My wife Mags and I are celebrating out 20th wedding anniversary today, August 31 and began our day listening to our wedding song – The Voyage. Thanks Christy for giving us such an impassioned piece of music to honor this occasion.
Peter (Mullingar)
Christy's reply
great to hear from you……Voyage was written by Johnny Duhan…I was so fortunate that he shared it with me…remember Killarney Peter ? when we recorded the Ride On album out in Muckross…the catering was top class , I think we all put on weight making that album.. I recorded another Johnny Duhan song back then called El Salvador…I think you put some backing vocals on it
Good man Christy – Burning Times is exactly the song I was thinking of!
Not sure if you know it but Jim Page has a great song “I’d rather be dancing” about Rachel – worth a listen. Always nice to raise a bit of awareness about what is actually happening in Palestine.
I hope the stars will be out in An Caislean Nua when you join us.
Christy's reply
I remember Jim Page’s song………quite a few songs were written in memory of Rachel..tried to write a tribute myself but could never come with anything as fitting as Charlie Murphy’s song..
I am making my twice annual spin to your gig now shortly (birthday and Christmas presents for the last 20 years!) to Newcastle, Co.Down and would love to hear you dedicate something to Rachel Corrie and the Palestinian people in general. I remember you sang a song in the Spirit Store in Dundalk one night around 2003 or 04 and dedicated it to Rachel – I have only heard that song once since and it was in the Waterfront in Belfast again dedicated to the people of Palestine and you could hear a pin drop and the atmosphere was incredible (but unfortunately the name escapes me!)
My favourite song (at a push) is “Little Musgrave” which has been used as a lullaby for my children for the last 6 years – I am not sure if you sing it with Declan but the whole story behind it is incredible and would love to hear it.
All the best for the gig and I hope your gig tickets will my Christmas and birthday presents for the next 20 years!
Ádh mór a chara!
Christy's reply
Might the song you mention be “Burning Times”….any mention of Rachel Corrie reminds me of courage and sacrifice as she faced an Israeli Army Earthmover armed only with a small battery powered megaphone…she sought to defend a Palestinian Home which was about to be demolished in act of Land Clearance….
Little Musgrave appears 5-6 times a year..he only comes out when conditions are right, when the stars are in line….
looking forward to the upcoming Ulster shows..we kicked off last week in Donegal and now we are heading South into The North…
see you in Slieve Donard
Hope this finds you well and dandy! I was introduced to your wonderful music by my boyfriend Aaron (from Westport) four years ago and have been hooked ever since and have been wanting to see you live. When we decided to spend the summer in Ireland this year, I was delighted that I could make our dreams a reality. We are happily and excitedly coming to your show this Friday in Derry (the joy!) and we are soooo looking forward to it. I was sincerely hoping I could request for you to play Bee’s Wing. This is my favourite song in the world and if you could, I would be so very delighted and ultra grateful (although I already am both just being able to see ya live!).
Thank you kindly for bringing your glorious music into our lives.
Can’t wait to see ya and hope you are having a wonderful day!
Scarlet from Canada 🙂
Christy's reply
Hey Scarlet…hope ye are enjoying Mayo..Westport is a lively town after dark….if you see him, give my regards to Matt Molloy….hopefully Beeswing will resound beneath Derry walls come Friday….always love crossing The Foyle back into that loving City
Hi christy. I hope life is treating you
And your family kindly . Just wanted to pass you on a few words I brought from Clare with me Inside me so to speak. I wrote these few verses while in the ballyvaughan kinvarra area
THE WALLS
The walls referred to in this are not the ones tenant farmers built to clear land but the ones up the mountains that were literally done for no other purpose than to make the Poor and hungry Irish work for their food as to feed them would encourage laziness our neighbours and landlords reflected at the time.
