Hi all…a wonderful Folkfest…great sound..great performances..last night was so like Barrowlands…I cant even begin to imagine the preperation you needed to make it work so well…from the sing alongs to the hush the surrounded both Triangle and Veronica….go raibh mile maith agaibh..duit fein agus MOC band freisin..and for your Ode to the Kingdom below…beir bua agus beannacht…H
Christy's reply
Yes, we did a lot of prep for Killarney..we gathered in Ballinasloe on Thu to rehearse, then again on Friday before the gig in the evening…. a good rehearsal again on Sat before taking the stage…..BUT the thing about rehearsing with The Trad Outfit is that its a pure pleasure…such great players, so much to share and such a wealth of music and experience between them… all worn very lightly but carried with great respect for the music and for each other…we normally sit in a tight circle facing each other when we rehearse…its a lovely place to be….when the music cuts loose I sometimes find myself mesmerised in deep reverie …until Paddy and Mick arrive in with hot tea and curney cake and soon we are off again
…..its dark and lonely work but someone ‘s gotta do it….
Hi Christy
On holiday with the family in a little Catallan
village that still no the score and dont forget
the dark days, solid people comrades all.
But anyway i said to my boy would love to hear your latest album Lilly and before you could say hail hail Jeremy Corbyn he had it playing on some spotify thingy and have to say absolutely brilliant album but promise to buy the real thing. Christy cant wait til yer back in Glasgow, the Barrowland welcome awaits.
No Pasaran
Gerry
Christy's reply
Greetings from The Kingdom of Kerry,
from Roses of Tralee,Lakes of Killarney,
Wild Colonial Boys of Barr na Sráide,
Mick O’Dwyer,Mick O’Connell,Mikey Sheehy,
high upon the peak of Carrantuohill
Ferris wheels upon the lonely strand at Banna
fatal foetal tarmac twin boys of Kilgarvan
where God alone determines global warming
and Brendan steered his Currach out of Brandon
John B Keane,The Poet Kenneally, Con Houlihan,
rhyme Knocknagoshel, Lixnaw,Lyracrompane,
where Kerry cows, chased by Kerry sheepdogs,
charge along the low road to Annascaul
” Oh the sides are going up on Knightley’s Trailer
anticipatin work yet to be done”……………….
O The Gooch,Paidí O Sé and Bomber Liston
O The Gay Bachelors of Ballybunion
The Pyramids of Sneem,Healy Pass, The Black Valley, Torc,Muckross and the Midgees upon Mangerton…..the egg is boiled, I’m out of ink,thank God for small mercies
Adelante Gerry, catch up with you in the East End…..go easy on the Toro
My sister Jennifer wrote this given the year that’s in it. It speaks for itself…
No Uniforms for the Volunteers
Flannel trousers tied with rope.
Heavy boots handed down.
Rough shirts and mufflers;
Threadbare from uninterrupted wear
This is the uniform of a volunteer.
Wedding suits now Sunday best
Knees worn out from chapel pews
and honest toil
An overcoat given by a charitable house
thin from the winters of thirty years
Not for them gold braid on caps, brass buttons
on jackets or ceremonial swords
Not for them the army titles
Captain, major and brigadier
They simply chose to be volunteers.
Green grows the grass and white the clover,
yellow the irises all around.
Lift up the colours and wrap it around them;
In life and in death, the flag they hold dear.
The only honour for a volunteer
Thanks for a very special night in Ballinasloe. Perfection is the only word for it. We were celebrating silver but it was pure Gold on stage last night. Thanks for The Voyage…..it felt like the whole room was singing the last verse. Killarney is in for a treat tonight
Christy's reply
Thanks Marty…good to hear from you..I was worried in case I got a bit carried away with my remarks !!!..it was a great night ..enjoy the next 25, You and Ger……they are Golden Years..thanks for sharing it with us….
