This afternoons long walk by the canal was brilliant.Crisp underfoot,a hazy mist and large patches of frozen water. Quite magical in an urban setting…
Several narrow boats were occupied by hardy souls.Peering through the mist,I saw the names of several vessels. One made me smile and brought back memories of a terrific band…’Tuath de dannan’ was a warming sight.
Dear Christy
Tonight on Radio 4 i heard a short news piece about the 75th anniversary, this week, of Sam Phillips opening his Memphis Recording Service Studio at Union Avenue , Memphis.
He only wanted to record black artists like Ike Turner and Howlin’ Wolf originally, but that changed when he heard a young man called Elvis, and he was followed there by Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis etc
A piece of history, his son was interviewed and recalled as a kid going to see his dad in the tiny studio and rubbing shoulders with huge names in the making.
I have never been lucky enough to be in a recording studio but can only marvel at places like Sun and of Downings Prosperous….
Rory
Christy's reply
“Well i just got your letter baby
too bad you cant come home
……….I gotta Mess O’ Blues
Great post Dave, fascinating to read your musical insights and inspirations.
Christy I had a long car journey during the week, so the old but trusty iPod got plugged in, and got yourself on shuffle, mixing and matching 126 songs of yours. Of course by no means your full set, but a grand selection altogether.
Now I noticed something that really impressed me. You know how some singers voices don’t age very well…Kris struggled a bit in his later years, even Bruce has changed his style somewhat to suit the vocal cords.
You however are remarkable. Paddy on the Road from I think your first album, followed by much later recordings, Ringing that Bell for example, of course your voice is different, but has what I (naively) call a greater maturity? I find the mixing and matching fascinating.
Do you often/ever listen to your own recordings? Did you sometimes hear what I mean?
Christy's reply
sometimes I listen back when seeking a lost lyric, wen seeking who played on a certain track, I listen to Planxty instrumental tracks regularly..I love to hear Liam’s playing, Andy & Donal interweaving …last week driving home from Vicar St I switched on the car radio and “Palestine” was playing on Newstalk FM106..that was a buzz…I sang it on VM TV after RTE TV deemed it unsuitable..that was a buzz
I’m very grateful that the vocals are holding up…this is my 80th year …been singing since I was 6. (Kevin Barry)..full time since I was 21 (Sept ’66)….within my range there lurks a few different voices….very soft…medium tone…quite loud….occasionally I risk a falsetto..very occasionally….I now realise that, for me, to sing is akin to meditating….sometimes on the surface, more often into the deep
Having a bleak beautywalk by The Bridgewater Canal…ice locked narrow boats reminded me of Ralph McTell’s wonderful song ‘Barges’…
For some reason,hard Winter weather hooks me up to old music…in recent days my listening has focused on trad ballads,old country,blues…maybe it’s the timeless quality of such harshness,Im really not sure,but anything that gives a focus to music can’t be all bad. ‘Frost and Fire’ by The Watersons sounds as brilliant as ever…
Hello Christy,
We’re all booked for Peggy in Salford in May. The tickets are flying. Otley is sold out. Thanks to Dave for the pointer.
Ennis is a good place to cocoon ourselves from this amazing cold. It was minus 8 last night. The trees are white with frost and the snow has just started. All our plans for exploring and boinging about the place have changed to playing guitar and drinking coffee by the fire. Getting to read a paper version of the Irish Independent is great.
Trying not to worry about travelling. There’s no point, and my kind friend Rachel is making sure my cat Minnie is kept warm, fed and watered.
Hi Christy,
Thank you for having me at Vicar St at the weekend, my first time there and what an atmosphere! I look forward to seeing you again in Cork in the summer.
Your tribute to Natasha O’Brien and Nikita Hand in particular touched my heart and I wanted to thank you for lending your voice and soul through music to such important causes. Grateful to be able to hear ‘Lyra McKee’ in person, a poignant moment for me. A Terrible Beauty is the kind of album I listen to alone with the good headphones on, but it was absolutely magnetic at Vicar St, I think we were all holding our breath with the way you captivated the room.
