Hello Christy how are you? I hope you’re keeping well. We went to see Manchester by the Sea. I thought it was very good. A fabulous portrait of broken hearts and dirty windows (as Prine would say). It reminded me of Cry Like A Man. Keep warm and eat the vegetables . The other day the icy wind coming off the Thames by the Tate and Lyle made my face ache. Xx
Christy's reply
Anuk…we agree, we thought it a very good film..lotta stuff goin down there, very well scripted, shot, acted and delivered..AND the cinema was quiet and concentrated, always a bonus in these days of constant distraction…..for some reason your mention of Tate and Lyle reminds me of days along the Great West Road..traipsing from factory to factory in search of “the start”…
“Cry Like a Man” really is a movie in 3 verses and a middle eight..Dan Penn sure can write them…..reminds me of the phrase, some men cry, other men have heart attacks” bit of a cliché but with more the a modicum of truth…hope all goes well with you and yours…
Hi Christy. Lost count of the times I have seen you live but just booked tickets for Hamilton Town House in April. Great small venue. Have you played there before? More used to seeing you in the Barrowlands or Concert Hall.
Christy's reply
have not played Hamilton since 1968….drove from Manchester in my 1956 VW Beetle..my first Motorhome…stayed in Motherwell with The Imlachs…went on to gig in Paisley, East Kilbride, Glasgow Folk Centre before heading on to Edinburgh, Kircaldy, St Andrews,Stirling and finished up in Peebles on the way back South…..looking forward to getting back to Scotia
Hi Christy. Did you catch the late late last night? Christy Dignam and Finbar Furey did a mighty version of Green Fields of France. Looks like there will be a collaboration album of some sort in the pipeline too. Two great singers. Have you ever worked with Finbar over the years? Caught him a couple of times recently. Puts on a great gig.
Christy's reply
We went to hear Niamh Parsons last night…it was a brilliant gig…great songs beautifully sung by Niamh and accompanied by her long time music partner Graham Dunne….have the Late Late recorded and will watch it soon….hope all is well from Hawkfield to Kilbelin, Chinatown to Rosie’s Lane……getting ready for The Dubs at “The Pitch” tomorrow…all meeting up in Mrs Dunne’s Chipper after
That’s what is so great about you Christy you are “an ordinary man ,nothing special nothing grand……..” but find time to talk to us mortals ….. God bless yer.,
Christy's reply
The words you quote Dougie are from that great song by Peter Hames of Grimsby. I was playing in the Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes one Tuesday night in 1985 ish. The wind was howling in from the Grey North Sea. The gig was not great so I made straight for the bar after the show. I was still taking a wee dram. As we exited the hall a man gave me a cassette of this song. I started playing it on the journey back to London. By the time we hit Finchley I was singing it in the back of the van…..Peter Hames’ fine song has been in my repertoire ever since….at (almost) every gig I sing his words, his melody……
Hi Christy I started learning to play accoustic Guitar 5 years ago at the grand old age of 59 (thank goodness my wife had the foresight to see a possible potential in me) and since then have gone on to learn how to finger pic numerous songs and styles. I just wanted you to know that these past six months you have become a huge inspiration and encouragement to me and given me a new drive to study your songs and lyrics. Such songs as “so do I” “the Contender” “North and South of the River” “Nancy Spain” and the ultimate “Ride on” (with Declan`s riff) have now become such an important part of my daily routine and practice. some wonderful songs and some wonderful performances from your goodself and appreciated by so many ordinary folks out here. Hopefully one day i will have the privilege of seeing you perform live in concert.
Christy's reply
never too late Dougie..great to read of your progress with the songs…our sister,Anne Rynne, did not take up guitar til in her early 60s …now she is out gigging and has recorded a beautiful album ( catch her on youtube)….myself and young Luka Bloom can barely keep up with her…Sing Out Dougie
Even though we have the DVD….I think there is nothing like watching ‘The Journey’ again on the telly the past two nights on RTE…something different about it…a bit like hearing one of your songs on radio, never gets tired, even though we can put a CD on anytime…the radio grabs the attention…and Larry O’Toole did exactly that on Tuesday night, a lovely night and great to hear he sparked the re-interest in two songs to be revisited…a week or so ago, another shout in Vicar Street may have caught your attention when a voice called for ‘100 miles’ …it’s on the red disc of the box set…hope all is great…I really only came on to say it was brilliant to be reminded how awesome The Journey is ..
