Hi Christy,
Here it is ,the night before the storm.
Joxer and Jack imagined in a Scottish scene ,after a few pints of heavy , Oor Wullie and Steve Clarke arguing over where Tierney plays and whether Dykes will lead the line.
Wembley tomorrow, the Auld Enemy, come on Scotland !
Anyway , remembering that my youngest daughter is holidaying in Skye and climbed the Cuilins today, to psyche myself up i watched Danny MacAskill’s youtube video ‘the ridge’ from the Cuilins played out to the brilliant Martyn Bennet’s Blackbird song.
Come on Scotland.
Enjoy the video ,and the genius song mixing natural talents ….oh and the game.
Rory
After recent chats about track sequencing, I’ve been checking out a few albums, with an ear on such things – and fascinating it is too…
I’m a huge James Taylor fan (since his very first LP and many gigs) but, I hadn’t really paid much attention to 2015’s ‘Before this world’ – today it came on top of the ‘must play’ pile and I’m glad it did…Like you, JT is a master of detail, based on instincts and a lot of craft…
song 8 – Before this world/Jolly Springtime
9 – Far Afghanistan
10 – Wild Mountain Thyme
8 and 10 are ‘typical’ JT songs and beautifully performed (a special place in my heart for 10) -in between is a mighty, perceptive, evocative song – on ‘proper ‘ listening to ‘Far Afghanistan’ it is epic, made even more powerful, by being placed between the contrasting songs… I dare say I’m preaching to the converted, but it’s great to pick up the gems here- and, the moral of the tale is not to judge an album without ‘proper’ listening- I’m really glad to re- evaluate this one.
Back to early days with ‘Sweet Baby James ‘ now.
The waft of the four seven eleven
And a dash of sweet violets from deven
Oh the roar of the grease paint
And the smell of the crowd
Then we ride the wave of gigging heaven
This weekend sees a decade on from a classic gig… massive crowd at Finsbury Park Feis/Fleadh – London… Shane’s afternoon marquee set, you and Declan playing an early evening blinder on the main stage, perfectly setting up one of the best Dylan/band gigs I’ve seen…
Happy days – hopefully, to return. I’m heading to youtube in the hope that there are more than the few short posts found on previous visits…thankfully, memories are powerful and I’ll never forget the unity of stage/crowd on ‘Black is the colour’ that amazing night – 10 years on – wow!
I know the studio is a exhausting place, I would rather a day on the big footing black turf , but when all comes together ,like the turf, there’s nothing better . It warms the soul on a cold winters night, looking forward to your new endeavor, I’m sure it won’t disappoint..
I assume it will be available online ..good luck Christy.
Great to read of the recording process – playing for a couple of hours with Seamie O’Dowd and the gang brings memories of the gigs back to mind. The way that each gig takes a life of it’s own and leads us to wonderful places – it’s why we keep coming back. Bought my first gig ticket in over a year last week – for Luka in St Augustine’s church on Derry’s walls. Will be a special one in a special place. Hopefully will be a better gig than the Van and Ian Óg show (The Dangerous Duo). Love the idea of that Planxty/Finn McCool gig – can see that as an early forerunner of Liam and Shaun Daveys collaborations. Stay safe Christy and regards to all the crew – hopefully we will be on the road again soon.
Thanks for the insights, Christy – always fascinating to mull over creative processes…
100% agreed with you on everything about the 1st Planxty LP…I’ll never forget the long afternoon, between finding it in ‘Rare Records’ on my lunch break, before slipping the vinyl onto the turntable a few hours later…the start of a great journey…
I suppose the early 70s vinyl LP monopoly must have determined much cover art/ song sequencing… ( taking on Rebecca’s point as well as your notes on key/tempo etc) – for ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ – Still in mind, when planning a ‘continuous’ CD ,I guess.
I hope you have a framed copy of the 1st LP cover photo – it’s a work of art.