Take care and see you soon <3
Millie
Christy's reply
Saturday Night we’ll be packed in tight
all together in The Big Marquee
http://www.peggyseeger.com has info about Peggy’s tour to mark her 90th birthday…Inc 6 gigs on the island of Ireland. Great news for folkies,with Ralph McTell touring too.And,of course regular gigs by an esteemed balladeer from this parish…
Dave
Christy's reply
Thanks for the nod…booked our seats today
Peggy Seeger with Calum and Neil MacColl
anyone interested in hearing Peggy and her two Sons
Hi All. It’s great to see several mentions of Ralph Mc Tell here, and to see the RFH gig was in all practicality sold out. Ralph is doing a massive almost nationwide tour here in April and May “Time Drift of the Road ” 20 gigs. He will also take part in a Q n A at Tradfest. For those people who follow CM on social media ye probably saw that he shared all the details on his facebook page a few days ago. The Vicar St gigs continue to be high energy with a very deliberate setlist, only 2 more, how time flies ? Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
we’ll be there…Ralph still delivering beautiful gigs
Did Ralph write that song, “From Clare to Here”? Best version of this song, by a street, is an early Furey brothers version, box accordian, tin whistle and Eddie singing the lyrics. It’s class.
Hi Christy, my wife and I are travelling over the Irish Sea from Wild West Wales for the gig in Vicar Street this Sunday. Would be great if you could dedicate a song for her (Kiera), maybe Flickering Light or Beeswing. Thanks, Jim
Not forgetting, according to Ralph himself, his 2nd most covered song, “Clare to Here”! I heard that first on a great compilation album from 1977, “A Feast of Irish Folk”. It was covered by The Fureys. That was a great album, has some great stuff on it including “Yarmouth Town”, which only made it onto compilation albums for some reason Christy, this one and a Polydor Planxty compilation “Arís”?
Didn’t Ralph also sing “Streets of London” and “Clare to Here” on the Album “Christy Moore and Friends” from the TV series, I still give both those albums a whirl from time to time.
Christy's reply
morra Gipp,
somehow missed this post Gipp..a bit late responding,
you bring be back there.
I think Yarmouth Town was the B.side of an early Planxty single
I always liked performing it as we had a good 3 part harmony on it..(once or twice a four part if Liam Óg was in singing form !!!)
Polydor back then would compile compilations, anything to squeeze the last drop out..we never knew anything about these albums ’til they hit the shelves….one or two of their creations were downright embarrassing…but its all a long time ago and we’ve all learned a lot since then…many of those compilers are no longer with us and I bear them no ill will….on second thoughts one or two of them are still yachting around the golf course…slight resentments may still linger… I’ll go and light a few candles…
When that CM & Friends album was released without any consultation….I heard of it on an RTE Radio ad !
Mind you, I must admit, I was slaughtering large bottles (by the crate) at the time
Ed mentions a great era in radio folk music…BBC Folk on two…Jim Lloyd presenting,Frances Line producing…not long after seeing you for the first time c 1971,I heard you on ‘the wireless’…very likely this programme?
D, all those BBC DJs, often only ‘names’ to us as we couldnt get those guys who were mostly on BBC Radio 1 or Radio 2. The internet came subsequently. Tho’ I was a loyal Jim Lloyd fan, “Folk on Two”, I’m talking about the 1980s. Time flies. Once twilight came and darkness, you could pick up Jim Lloyd much easier, Radio 2, about 7 or 8pm, 698 or 909 frequency.
Ralph McTell is a guy I fell was ‘much less’ on my radar than he should have been. We all know the “Streets of London”, but that’s all.
Christy,
I’m still walking on clouds here. Can’t thank you enough for the birthday shout and for Lisdoonvarna. Memories that will be with me for the rest of my life.
What an amazing community this is! Had only ever dipped my toe in before, but now I’m hooked. What amazing chat, video links and everything. Thank you everyone.
@Rory, you beat me to it. Another life-long Celtic supporter, was at that game and the Paddy Hill Tifo, brought me to tears.
Great that you enjoyed the Salut detailed piece about Ralph McTell…and that you have such a long standing friendship.
Pleasing that ‘Mr Connaughton’ is featured. An evocative, multi layered song…well worth checking out by readers here,I’d say…even if not RMcT ‘fans’ perhaps… D
That’s a great line about being a wrestler…you’d have a different life if you’d been a grappler vs McManus,Two Rivers et al…!
