Hi Christy,
How the dentist go ?
I had a right Dr Mengle last time out.
“You are not feeling pain, merely pressure”
Me poor mouth hasn’t been right since.
Haven’t been back since either.
Trying to transcend dental medication.
Enjoy the upcoming marathon.
Please God we’ll be there in the February.
Lisa O Neill is playing the town hall on Sunday.
She’s a rare one for sure …
The Apple TV is worth the monthly tenner for Slow Horses
But has other bits and bobs that are worth a look.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
its a very different story from my first visit back in 1959….I broke all my front teeth in a handball alley…ended up with a plate for 30 years before installing a bridge when the shovel took off…
Lisa in the Town Hall sound like a good gig …very best to all..
you’ve convinced me….I’ve been thinking of biting the Apple…with Scorsese and Slow Horses on the menu I’m gonna take the jump
Hi C. Vicar St is in the door, already I hear of people gathering from California and Belgium this week and no doubt far more places both across the Island and farther afield ! It’s a special place with special gigs always, even without the notification of ” one yet to be announced…a special ” I agree with all that Patsy has written, there is another aspect of your special gifts, all the younger musicians that you have encouraged through your excellent example and sharing. I know Kevin Meehan won’t mention it here so I would like to congratulate him and his Band The Highstool Prophets who won Best Dynamic Folk Band at the Irish Entertainment Awards last night. Congrats all around, they gig every weekend and they even have a mini tour of Scotland and England in Dec and Jan if anyone here wants to catch them live. Safe travelling all. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Thats great news about Kevin and The Highstool Prophets. ..
………………………….Congratulations…
Getting ready for Thomas St here..fresh acrylic applied, eyebrows trimmed, keks pressed..Johnny has the guitars tuned, Dickon tweeking the monitors, David equalizing the acoustics, Geoff blending the lights, Mick planning the route, Paddy checking all perimeters, all I gotta do is stay alive and get nervous
Hi Christy,
Fantastic to be heading back to HQ to finish off the year. You so deserve a period of short trips, after traversing up and down the country to entertain us all. A huge variety of songs delivered, old ones reappearing, new ones introduced, and of course the regulars. No 2 gigs ever the same, with your feel of the room often dictating the direction.
Thanks to you, the Crew, and all the Backroom people, we really appreciate everything.
Best regards
Ride on.
Patsy.
Christy's reply
McGregor finds God……truly a miracle…..maybe he’ll leave Kildare and move to Israel…himself and Net likely godbedfellows
Thanks Christy for your message with lots of surprising information. I had always thought because of the setting of the Just William books that Richmal Crompton was from the south rather than the north of England. What a mark of a versatile writer when you are sure something must have been written by a person of one gender and it turns out that Richmal was of another gender. Unexpected too that you didn’t write “Sail on Jimmy” as it seems so much in your style. A lovely song though for you to remember your uncle by. I hope you enjoy “Wind, Sand and Stars” when you get a chance to read it.
Remembering the Cumann na mBan Escape from Mountjoy Gaol
On the evening of October 30th, 1921, a group of female Irish Republican prisoners in Mountjoy Gaol were taking part in a lively Gaelic football match — Cork versus the Rest of Ireland (the Rest of Ireland won).
As the game drew cheers and noise from the yard, four women — Linda Kearns, Eithne Coyle, Mae Burke, and Eileen Keogh — seized the moment to put their daring escape plan into action.
At the agreed signal, a small perfume bottle was thrown over the prison wall. Moments later, a rope ladder was dropped in response. One by one, they climbed to freedom — Linda Kearns first, due to her ill health, followed by Eileen Keogh, Mae Burke, and finally Eithne Coyle.
Once outside the walls, the women split up and found refuge in separate safe houses. But their freedom was soon under threat. Each was visited by a man calling himself Seamus Burke, who had previously met them in Mountjoy claiming to be an IRA officer. He told them they needed to regroup.