Christy's reply
lots of good feedback on the Near FM interview with Larry..has anyone got it recorded ?
Great that the journey is getting a second run out…fair play to RTE ..but even more son to Mark McLoughlin and his team for taking so much care with it
St, Conleths Park, Droichead Nua next Sunday, O`Byrne Cup Semi Final — KILDARE v DUBLIN always a great buzz when the Dubs pass Newlands Cross, find the Naas Rd. and arrive in town. Way back the pubs and shops would close, not these days. Dig out the old old flowerbag and brush handle, Cill Dara abu.
Christy's reply
Morra John, I have my seat booked on Lunny’s Wall…Joe Woolfe will be looking after the bikes and, win lose or draw, we’ll get the cold meat tea in “Bun” Higgin’s afterwards…might slip into “The Arch” before and have a quick chat with Noel Coyle..( see if he has anything for the 2.30. in Uttoxeter) ..maybe have a chat with “Titch” on the way in to St Conleth’s and hear all the latest from Chinatown…
Good morning Christy,
It was a lovely surprise last night to hear your voice live sounding out of my computer … Thanks to our Rose for pointing out to the radio programme I was able to listen to far away from Dublin and enjoyed every minute. Just beautiful to hear you singing so authentically, most of all I loved your rendition of “Dunlavin Green” and great to hear “Another Song Is Born” again!
Winter greetings, Traudel
Christy's reply
Glad that the word went out a bit…..I enjoyed it thoroughly…..Larry was a great host…he was doing everything himself and, just like myself, would not be a technical wizard so there were some tense moments as wrong buttons were pressed and feedback howled…but my visit to Near FM last night will be up there with some of my very fave interviews ….along with Johnny Walker, Gay Byrne, Gerry Ryan, Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan, Marian Finucane,Gerry Anderson, Pio McCann, Archie Fisher, Sheridan Morley (he thought I was a wrestler) Libby Purvis,Davina McCall, Bibi Baskin, Gloria Hunniford,Cerys Mattews, Mick O’Brien, Ian Dempsey, John Murray, Ray D’Arcy,Liam Nolan,Pat Kenny,Ryan Tubridy,to mention but a few….but last night had elements like no other..
Been listening since the Planxty days in the 70s! Is there any chance you might be coming to the US any time soon?
Christy's reply
its not lookin good Tom..have an agreement with Trump…I promise to stay here if he promises to stay there….should I trust him ?…theres a rumour over here that his mother’s people hail from Magheramason but theres a lot of muck spreadin these days….the slurry transporters are workin around the clock with bullshite flyin in every direction….
Latecomer to your music – I spent 5 wonderful weeks driving around Ireland a couple of years ago – 1 million times better experience than any yarn, travel brochure or word-of-mouth recommendation could have ever impressed upon me. People and places simply magnificent! My Grandmother was a Murphy from Cork, and Dad often affected his attempt at an Irish lilt…LOL.
Love your stuff – City of Chicago often brings me to tears…Lisdoonvarna gets played very loudly at my place. Keep ’em comin’, CM. Best Wishes, Danny Harris.