Mention of Sam Costa took me right back to days of ‘Light’ and ‘Home’ stations on the Beeb…recent,sad news that veteran presenter,Johnnie Walker died. There have been brilliant tributes,especially by Johnnie’s companero,Bob Harris. He said that JW had numerous TV offers,but felt that radio was his ideal format,esp for music…it’s a fair point as there are no visual distractions.
YouTube is brilliant…I’ll be there later,checking out maestro John Peel
Yes The Last Waltz & Woodstock DVDs are beauties CM : steeling myself for the film about Dylan – but I’m a sucker for anything Bobish so will go see
Geeez you’re having some weather over there : & USA also..
We’re dodging the 40s over here
Snow is a no show where I go..
Rug up, keep warm & dry you lot
Danny Harris
http://www.salutlive.com. just posted a great,detailed review of Ralph McTell’s 80th birthday concert.
I know you and Ralph go back a long way…I first saw him play in the early 70s when his warmth shone through his brilliantly observed songs. The light remains,thankfully. It’s a heartwarming read on a Winter night.
Viva Ralph…
Dave
Christy's reply
great review for my good companero…
we first met when he played a Folk Club in Prestwich back in 1967…run by Rai & Maureen Birnes..
Ralph advised me to get a steel strung guitar…accompanied to Ivor Mairants the following week where I got my first Yamaha FG180….
In 1968 I was invited to play on the Sam Costa show on BBC Radio..I was brickin it and Ralph gave me a dig out..
in 1969 we were swimming in the Halifax Baths ..a young kid asked was I a Wrestler ..that night Ralph played a stormer in The Upper George where Richard Collins ran the Halifax Folk Club
Hi Christy
Lars and I are back in Belgium, after another great visit to Ireland and a fantastic gig yesterday evening. What an atmosphere there in Vicar Street ! We enjoyed every single minute. Many thanks for dedicating Johny Jump Us to us, we felt very honoured.
Enjoy the remaining HQ-gigs and hopefully we see each other for not too long.
Warm regards
Lars and Piet
Christy's reply
Thanks again for your support..
O never O never O never again
Hi Christy
This afternoons long walk by the canal was brilliant.Crisp underfoot,a hazy mist and large patches of frozen water. Quite magical in an urban setting…
Several narrow boats were occupied by hardy souls.Peering through the mist,I saw the names of several vessels. One made me smile and brought back memories of a terrific band…’Tuath de dannan’ was a warming sight.
Dave
all along The Banks of the Royal Canal
Dear Christy
Tonight on Radio 4 i heard a short news piece about the 75th anniversary, this week, of Sam Phillips opening his Memphis Recording Service Studio at Union Avenue , Memphis.
He only wanted to record black artists like Ike Turner and Howlin’ Wolf originally, but that changed when he heard a young man called Elvis, and he was followed there by Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis etc
A piece of history, his son was interviewed and recalled as a kid going to see his dad in the tiny studio and rubbing shoulders with huge names in the making.
I have never been lucky enough to be in a recording studio but can only marvel at places like Sun and of Downings Prosperous….
Rory
“Well i just got your letter baby
too bad you cant come home
……….I gotta Mess O’ Blues
Great post Dave, fascinating to read your musical insights and inspirations.
Christy I had a long car journey during the week, so the old but trusty iPod got plugged in, and got yourself on shuffle, mixing and matching 126 songs of yours. Of course by no means your full set, but a grand selection altogether.
Now I noticed something that really impressed me. You know how some singers voices don’t age very well…Kris struggled a bit in his later years, even Bruce has changed his style somewhat to suit the vocal cords.
You however are remarkable. Paddy on the Road from I think your first album, followed by much later recordings, Ringing that Bell for example, of course your voice is different, but has what I (naively) call a greater maturity? I find the mixing and matching fascinating.
Do you often/ever listen to your own recordings? Did you sometimes hear what I mean?