A rather easy conclusion to come to when you re sitting in a large or grand house on 50000 acres as most of the land lords were at the time
S
THE WALLS
Peeping out from underneath
A foggy coloured veil
The stone walls on the hills
Around the burretn hide a tale
The lives of Irishmen long gone
Their story seldom told
Captured in every rock they raised
Through biting winds and cold
The powers that were at the time
To get their share of rent
For a penny or a bite to eat
These men their time was spent
With bloodied hands and broken backs
Through hunger and through pain
They raised the rocks from hills around
With nothing more to gain
Than scraps of food to give their kin
To keep their kids alive
Every day they d start at dawn
Till blackness would arrive
With poorly clothed bodies
Bellys full of only air
They built those needless monuments
And their masters never cared
That ll keep those lazy Irishmen
Busy on their toes
Building rock walls between rocks
Where nothing ever grows
Many a good man fell down
On those hills and died
While their masters they ate heartily
And wives and children cried
Unbaptised limbo kids were placed in rocky graves
While the Roman church proffesed it’s faith
And Irishmen were slaves
Their souls they live high up those hills
In each and every stone
Their pains in every wall
Although hauntingly beautiful
There S a sadness in them all
Saw you in Stockwell s swan many moons ago christy and you gave me the honour of ringing me and giving me the chance to seeyou in Charleville again a couple of years ago . As they say in Yorkshire. Top man. God bless christy
Christy's reply
Thanks Van D,
thanks for sharing… I often look at those old stone walls as they climb up bleak and barren mountainsides…good that you have written about them…important that we remember the consequences that arise when cruel landlords gain free rein …..they come in a different guise today but are still tolerated….Government bows and cow tows towards todays exploiters
Hello Christy,
Thank you so much for singing “The Cliffs of Doneen” in Donegal that I requested! Hearing you sing was on the top of things I wanted to do in Ireland on this visit from Canada.
Was an excellent show! The crowd was so engaged. The band was amazing. Thanks for a night I will never forget!
Dream come true!
Cheers;)
Sheena Burns (Ontario, Canada)
Christy's reply
Hi Sheena,
Your request was a “noble call”..always a pleasure to sing that song…brings me right back to when I first heard it sung in 1965….the singer was Andy Rynne for Prosperous Co Kildare…such a simple lyric with a melody that resounds world wide..it has that magical ingredient that can neither be explained nor analysed….happy to read that you had a good gig, safe travels
i have a question about your new CD Lilly.
Is it possible to produce it on Vinyl ?
i have all your last vinyls in my stock….
It is always great you to hear.
Stay as you are
Greets from Germany nearly Düsseldorf my hometown Hassum
Pepe
Christy's reply
Greetings …there has been talk about Lily going to vinyl…I hope it happens but I have no definite news…Shine On Pepe, hope all is good in Hassum
Hi Christy,
we are settled back in Belgium and looking back on a fantastic holiday in Donegal. Each time, we are confirmed in our knowledge that the Irish are really the nicest people on earth.
We want to thank your fantastic staff, we had a really minor ticket issue which has been handled in a way we could only dream of at home.
Many thanks to you for your kind words and for dedicating ‘brown eyes’ to us. In Dranouter, so many years ago, this Joe Sheeran moment gave us goosebumps, and it still does each time you sing the song for us.
Keep up the good work and thanks again.
Els & Piet.
Christy's reply
Brown Eyes really gelled the other night….I was buzzin after it..what a great song fro Shane..thanks for gift of Belgian Choclates..yum yum..thanks too for your support..its very encouraging for musicians when people come so far to hear the songs…I feel that others in the audience are always happy to welcome our overseas Listeners…Thank You
Hi Christy, thinking about your tussles in Kilcock reminded me of your “Shine on Crazy Diamond.” I love that line, “miner for truth and delusion.” Still chilling out on “Changes” from the Box Set. Ride On! Slan. Hugs
Christy's reply
“Sit by my side, come as close as the air” sang Phil Ochs…I heard a story (neither denied nor confirmed) that he once appeared on Irish TV and then left the country very soon after…
His was a lonesome story…..
a bit like our own Noel Brazil who wrote such brilliant songs but never found peace…Noel died too young ( the very same day as George Harrison passed)
I played two of his songs…”Metroploitan Avenue” and “Suffocate”..there are many others…
Just logged in to your chat
Hope you are well.lovely morning in Kildare
Hope your tour is going well
Will probably see you in Knightsbrook , Trim, November
Good Luck to Kildare Minors today .Playing Kerry in Croker, watch for Jack Robinson, grandson of the great Davie Dalton
Christy's reply
it was a hard day for The Minors yesterday but some good payers emerging..I remember Davy Dalton back in the 50s…a lovely corner forward for the Lily Whites..I think Kilcock was his club… there were some great tussles between Moorefield and Kilcock when I was a young lad
Guess the Blue Rose was still with the other roses in Tralee – she’ll be back no doubt. Hearing the 2 Island swans reminded me that the river walk in Buncrana is in Swan Park so it was a good call. Best of the night was the Mississippi guy’s reply when you asked what he’d like to hear – “I just want to hear you sing” was the best answer – your choice is rarely wrong. Hopefully when you get to Derry you’ll get to pick up a copy of Tony Doherty’s recent memoirs “This Man’s Wee Boy” – seeing such momentous events through the eyes of a young boy is pretty poignant stuff. Good luck in Pettigo tonight. I’ve a feeling that is going to be a special gig.
