyway I got a ticket to your gig in Guildford in March, timing is good again with my itinerary ! I was hoping you might squeeze in Ewan McColl’s Sweet Themes Flow Softly, and I was curious if you had played Guildford ever before and last question, how do you feel about performing Giuseppe or Scapegoats there. Cheers for now, see you soon.
Brian Connell.
Only when I’m drinking Christy would I even think of boring you with this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KrUoI08Gjk
Morning Christy.
Great to have a catch up on the posts. marvellous source of information and inspiration to take the time to look up new music from yourself and others. Good little article in the Irish Times this morning to mark the 30th anniversary of the passing of Luke Kelly. You get a mention from Damien Dempsey, like whom I remember the old Dubliner’s LP’s being put on the record player by my mum on a Sunday morning as she started peeling spuds for the dinner. I often recall how she had a record of the Gallowglass Ceilidh Band which I loved as a child but my dad hated. It had to be loud or there was no use in playing it she would say. She probably didn’t realise at the time but it was what gave me my first sense of how music transcends just the words and noise it makes.
On a lighter note. Tis the season to be stuck in front of the box watching the rugby. I’m coming over for the Italy game and can’t wait. take care of yourself
Frankie
Best the hooker for captain,get you’re boots and scrum cap raedy Christy,wales are coming over the pond.
we look forward to your return….our strategies in place…our boots laced..the wintergreen well rubbed in…..ye will be welcomed back…
Thanks for the response Christy! Really looking forward to seeing the show and wish you all the best with your upcoming gigs and as always hope to see you back in Glasgow soon!
Cheers
Sean
Thanks for the update,Christy.I hadn’t realised MH were playing.Great news.I’m sure the old theatre will be rocking.
Great if the band could tour.’The Band on the Wall’ would be a great venue for a Manchester gig.
Dave
Hi Christy
Totally agree about the dynamism of early Fairport.Also Steeleye Span.Fantastic that Messrs Carthy and Swarbrick were so adventurous in their approach and skilful enough to adapt to electric instruments and be so integral to the development of ‘folk/rock’in the above bands..The Free Trade Hall was a perfect venue too and a home from home for me.Maybe for you too as a punter and performer.I have great memories of you playing there,solo and with Planxty.A neat bit of tripping the light fantastic by you and Maddy Prior one night as well,as Steeleye ripped into jigs for the encore.
On the subject of folk/rock…a rare Irish appearance by the mighty Oysterband on Friday 29/1 at The Button Factory in Dublin.Well worth a visit for readers in the area.A great mix of trad and contemporary music with a killer rhythm section and a hint of ageing punk attitude! Sounds like a great Friday night to me…
All the best
Dave
Moving Hearts in Dublin Friday Night at Olympia Theatre
Hi Christy
On Fairport’s website today,there’s an update that ‘Swarb’ is in hospital ,battling respiritory problems.As ever,he’s determined to tough it out and will,hopefully be fighting fit asap.
This is the man whose obituary was once published in a national newspaper,after a health crisis that he survived ! At the next Cropredy Festival he did an autograph session,signing copies of the obit.. His official quote was ‘Its not the first time I died in Coventry’!….what a guy.
Fantastic memories of him and Martin Carthy setting the pace,followed by dynamite playing alongside Richard Thompson in 70’s Fairport.
Hope you trace the missing ‘Dave’….there are lots of us about!
a vivid memory of the first time I heard Martin Carthy & Dave Swarnrick…..their rhythm,the fiddle and vocal were so tight and Martin’s guitar playing was like I had never heard before…50 years ago they were opening the ears of many….
…no sign yet of Dave from Brum…..also remember the first time I heard Fairport…circa 1970 in The Free Trade Hall…..would have been resisiting electrification until I heard them…..
Dont know how or this appears twice (!).
Some great postings going on here.
There was a Dave ‘Swarbrig’ a guitarist, did he play with Fairport? (is that any help, C, to that enquiry?).
I too love that ‘Sun is Burning’ track, I’ve the orig tape of the album, it gets a play still, ‘The Iron Behind the Velvet’.