sometimes I listen back when seeking a lost lyric, wen seeking who played on a certain track, I listen to Planxty instrumental tracks regularly..I love to hear Liam’s playing, Andy & Donal interweaving …last week driving home from Vicar St I switched on the car radio and “Palestine” was playing on Newstalk FM106..that was a buzz…I sang it on VM TV after RTE TV deemed it unsuitable..that was a buzz
I’m very grateful that the vocals are holding up…this is my 80th year …been singing since I was 6. (Kevin Barry)..full time since I was 21 (Sept ’66)….within my range there lurks a few different voices….very soft…medium tone…quite loud….occasionally I risk a falsetto..very occasionally….I now realise that, for me, to sing is akin to meditating….sometimes on the surface, more often into the deep
Hi Christy
Having a bleak beautywalk by The Bridgewater Canal…ice locked narrow boats reminded me of Ralph McTell’s wonderful song ‘Barges’…
For some reason,hard Winter weather hooks me up to old music…in recent days my listening has focused on trad ballads,old country,blues…maybe it’s the timeless quality of such harshness,Im really not sure,but anything that gives a focus to music can’t be all bad. ‘Frost and Fire’ by The Watersons sounds as brilliant as ever…
All the best
Dave
When first a went a waggonin’ a waggonin did go”
Hello Christy,
We’re all booked for Peggy in Salford in May. The tickets are flying. Otley is sold out. Thanks to Dave for the pointer.
Ennis is a good place to cocoon ourselves from this amazing cold. It was minus 8 last night. The trees are white with frost and the snow has just started. All our plans for exploring and boinging about the place have changed to playing guitar and drinking coffee by the fire. Getting to read a paper version of the Irish Independent is great.
Trying not to worry about travelling. There’s no point, and my kind friend Rachel is making sure my cat Minnie is kept warm, fed and watered.
Rebecca
sound
E C here using colloquial, is it not a more common colloquial? ‘By a street’.
(‘Where the Streets Have No Name’ U2)
we loves the old colloquialisms here Ed
Hi Christy,
Thank you for having me at Vicar St at the weekend, my first time there and what an atmosphere! I look forward to seeing you again in Cork in the summer.
Your tribute to Natasha O’Brien and Nikita Hand in particular touched my heart and I wanted to thank you for lending your voice and soul through music to such important causes. Grateful to be able to hear ‘Lyra McKee’ in person, a poignant moment for me. A Terrible Beauty is the kind of album I listen to alone with the good headphones on, but it was absolutely magnetic at Vicar St, I think we were all holding our breath with the way you captivated the room.
Take care and see you soon <3
Millie
Saturday Night we’ll be packed in tight
all together in The Big Marquee
Hi Christy
http://www.peggyseeger.com has info about Peggy’s tour to mark her 90th birthday…Inc 6 gigs on the island of Ireland. Great news for folkies,with Ralph McTell touring too.And,of course regular gigs by an esteemed balladeer from this parish…
Dave
Thanks for the nod…booked our seats today
Peggy Seeger with Calum and Neil MacColl
anyone interested in hearing Peggy and her two Sons
Get in there quick
Hi All. It’s great to see several mentions of Ralph Mc Tell here, and to see the RFH gig was in all practicality sold out. Ralph is doing a massive almost nationwide tour here in April and May “Time Drift of the Road ” 20 gigs. He will also take part in a Q n A at Tradfest. For those people who follow CM on social media ye probably saw that he shared all the details on his facebook page a few days ago. The Vicar St gigs continue to be high energy with a very deliberate setlist, only 2 more, how time flies ? Beir bua agus beannacht. H
we’ll be there…Ralph still delivering beautiful gigs
Did Ralph write that song, “From Clare to Here”? Best version of this song, by a street, is an early Furey brothers version, box accordian, tin whistle and Eddie singing the lyrics. It’s class.
which street is that Ed
Hi Christy, my wife and I are travelling over the Irish Sea from Wild West Wales for the gig in Vicar Street this Sunday. Would be great if you could dedicate a song for her (Kiera), maybe Flickering Light or Beeswing. Thanks, Jim
safe crossing Jim
Not forgetting, according to Ralph himself, his 2nd most covered song, “Clare to Here”! I heard that first on a great compilation album from 1977, “A Feast of Irish Folk”. It was covered by The Fureys. That was a great album, has some great stuff on it including “Yarmouth Town”, which only made it onto compilation albums for some reason Christy, this one and a Polydor Planxty compilation “Arís”?
Didn’t Ralph also sing “Streets of London” and “Clare to Here” on the Album “Christy Moore and Friends” from the TV series, I still give both those albums a whirl from time to time.
morra Gipp,
somehow missed this post Gipp..a bit late responding,
you bring be back there.
I think Yarmouth Town was the B.side of an early Planxty single
I always liked performing it as we had a good 3 part harmony on it..(once or twice a four part if Liam Óg was in singing form !!!)