Hi Christy
I don’t know if you’ll remember Nigel and Sally Hammill from St Andrews days, we are in Cheshire now, and look forward to the Manchester show. Well done on the website
Cheets
Christy's reply
Nigel, good to get a reminder of those heady days in Fife…I well remember The Mucky Byre Folk Club in St Andrews…played it in 1968 and ’69 methinks. Used to hang out in Kircaldy with The Torbane Crew….Jimmy Hutchinson,High Speed Grass and Rab Noakes were resident there..heady days indeed…. I remember hearing Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger in The Byre…my first visit there was with my old mentor Hamish Imlach…” Oh Glory Hallelujah! The Cod Liver Oli and The Orange Juice”
Well Hilary that was some explanation of Gneeveguilla I couldnt have done any better myself. I’m from Gullane myself which is the capital of Gneeveguilla! Are you going to Christy tomorrow night? You might be sorry now Christy for asking about Gneeveguilla everyone is gone way off track! Thanks for including Mandolin Mountain… Love is for the patient ones/ The honest and the good…..
Christy's reply
Morra ..there is every chance that Hilary will be there tonight…tell you the truth Mike its always more interesting here when communicants go “way off track”….there is enough straight and normal in the world…..its great to be back in The Kingdom….plenty of “off track” activity in these parts
spot on Hilary…way back in the mists of time for my travels,it would certainly have been Laune…happy days and great to read about the club.
Over and out from me,to maestro Christy.Good luck with gigs.
Dave
Christy's reply
Hilary may not be aware that the man who played Tonto was the 2nd cousin of a woman whose mother came from Laune. She emigrated to Dallas and married a Texas Ranger.Her son was thereafter nickname the Laune Ranger. Kemo Sabey
Hi All,,,, Is there anything worse than people hogging the guestbook ?? but,,,,,,Dagrab I don’t know if you are thinking of Laune Rangers from Killorglin that great club formed in 1888 how produced such recent greats as Mike Frank Russell, Michael and Liam Hassett, and currently Peter Crowley,,,,and won the Club Championhsip in 1996… I worked in Killorglin for 12 years back in the last millenium and have a great fondness and respect for the area,,,,,,and a debt of gratitude for what I learned from the great people in this South Kerry area,,,,,,,,OK,,, over and out,,,I promise,,,,,, let the music keep our spirits high,, H
Hi Christy
‘Send lawyers,guns and money – the shit has hit the fan’…so sang Warren Zevon…and how apt those words are for these shores right now…
I also saw the Rick Wakeman doc and have terrific memories of The Strawbs et al.And,still flying the flag for ‘acid folk’ is Tir Na Nog’,gigging strong…
Great to think of you and the trad lads reconvening.I have it in mind to see this lineup whenever possible.Even if I’ll need a passport/visa/eyeball ID and any other bollix,it’ll be worth it!
Hi Christy
Excellent info from Hilary.
I’ve often admired place names on my travels.Numerous fascinating sign posts to the highways and byways…
To lower the academic tone,one sign that cracked me up,years ago was in Lawn.The local football team was the superbly titled ‘Lawn Rangers’,they deserved all success!
Hi Christy,,, in case Mike Kelly does not see your query before you travel to An Riocht Gneevgullia Gníomh go Leith is a small village in Sliabh Luachra in the area between Rathmore, Knocknagree and Killarney. Gniomh is an old Irish measurement of land, Thomas Larcom the first director of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland made a study of the ancient land divisions of Ireland and summarised the traditional hierarchy of land divisions thus:
10 acres – 1 Gneeve; 2 Gneeves – 1 Sessiagh; 3 Sessiaghs – 1 Tate or Ballyboe; 2 Ballyboes – 1 Ploughland, Seisreagh or Carrow; 4 Ploughlands – 1 Ballybetagh, or Townland; 30 Ballybetaghs – Triocha Cead or Barony.
Yes we ‘ve lots of interesting place names Lixnaw, Newtownsandes, Tahilla, Kilgarvan, Urlee,Duagh,Ohermong, Bonane, Scartaglin, Beale, Knockangoshel and thats not including the Gaeltacht !! no doubt people from all these corners will be travelling to INEC this weekend. Safe travelling all. H
Christy's reply
“In Scartaglen there lived a lass
and every Sunday after mass
we would go and drink a glass
before goin home by Barna”
Hi,
I have two tickets for Folkfest in Killarney tomorrow. Normally we would travel today to Ireland, but unfortunately for personal reasons we had to cancel our trip. Is someone interrested in the tickets?