Christy's reply
I’ll gather that book when I’m above in Derry…..Pettigo could not have been better..met up with a man who knew Mickey McIlhatton….
Year 51 of the never ending wold tour of Ireland……great start to the season. Flying out of the blocks. Two Island swans on the Lake of Shadows ….such imagery flying round the hall and Declan on top form …..
The Goats still play a few gigs now and then…..a couple of nights coming up in the Balor theatre at the end of sept..
Make sure you tur n right at the junction in pettigo or yourself and Mick could end up in Lough Derg ! !
Christy's reply
theres no doubt but there is something in the air up around Buncrana and surrounding area..whether its the pollen in the air or the mist around Swilly or something in the water..whatever it is there is a glorious wildness in the air….they were so still for the gig, so quiet and appreciative…then when we go out into the night air its like Puck Fair, Fleadh Ceol, All-Ireland Night, The Le Mans 24 hour Race, wedding parties, bursting trousar suits,undercover nuns, disco lights, the crack was ninety, perfume and aftershave mingling with sweet afton and hash vapours..I’m half stoned just thinking about it,….and now I’m here in The Black Lagoon getting ready for the return to Lough Foyle…..whallup…
Good afternoon Christy,
Glad you are back to stage after your summer break … I love to read your reflections of gigs when you are on tour! Thank you too for your latest Chat, very worth reading how you connect present experiences with your recollections in former times. And your added comments on the songs of “Lily” are most informative and interesting. I also liked your review of the MOT Festival in lovely Bantry.
Hope you’ll enjoy Pettigo! This small town is still in my mind as we were stranded there after getting lost between borders at our first visit to the Island more than 40 years ago. (What a blessing there are no more frontiers nowadays!)
We are already looking forward to seeing you soon in Donegal come October.
Greetings from burning hot Germany, Traudel
Christy's reply
Pettigo was a delight…..a beautiful town and a lovely venue right in the heart of it….met a man who knew Mickey McIlhatton from Glenravel.. I still remember my first experience of hot German Summer…back in 1972 arrived into a German heatwave with Planxty… we tried to keep cool on appelkorn, schnappes and Bremen beer but it had the opposite effect..we were part of a Tour that featured Champion Jack Dupree, Majic Cimpati, Leinemann and Planxty…we played Hamburg, Braunswieg, Kiel, Munster, Bremen,Koln and a bunch of other cities…
Hi Christy,
Hope this finds you and finds you well.
Unlikely you will recall but 21 years ago – late 1995 I think, as a young lad and out of my first wage I treated Mam and myself to a brace of tickets and off we went to watch you over in Southport. Fantastic night, my first “gig” and it was there I bought my first Christy album and was hooked (Live at the point – still going strong 3000 listens on and accompanied me on many a thousand mile) Anyhow at the end of the night you left the stage and we just sat there and soon the place was empty and gone quiet – I remember it clearly. Mam (a wild one from Cashel, Tipp) said to me “Come on lets go meet Christy” So we climbed up and over the stage in a fit of nervous giggle and bumped into you back stage where we had a cup of tea with you and a wee chat and you gave me your plectrum from the evening – so good of you and the gentleman I had imagined – thanks to the genius of technology and this site I just wanted to say thanks, thank you for being back in 95.
I was 16 at the time but have listened to you relentlessly since then and often pick up the guitar and try my best! Have also just booked a surprise for Mam to come and see you for the second time in Manchester on October 7th, I’m bringing the old man along too- also a big fan and plays a good “ride on” on his 12 string EKO. I’m passed climbing stages although I’m confident she still would given the chance. For info the plectrum got lost in a house move, if there’s spare going give us a shout would ye?!
All the best and look forward to seeing you on the 7th 😉
John
Christy's reply
21 years on from The Floral Hall..good man John….keep coming back….Tipperary has produced manys the wild one…had a great night recently in Cashel..below the Rock they came and sang the night away….
“The Sun had set with its Golden Rays and the evening sky was clear”
Thank you for another great gig by the Swilly shores last night. Thought there was a great energy in Tyrone Boys and fair play to the good Dr for pulling Let Somebody Know out of the bag. He sure brings some special sounds from those guitars. The Lake of Shadows is still there but don’t think there’s gigs there these days – though I could be wrong. Enjoy Pettigo tonight and look forward to seeing you again in n Derry. Keep well.
