Hi Christy, great to read that you could play again with audience. That gives some hope that there will be more concerts to come in the not too distant future. I still hope that there’s a chance to come to Dublin by the end of the year and see you at Vicar St 😉 Lucky Leinster players to get a kind of private gig… But thanks to your great online gigs we had our private concerts with you as well :-).
Thanks @Pat for sharing the links to the radio interviews. Both are very interesting and entertaining! Take good care and stay safe.
Hiya Christy
I don’t think ill ever stop loving your music. I recently sent you an email with a poem I’d hope you’d turn into a song. It would be great if you get time to look at it. It recently got published on the Kilkenny People as ‘The Bloods’ and yes I gave you a second shout out to make it into a song. Our Irish Armys History is well worth it. Have a look. I’ve also emailed you a demo of the two verses and chorus with me singing. Hope to hear from you soon. Tracyconnollyspoetrys@gmail.com
Howaya keeping?
We’re trying to keep her lit and keep busy even though there is no gigs.
Would you have a look at our new video please? https://youtu.be/vUqymPzfEPo
Hello Christy,
You sound to be buzzing, back in the harness. Lucky Leinster.
I’ve been counting up. I had my first solo gig a year ago. Me and a harp singing in Westgate arcade in Halifax. I only had six songs, so I had to pad it out with (very easy) harp stuff.
I’ve got 21 songs now, at a pinch so that’s 15 I’ve learnt in a year. I’m thinking that’s not too bad. Also that I’ve spent a lot of work time playing about with songs… You only get one life, as far as I know, and I know what I want to do with it 😊
May your gigs keep rolling, and may our local lockdown be lifted.
Rebecca
Heartwarming that you were able to play a gig,and more to come -excellent news for many – sounds like a superb gathering and you’re home with a shirt! Brilliant for you and crew to reunite-all a tight bunch of companeros-two top teams .in the same room!
You’ll be buzzing today…
fine choice of duos…Toni Arthur went on to be an excellent tv presenter/sometimes featuring ‘folk’ on kids tv…the Dransfields were ace.’Rout of the blues’ is a favourite.
Great gigs to come for you now… ‘rollin’ down the road’
Great to read about the Ewan tribute CD.I’ll be trying to track that one down…always enjoy the tributes/compilations.You’ve been on a fair few,I’d say…and Ms Polwart too -what a talent she’s become.(excellent trio,with brother Stephen and Inge Thomson)
I first heard ‘Terror Time’,sung by Dave and Toni Arthur at a festival gig in 1971 -stopped me in my tracks.They were a mighty duo at that time.
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
Dave & Toni..not heard of them for decades..met them once during my apprenticeship….just thinking of Duos from back in the day
Ewan & Peggy
Carthy & Swarb
Aly & Mike
Tim & Maddy
Toni&Arthur
Billy &Tam
Murf &Shaggis
Jack &Mavis
Derek &Dorothy
John Swift &Tommy Dempsey
The Dransfields
Pete & Marie
Tom & Smiley
Wizz & Pete
Jacqui & Bridie
Had my first (socially distanced) gig last night..played to the Leinster Rugby Squad in their Gymnasium…Many of them are gig regulars and their Coach Leo Cullen never misses a Vicar St gig…..It could’nt have come at a better time..after 5 months I needed a run out with a few (socially distanced) gigs coming up…Playing Bantry Festival next week and the a streamed gig from The National Concert Hall next month….was great to meet up with some crew last night, to fill the lungs and throw the head back..