Before long, however, a message arrived from Michael Collins warning them that “Seamus Burke” was in fact a British spy, attempting to lure them back together for re-arrest.
Acting swiftly on Collins’ orders, the women escaped once more — this time to an IRA training camp at Duckett’s Grove, County Carlow, where they remained until the outbreak of the Civil War.
A remarkable tale of courage, cunning, and survival by four brave members of Cumann na mBan who refused to be silent.
I agree with you completely about the power of an Irish funeral…yesterday,a small,Manchester family gave matriarch,Dolly,a fine send off…
The service had lovely eulogies and music she loved to sing..
Entry…Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole
Reflection time…Scarlet Ribbons (For her hair) by Harry Belafonte (not a dry eye in the house..)
Exit music…Blue Moon by Dean Martin
Followed by an afternoon of great chat and stories.
On the bus home I nearly missed my stop,mulling over the day. Late on,I played my music nightcap…YouTube for a gem…The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem…Liam on lead vocals…The Parting Glass…
All the best
Dave
Christy's reply
last night doc on Storyville @ BBC….”Welded Together”
astounding….
how it was made I simply cannot imagine…
never has a fly been so invisible….
Jus’ when you thought it were spent, the bad penny returns. Evening, Christy. Break a leg at your pending show, and in the spirit of Samhain, another Moore cousin and I are folding John O’Dreams into our acoustic repertoire on the eve of Halloween. Wish us luck; we hope to do it justice!
Christy's reply
Remember the late Bill Caddick when you sing this beautiful song.
Bill wrote it
I heard him sing it when I played his club back circa 1967/8
Bill’s “John O’Dreams” always stills the night ( and gives a nod to Tchaikovsky)
I can never recall the location of Bill’s club…. Diaries are locked away
Wolverhampton ? Walsall? Coventry? …any old midland Folkies out there ?
PS
Stop Press :our Mancunian Correspondent points towards Wolverhampton..but is reliant upon Wiki ….any further accreditation would be appreciated ( Thanks Dave)
My husband Richie and I are coming to see you in Vicar Street on Saturday (1st November) with our three adult children Ross, Ben and Sadhbh as well as Ross’s fiancee Jenna. We will be married 30 years in December. It would mean so much to us if you could play “The Voyage” as 30 years ago it was just Richie and I and now “gathered round us we have our own crew”. Thanks a million Veronica (Ronnie)
Christy's reply
Ronnie & Richie…have a good night…I’m deep in preparation here..
Getting suited and booted to attend the funeral of a close friend’s mum ..we first met in the late 60’s. A great character and singer, who always welcomed her son’s friends…
As i’m squeezing into the suit jacket,I stopped…on the radio,first time in ages…Who knows where the time goes…Fairport with Sandy Denny singing…absolutely perfect.
Dave
Christy's reply
there is nothing quite like the afters of a good Irish Funeral..God be with the days…
my late friend, John Bowen of Moulnaskehagh ( and Rathoora ) once remarked…”
“they buried him deep, they were three days at it”
Hello Christy,
Ok, I’ll be the first to bite. What’s all this teasing about a 12th concert? Hope its something i can get to….
I’m in no way to expecting a straight answer. That would be far too predictable. And we dont come here for predictable, do we. 💚
Found a lovely song the other day in Elizabeth Cronin’s song book.