Christy's reply
I love those moments of spontaneity…
“Take a chance sometime,stake it all on a glance sometime,
let some feelin show, let somebody know”
I had not heard Declan sing that song since Moving Hearts 35 years ago yet he sang it beautifully last night at a moments notice. Part of the reason he is such a great partner at gigs…..he will always take a chance…some nights we go right to the edge together and most of the audience come with us….
dont know what happened to Blue Rose last night..it simply withered in my throat..could not find the first line despite 3 approaches..it was great to have Ride On as first sub…
Coincidentally I first heard Jimmy Mac when he was in Southpaw with Declan….a really good band, they came from Cork to play a gig in The Meeting Place in the mid 70s….
I met Jimmy again when I was recording “The Time has Come” in the mid 80s…he came to the studio with (the late) Mandy Murphy who sang beautifully on that album…. Jimmy and I sat and chatted and he sang “Ride On” for me …I was instantly smitten and have been singing it ever since…over subsequent years he shared Missing You,The Contender,Bright Blue Rose,Mystic Lipstick, The Mad Lady & Me and many of his songs are now in the National Repertoire….chance meetings, spontaneous moments, magic in the air
Sure we know its a long shot and you have probably been asked this a million times before but any chance you fancy playing at a cork wedding? We are living in Canada, currently listening to your music and thinking of getting a Chirsty Moore tribute act for our drinks reception and then sure we got the notion to just ask you. If there is any chance that you’re taking your holidays in Cork next summer and fancy a gig give us a shout:)
Thanks
Rachel & Stacky
Christy's reply
Dear Rach & Stack, I wish ye both the very best,
However,Ideas hatched at 3.34 am in the morning are sometimes best re-considered…a bit like songs composed in “vino collapso”
I dont like to share (in detail) what happened the last time I played at a wedding.Suffice to say that there were ructions. The poor bridesmaid fell into the trifle, the groomsman was caught “in flagrante” with the celebrant ( a priest home from the foreign missions,he was a cousin of the Bride’s Mother. She fell into apoplexy at the horror and has been in John of Gods ever since with a nervous condition)
I tried to calm things down with an emotional rendition of “My Way” but the Groom’s Father, a huge Sinatra fan, took exception to my demeanour and flew into a terrible rage. I said to myself “fuck this for a game of cowboys”. A row and a ruction soon began.The security were called ( 2 off duty Irish Rangers just home from a 6 month peace keeping mission in Rathkeale) and then the whole feckin schimmozzel kicked off rightly…. a well known cage fighter got his tattoos bitten off… the local veteran TD (FF) has not been able to stand since after gettin a woeful kick in the mebbs from a failed Renua candidate …the photgraphers camera was robbed, the Wedding Organizer ran away with the head altar boy (who was over 18 so no panic)…it was a total disaster
Perhaps you should go with the tribute act …but beware, there are some dodgy tribute acts out there….one in particular should be avoided… (she doubles as a Flatley-Lookalike and sometimes, after a few vodkas, gets her acts mixed up)…a DJ might be a safer bet ……there are a few right ones out there who specialize in weddinks…. I’d go for Mario Rosenstock myself
Hi just wondering is it possible to get tickets for the gig ace filed for September 8th in vicar street . Would love to go ( only thing is we are looking for seating tickets for a group and ticket master only allows us purchase so many ) so we can’t ensure we will be seated near each other . Any suggestions !
Thanks
Christy's reply
all seats are gone….there may be a few odd seats left but its down to standing room now…..suggestions you ask !…. all I can suggest is you support this Rape Crisis Centre Fundraiser, enjoy the gig separately and have a good chat about it afterwards…hope it works out for you
Good luck with the weather for Buncrana – unbelievable thunderstorm here in Derry tonight and heavy rain but will be better tomorrow. Looking forward to the gig as always. Safe travels to you, Mick and all of the crew.