Playing to 50 listeners was just fine….they were as keyed up as I was myself…some great requests.. Cian Healy asked for “Rocky Road to Dublin”..I took a chance and gave it a birl and every word came back to me..room for a wee Bodhrán Solo at the end
Johnny Sexton presented me with a Leinster jersey afterwards ( Dbl XL)..thats my cover blown now…thats me barred from Thomond Park and Galway Sportsground….I’m finally off the fence
I remembered that I played to 4 in Aberdeen in 1967..great gig and I went home with them
Hope you’re safe and well over there. We miss you down under and hope you come back soon. There’s a song by my late friend Alistair Hullet that I’ve always thought you would do beautifully. It’s called “He fades away” and it’s about an asbestos miner in Western Australia. Andy Irvine did a beautiful version of it a few years ago and so have several others but I reckon you’d smash it. Here’s a youtube link to Alistair signing it a few months before he sadly died. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Ri77UBuO0
Cheers
Jonny
Christy's reply
Morra Jonny,
Thank you for sharing Alistair Hulett’s fine Song…..I’ve just visited his memorial site and hope to hear more of his legacy….our dear friend and Singer Christie Hennessy was taken by this cruel disease….
I’ve not been up to Sydney for 22 years …..Air Travel and me just dont agree…great memories from my trips there in the 80s & 90s….from Warnambul to Wooloomaloo, from Woolongong to Mudgee…
I thoroughly enjoyed your reflections on Des’s Island Discs. Also, your celebration of the life and times of the wonderful Ewan MacColl. As a student I worked in the Green Briar and Ray McAreavey/Wolfhound played regularly…nearly all songs mentioned where included in their repertoire. Back in the day I thought Dirty Old Town was about Belfast! My friend’s father was a trawler man from Hartlepool…Shores of Herring always sounded as if it was handed down through the generations… I hadn’t heard The Terror Time before…
When you need the warmth of your own human kind
You move near a town
But the sight of you is offending
For the police they soon are sending
And you’re on the road again
Reminded of the Irish proverb: Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine –In the shadow of each other, we live. No surprise to hear you say that Ewan woke the song writing in you. Christy, thank you for what you have given us especially through these lock down days. You and Ewan were cut from the same cloth. Go well. Mary
Christy's reply
Moving Hearts had a storming gig in the Green Briar circa 1981..I think it was filmed by CH4….anyone got any info on that..I was there but thats all I rememeber
Ewan sent me Green Island….It may have been the last song he wrote..
the family asked me to sing it on the Ewan’s Tribute album (Joy of Living- Tribute to Ewan MacColl..)
I elected to sing “The Good Ship Granma”instead (aka “Companeros” aka “Fidel & Che”)..I regret not singing “Green Island” on that album…
PS there is a stunning version of “Terror Time” from Karine Polwart on “Joy of Living”
I’m no songwriter,but might be tempted with amazing lines to build on from the family story.
‘The Old Man’s Song’ really hit home.Many years since I last heard it,but most verses are still in my head…classic Ian Campbell and very much of its time.I can remember coming home from school and being amazed that my parents had rented a ‘colour telly’…unlike its predecessor, it never needed a thump to sort the ‘vertical hold’!
Enjoy the sunny evening…’coupes in the park are holding hands and waiting for the dark…’
Listening to your recordings with Planxty, can’t get enough of them. I’m just curious, would Andy, Donal, and Liam Óg be the best musicians you’ve ever worked with?
Thanks, Christy.
Ken
Christy's reply
they would Ken
and indeed they would
to me right fol too rill laddy
well indeed they would
them three Companeros and Declan Sinnott,Keith Donald, Eoghan O’Neill, Jimmy Higgins, Nollaig Casey, Arty McGlynn, Neil Martin,Sheamie O’Dowd, Cathal Hayden, Mairtín O’Connor, Matt Molloy, Paddy Moloney, Enya, Noel Bridgeman, Tony Molloy, Micheal Ó Suilleabháin, Mary Black, Barney McKenna, Mary Green, Mandy Murphy,Johnny Moynihan,Neil MacColl, Calum MacColl, Roger Askew, Máire Breathnac, Jimmy Faulkner, Declan McNelis, Robbie Brennan, Philip Donnolley, Dominic Behan, Wally Page, Davy Spillane,Elvis Costello,Phil Chevron,John Sheehan, Luka Bloom,Gerry Divers,Sharon Shannon, Steve Cooney, The Edge, Bono,Bill Whelan, Ralph McTell,Conor Byrne,Mairtín Byrnes, Christie Hennessy,Martin Hayes,Denis Cahill,
not forgetting…..