Christy's reply
keep listening Danny,greetings to all listeners in The Garden State….loved my visits up there
Christy, I wrote most of this the morning after your concert sitting in the hotel and looking over to Christchurch Cathedral. It’s a bit rough round the edges and needs tidied up. For many years I worked in social housing and dealt with homelessness/Women’s Aid. Acknowledgement to Patrick Kavanagh…Mary
The Morning After
(Vicar Street)
Christchurch bells spill over An Ché Adhmaid and Liffey gray
Their sounds resound across the land and over us today
A thousand years has witnessed Vikings, warriors and kings
As well as saints and pilgrims and choristers who sweetly sing
They came by car, train and plane for an ordinary man
To Vicar Street on Thomas Street to listen to his band
Guitars tuned, resin on the bow the heartbeats in percussion
Christy sings for marginalised and for the downtrodden
He’s right you know we’re all oblivious our heads are in the sand
The Jury’s in and the Jury’s out and it’s time to take a stand
A man staggers by just lost his job takes it on the chin
Been disappointed all of his life he’ll never ever win
On Harry Street old pilgrims meet and read the printed sign
They keep their faith as they all know that Phil will come again
Kirsty and Shane are flickering bright on the silver screen
Red Christmas candle putters out on a bed of coffee beans
Urban and Country shop in town ignoring cardboard city
A boy from Cobh sings a song he wrote about love and pity
He and his girl are gathering up their things as it starts to rain
They haven’t enough to pay their way on the Luas or the train
They saw the danger, yet they passed on their enchanted way
No maps to guide them they don’t know they’re living their last day
As passers-by cast a judging eye the tills ring out encore
A voice pleads from the margins; give Home Sweet Home some more
Christy's reply
Thanks for sharing Mary…..great to travel through those verses…I lingered long in Harry St
Happy New Year to you all!
No worries Christy, no more imbibed, diatribe ramblings of myself.
Just a musical / Spiritual appreciation of an previous artist in Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l6QcKtwUXo
Hi Christy,just getting settled into 2017,Got some new fly patterns to tie and try,Garden to tidy up,conservatory to finish,few gigs to attend,its going to be a busy year ,How is the new addition to the family doing?,Oh and im going to climb Mandolin mountain with Brian this year,See you along the way Christy.
Christy's reply
its good to be busy doing what we want to do….have you figured out the location of Mandolin mountain ?
Howya Christy,
Just wanted to thank you for the great music you’ve produced in your time hopefully plenty more to come! Your tunes helped me through some times when I was fairly down so I always took solace in your music. I seriously enjoy natives from live at the point and lily off the new album also. As a young lad of 15 I hope you’ll be pleased to know that the music is still loved by the younger generations and That real music is still appreciated by some young people rather than the shite some of them would be listening to!
Hoping to see you in the marquee this summer,
Darragh
Christy's reply
Sound Darragh…good to hear from you and to read your feedback…. you remind me of my own early days and how my young life was shaped by the songs and music I heard….I look forward to returning to The Marquee..missed it last Summer..gonna swim across the Lee this year from the North side
Lily has been a useful in this house. The one year old rocks to sleep with wind river man and tuam beat. The four year old is always asking about patrick murphy and every river or stream we pass he asks if he lives there. A mortality lesson for him. Bought as a christmas present for me. Obviously the wife had ulterior motives…
Christy's reply
lovely to think of Lily reverberating among those sloping hills…makes me think of Buxton again
Thanks for taking the time to reply Christy. It’s made my day! The voyage was the highlight for me last night also as I was there with my wife Aine who is 8 months pregnant with our first and because of that the Voyage now seems more beautiful than ever. Thanks again, all the best. James
Christy's reply
Hope all goes well in the weeks ahead..best wishes
Ended up getting a last minute ticket for Last night – Round 2 and I felt like a right aul groupie organising the tickets having been there Tuesday too.…I wonder if the 4711’ are recruiting’.
Another great night thanks! – 2 very different feeling gigs and great to see the odd few different tunes between them both. The Little Honda 50 was a real treat. Go raibh mile!