Christy's reply
I expect a moonlit night in beautiful Buncrana….the room will be ramjammed with listeners from N.S.E &W. (with a few spacers to enhance the atmosphere)…our first gig back since we played at Cambridge Festival 4 weeks ago….I need to sing, I’m rearing to go…the tubes are clear, the tank is full, the sangwedges are made, the black vest is ironed,
“The Gardener Rises with The Sun”
Hey Christie thought I’d share this with you. Thanks for the music. https://audioboom.com/boos/4665725-the-northside-of-belfast
Thanks for sharing
Christy ,
Will be on Merseyside for Liverpool Irish Festival just wondering if youre playing for any part of it
next visit to The Pool is scheduled for April next year if all goes to plan
My wife Mags and I are celebrating out 20th wedding anniversary today, August 31 and began our day listening to our wedding song – The Voyage. Thanks Christy for giving us such an impassioned piece of music to honor this occasion.
Peter (Mullingar)
great to hear from you……Voyage was written by Johnny Duhan…I was so fortunate that he shared it with me…remember Killarney Peter ? when we recorded the Ride On album out in Muckross…the catering was top class , I think we all put on weight making that album.. I recorded another Johnny Duhan song back then called El Salvador…I think you put some backing vocals on it
Good man Christy – Burning Times is exactly the song I was thinking of!
Not sure if you know it but Jim Page has a great song “I’d rather be dancing” about Rachel – worth a listen. Always nice to raise a bit of awareness about what is actually happening in Palestine.
I hope the stars will be out in An Caislean Nua when you join us.
I remember Jim Page’s song………quite a few songs were written in memory of Rachel..tried to write a tribute myself but could never come with anything as fitting as Charlie Murphy’s song..
Christy, hows the form?
I am making my twice annual spin to your gig now shortly (birthday and Christmas presents for the last 20 years!) to Newcastle, Co.Down and would love to hear you dedicate something to Rachel Corrie and the Palestinian people in general. I remember you sang a song in the Spirit Store in Dundalk one night around 2003 or 04 and dedicated it to Rachel – I have only heard that song once since and it was in the Waterfront in Belfast again dedicated to the people of Palestine and you could hear a pin drop and the atmosphere was incredible (but unfortunately the name escapes me!)
My favourite song (at a push) is “Little Musgrave” which has been used as a lullaby for my children for the last 6 years – I am not sure if you sing it with Declan but the whole story behind it is incredible and would love to hear it.
All the best for the gig and I hope your gig tickets will my Christmas and birthday presents for the next 20 years!
Ádh mór a chara!
Might the song you mention be “Burning Times”….any mention of Rachel Corrie reminds me of courage and sacrifice as she faced an Israeli Army Earthmover armed only with a small battery powered megaphone…she sought to defend a Palestinian Home which was about to be demolished in act of Land Clearance….
Little Musgrave appears 5-6 times a year..he only comes out when conditions are right, when the stars are in line….
looking forward to the upcoming Ulster shows..we kicked off last week in Donegal and now we are heading South into The North…
see you in Slieve Donard
Hi Christy!
Hope this finds you well and dandy! I was introduced to your wonderful music by my boyfriend Aaron (from Westport) four years ago and have been hooked ever since and have been wanting to see you live. When we decided to spend the summer in Ireland this year, I was delighted that I could make our dreams a reality. We are happily and excitedly coming to your show this Friday in Derry (the joy!) and we are soooo looking forward to it. I was sincerely hoping I could request for you to play Bee’s Wing. This is my favourite song in the world and if you could, I would be so very delighted and ultra grateful (although I already am both just being able to see ya live!).
Thank you kindly for bringing your glorious music into our lives.
Can’t wait to see ya and hope you are having a wonderful day!
Scarlet from Canada 🙂
Hey Scarlet…hope ye are enjoying Mayo..Westport is a lively town after dark….if you see him, give my regards to Matt Molloy….hopefully Beeswing will resound beneath Derry walls come Friday….always love crossing The Foyle back into that loving City
Hi christy. I hope life is treating you
And your family kindly . Just wanted to pass you on a few words I brought from Clare with me Inside me so to speak. I wrote these few verses while in the ballyvaughan kinvarra area
THE WALLS
The walls referred to in this are not the ones tenant farmers built to clear land but the ones up the mountains that were literally done for no other purpose than to make the Poor and hungry Irish work for their food as to feed them would encourage laziness our neighbours and landlords reflected at the time.