Enjoy the day and the ongoing music – awaited with so much interest, by so many…
Thank you for your reply Christy. The brain starts and sometimes it doesn’t stop. I’d love to talk about all these things when you have more time please.
Hope you have a good day.
Thankyou
Rebecca
The first gig I attended at Vicar Street I could feel you reading the crowd. Completely fascinating. I didn’t get the same feeling in York. I guess the culture of people makes a difference? There’s not such a magical landscape over here. Duende.
Got to stir myself or I’ll be on philosophy all day.
Christy's reply
you are spot on…..my approach in York would be more considered….Vicar St has become my “home” gig in recent decades, I simply throw caution to the wind
Track sequencing. I’ve been wondering about this. Thanks for bringing this up Dave. I’ve been meaning to ask about it too
You can see it much clearer on vinyl.
I looked at the track sequencing and splits on Magic Nights.
There’s 6 sides on three disks. So it seems to fall into 6 little concerts. But it’s also labelled up with first half and second half.
This jumped into my head and it made wonder about gigs too.
So, at a gig we go straight through for two hours without a break. But do you think of it as having two halves? There’s a point in a gig where someone else takes the reins for 5 minds or so. A stop for breath?
And I haven’t even got onto feeling the room, Reading the crowd..
I’ll stop warbling on now. I’ve only just woken up. 0 to 60 in zero seconds.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
your welcome post requires consideration, you raise a number of points that I would gladly discuss at another time…I’m due in the studio quite soon
October is so often a gloomy month, but seeming brighter, if there’s a new LP hitting the shelves!
Track sequencing is an intriguing concept (art or science?) If you have time to elaborate, I’d love to know more eg perhaps some songs ‘naturally’ go together, but ,might the process also be based on having such familiarity with the songs that there’s a ‘feel’ for the sequence (or a hard slog to make things fit?)…is it your call, before handing over masters to the record company?
Apols for the grilling, but geeky processes fascinate me!
Have a great day
Dave
Christy's reply
its always around this time that running order becomes a concern….now that the recording process is reaching finality…
it can be “the divil”itself…..
yes, the final call is mine….aspects for consideration….the Key, the Tempo, the Essence,
finding an album title is always a challenge ( I’ve had 4 in the last week, I’ve hopefully settled on one today)…..the all important image for the sleeve, finding Artwork that blends with whats inside…..the first Planxty, Ride On, Lily are, for me, stand out sleeves…so too the first Moving Hearts and Listen…I really like the “industrial ” Barrowland’ DVD sleeve……there have been a few right wrong ‘uns along the way..Live at Vicar St comes to mind… the German release of “Well below The Valley” still makes me queasy 50 years on…back then the record companies pain little heed …..if I were to pick one…I’m still very happy with the overall artwork and design of “The Box Set 1964-2004″….when full album sleeves are being considered its prob that first Planxty sleeve in its 12 x 12 glory…..the excitement of that 1972 time wss summed up that wonderful shot of the Band in profile at the National Concert Hall..
Hi Christy hope you and yours are well through this crazy mad times . Any new material coming out and any idea about when we will see you on the road again . Loved your stream concert it was pure joy . All the best Graeme
Christy's reply
Greetings to Auld Reekie….
Currently laying down some fresh tracks..
If all goes according to plan they’ll roll out October time..
No gig news yet
………………………but the wagons will be ready to roll when curfew is lifted
Hello Christy,
How’s it going in the studio. It must be like magic to get all the stuff in your head turning into sonic reality. Magic days as well as magic nights. Creativity and people. A house full of musicians.
When do we get to hear some of it?