Thanks and to Christy: have a great time tomorrow, it really is a pity we can’t make it.
Hi Christy
Great to read your recollections of the wonderful Luke Kelly.My only experience of seeing The Dubliners was at The Free Trade Hall in 1972.A fantastic,tight,ensemble sound with the amazing contrasting lead singing of Ronnie and Luke.Unique.
After reading your comments,I checked ‘The Two Brewers’ and Granada TV.As so often,these gems take one off into fascinating diversions,as well as the original query!
Byethehost24.com is today’s online find…I can’t see anything before 1970,but the folk show was still being broadcast then and only shown in NW England (as was common).Hosted by Jeremy Taylor,the series included Pentangle,The Strawbs,Ralph McTell,Magna Carta and The Dubliners (in May,1970).
Granada TV has a wonderful track record in show casing music.Folk benefited in the 60s/70s.Fantastic to recall the era that also included ‘The Doors’ playing live in the studio.
Enjoy the weekend gigs with the trad outfit.I’m sure you’re loving the permutations available.Well illustrated on the ‘Lily’ songs.
All the best,
Dave
Christy's reply
excerpts from that show have featured in various documentaries on the band..there is a quick shot of yours truly (at the bar`) enjoying the gig…I got a quick flash of youthful endeavour when it flashed across the scereen……
saw a doc about “Prog Rock” on Sky Arts lately..Rick Wakeman spoke fondly of his days in The Strawbs..it reminded me of some of the wonderful new sounds encountered back then…The Watersons, Carthy & Swarbrick,The Strawbs,The Dransfields, The Incredibles,The Young Tradition and then on into Fairport and Pentangle,on to Nic Jones and all that followed..
I served my apprenticeship in the midst of that cacophony of magical sounds….I was tootling about with my few songs and fewer chords but I was drinking it all in
“When first I went a waggoning
a waggoning did go”
currently in Ballinasloe with The Trad Outfit rehearsing for Tonights gig,then onto Killarney for tomorrow nights Fstival Gig…Its 5 months since we last played together in Cork Opera House so twas a pure joy to sit amongst them again last night and run thru the repertoire
Crazy times over there….Cameron’s Brexit referendum has surely turned the world upside down..its interesting, challenging and very scary…
Between them, Cameron and Trump have managed to taint the blonde
Hi Christy, I cant wait for Saturday night it should be another great concert with the boys. I was hoping you would sing The Curragh of Kildare in Tralee last year but you didnt get around to it. Any hope of singing it on Saturday night at the inec. If you cant the beautiful Mandolin Mountain would be great to hear for the first time. All the best for Saturday Christy the count down is on. Mike Kelly.
Christy's reply
Gneeveguilla….I’ve often wondered about this beautiful place name Mike…what is the original Irish name ?….where exactly is Gneeveguila? ye have some great placenames below there, Knocknagoshel, Sneem, Camp, The Black Valley, Mangerton, Annascaul,Lyracrompane…tis no wonder that ye are knee deep in poets,bards and balladeers (no shortage of spoofers either !)
The Curragh is unlikely to feature but Mandolin Mountain is a cert….bring your shin guards
Hi Christy,
Just watched the RTE documentary on Luke Kelly……..another one of our great songsters who left us too soon.
I was just wondering how much, if any your musical paths crossed over the years.
Best Regards
Patsy
Christy's reply
Hey Patsy, Luke and his partner, Madeline Seiler were good friends of mine. I would have met Luke more times socially but we did play together a few times. I first encountered Luke when The Dubliners came to Manchester to record a TV Special for Granada TV circa 1967/68. It was filmed in a Salford Pub called The Two Brewers. I was in the queue ( with Guitar case) as the band were heading in. Luke stopped and said hello and then brought me into the venue as his guest. Later on we had a few scoops and I ended up back at their hotel where Luke encouraged me to sing a fewsongs. I dossed in his room that night. When I woke up he was gone but there was a note and £5 on my guitar case. That was the generosity of the man. He recognised the fact that I was skint.