A rather easy conclusion to come to when you re sitting in a large or grand house on 50000 acres as most of the land lords were at the time
S
THE WALLS
Peeping out from underneath
A foggy coloured veil
The stone walls on the hills
Around the burretn hide a tale
The lives of Irishmen long gone
Their story seldom told
Captured in every rock they raised
Through biting winds and cold
The powers that were at the time
To get their share of rent
For a penny or a bite to eat
These men their time was spent
With bloodied hands and broken backs
Through hunger and through pain
They raised the rocks from hills around
With nothing more to gain
Than scraps of food to give their kin
To keep their kids alive
Every day they d start at dawn
Till blackness would arrive
With poorly clothed bodies
Bellys full of only air
They built those needless monuments
And their masters never cared
That ll keep those lazy Irishmen
Busy on their toes
Building rock walls between rocks
Where nothing ever grows
Many a good man fell down
On those hills and died
While their masters they ate heartily
And wives and children cried
Unbaptised limbo kids were placed in rocky graves
While the Roman church proffesed it’s faith
And Irishmen were slaves
Their souls they live high up those hills
In each and every stone
Their pains in every wall
Although hauntingly beautiful
There S a sadness in them all
Saw you in Stockwell s swan many moons ago christy and you gave me the honour of ringing me and giving me the chance to seeyou in Charleville again a couple of years ago . As they say in Yorkshire. Top man. God bless christy
Thanks Van D,
thanks for sharing… I often look at those old stone walls as they climb up bleak and barren mountainsides…good that you have written about them…important that we remember the consequences that arise when cruel landlords gain free rein …..they come in a different guise today but are still tolerated….Government bows and cow tows towards todays exploiters
Hello Christy,
Thank you so much for singing “The Cliffs of Doneen” in Donegal that I requested! Hearing you sing was on the top of things I wanted to do in Ireland on this visit from Canada.
Was an excellent show! The crowd was so engaged. The band was amazing. Thanks for a night I will never forget!
Dream come true!
Cheers;)
Sheena Burns (Ontario, Canada)
Hi Sheena,
Your request was a “noble call”..always a pleasure to sing that song…brings me right back to when I first heard it sung in 1965….the singer was Andy Rynne for Prosperous Co Kildare…such a simple lyric with a melody that resounds world wide..it has that magical ingredient that can neither be explained nor analysed….happy to read that you had a good gig, safe travels
Good morning Christy,
i have a question about your new CD Lilly.
Is it possible to produce it on Vinyl ?
i have all your last vinyls in my stock….
It is always great you to hear.
Stay as you are
Greets from Germany nearly Düsseldorf my hometown Hassum
Pepe
Greetings …there has been talk about Lily going to vinyl…I hope it happens but I have no definite news…Shine On Pepe, hope all is good in Hassum
Hi Christy,
we are settled back in Belgium and looking back on a fantastic holiday in Donegal. Each time, we are confirmed in our knowledge that the Irish are really the nicest people on earth.
We want to thank your fantastic staff, we had a really minor ticket issue which has been handled in a way we could only dream of at home.
Many thanks to you for your kind words and for dedicating ‘brown eyes’ to us. In Dranouter, so many years ago, this Joe Sheeran moment gave us goosebumps, and it still does each time you sing the song for us.
Keep up the good work and thanks again.
Els & Piet.
Brown Eyes really gelled the other night….I was buzzin after it..what a great song fro Shane..thanks for gift of Belgian Choclates..yum yum..thanks too for your support..its very encouraging for musicians when people come so far to hear the songs…I feel that others in the audience are always happy to welcome our overseas Listeners…Thank You
Hi Christy, thinking about your tussles in Kilcock reminded me of your “Shine on Crazy Diamond.” I love that line, “miner for truth and delusion.” Still chilling out on “Changes” from the Box Set. Ride On! Slan. Hugs
“Sit by my side, come as close as the air” sang Phil Ochs…I heard a story (neither denied nor confirmed) that he once appeared on Irish TV and then left the country very soon after…
His was a lonesome story…..
a bit like our own Noel Brazil who wrote such brilliant songs but never found peace…Noel died too young ( the very same day as George Harrison passed)
I played two of his songs…”Metroploitan Avenue” and “Suffocate”..there are many others…
Just logged in to your chat
Hope you are well.lovely morning in Kildare
Hope your tour is going well
Will probably see you in Knightsbrook , Trim, November
Good Luck to Kildare Minors today .Playing Kerry in Croker, watch for Jack Robinson, grandson of the great Davie Dalton
it was a hard day for The Minors yesterday but some good payers emerging..I remember Davy Dalton back in the 50s…a lovely corner forward for the Lily Whites..I think Kilcock was his club… there were some great tussles between Moorefield and Kilcock when I was a young lad
Guess the Blue Rose was still with the other roses in Tralee – she’ll be back no doubt. Hearing the 2 Island swans reminded me that the river walk in Buncrana is in Swan Park so it was a good call. Best of the night was the Mississippi guy’s reply when you asked what he’d like to hear – “I just want to hear you sing” was the best answer – your choice is rarely wrong. Hopefully when you get to Derry you’ll get to pick up a copy of Tony Doherty’s recent memoirs “This Man’s Wee Boy” – seeing such momentous events through the eyes of a young boy is pretty poignant stuff. Good luck in Pettigo tonight. I’ve a feeling that is going to be a special gig.