Its my second jab today. 12.20 at the big stadium in Huddersfield. The grass is like carpet and there’s no photography.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
as the picture emerges thoughts turn to titles, then to sleeve and artwork , track sequence,…
I’m reminded of Huddersfield Folk Club…The Singing Jenny ran every wed in the Polish Club in Wood St..one of my favourite clubs, it was run by Brian Lawton….I played solo there in the 60s…Planxty played there once in 1972…..Brian was such a welcoming host
hope your jab goes according to plan
Hey Christy, hope all’s good man. I’ve been keeping up with the chat and the radio with Ray and of course the concert hall was awesome, I’m so glad to hear about the Gleneagle gig, very happy for you and all that will get to be there with you, the last time I was there it was full of HOGS and HONDA 50’s. Time before that it was to see you and you sang Gortataggart and signed the One Voice book for me, later that night we got to hang out with Liam Reilly and sing Streets of New York with him, he was there for Roy Buckley’s song writers session. Anyway from a few messages back on the chat, I really loved the memories of the 1948 Ford Prefect, the images of Meath roads and the big back seat….I have a 1948 Plymouth here in the garage, my uncle was the second owner, the first was a lady here in NJ who bought it new in 1948 and really only used it to go to mass or to the shops but if it rained she walked !, she didn’t like to take the car out in the rain. It still runs like a clock. Kind regards as always Christy and I’m looking forward to a gig sometime soon. Brian.
Christy's reply
I’m reminded of my Father’s van..it was a 1952 (ish) green Hillman Husky (Reg ZW 1723)…cars were such rarities back then….I still recall the households that had a car….Joe McGowan had a green VW Beetle…Tom McCabe a brown Fiat 127….Mr Dunne down the back street had a Hackney Car..a large black Vauxhall…Fr Jem Gorman had an Austin…Mrs Weld a Black Ford Consul….we all had bikes, buses had conducters, eggs had henshite, rashers were hairy, there were tins of Sweet Afton and Gold Flake at Christmas time….
I suppose you heard about Van and Junior coming out
Hi Christy,
Here it is ,the night before the storm.
Joxer and Jack imagined in a Scottish scene ,after a few pints of heavy , Oor Wullie and Steve Clarke arguing over where Tierney plays and whether Dykes will lead the line.
Wembley tomorrow, the Auld Enemy, come on Scotland !
Anyway , remembering that my youngest daughter is holidaying in Skye and climbed the Cuilins today, to psyche myself up i watched Danny MacAskill’s youtube video ‘the ridge’ from the Cuilins played out to the brilliant Martyn Bennet’s Blackbird song.
Come on Scotland.
Enjoy the video ,and the genius song mixing natural talents ….oh and the game.
Rory
Hi Christy
After recent chats about track sequencing, I’ve been checking out a few albums, with an ear on such things – and fascinating it is too…
I’m a huge James Taylor fan (since his very first LP and many gigs) but, I hadn’t really paid much attention to 2015’s ‘Before this world’ – today it came on top of the ‘must play’ pile and I’m glad it did…Like you, JT is a master of detail, based on instincts and a lot of craft…
song 8 – Before this world/Jolly Springtime
9 – Far Afghanistan
10 – Wild Mountain Thyme
8 and 10 are ‘typical’ JT songs and beautifully performed (a special place in my heart for 10) -in between is a mighty, perceptive, evocative song – on ‘proper ‘ listening to ‘Far Afghanistan’ it is epic, made even more powerful, by being placed between the contrasting songs… I dare say I’m preaching to the converted, but it’s great to pick up the gems here- and, the moral of the tale is not to judge an album without ‘proper’ listening- I’m really glad to re- evaluate this one.
Back to early days with ‘Sweet Baby James ‘ now.
Thanks
Dave
Oh dear, please ignore that. It didn’t sound so awful when it tripped out.
The waft of the four seven eleven
And a dash of sweet violets from deven
Oh the roar of the grease paint
And the smell of the crowd
Then we ride the wave of gigging heaven
Mornin’Christy
This weekend sees a decade on from a classic gig… massive crowd at Finsbury Park Feis/Fleadh – London… Shane’s afternoon marquee set, you and Declan playing an early evening blinder on the main stage, perfectly setting up one of the best Dylan/band gigs I’ve seen…
Happy days – hopefully, to return. I’m heading to youtube in the hope that there are more than the few short posts found on previous visits…thankfully, memories are powerful and I’ll never forget the unity of stage/crowd on ‘Black is the colour’ that amazing night – 10 years on – wow!