Next time we met was when Planxty and The Dubliners did a “Herald Boot Fund” gig in the old Cinema in Phibsborough. When Val and I got married in 1973 he attended the hooley.That year I gigged with him again in Teach Furbo, Connemara ( where I played again two weeks ago) That night was probably the closest we ever got as we sat up very late sharing verses and stories, dreams and ambitions….Luke was an honest and generous man…he was an inspirational singer and carrier of songs…he did pull his punches and always said it as it was…I regret not having spent more time with him……watch his final performance on YouTube… “I must away now, I can no longer tarry”
His partner, Madeleine, is a fine lady….she misses him more then most
Retired at the end of May and NY has been ticked of my bucket list. The singing cowboy has ‘nothing on’ you! Bought Lily shortly after release but only listened to it properly for the first time/several times this morning …ah the beauty of retirement. From Mountain to Mountains each song is a pleasure to listen. Looking forward to hearing them in the Waterfront. Comhghairdeas a Christy tá sé fheabhas! Ádh mór, Mary
Christy's reply
” from Mountain to Mountains”..thanks for that, never dawned on me…
…I walk past the framed bookshelf many times each day…far too often , for its outside the kitchen door !….
…may your retirement see you tick everything off your bucket list and allow you write a new one…
When will you come to Germany again? Long time no see.
Christy's reply
It is often on my mind to return to Germany…..it is my wish to return but it depends on other factors outside my control..hopefully it will happen for I have always enjoyed my visits, going right back to my first concert in Hamburg in 1972 with Planxty..let us see what the future holds
Hey Christy, very excited to see you at folkfest on Saturday…praying you’re gona do beeswing please, please! 🙂 Have a great weekend of it!
Christy's reply
we’ll do the best we can Briggs…stand up gigs on a Saturday night are always very different from sit down concerts..the plan is to serenade the rapscallions into submission…what happens will decide the thrust of the set…looking forward to hearing many of the other acts
Hello Christy,
Hope all is well with you. Are there any plans to do a gig in Toronto or perhaps upstate New York? If not I will have to come home next summer to catch you live, a ‘bucket-list’ event for me.
Enjoy your summer!
Jemser
Christy's reply
Morra Jemser…I have not done any air travel since 1999 so I wont be coming your way..greetings to all Canadian Songsters
Hi all…a wonderful Folkfest…great sound..great performances..last night was so like Barrowlands…I cant even begin to imagine the preperation you needed to make it work so well…from the sing alongs to the hush the surrounded both Triangle and Veronica….go raibh mile maith agaibh..duit fein agus MOC band freisin..and for your Ode to the Kingdom below…beir bua agus beannacht…H
Yes, we did a lot of prep for Killarney..we gathered in Ballinasloe on Thu to rehearse, then again on Friday before the gig in the evening…. a good rehearsal again on Sat before taking the stage…..BUT the thing about rehearsing with The Trad Outfit is that its a pure pleasure…such great players, so much to share and such a wealth of music and experience between them… all worn very lightly but carried with great respect for the music and for each other…we normally sit in a tight circle facing each other when we rehearse…its a lovely place to be….when the music cuts loose I sometimes find myself mesmerised in deep reverie …until Paddy and Mick arrive in with hot tea and curney cake and soon we are off again
…..its dark and lonely work but someone ‘s gotta do it….
Hi Christy
On holiday with the family in a little Catallan
village that still no the score and dont forget
the dark days, solid people comrades all.
But anyway i said to my boy would love to hear your latest album Lilly and before you could say hail hail Jeremy Corbyn he had it playing on some spotify thingy and have to say absolutely brilliant album but promise to buy the real thing. Christy cant wait til yer back in Glasgow, the Barrowland welcome awaits.
No Pasaran
Gerry
Greetings from The Kingdom of Kerry,
from Roses of Tralee,Lakes of Killarney,
Wild Colonial Boys of Barr na Sráide,
Mick O’Dwyer,Mick O’Connell,Mikey Sheehy,
high upon the peak of Carrantuohill
Ferris wheels upon the lonely strand at Banna
fatal foetal tarmac twin boys of Kilgarvan
where God alone determines global warming
and Brendan steered his Currach out of Brandon
John B Keane,The Poet Kenneally, Con Houlihan,
rhyme Knocknagoshel, Lixnaw,Lyracrompane,
where Kerry cows, chased by Kerry sheepdogs,
charge along the low road to Annascaul
” Oh the sides are going up on Knightley’s Trailer
anticipatin work yet to be done”……………….