Hi Christy, delighted to hear you are a fan of Jeeves and Wooster books and the Just William stories by Richmal Crompton. I adored reading Just William as a child (indeed those books are a great read whatever your age). Both P. G. Wodehouse and Richmal Crompton had that rare ability to write stories that can make you laugh out loud and are told with the most wonderful use of language. I enjoyed hearing about the aviation exploits of your Uncle Jimmy. Was he the inspiration for “Sail on Jimmy”? That’s a terrific song. Thinking about flight reminds me of another literary classic, the autobiography “Wind, Sand and Stars” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (who also wrote “The Little Prince”). He captures the sense of exploration, wonder and danger for pilots during the early decades after the invention of the aeroplane, and also shares wise thoughts about life in general. Talking about books, have you thought about writing a book (beautiful concert photos included) telling the stories about some songs, alongside an album of those songs? I was just checking whether you had written such a book and see that your autobiography was published in 2000 (which I must read). I enjoy the way that each concert is unique because it always seems that at different concerts you hear backstories about different songs. As I see in a previous comment, the atmosphere has to be right for you to sing Spancil Hill (another wonderful song). I was lucky enough to hear you sing it live a year or two ago and when you shared the story about the life of the lyricist, that knowledge gives the song extra resonance for me when I listen to it. I’m sure you would have plenty of stories to fill another book, but I know finding time might be tricky given how busy you are with live performances. Best wishes for magic nights at Vicar Street!
Christy's reply
our Manchester Correspondant has just alerted me to the fact that Richmal was born in Bury…whats more ,I’ve just realised that Richmal was not of the gender I had imagined back in my boyhood years….
“Pagan Ritual” was written by the Mountbellew Song Writer Albert Niland…I recorded it a few years back and it became “Sail On Jimmy”…I’ve heard some young bands have taken it up…it bears no connection to my own late Uncle Jimmy despite the fact that I have, betimes,fantasised the poor man into the introduction…
Thank you for your book recommendation..I’ll be looking out for “Wind,Sand and Stars”…that said .I have a mountain of unread books bedside, 5 on the go at the moment…I mighty finish two of them….these times I quickly fall into the arms of Morpheus…
An unexpectedly bright start to the day…kettle on,radio. Six on…very soon,a very excited presenter demanded attention for a song that is obsessing him…
Then…Dublin’s Madra Salach with ‘Blue and Gold’..new to me and a fab range of drones and vocals..very welcome,unexpected and now on the list for further listening!
No film spoilers,but I had a great Sunday night in an old,volunteer run cinema. Admiring performances and the geek stuff linked to Springsteen’s recordings…in due course,i’m sure there’ll be more comments in this parish.
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
The Madra Sollocks are on a roll..fair play to them…may their tails wag on and their tumblers never run dry
Hi Christy,
Well, Sharon Shannon and her seven piece band,
(with special guests) fairly rocked old Sligo Town on Saturday.
Between the jigs and the reels on the night
there was a real nice vibe for Shane.
Liam Ó Maonlaí sang The Lullaby of London.
(Wouldn’t have killed him to sing Sí Do Mhamo Í)
But the dude is the dude.
Mundy chipped in with July and Mexico.
Local hero Eamon Mullarkey brought the first half to a close
with The Irish Rover. Joined Camille O’ Sullivan for The Fairytale
Of New York in the second half.
She near stole the show with A Rainy Night in Soho.
But it was Sharon and her right hand man Alan Connor
what kept the show on the road throughout.
Mighty version of Cavan Potholes for Donal Lunny
Before Steve Earle joined the ensemble.
The roof seemed to lift just then. And after The Galway Girl
the place was near burned to the ground.
No time for no Johnny Come Lately
as security, health and safety started getting interested.
No more than your Uncle Jimmy and his RAF chocks,
when the legend becomes fact go with the legend.
Then again maybe that’s why we’re in the mess we’re in.
Fair play to Catherine. She’s got the big job in the big house.
Hopefully she won’t let them grind her down over the seven years.
Again enjoy the Vicar Street run.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
Morra Bourkey,
your review of Sharon’s gig reads like a wonderful dream…what an amazing array of players and singers….and this gathering completely unique to Herself…there at the heart of it all…..Sharon succeeds at something I often dream….thank you for the great review of what reads like a magical experience….