Dave
Hi Christy
http://www.bobdylanisis.com has sent details of a Dylan online gig – set for 18th July at 10pm GMT. Booking info etc available via the above site…
Bob must have seen your successes and fancied a ‘Zozimus’ experience…this will be his first online gig.
I hope the studio day went well and you’re enjoying the process as new music emerges.
Dave
I know the studio is a exhausting place, I would rather a day on the big footing black turf , but when all comes together ,like the turf, there’s nothing better . It warms the soul on a cold winters night, looking forward to your new endeavor, I’m sure it won’t disappoint..
I assume it will be available online ..good luck Christy.
Great to read of the recording process – playing for a couple of hours with Seamie O’Dowd and the gang brings memories of the gigs back to mind. The way that each gig takes a life of it’s own and leads us to wonderful places – it’s why we keep coming back. Bought my first gig ticket in over a year last week – for Luka in St Augustine’s church on Derry’s walls. Will be a special one in a special place. Hopefully will be a better gig than the Van and Ian Óg show (The Dangerous Duo). Love the idea of that Planxty/Finn McCool gig – can see that as an early forerunner of Liam and Shaun Daveys collaborations. Stay safe Christy and regards to all the crew – hopefully we will be on the road again soon.
Thanks for the insights, Christy – always fascinating to mull over creative processes…
100% agreed with you on everything about the 1st Planxty LP…I’ll never forget the long afternoon, between finding it in ‘Rare Records’ on my lunch break, before slipping the vinyl onto the turntable a few hours later…the start of a great journey…
I suppose the early 70s vinyl LP monopoly must have determined much cover art/ song sequencing… ( taking on Rebecca’s point as well as your notes on key/tempo etc) – for ‘Side A’ and ‘Side B’ – Still in mind, when planning a ‘continuous’ CD ,I guess.
I hope you have a framed copy of the 1st LP cover photo – it’s a work of art.
Enjoy the day and the ongoing music – awaited with so much interest, by so many…
Dave
Dave
Thank you for your reply Christy. The brain starts and sometimes it doesn’t stop. I’d love to talk about all these things when you have more time please.
Hope you have a good day.
Thankyou
Rebecca
The first gig I attended at Vicar Street I could feel you reading the crowd. Completely fascinating. I didn’t get the same feeling in York. I guess the culture of people makes a difference? There’s not such a magical landscape over here. Duende.
Got to stir myself or I’ll be on philosophy all day.
you are spot on…..my approach in York would be more considered….Vicar St has become my “home” gig in recent decades, I simply throw caution to the wind
It’s even clearer on the early years on vinyl. The tracks are grouped very carefully. Love it.
Hello Christy and All,
Track sequencing. I’ve been wondering about this. Thanks for bringing this up Dave. I’ve been meaning to ask about it too
You can see it much clearer on vinyl.
I looked at the track sequencing and splits on Magic Nights.
There’s 6 sides on three disks. So it seems to fall into 6 little concerts. But it’s also labelled up with first half and second half.
This jumped into my head and it made wonder about gigs too.
So, at a gig we go straight through for two hours without a break. But do you think of it as having two halves? There’s a point in a gig where someone else takes the reins for 5 minds or so. A stop for breath?
And I haven’t even got onto feeling the room, Reading the crowd..
I’ll stop warbling on now. I’ve only just woken up. 0 to 60 in zero seconds.
Rebecca
your welcome post requires consideration, you raise a number of points that I would gladly discuss at another time…I’m due in the studio quite soon
Mornin’ Christy
October is so often a gloomy month, but seeming brighter, if there’s a new LP hitting the shelves!
Track sequencing is an intriguing concept (art or science?) If you have time to elaborate, I’d love to know more eg perhaps some songs ‘naturally’ go together, but ,might the process also be based on having such familiarity with the songs that there’s a ‘feel’ for the sequence (or a hard slog to make things fit?)…is it your call, before handing over masters to the record company?