Hi Christy hope you keeping well – any plans to come back this way soon – Warwick Arts centre or Birmingham Symphony…. Hope so 🙂 good luck
nothing specific in the diary at this time….keep an eye on the gig page later in the year….thank you
Hello Christy how are you? I hope you’re keeping well. We went to see Manchester by the Sea. I thought it was very good. A fabulous portrait of broken hearts and dirty windows (as Prine would say). It reminded me of Cry Like A Man. Keep warm and eat the vegetables . The other day the icy wind coming off the Thames by the Tate and Lyle made my face ache. Xx
Anuk…we agree, we thought it a very good film..lotta stuff goin down there, very well scripted, shot, acted and delivered..AND the cinema was quiet and concentrated, always a bonus in these days of constant distraction…..for some reason your mention of Tate and Lyle reminds me of days along the Great West Road..traipsing from factory to factory in search of “the start”…
“Cry Like a Man” really is a movie in 3 verses and a middle eight..Dan Penn sure can write them…..reminds me of the phrase, some men cry, other men have heart attacks” bit of a cliché but with more the a modicum of truth…hope all goes well with you and yours…
Hi Christy. Lost count of the times I have seen you live but just booked tickets for Hamilton Town House in April. Great small venue. Have you played there before? More used to seeing you in the Barrowlands or Concert Hall.
have not played Hamilton since 1968….drove from Manchester in my 1956 VW Beetle..my first Motorhome…stayed in Motherwell with The Imlachs…went on to gig in Paisley, East Kilbride, Glasgow Folk Centre before heading on to Edinburgh, Kircaldy, St Andrews,Stirling and finished up in Peebles on the way back South…..looking forward to getting back to Scotia
Hi Christy. Did you catch the late late last night? Christy Dignam and Finbar Furey did a mighty version of Green Fields of France. Looks like there will be a collaboration album of some sort in the pipeline too. Two great singers. Have you ever worked with Finbar over the years? Caught him a couple of times recently. Puts on a great gig.
We went to hear Niamh Parsons last night…it was a brilliant gig…great songs beautifully sung by Niamh and accompanied by her long time music partner Graham Dunne….have the Late Late recorded and will watch it soon….hope all is well from Hawkfield to Kilbelin, Chinatown to Rosie’s Lane……getting ready for The Dubs at “The Pitch” tomorrow…all meeting up in Mrs Dunne’s Chipper after
That’s what is so great about you Christy you are “an ordinary man ,nothing special nothing grand……..” but find time to talk to us mortals ….. God bless yer.,
The words you quote Dougie are from that great song by Peter Hames of Grimsby. I was playing in the Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes one Tuesday night in 1985 ish. The wind was howling in from the Grey North Sea. The gig was not great so I made straight for the bar after the show. I was still taking a wee dram. As we exited the hall a man gave me a cassette of this song. I started playing it on the journey back to London. By the time we hit Finchley I was singing it in the back of the van…..Peter Hames’ fine song has been in my repertoire ever since….at (almost) every gig I sing his words, his melody……
Hi Christy I started learning to play accoustic Guitar 5 years ago at the grand old age of 59 (thank goodness my wife had the foresight to see a possible potential in me) and since then have gone on to learn how to finger pic numerous songs and styles. I just wanted you to know that these past six months you have become a huge inspiration and encouragement to me and given me a new drive to study your songs and lyrics. Such songs as “so do I” “the Contender” “North and South of the River” “Nancy Spain” and the ultimate “Ride on” (with Declan`s riff) have now become such an important part of my daily routine and practice. some wonderful songs and some wonderful performances from your goodself and appreciated by so many ordinary folks out here. Hopefully one day i will have the privilege of seeing you perform live in concert.
never too late Dougie..great to read of your progress with the songs…our sister,Anne Rynne, did not take up guitar til in her early 60s …now she is out gigging and has recorded a beautiful album ( catch her on youtube)….myself and young Luka Bloom can barely keep up with her…Sing Out Dougie
Dusted an original off for inauguration & standing rock. Strange day here in Tennessee https://youtu.be/kB6dAoh5D0g
Fair play to you Dylan……..great song and performance…you’re soundin and looking real good out there in Tennessee…keep it coming
Even though we have the DVD….I think there is nothing like watching ‘The Journey’ again on the telly the past two nights on RTE…something different about it…a bit like hearing one of your songs on radio, never gets tired, even though we can put a CD on anytime…the radio grabs the attention…and Larry O’Toole did exactly that on Tuesday night, a lovely night and great to hear he sparked the re-interest in two songs to be revisited…a week or so ago, another shout in Vicar Street may have caught your attention when a voice called for ‘100 miles’ …it’s on the red disc of the box set…hope all is great…I really only came on to say it was brilliant to be reminded how awesome The Journey is ..
lots of good feedback on the Near FM interview with Larry..has anyone got it recorded ?