Great to know that many of us still enjoy music via a variety of formats…There can be good links too – listening to ‘The Voyage’ on cassette always takes me back to the in car music on holidays…heading West from Slane ,for a few days rambling about…
I’m chasing the deadline for the piece I’m writing about my Grandad in the Great War,for http://www.passchendaele.be Coming together gradually,with great music in the background…Like Rory’s intrigue about ‘Bright Blue Rose’,I have a homing instinct for ‘All for the roses’…like many brilliant songs,there’s a mystery to it,but so much power and subtlety.
For much of the past few days,I’ve been reading about/interpreting facts from over a hundred years ago.In 1930,my Grandad wrote about WW1.Some of his thoughts could go into song (I’d struggle to do that…).Here’s a line –
‘the past was forgotten,the future undreamt of’…reflecting on the daily toil in the build up to the Battle of the Somme.He was 25 in 1916.
He survived the war,often through good luck1Fortune changed when his son was killed in Normandy,1944 . Grandad died of cancer,5 months later… Poignant,but uplifting to follow the story.
‘a soldier’s life to be…’
All the best
Dave
Christy's reply
I love Wally Page’s songs….
“Finglas Boys” (aka “All for The Roses”) I consider to be a classic….
“he’s 25 he’s sick and tired
its time to try the other side
the B & I to Paradise
to Sergeants and their men
He’s never been to Dún na Rí
nor combed the beaches after three
its chips and beer and greenery
Sergeants and their men
he siged and took the Soldier’s crest
a decent man in battle dress
when bugles blow you do your best
for Sergeants and their men
……….All for the Roses, Over the Sea
I look forward to hearing more about your Grandfathers song
“the past was forgotten
the future undreamt of”
you Grandad’s life reminds me of Ian Cambell’s classic “Old Man’s Song”
Hi Christy, great to read that you could play again with audience. That gives some hope that there will be more concerts to come in the not too distant future. I still hope that there’s a chance to come to Dublin by the end of the year and see you at Vicar St 😉 Lucky Leinster players to get a kind of private gig… But thanks to your great online gigs we had our private concerts with you as well :-).
Thanks @Pat for sharing the links to the radio interviews. Both are very interesting and entertaining! Take good care and stay safe.
Hiya Christy
I don’t think ill ever stop loving your music. I recently sent you an email with a poem I’d hope you’d turn into a song. It would be great if you get time to look at it. It recently got published on the Kilkenny People as ‘The Bloods’ and yes I gave you a second shout out to make it into a song. Our Irish Armys History is well worth it. Have a look. I’ve also emailed you a demo of the two verses and chorus with me singing. Hope to hear from you soon. Tracyconnollyspoetrys@gmail.com
Hi Christy
Howaya keeping?
We’re trying to keep her lit and keep busy even though there is no gigs.
Would you have a look at our new video please?
https://youtu.be/vUqymPzfEPo
I hope we get to talk soon over a coffee
Cheers
Hello Christy,
You sound to be buzzing, back in the harness. Lucky Leinster.
I’ve been counting up. I had my first solo gig a year ago. Me and a harp singing in Westgate arcade in Halifax. I only had six songs, so I had to pad it out with (very easy) harp stuff.
I’ve got 21 songs now, at a pinch so that’s 15 I’ve learnt in a year. I’m thinking that’s not too bad. Also that I’ve spent a lot of work time playing about with songs… You only get one life, as far as I know, and I know what I want to do with it 😊
May your gigs keep rolling, and may our local lockdown be lifted.
Rebecca
Brilliant,Christy
Heartwarming that you were able to play a gig,and more to come -excellent news for many – sounds like a superb gathering and you’re home with a shirt! Brilliant for you and crew to reunite-all a tight bunch of companeros-two top teams .in the same room!
You’ll be buzzing today…
fine choice of duos…Toni Arthur went on to be an excellent tv presenter/sometimes featuring ‘folk’ on kids tv…the Dransfields were ace.’Rout of the blues’ is a favourite.