O The Gooch,Paidí O Sé and Bomber Liston
O The Gay Bachelors of Ballybunion
The Pyramids of Sneem,Healy Pass, The Black Valley, Torc,Muckross and the Midgees upon Mangerton…..the egg is boiled, I’m out of ink,thank God for small mercies
Adelante Gerry, catch up with you in the East End…..go easy on the Toro
My sister Jennifer wrote this given the year that’s in it. It speaks for itself…
No Uniforms for the Volunteers
Flannel trousers tied with rope.
Heavy boots handed down.
Rough shirts and mufflers;
Threadbare from uninterrupted wear
This is the uniform of a volunteer.
Wedding suits now Sunday best
Knees worn out from chapel pews
and honest toil
An overcoat given by a charitable house
thin from the winters of thirty years
Not for them gold braid on caps, brass buttons
on jackets or ceremonial swords
Not for them the army titles
Captain, major and brigadier
They simply chose to be volunteers.
Green grows the grass and white the clover,
yellow the irises all around.
Lift up the colours and wrap it around them;
In life and in death, the flag they hold dear.
The only honour for a volunteer
Jennifer Reid Easter 2016
Sad to say, the distant drums are beating
You’ve got to have a laugh , we enjoy the craic…it was in the spirit of the gig too. Ride On.
Thanks for a very special night in Ballinasloe. Perfection is the only word for it. We were celebrating silver but it was pure Gold on stage last night. Thanks for The Voyage…..it felt like the whole room was singing the last verse. Killarney is in for a treat tonight
Thanks Marty…good to hear from you..I was worried in case I got a bit carried away with my remarks !!!..it was a great night ..enjoy the next 25, You and Ger……they are Golden Years..thanks for sharing it with us….
Hi Christy
I don’t know if you’ll remember Nigel and Sally Hammill from St Andrews days, we are in Cheshire now, and look forward to the Manchester show. Well done on the website
Cheets
Nigel, good to get a reminder of those heady days in Fife…I well remember The Mucky Byre Folk Club in St Andrews…played it in 1968 and ’69 methinks. Used to hang out in Kircaldy with The Torbane Crew….Jimmy Hutchinson,High Speed Grass and Rab Noakes were resident there..heady days indeed…. I remember hearing Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger in The Byre…my first visit there was with my old mentor Hamish Imlach…” Oh Glory Hallelujah! The Cod Liver Oli and The Orange Juice”
Well Hilary that was some explanation of Gneeveguilla I couldnt have done any better myself. I’m from Gullane myself which is the capital of Gneeveguilla! Are you going to Christy tomorrow night? You might be sorry now Christy for asking about Gneeveguilla everyone is gone way off track! Thanks for including Mandolin Mountain… Love is for the patient ones/ The honest and the good…..
Morra ..there is every chance that Hilary will be there tonight…tell you the truth Mike its always more interesting here when communicants go “way off track”….there is enough straight and normal in the world…..its great to be back in The Kingdom….plenty of “off track” activity in these parts
spot on Hilary…way back in the mists of time for my travels,it would certainly have been Laune…happy days and great to read about the club.
Over and out from me,to maestro Christy.Good luck with gigs.
Dave
Hilary may not be aware that the man who played Tonto was the 2nd cousin of a woman whose mother came from Laune. She emigrated to Dallas and married a Texas Ranger.Her son was thereafter nickname the Laune Ranger. Kemo Sabey
Hi All,,,, Is there anything worse than people hogging the guestbook ?? but,,,,,,Dagrab I don’t know if you are thinking of Laune Rangers from Killorglin that great club formed in 1888 how produced such recent greats as Mike Frank Russell, Michael and Liam Hassett, and currently Peter Crowley,,,,and won the Club Championhsip in 1996… I worked in Killorglin for 12 years back in the last millenium and have a great fondness and respect for the area,,,,,,and a debt of gratitude for what I learned from the great people in this South Kerry area,,,,,,,,OK,,, over and out,,,I promise,,,,,, let the music keep our spirits high,, H
Hi Christy
‘Send lawyers,guns and money – the shit has hit the fan’…so sang Warren Zevon…and how apt those words are for these shores right now…
I also saw the Rick Wakeman doc and have terrific memories of The Strawbs et al.And,still flying the flag for ‘acid folk’ is Tir Na Nog’,gigging strong…
Great to think of you and the trad lads reconvening.I have it in mind to see this lineup whenever possible.Even if I’ll need a passport/visa/eyeball ID and any other bollix,it’ll be worth it!