Polydor back then would compile compilations, anything to squeeze the last drop out..we never knew anything about these albums ’til they hit the shelves….one or two of their creations were downright embarrassing…but its all a long time ago and we’ve all learned a lot since then…many of those compilers are no longer with us and I bear them no ill will….on second thoughts one or two of them are still yachting around the golf course…slight resentments may still linger… I’ll go and light a few candles…
When that CM & Friends album was released without any consultation….I heard of it on an RTE Radio ad !
Mind you, I must admit, I was slaughtering large bottles (by the crate) at the time
Hi Christy
Ed mentions a great era in radio folk music…BBC Folk on two…Jim Lloyd presenting,Frances Line producing…not long after seeing you for the first time c 1971,I heard you on ‘the wireless’…very likely this programme?
Dave
D, all those BBC DJs, often only ‘names’ to us as we couldnt get those guys who were mostly on BBC Radio 1 or Radio 2. The internet came subsequently. Tho’ I was a loyal Jim Lloyd fan, “Folk on Two”, I’m talking about the 1980s. Time flies. Once twilight came and darkness, you could pick up Jim Lloyd much easier, Radio 2, about 7 or 8pm, 698 or 909 frequency.
Ralph McTell is a guy I fell was ‘much less’ on my radar than he should have been. We all know the “Streets of London”, but that’s all.
Christy,
I’m still walking on clouds here. Can’t thank you enough for the birthday shout and for Lisdoonvarna. Memories that will be with me for the rest of my life.
What an amazing community this is! Had only ever dipped my toe in before, but now I’m hooked. What amazing chat, video links and everything. Thank you everyone.
@Rory, you beat me to it. Another life-long Celtic supporter, was at that game and the Paddy Hill Tifo, brought me to tears.
Great that you enjoyed the Salut detailed piece about Ralph McTell…and that you have such a long standing friendship.
Pleasing that ‘Mr Connaughton’ is featured. An evocative, multi layered song…well worth checking out by readers here,I’d say…even if not RMcT ‘fans’ perhaps… D
Mornin’ Christy
That’s a great line about being a wrestler…you’d have a different life if you’d been a grappler vs McManus,Two Rivers et al…!
Mention of Sam Costa took me right back to days of ‘Light’ and ‘Home’ stations on the Beeb…recent,sad news that veteran presenter,Johnnie Walker died. There have been brilliant tributes,especially by Johnnie’s companero,Bob Harris. He said that JW had numerous TV offers,but felt that radio was his ideal format,esp for music…it’s a fair point as there are no visual distractions.
YouTube is brilliant…I’ll be there later,checking out maestro John Peel
Keep warm,all
Dave
Yes The Last Waltz & Woodstock DVDs are beauties CM : steeling myself for the film about Dylan – but I’m a sucker for anything Bobish so will go see
Geeez you’re having some weather over there : & USA also..
We’re dodging the 40s over here
Snow is a no show where I go..
Rug up, keep warm & dry you lot
Danny Harris
Hi Christy
http://www.salutlive.com. just posted a great,detailed review of Ralph McTell’s 80th birthday concert.
I know you and Ralph go back a long way…I first saw him play in the early 70s when his warmth shone through his brilliantly observed songs. The light remains,thankfully. It’s a heartwarming read on a Winter night.
Viva Ralph…
Dave
great review for my good companero…
we first met when he played a Folk Club in Prestwich back in 1967…run by Rai & Maureen Birnes..
Ralph advised me to get a steel strung guitar…accompanied to Ivor Mairants the following week where I got my first Yamaha FG180….
In 1968 I was invited to play on the Sam Costa show on BBC Radio..I was brickin it and Ralph gave me a dig out..
in 1969 we were swimming in the Halifax Baths ..a young kid asked was I a Wrestler ..that night Ralph played a stormer in The Upper George where Richard Collins ran the Halifax Folk Club
Hi Christy
Lars and I are back in Belgium, after another great visit to Ireland and a fantastic gig yesterday evening. What an atmosphere there in Vicar Street ! We enjoyed every single minute. Many thanks for dedicating Johny Jump Us to us, we felt very honoured.
Enjoy the remaining HQ-gigs and hopefully we see each other for not too long.
Warm regards
Lars and Piet
Thanks again for your support..
O never O never O never again