I’ll gather that book when I’m above in Derry…..Pettigo could not have been better..met up with a man who knew Mickey McIlhatton….
Year 51 of the never ending wold tour of Ireland……great start to the season. Flying out of the blocks. Two Island swans on the Lake of Shadows ….such imagery flying round the hall and Declan on top form …..
The Goats still play a few gigs now and then…..a couple of nights coming up in the Balor theatre at the end of sept..
Make sure you tur n right at the junction in pettigo or yourself and Mick could end up in Lough Derg ! !
theres no doubt but there is something in the air up around Buncrana and surrounding area..whether its the pollen in the air or the mist around Swilly or something in the water..whatever it is there is a glorious wildness in the air….they were so still for the gig, so quiet and appreciative…then when we go out into the night air its like Puck Fair, Fleadh Ceol, All-Ireland Night, The Le Mans 24 hour Race, wedding parties, bursting trousar suits,undercover nuns, disco lights, the crack was ninety, perfume and aftershave mingling with sweet afton and hash vapours..I’m half stoned just thinking about it,….and now I’m here in The Black Lagoon getting ready for the return to Lough Foyle…..whallup…
Good afternoon Christy,
Glad you are back to stage after your summer break … I love to read your reflections of gigs when you are on tour! Thank you too for your latest Chat, very worth reading how you connect present experiences with your recollections in former times. And your added comments on the songs of “Lily” are most informative and interesting. I also liked your review of the MOT Festival in lovely Bantry.
Hope you’ll enjoy Pettigo! This small town is still in my mind as we were stranded there after getting lost between borders at our first visit to the Island more than 40 years ago. (What a blessing there are no more frontiers nowadays!)
We are already looking forward to seeing you soon in Donegal come October.
Greetings from burning hot Germany, Traudel
Pettigo was a delight…..a beautiful town and a lovely venue right in the heart of it….met a man who knew Mickey McIlhatton from Glenravel.. I still remember my first experience of hot German Summer…back in 1972 arrived into a German heatwave with Planxty… we tried to keep cool on appelkorn, schnappes and Bremen beer but it had the opposite effect..we were part of a Tour that featured Champion Jack Dupree, Majic Cimpati, Leinemann and Planxty…we played Hamburg, Braunswieg, Kiel, Munster, Bremen,Koln and a bunch of other cities…
Hi Christy,
Hope this finds you and finds you well.
Unlikely you will recall but 21 years ago – late 1995 I think, as a young lad and out of my first wage I treated Mam and myself to a brace of tickets and off we went to watch you over in Southport. Fantastic night, my first “gig” and it was there I bought my first Christy album and was hooked (Live at the point – still going strong 3000 listens on and accompanied me on many a thousand mile) Anyhow at the end of the night you left the stage and we just sat there and soon the place was empty and gone quiet – I remember it clearly. Mam (a wild one from Cashel, Tipp) said to me “Come on lets go meet Christy” So we climbed up and over the stage in a fit of nervous giggle and bumped into you back stage where we had a cup of tea with you and a wee chat and you gave me your plectrum from the evening – so good of you and the gentleman I had imagined – thanks to the genius of technology and this site I just wanted to say thanks, thank you for being back in 95.
I was 16 at the time but have listened to you relentlessly since then and often pick up the guitar and try my best! Have also just booked a surprise for Mam to come and see you for the second time in Manchester on October 7th, I’m bringing the old man along too- also a big fan and plays a good “ride on” on his 12 string EKO. I’m passed climbing stages although I’m confident she still would given the chance. For info the plectrum got lost in a house move, if there’s spare going give us a shout would ye?!
All the best and look forward to seeing you on the 7th 😉
John
21 years on from The Floral Hall..good man John….keep coming back….Tipperary has produced manys the wild one…had a great night recently in Cashel..below the Rock they came and sang the night away….