Great gigs to come for you now… ‘rollin’ down the road’
Dave
Hi Christy
Great to read about the Ewan tribute CD.I’ll be trying to track that one down…always enjoy the tributes/compilations.You’ve been on a fair few,I’d say…and Ms Polwart too -what a talent she’s become.(excellent trio,with brother Stephen and Inge Thomson)
I first heard ‘Terror Time’,sung by Dave and Toni Arthur at a festival gig in 1971 -stopped me in my tracks.They were a mighty duo at that time.
Have a good day
Dave
Dave & Toni..not heard of them for decades..met them once during my apprenticeship….just thinking of Duos from back in the day
Ewan & Peggy
Carthy & Swarb
Aly & Mike
Tim & Maddy
Toni&Arthur
Billy &Tam
Murf &Shaggis
Jack &Mavis
Derek &Dorothy
John Swift &Tommy Dempsey
The Dransfields
Pete & Marie
Tom & Smiley
Wizz & Pete
Jacqui & Bridie
Had my first (socially distanced) gig last night..played to the Leinster Rugby Squad in their Gymnasium…Many of them are gig regulars and their Coach Leo Cullen never misses a Vicar St gig…..It could’nt have come at a better time..after 5 months I needed a run out with a few (socially distanced) gigs coming up…Playing Bantry Festival next week and the a streamed gig from The National Concert Hall next month….was great to meet up with some crew last night, to fill the lungs and throw the head back..
Playing to 50 listeners was just fine….they were as keyed up as I was myself…some great requests.. Cian Healy asked for “Rocky Road to Dublin”..I took a chance and gave it a birl and every word came back to me..room for a wee Bodhrán Solo at the end
Johnny Sexton presented me with a Leinster jersey afterwards ( Dbl XL)..thats my cover blown now…thats me barred from Thomond Park and Galway Sportsground….I’m finally off the fence
I remembered that I played to 4 in Aberdeen in 1967..great gig and I went home with them
G’Day Christy,
Hope you’re safe and well over there. We miss you down under and hope you come back soon. There’s a song by my late friend Alistair Hullet that I’ve always thought you would do beautifully. It’s called “He fades away” and it’s about an asbestos miner in Western Australia. Andy Irvine did a beautiful version of it a few years ago and so have several others but I reckon you’d smash it. Here’s a youtube link to Alistair signing it a few months before he sadly died. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9Ri77UBuO0
Cheers
Jonny
Morra Jonny,
Thank you for sharing Alistair Hulett’s fine Song…..I’ve just visited his memorial site and hope to hear more of his legacy….our dear friend and Singer Christie Hennessy was taken by this cruel disease….
I’ve not been up to Sydney for 22 years …..Air Travel and me just dont agree…great memories from my trips there in the 80s & 90s….from Warnambul to Wooloomaloo, from Woolongong to Mudgee…
Looking to get through to Christy Moore in anyway possible for an event next July
Me Too
I thoroughly enjoyed your reflections on Des’s Island Discs. Also, your celebration of the life and times of the wonderful Ewan MacColl. As a student I worked in the Green Briar and Ray McAreavey/Wolfhound played regularly…nearly all songs mentioned where included in their repertoire. Back in the day I thought Dirty Old Town was about Belfast! My friend’s father was a trawler man from Hartlepool…Shores of Herring always sounded as if it was handed down through the generations… I hadn’t heard The Terror Time before…
When you need the warmth of your own human kind
You move near a town
But the sight of you is offending
For the police they soon are sending
And you’re on the road again
Reminded of the Irish proverb: Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine –In the shadow of each other, we live. No surprise to hear you say that Ewan woke the song writing in you. Christy, thank you for what you have given us especially through these lock down days. You and Ewan were cut from the same cloth. Go well. Mary
Moving Hearts had a storming gig in the Green Briar circa 1981..I think it was filmed by CH4….anyone got any info on that..I was there but thats all I rememeber
Ewan sent me Green Island….It may have been the last song he wrote..
the family asked me to sing it on the Ewan’s Tribute album (Joy of Living- Tribute to Ewan MacColl..)