Turning my attention here to the Vicar St run ( marathon !)….kicks off this coming Saturday with the first of 12 (one yet to be announced…a special )
preparing some seldom performed chestnuts, hoping to slip them in when nobody’s watching….as the finishing draws closer there are songs I’d like to air..
a few have come back of late…Smoke “n Whiskey, Lawless, Allende, Tamlaghtduff, Sacco ‘n Vanzetti, Fidel ‘n Che,Allende
It was inspiring to meet Catherine on the canvass, to lend support to the brilliant campaign, to encounter the passion of her team, …… last Monday’s Green Room in Vicar St was an example of what could be…..Catherine surrounded by a cacophony of people all buzzed up by the togetherness engendered by this Galway Girl…. in Labour with Sinn Fein, Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Balladeers, Rappers, Poets, Rusty Rifles, Reformed Rogues, Declan Bree and Mary Wallopers all together in that delivery room determined to deliver this miracle up to The Park…..
Its gonna be like The GPO in 1916, The British Embassy in ’72 Carnsore Point in’78, everyone will have been there when history unfolds the real and imagined story….
off to the Dintist this morning….( me teeth are perfect but me gums have to come out) ….{“he got them all in and out in the one day”)
let me know when your next thinking of coming to a gig
Dear Christy,
What was I’m going to do on a rare free rainy Sunday ( as you know I’m a nurse)? While I was hanging around the house I came across a DVD of yours that I’ve hadn’t seen yet! “Journey”.
Very lovely, powerful and also courageous story.
An afternoon well spent. Far beyond the borders of your beautiful Island your music means a lot for many people.
In November we’re going to Argentina so no Vicar street for us but a good friend is coming to see you for the first time so in a way we will be there. Do you have any idea yet what the plans are for gigs in springtime?
Many greetings and thanks for many lovely hours.
See you hopefully soon
Chris and Jan
Christy's reply
Hi Chris & Jan
I wish you a safe and happy trip to Argentina…..
if all goes well there will be Springtime gigs here in Bognia…..
(Mullingar, Killarney, Concert hall,Dublin and Cavan are pencilled in and will soon be announced…)
good to read that you saw “Journey” by Mark McLoughlin….working with Mark for a year was a great experience..himself and Dara and their team travelled with us to many places and captured the work with great sensitivity
One of today’s Sunday papers mentions that Christy gets a shout out in a new short story (entitled “Ah Jaysis, Jeeves”) by Roddy Doyle. This appears in a new short story collection called “Jeeves Again” in which different contemporary writers reimagine their own versions of the comic Jeeves and Wooster stories written by P. G. Wodehouse. The Wodehouse stories, set roughly in the 1920s, feature an aristocratic Englishman called Bertie Wooster who was always getting into scrapes and being rescued by his clever butler Jeeves. In Roddy Doyle’s version, Bertie is an Irishman who has won the lottery and hired an English assistant called Jeeves. The book review mentions that when Jeeves quotes “the Bard”, Bertie asks if he means Christy Moore. Sounds like a book to add to the list for Santa!
Christy's reply
tickled pink I am…on 2 fronts…to get a mention in a Roddy Doyle is a buzz..to be linked, even second hand, with Jeeves brings on a broad smile…way way back, over 60 years ago, I was infatuated with PG Woodhouse…I ended up there after consuming Richmal Crompton yarns thru boyhood years…..after I’d grown out of The Hotspur,The Adventure, The Wizard, The Rover…they followed earlier years with The Beano & The Dandy…jasus but I was a right little englander ( out of Dundee) back in the day…for a while I was sucked in by ads to join the RAF…either that or the priesthood…the power of advertising..I had but one Uncle (no Aunts) Uncle Jimmy left Navan in 1939 to join the RAF…his poor mother(my Granny) regaled me with heroic tales of his piloting Spitfires…( later I learned he used to the remove the chocks from under the wheels before they took off )
A céad míle fáilte on the mat at the Áras for our new President Catherine Connolly. It was a joy to listen to her speak throughout the campaign. In a world of chaotic parts, her calmness, integrity & compassion is refreshing and ever present.. “That flame of light, that beacon bright, that flame is burning still..”
Christy,
We didn’t have twentieth century revoltionary heroes here in Hawick, ours more sixteenth.