Enjoy…
Dave
Hi Christy
Excellent info from Hilary.
I’ve often admired place names on my travels.Numerous fascinating sign posts to the highways and byways…
To lower the academic tone,one sign that cracked me up,years ago was in Lawn.The local football team was the superbly titled ‘Lawn Rangers’,they deserved all success!
Bon voyage to all
Dave
Hi Christy,,, in case Mike Kelly does not see your query before you travel to An Riocht Gneevgullia Gníomh go Leith is a small village in Sliabh Luachra in the area between Rathmore, Knocknagree and Killarney. Gniomh is an old Irish measurement of land, Thomas Larcom the first director of the Ordnance Survey of Ireland made a study of the ancient land divisions of Ireland and summarised the traditional hierarchy of land divisions thus:
10 acres – 1 Gneeve; 2 Gneeves – 1 Sessiagh; 3 Sessiaghs – 1 Tate or Ballyboe; 2 Ballyboes – 1 Ploughland, Seisreagh or Carrow; 4 Ploughlands – 1 Ballybetagh, or Townland; 30 Ballybetaghs – Triocha Cead or Barony.
Yes we ‘ve lots of interesting place names Lixnaw, Newtownsandes, Tahilla, Kilgarvan, Urlee,Duagh,Ohermong, Bonane, Scartaglin, Beale, Knockangoshel and thats not including the Gaeltacht !! no doubt people from all these corners will be travelling to INEC this weekend. Safe travelling all. H
“In Scartaglen there lived a lass
and every Sunday after mass
we would go and drink a glass
before goin home by Barna”
Hi,
I have two tickets for Folkfest in Killarney tomorrow. Normally we would travel today to Ireland, but unfortunately for personal reasons we had to cancel our trip. Is someone interrested in the tickets?
Thanks and to Christy: have a great time tomorrow, it really is a pity we can’t make it.
Hi Christy
Great to read your recollections of the wonderful Luke Kelly.My only experience of seeing The Dubliners was at The Free Trade Hall in 1972.A fantastic,tight,ensemble sound with the amazing contrasting lead singing of Ronnie and Luke.Unique.
After reading your comments,I checked ‘The Two Brewers’ and Granada TV.As so often,these gems take one off into fascinating diversions,as well as the original query!
Byethehost24.com is today’s online find…I can’t see anything before 1970,but the folk show was still being broadcast then and only shown in NW England (as was common).Hosted by Jeremy Taylor,the series included Pentangle,The Strawbs,Ralph McTell,Magna Carta and The Dubliners (in May,1970).
Granada TV has a wonderful track record in show casing music.Folk benefited in the 60s/70s.Fantastic to recall the era that also included ‘The Doors’ playing live in the studio.
Enjoy the weekend gigs with the trad outfit.I’m sure you’re loving the permutations available.Well illustrated on the ‘Lily’ songs.
All the best,
Dave
excerpts from that show have featured in various documentaries on the band..there is a quick shot of yours truly (at the bar`) enjoying the gig…I got a quick flash of youthful endeavour when it flashed across the scereen……
saw a doc about “Prog Rock” on Sky Arts lately..Rick Wakeman spoke fondly of his days in The Strawbs..it reminded me of some of the wonderful new sounds encountered back then…The Watersons, Carthy & Swarbrick,The Strawbs,The Dransfields, The Incredibles,The Young Tradition and then on into Fairport and Pentangle,on to Nic Jones and all that followed..