I elected to sing “The Good Ship Granma”instead (aka “Companeros” aka “Fidel & Che”)..I regret not singing “Green Island” on that album…
PS there is a stunning version of “Terror Time” from Karine Polwart on “Joy of Living”
ps ‘the couples in the park
are holding hands and waiting for the dark’ D
Hi Christy
I’m no songwriter,but might be tempted with amazing lines to build on from the family story.
‘The Old Man’s Song’ really hit home.Many years since I last heard it,but most verses are still in my head…classic Ian Campbell and very much of its time.I can remember coming home from school and being amazed that my parents had rented a ‘colour telly’…unlike its predecessor, it never needed a thump to sort the ‘vertical hold’!
Enjoy the sunny evening…’coupes in the park are holding hands and waiting for the dark…’
Dave
Hi Christy,
Listening to your recordings with Planxty, can’t get enough of them. I’m just curious, would Andy, Donal, and Liam Óg be the best musicians you’ve ever worked with?
Thanks, Christy.
Ken
they would Ken
and indeed they would
to me right fol too rill laddy
well indeed they would
them three Companeros and Declan Sinnott,Keith Donald, Eoghan O’Neill, Jimmy Higgins, Nollaig Casey, Arty McGlynn, Neil Martin,Sheamie O’Dowd, Cathal Hayden, Mairtín O’Connor, Matt Molloy, Paddy Moloney, Enya, Noel Bridgeman, Tony Molloy, Micheal Ó Suilleabháin, Mary Black, Barney McKenna, Mary Green, Mandy Murphy,Johnny Moynihan,Neil MacColl, Calum MacColl, Roger Askew, Máire Breathnac, Jimmy Faulkner, Declan McNelis, Robbie Brennan, Philip Donnolley, Dominic Behan, Wally Page, Davy Spillane,Elvis Costello,Phil Chevron,John Sheehan, Luka Bloom,Gerry Divers,Sharon Shannon, Steve Cooney, The Edge, Bono,Bill Whelan, Ralph McTell,Conor Byrne,Mairtín Byrnes, Christie Hennessy,Martin Hayes,Denis Cahill,
not forgetting…..
Mornin’ Christy
Great to know that many of us still enjoy music via a variety of formats…There can be good links too – listening to ‘The Voyage’ on cassette always takes me back to the in car music on holidays…heading West from Slane ,for a few days rambling about…
I’m chasing the deadline for the piece I’m writing about my Grandad in the Great War,for http://www.passchendaele.be Coming together gradually,with great music in the background…Like Rory’s intrigue about ‘Bright Blue Rose’,I have a homing instinct for ‘All for the roses’…like many brilliant songs,there’s a mystery to it,but so much power and subtlety.
For much of the past few days,I’ve been reading about/interpreting facts from over a hundred years ago.In 1930,my Grandad wrote about WW1.Some of his thoughts could go into song (I’d struggle to do that…).Here’s a line –
‘the past was forgotten,the future undreamt of’…reflecting on the daily toil in the build up to the Battle of the Somme.He was 25 in 1916.
He survived the war,often through good luck1Fortune changed when his son was killed in Normandy,1944 . Grandad died of cancer,5 months later… Poignant,but uplifting to follow the story.
‘a soldier’s life to be…’
All the best
Dave
I love Wally Page’s songs….
“Finglas Boys” (aka “All for The Roses”) I consider to be a classic….
“he’s 25 he’s sick and tired
its time to try the other side
the B & I to Paradise
to Sergeants and their men
He’s never been to Dún na Rí
nor combed the beaches after three
its chips and beer and greenery
Sergeants and their men
he siged and took the Soldier’s crest
a decent man in battle dress
when bugles blow you do your best
for Sergeants and their men
……….All for the Roses, Over the Sea
I look forward to hearing more about your Grandfathers song
“the past was forgotten
the future undreamt of”
you Grandad’s life reminds me of Ian Cambell’s classic “Old Man’s Song”