Great that the journey is getting a second run out…fair play to RTE ..but even more son to Mark McLoughlin and his team for taking so much care with it
St, Conleths Park, Droichead Nua next Sunday, O`Byrne Cup Semi Final — KILDARE v DUBLIN always a great buzz when the Dubs pass Newlands Cross, find the Naas Rd. and arrive in town. Way back the pubs and shops would close, not these days. Dig out the old old flowerbag and brush handle, Cill Dara abu.
Morra John, I have my seat booked on Lunny’s Wall…Joe Woolfe will be looking after the bikes and, win lose or draw, we’ll get the cold meat tea in “Bun” Higgin’s afterwards…might slip into “The Arch” before and have a quick chat with Noel Coyle..( see if he has anything for the 2.30. in Uttoxeter) ..maybe have a chat with “Titch” on the way in to St Conleth’s and hear all the latest from Chinatown…
Good morning Christy,
It was a lovely surprise last night to hear your voice live sounding out of my computer … Thanks to our Rose for pointing out to the radio programme I was able to listen to far away from Dublin and enjoyed every minute. Just beautiful to hear you singing so authentically, most of all I loved your rendition of “Dunlavin Green” and great to hear “Another Song Is Born” again!
Winter greetings, Traudel
Glad that the word went out a bit…..I enjoyed it thoroughly…..Larry was a great host…he was doing everything himself and, just like myself, would not be a technical wizard so there were some tense moments as wrong buttons were pressed and feedback howled…but my visit to Near FM last night will be up there with some of my very fave interviews ….along with Johnny Walker, Gay Byrne, Gerry Ryan, Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan, Marian Finucane,Gerry Anderson, Pio McCann, Archie Fisher, Sheridan Morley (he thought I was a wrestler) Libby Purvis,Davina McCall, Bibi Baskin, Gloria Hunniford,Cerys Mattews, Mick O’Brien, Ian Dempsey, John Murray, Ray D’Arcy,Liam Nolan,Pat Kenny,Ryan Tubridy,to mention but a few….but last night had elements like no other..
Hello Christy!
Been listening since the Planxty days in the 70s! Is there any chance you might be coming to the US any time soon?
its not lookin good Tom..have an agreement with Trump…I promise to stay here if he promises to stay there….should I trust him ?…theres a rumour over here that his mother’s people hail from Magheramason but theres a lot of muck spreadin these days….the slurry transporters are workin around the clock with bullshite flyin in every direction….
Hello Christy:
Latecomer to your music – I spent 5 wonderful weeks driving around Ireland a couple of years ago – 1 million times better experience than any yarn, travel brochure or word-of-mouth recommendation could have ever impressed upon me. People and places simply magnificent! My Grandmother was a Murphy from Cork, and Dad often affected his attempt at an Irish lilt…LOL.
Love your stuff – City of Chicago often brings me to tears…Lisdoonvarna gets played very loudly at my place. Keep ’em comin’, CM. Best Wishes, Danny Harris.