Apols for the grilling, but geeky processes fascinate me!
Have a great day
Dave
its always around this time that running order becomes a concern….now that the recording process is reaching finality…
it can be “the divil”itself…..
yes, the final call is mine….aspects for consideration….the Key, the Tempo, the Essence,
finding an album title is always a challenge ( I’ve had 4 in the last week, I’ve hopefully settled on one today)…..the all important image for the sleeve, finding Artwork that blends with whats inside…..the first Planxty, Ride On, Lily are, for me, stand out sleeves…so too the first Moving Hearts and Listen…I really like the “industrial ” Barrowland’ DVD sleeve……there have been a few right wrong ‘uns along the way..Live at Vicar St comes to mind… the German release of “Well below The Valley” still makes me queasy 50 years on…back then the record companies pain little heed …..if I were to pick one…I’m still very happy with the overall artwork and design of “The Box Set 1964-2004″….when full album sleeves are being considered its prob that first Planxty sleeve in its 12 x 12 glory…..the excitement of that 1972 time wss summed up that wonderful shot of the Band in profile at the National Concert Hall..
Hi Christy hope you and yours are well through this crazy mad times . Any new material coming out and any idea about when we will see you on the road again . Loved your stream concert it was pure joy . All the best Graeme
Greetings to Auld Reekie….
Currently laying down some fresh tracks..
If all goes according to plan they’ll roll out October time..
No gig news yet
………………………but the wagons will be ready to roll when curfew is lifted
I like how you’ve started writing in thoughts not sentences
Hello Christy,
How’s it going in the studio. It must be like magic to get all the stuff in your head turning into sonic reality. Magic days as well as magic nights. Creativity and people. A house full of musicians.
When do we get to hear some of it?
Its my second jab today. 12.20 at the big stadium in Huddersfield. The grass is like carpet and there’s no photography.
Rebecca
as the picture emerges thoughts turn to titles, then to sleeve and artwork , track sequence,…
I’m reminded of Huddersfield Folk Club…The Singing Jenny ran every wed in the Polish Club in Wood St..one of my favourite clubs, it was run by Brian Lawton….I played solo there in the 60s…Planxty played there once in 1972…..Brian was such a welcoming host
hope your jab goes according to plan
Hey Christy, hope all’s good man. I’ve been keeping up with the chat and the radio with Ray and of course the concert hall was awesome, I’m so glad to hear about the Gleneagle gig, very happy for you and all that will get to be there with you, the last time I was there it was full of HOGS and HONDA 50’s. Time before that it was to see you and you sang Gortataggart and signed the One Voice book for me, later that night we got to hang out with Liam Reilly and sing Streets of New York with him, he was there for Roy Buckley’s song writers session. Anyway from a few messages back on the chat, I really loved the memories of the 1948 Ford Prefect, the images of Meath roads and the big back seat….I have a 1948 Plymouth here in the garage, my uncle was the second owner, the first was a lady here in NJ who bought it new in 1948 and really only used it to go to mass or to the shops but if it rained she walked !, she didn’t like to take the car out in the rain. It still runs like a clock. Kind regards as always Christy and I’m looking forward to a gig sometime soon. Brian.
I’m reminded of my Father’s van..it was a 1952 (ish) green Hillman Husky (Reg ZW 1723)…cars were such rarities back then….I still recall the households that had a car….Joe McGowan had a green VW Beetle…Tom McCabe a brown Fiat 127….Mr Dunne down the back street had a Hackney Car..a large black Vauxhall…Fr Jem Gorman had an Austin…Mrs Weld a Black Ford Consul….we all had bikes, buses had conducters, eggs had henshite, rashers were hairy, there were tins of Sweet Afton and Gold Flake at Christmas time….
I suppose you heard about Van and Junior coming out
I’ll be updating NASA blog here, daily.