Someone mentions ‘Sweet Thames’, am putting together a story on a young man, a young Troubador, the late 60s Ireland, he’s leaving our shores for London, meeting the great London scene of the mid- to late 60s, I find myself inserting lines on a guy singing ‘Sweet Thames’ in a folk music pub of that era, but it looks cliched and it winds up being removed again…………
As for being a ‘threat to the state’, I was at gigs in the Meeting Place, Dorset Street way back when we were seen indeed to be ‘dangerous’ and a threat to the state, only for listening to ballads and trad music.
‘Oh Napoleon Bonaparte, you’re the cause of my woe….’
that was Dave Swarbrick who played Fiddle…was part of that great duo with Martin Carthy before joined Fairport Convention…far as I know Swarbrick is still rosining the bow…himself and Martin were stellar in the 60s…made some great recordings too…their sound remains unique
so you were a frequenter of The Meeting Place….those were momentous years, Paddy, The Badger, Skinnier and Hanna Spillane with Christy Giles and Mary O’Dowd dispensed jorums to the thirsty troubadours…..other lotions and potions could be had on the ground floor….
“I was playing in The Meeting Place when half The Special Branch came thru the door,
they were lookin for McGlinchey stole their trousars back in1984
Started listenin to the songs and hung around ’til after the show
If you ever need a taxi plate or a massage at the special rate….thems the boys can tell you where to go”
after the gigs we’d cross the road to Dolores in The Roma Chipper..she had a soft spot for the balladeers, bluesmen, rockers, grifters, drifters,tax inspectors, spoiled priests, overweight jockeys, medical students, Guitar heroes, that frequented The Meeting Place….that watering hole of great renown….many of those players gone now…. Jimmy Faulkner, Declan McNelis,Michéal O’Domhnaill,Red Peters, Martin Egan to name but a few
Christy
I am heading over to Ireland see you at your show in Cork on Saturday night Feb 27th and have 2nd row tickets. I play in a small band at our local pub “Hanafin’s” and we sing most of your songs and lots of Shane as well. You will be glad to hear that you have a deep following here in the States and especially Hanafins Pub in CT.
I was wondering, do you ever do meet and greets with your fans or is there a possibility of getting you to autograph my guitar. I am hoping to join in a session or two while I am in town so I am bringing my guitar, I know sometimes fan clubs do such events.
As the son of Norse and Irish parents, I am excited for my first trip to the family ancestral home of County Cork and as a Rover I can’t wait to see you perform live.
Sláinte and as my mother used to say, “Up the Norse Irish!!”
Thor Torgersen-McQuillin
it will all work out…..try 4711ers.org and maybe hook up with some regular listeners…they know the ropes
Hi Christy
I’ve made some enquiries about ‘Dave ,the Brum guitarist/ the Munster Men’.I’ll let you have any specific info that comes back.(It’s hard to get past ‘The Munsters’ on initial online searches!) Interesting though,that the band was on the gigs listed for Manchester’s MSG club in Summer,1967…..along with many of the usual suspects!
This morning I was listening to WatersonCarthy’s superb version of ‘Raggle Taggle Gypsies’.A few hours later,I came across a recording I’d made of your ‘Desert island Discs’ for BBC radio in Summer 2007.I’d forgotten what a moving programme it is .It must have been a tough gig to do,but its a wonderful listen with fine musical choices.Great to conclude with the incomparable John Reilly singing ‘Raggle Taggle……’ I can happily listen to that song several times a day.
Hope recording is going well.
Dave
many thanks Christy look forward to hearing this new stuff.
maybe send you a copy of Trump song it’s called Bald Eagle.
good luck
ben madigan
Evening Christy! Hope all is well
I’m sitting here in a miserable West of Scotland evening reading your songbook and in particular, The Pursuit of Farmer Michael Hayes. A great story on it’s own but totally brought to life in your rendition. Listening to this fine tale always lifts my spirits, it’s one of those songs that makes you right sure of yourself if you know what I mean?