I served my apprenticeship in the midst of that cacophony of magical sounds….I was tootling about with my few songs and fewer chords but I was drinking it all in
“When first I went a waggoning
a waggoning did go”
currently in Ballinasloe with The Trad Outfit rehearsing for Tonights gig,then onto Killarney for tomorrow nights Fstival Gig…Its 5 months since we last played together in Cork Opera House so twas a pure joy to sit amongst them again last night and run thru the repertoire
Crazy times over there….Cameron’s Brexit referendum has surely turned the world upside down..its interesting, challenging and very scary…
Between them, Cameron and Trump have managed to taint the blonde
Hi Christy, I cant wait for Saturday night it should be another great concert with the boys. I was hoping you would sing The Curragh of Kildare in Tralee last year but you didnt get around to it. Any hope of singing it on Saturday night at the inec. If you cant the beautiful Mandolin Mountain would be great to hear for the first time. All the best for Saturday Christy the count down is on. Mike Kelly.
Gneeveguilla….I’ve often wondered about this beautiful place name Mike…what is the original Irish name ?….where exactly is Gneeveguila? ye have some great placenames below there, Knocknagoshel, Sneem, Camp, The Black Valley, Mangerton, Annascaul,Lyracrompane…tis no wonder that ye are knee deep in poets,bards and balladeers (no shortage of spoofers either !)
The Curragh is unlikely to feature but Mandolin Mountain is a cert….bring your shin guards
Hi Christy,
Just watched the RTE documentary on Luke Kelly……..another one of our great songsters who left us too soon.
I was just wondering how much, if any your musical paths crossed over the years.
Best Regards
Patsy
Hey Patsy, Luke and his partner, Madeline Seiler were good friends of mine. I would have met Luke more times socially but we did play together a few times. I first encountered Luke when The Dubliners came to Manchester to record a TV Special for Granada TV circa 1967/68. It was filmed in a Salford Pub called The Two Brewers. I was in the queue ( with Guitar case) as the band were heading in. Luke stopped and said hello and then brought me into the venue as his guest. Later on we had a few scoops and I ended up back at their hotel where Luke encouraged me to sing a fewsongs. I dossed in his room that night. When I woke up he was gone but there was a note and £5 on my guitar case. That was the generosity of the man. He recognised the fact that I was skint.
Next time we met was when Planxty and The Dubliners did a “Herald Boot Fund” gig in the old Cinema in Phibsborough. When Val and I got married in 1973 he attended the hooley.That year I gigged with him again in Teach Furbo, Connemara ( where I played again two weeks ago) That night was probably the closest we ever got as we sat up very late sharing verses and stories, dreams and ambitions….Luke was an honest and generous man…he was an inspirational singer and carrier of songs…he did pull his punches and always said it as it was…I regret not having spent more time with him……watch his final performance on YouTube… “I must away now, I can no longer tarry”
His partner, Madeleine, is a fine lady….she misses him more then most
Retired at the end of May and NY has been ticked of my bucket list. The singing cowboy has ‘nothing on’ you! Bought Lily shortly after release but only listened to it properly for the first time/several times this morning …ah the beauty of retirement. From Mountain to Mountains each song is a pleasure to listen. Looking forward to hearing them in the Waterfront. Comhghairdeas a Christy tá sé fheabhas! Ádh mór, Mary
” from Mountain to Mountains”..thanks for that, never dawned on me…
…I walk past the framed bookshelf many times each day…far too often , for its outside the kitchen door !….
…may your retirement see you tick everything off your bucket list and allow you write a new one…
When will you come to Germany again? Long time no see.
It is often on my mind to return to Germany…..it is my wish to return but it depends on other factors outside my control..hopefully it will happen for I have always enjoyed my visits, going right back to my first concert in Hamburg in 1972 with Planxty..let us see what the future holds
Hey Christy, very excited to see you at folkfest on Saturday…praying you’re gona do beeswing please, please! 🙂 Have a great weekend of it!
we’ll do the best we can Briggs…stand up gigs on a Saturday night are always very different from sit down concerts..the plan is to serenade the rapscallions into submission…what happens will decide the thrust of the set…looking forward to hearing many of the other acts
Hello Christy,
Hope all is well with you. Are there any plans to do a gig in Toronto or perhaps upstate New York? If not I will have to come home next summer to catch you live, a ‘bucket-list’ event for me.
Enjoy your summer!
Jemser
Morra Jemser…I have not done any air travel since 1999 so I wont be coming your way..greetings to all Canadian Songsters