“The Sun had set with its Golden Rays and the evening sky was clear”
Thank you for another great gig by the Swilly shores last night. Thought there was a great energy in Tyrone Boys and fair play to the good Dr for pulling Let Somebody Know out of the bag. He sure brings some special sounds from those guitars. The Lake of Shadows is still there but don’t think there’s gigs there these days – though I could be wrong. Enjoy Pettigo tonight and look forward to seeing you again in n Derry. Keep well.
I love those moments of spontaneity…
“Take a chance sometime,stake it all on a glance sometime,
let some feelin show, let somebody know”
I had not heard Declan sing that song since Moving Hearts 35 years ago yet he sang it beautifully last night at a moments notice. Part of the reason he is such a great partner at gigs…..he will always take a chance…some nights we go right to the edge together and most of the audience come with us….
dont know what happened to Blue Rose last night..it simply withered in my throat..could not find the first line despite 3 approaches..it was great to have Ride On as first sub…
Coincidentally I first heard Jimmy Mac when he was in Southpaw with Declan….a really good band, they came from Cork to play a gig in The Meeting Place in the mid 70s….
I met Jimmy again when I was recording “The Time has Come” in the mid 80s…he came to the studio with (the late) Mandy Murphy who sang beautifully on that album…. Jimmy and I sat and chatted and he sang “Ride On” for me …I was instantly smitten and have been singing it ever since…over subsequent years he shared Missing You,The Contender,Bright Blue Rose,Mystic Lipstick, The Mad Lady & Me and many of his songs are now in the National Repertoire….chance meetings, spontaneous moments, magic in the air
Hey Christy
Sure we know its a long shot and you have probably been asked this a million times before but any chance you fancy playing at a cork wedding? We are living in Canada, currently listening to your music and thinking of getting a Chirsty Moore tribute act for our drinks reception and then sure we got the notion to just ask you. If there is any chance that you’re taking your holidays in Cork next summer and fancy a gig give us a shout:)
Thanks
Rachel & Stacky
Dear Rach & Stack, I wish ye both the very best,
However,Ideas hatched at 3.34 am in the morning are sometimes best re-considered…a bit like songs composed in “vino collapso”
I dont like to share (in detail) what happened the last time I played at a wedding.Suffice to say that there were ructions. The poor bridesmaid fell into the trifle, the groomsman was caught “in flagrante” with the celebrant ( a priest home from the foreign missions,he was a cousin of the Bride’s Mother. She fell into apoplexy at the horror and has been in John of Gods ever since with a nervous condition)
I tried to calm things down with an emotional rendition of “My Way” but the Groom’s Father, a huge Sinatra fan, took exception to my demeanour and flew into a terrible rage. I said to myself “fuck this for a game of cowboys”. A row and a ruction soon began.The security were called ( 2 off duty Irish Rangers just home from a 6 month peace keeping mission in Rathkeale) and then the whole feckin schimmozzel kicked off rightly…. a well known cage fighter got his tattoos bitten off… the local veteran TD (FF) has not been able to stand since after gettin a woeful kick in the mebbs from a failed Renua candidate …the photgraphers camera was robbed, the Wedding Organizer ran away with the head altar boy (who was over 18 so no panic)…it was a total disaster
Perhaps you should go with the tribute act …but beware, there are some dodgy tribute acts out there….one in particular should be avoided… (she doubles as a Flatley-Lookalike and sometimes, after a few vodkas, gets her acts mixed up)…a DJ might be a safer bet ……there are a few right ones out there who specialize in weddinks…. I’d go for Mario Rosenstock myself
Hi just wondering is it possible to get tickets for the gig ace filed for September 8th in vicar street . Would love to go ( only thing is we are looking for seating tickets for a group and ticket master only allows us purchase so many ) so we can’t ensure we will be seated near each other . Any suggestions !
Thanks
all seats are gone….there may be a few odd seats left but its down to standing room now…..suggestions you ask !…. all I can suggest is you support this Rape Crisis Centre Fundraiser, enjoy the gig separately and have a good chat about it afterwards…hope it works out for you
Good luck with the weather for Buncrana – unbelievable thunderstorm here in Derry tonight and heavy rain but will be better tomorrow. Looking forward to the gig as always. Safe travels to you, Mick and all of the crew.
I expect a moonlit night in beautiful Buncrana….the room will be ramjammed with listeners from N.S.E &W. (with a few spacers to enhance the atmosphere)…our first gig back since we played at Cambridge Festival 4 weeks ago….I need to sing, I’m rearing to go…the tubes are clear, the tank is full, the sangwedges are made, the black vest is ironed,
“The Gardener Rises with The Sun”