keep listening Danny,greetings to all listeners in The Garden State….loved my visits up there
Hi all,,,, a break after the excitement of Vicar St,,, but all is not lost ,,, CM, Tom Tuohy and the Honda 50 make headlines in the Irish Times,,, http://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/the-nifty-fifty-at-nearly-sixty-an-irishman-s-diary-about-the-honda-cub-motorbike-1.2932032
Hope Tom Tuohy gets to read this in Yonder Alps…..that he is still writing,recording, yodelling, playing, painting and spreading the joy
Christy, I wrote most of this the morning after your concert sitting in the hotel and looking over to Christchurch Cathedral. It’s a bit rough round the edges and needs tidied up. For many years I worked in social housing and dealt with homelessness/Women’s Aid. Acknowledgement to Patrick Kavanagh…Mary
The Morning After
(Vicar Street)
Christchurch bells spill over An Ché Adhmaid and Liffey gray
Their sounds resound across the land and over us today
A thousand years has witnessed Vikings, warriors and kings
As well as saints and pilgrims and choristers who sweetly sing
They came by car, train and plane for an ordinary man
To Vicar Street on Thomas Street to listen to his band
Guitars tuned, resin on the bow the heartbeats in percussion
Christy sings for marginalised and for the downtrodden
He’s right you know we’re all oblivious our heads are in the sand
The Jury’s in and the Jury’s out and it’s time to take a stand
A man staggers by just lost his job takes it on the chin
Been disappointed all of his life he’ll never ever win
On Harry Street old pilgrims meet and read the printed sign
They keep their faith as they all know that Phil will come again
Kirsty and Shane are flickering bright on the silver screen
Red Christmas candle putters out on a bed of coffee beans
Urban and Country shop in town ignoring cardboard city
A boy from Cobh sings a song he wrote about love and pity
He and his girl are gathering up their things as it starts to rain
They haven’t enough to pay their way on the Luas or the train
They saw the danger, yet they passed on their enchanted way
No maps to guide them they don’t know they’re living their last day
As passers-by cast a judging eye the tills ring out encore
A voice pleads from the margins; give Home Sweet Home some more
Thanks for sharing Mary…..great to travel through those verses…I lingered long in Harry St
Happy New Year to you all!
No worries Christy, no more imbibed, diatribe ramblings of myself.
Just a musical / Spiritual appreciation of an previous artist in Canada.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l6QcKtwUXo
wish you well
Hi Christy,just getting settled into 2017,Got some new fly patterns to tie and try,Garden to tidy up,conservatory to finish,few gigs to attend,its going to be a busy year ,How is the new addition to the family doing?,Oh and im going to climb Mandolin mountain with Brian this year,See you along the way Christy.
its good to be busy doing what we want to do….have you figured out the location of Mandolin mountain ?
Howya Christy,
Just wanted to thank you for the great music you’ve produced in your time hopefully plenty more to come! Your tunes helped me through some times when I was fairly down so I always took solace in your music. I seriously enjoy natives from live at the point and lily off the new album also. As a young lad of 15 I hope you’ll be pleased to know that the music is still loved by the younger generations and That real music is still appreciated by some young people rather than the shite some of them would be listening to!
Hoping to see you in the marquee this summer,
Darragh
Sound Darragh…good to hear from you and to read your feedback…. you remind me of my own early days and how my young life was shaped by the songs and music I heard….I look forward to returning to The Marquee..missed it last Summer..gonna swim across the Lee this year from the North side
Lily has been a useful in this house. The one year old rocks to sleep with wind river man and tuam beat. The four year old is always asking about patrick murphy and every river or stream we pass he asks if he lives there. A mortality lesson for him. Bought as a christmas present for me. Obviously the wife had ulterior motives…
lovely to think of Lily reverberating among those sloping hills…makes me think of Buxton again
Thanks for taking the time to reply Christy. It’s made my day! The voyage was the highlight for me last night also as I was there with my wife Aine who is 8 months pregnant with our first and because of that the Voyage now seems more beautiful than ever. Thanks again, all the best. James
Hope all goes well in the weeks ahead..best wishes
Ended up getting a last minute ticket for Last night – Round 2 and I felt like a right aul groupie organising the tickets having been there Tuesday too.…I wonder if the 4711’ are recruiting’.
Another great night thanks! – 2 very different feeling gigs and great to see the odd few different tunes between them both. The Little Honda 50 was a real treat. Go raibh mile!
P.s Here’s a tune I think you might like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58tF4NMvnbw
(A nice bitter-sweet story to it – cover from my other half’s brother.)
a grand tune beautifully performed….
from what I can gather,the 4711ers are always recruiting