Anyway, just thought I would check to see if you know when the RTE documentary on yourself is due out? They were filming at your last gig at the Barras and I believe it is called Journey?
Thanks
Sean
Morra Sean….Michael Hayes is a fine song…. if memory serves I came across the lyric 40 years back..then Andy Irvine found a melody from the singing of John Lyons and we married the two. Donal Lunny then built the arrangement for the Planxty version from the 1977 album. The song disappeared for 3 decades until requests began to emerge and I took the song down again and it soon blossomed forth in a new arrangement and it now features in most gigs..
To the best of my knowledge, the RTE doc will be transmitted over two Mondays, the 11th and 18th of April. Called Journey it was filmed by Mark McLoughlin and his crew over a 6 month period in 2015. I thoroughly enjoyed the process but I’m getting a bit windy now as the time comes to view “Journey”
We filmed in Newbridge, The Curragh, Various locations around Dublin City, Derry, Bellaghy, Belfast,Clonmel, Granard,Ballyporeen, Carnsore, Belfast, London, Glasgow, the Dublin Hollyhead Ferry, Arklow, Inis Meáin, Lisdoonvarna, Spainish Point, Milltown ( Co Kildare) Pollardstown, The Gibbet Rath, Newbridge College, my workroom, a recording studio, on the road, above The River Boyne at Ardmulchan, Tralee, Claremorris,…..thats what I remember tonight…..its all about the songs…where they were found, written and sung
Hi Christy, I first went to see you in theatre L in UCD in 1981 and I have been to see you many times since. I live in London now and I am looking forward to hearing you at the RFH on 6th April with my husband Seamus and two children , Fionn 18 & Asha 17. We always listened to you on the long drive from London to Dublin and they have grown to love your wonderful voice also. No requests from me just looking forward to it very much.
Kay Harney
That must have been the last time I sang in Theatre L ….back in the 70s and 80s used to play regularly in various 3rd Level venues….had some good nights too….good to hear from you, to know that the next generation is listening to the songs….the RFH is a great venue..looking forward to returning to where The Sweet Thames flows softly
hi christy
huge fan ,love the obvious time you must take on gettin that right lyric.
i write Parody lyrics purely for fun sometimes recorded sometimes not,they can be frivolous (friends and family celebration etc.) ar mildly political.E.G.
‘ARLENE’ parody of Jolene for our mew !st minister arlene foster who is a big
Dolly fan.Recorded last week to good reaction (esp.the shinners).
So gettin to the point, i have written a parody on Donald Trump to the melody of
your acclaimed Honda 50 (Tom Tuohy) Hope you dont mind and i would love to hear you sing it or at least send you the lyrics.
regards
brendan mc gonagle (Ben Madigan)
deeply immersed in new songs here at the minute….not ready to forsake The Honda 50 yet…Tom Tuohy’s classic has plenty of miles left in it yet….passed its NCT last week
Good luck with yourTrump and Arlene….I’m a Dolly fan myself so I have that in Common with The First Lady
Christy
I shouldn’t post before drinking at least one coffee.Of course it was Lorna (not Linda) and Ian Campbell !
D
could happen to a Bishop
Many thanks for such a detailed reply,Christy.
When we’re playing duo gigs,I sing harmony on several songs.Its enjoyable and made easier by the fact that my partner’s lead line is rock solid.I’m sure that’s been the case with you over the years,and the harmonies on the new recording will be as tight as the proverbial with Declan at the helm.When I saw you in Kells,late last year,the blended vocals on ‘True love knows no season’ were a gig highlight for sure.
I’m really looking forward to the next release.
I only heard the Campbell’s once, at the epic 1972 one day fest in Manchester’s Platt Fields.By that time, the two Daves were playing their hearts out with Fairport.Ian and Linda were a tour de force that day.It was a fine sound…
‘and couples in the park
are holding hands and waiting for the dark
an the sun burns in the sky…’
Regards
Dave
there used to be another “Dave” on The Brum Scene then. really good guitar player.He played a bit with a Band callled “The Munster Men” and I think he may have also gigged with Luke Kelly. Cant remember his surname. Anyone got any info ??