However the young Dundalk lad has found and famed one new to me, the book is on its way, the musical history link here https://youtube.com/shorts/ejf5JF58o04?si=aVLSukI1PJNX6veW
Fair play, Rory
Christy's reply
great to hear the lad from The Wee
is stirring hearts across the Sea
We wish him well upon his journey
may he know peace of mind,
may all his dreams come thru
Hi Christy,
Looking forward to watching A Ballymurphy Man.
Another good one is Mr Scorsese and enjoying
Imelda May’s Amhráin na nGael too.
Got to see the Bruce film this afternoon.
Afternoon is a good time to go – quieter like.
Feckin expensive these days. But this one is worth it.
Nebraska, The Ghost of Tom Joad and The Seeger sessions
are getting a spin tonight. Lucky to have Bruce and his songs.
Guess he’s lucky too. Having Jon Landau as a friend and manager.
Off to Sligo tomorrow to see Steve Earle and Sharon Shannon.
Enjoy the Vicar Street run.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Christy's reply
Morra Bourkey,
So much to ponder in a paragraph…
hope to see Mr Scorsese..
so far I’ve failed to shake the Apple tree
have yet to see Ep 2 of Imelda’s latest series
but we have it taped
she is some woman for one woman
Nebraska still resounds
hope Sligo goes well
Steve & Sharon sure to rock that arena
Waiting for the count here
Looking forward to seeing you again back at Vicar Street next week. If possible can I make a request for Spancilhill to be played, myself and my girlfriend’s favourite song of yours.
Thanks and up Catherine ✊
Christy's reply
Shane, I cant commit to “Spancilhill”….its one of a number of songs that only works when the night is right, its a very special song in many ways, it runs deep, its never planned, never on a set list,
On random nights Michael Considine taps me gently on the shoulder. other nights he whispers in my ear,
“Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by”
I think of his young tragic life and the beautiful song he left after him…..maybe come the night ..we’ll just have to wait and see
Hi Christy,
How the dentist go ?
I had a right Dr Mengle last time out.
“You are not feeling pain, merely pressure”
Me poor mouth hasn’t been right since.
Haven’t been back since either.
Trying to transcend dental medication.
Enjoy the upcoming marathon.
Please God we’ll be there in the February.
Lisa O Neill is playing the town hall on Sunday.
She’s a rare one for sure …
The Apple TV is worth the monthly tenner for Slow Horses
But has other bits and bobs that are worth a look.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
its a very different story from my first visit back in 1959….I broke all my front teeth in a handball alley…ended up with a plate for 30 years before installing a bridge when the shovel took off…
Lisa in the Town Hall sound like a good gig …very best to all..
you’ve convinced me….I’ve been thinking of biting the Apple…with Scorsese and Slow Horses on the menu I’m gonna take the jump
Hi C. Vicar St is in the door, already I hear of people gathering from California and Belgium this week and no doubt far more places both across the Island and farther afield ! It’s a special place with special gigs always, even without the notification of ” one yet to be announced…a special ” I agree with all that Patsy has written, there is another aspect of your special gifts, all the younger musicians that you have encouraged through your excellent example and sharing. I know Kevin Meehan won’t mention it here so I would like to congratulate him and his Band The Highstool Prophets who won Best Dynamic Folk Band at the Irish Entertainment Awards last night. Congrats all around, they gig every weekend and they even have a mini tour of Scotland and England in Dec and Jan if anyone here wants to catch them live. Safe travelling all. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Thats great news about Kevin and The Highstool Prophets. ..
………………………….Congratulations…
Getting ready for Thomas St here..fresh acrylic applied, eyebrows trimmed, keks pressed..Johnny has the guitars tuned, Dickon tweeking the monitors, David equalizing the acoustics, Geoff blending the lights, Mick planning the route, Paddy checking all perimeters, all I gotta do is stay alive and get nervous
Hi Christy,
Fantastic to be heading back to HQ to finish off the year. You so deserve a period of short trips, after traversing up and down the country to entertain us all. A huge variety of songs delivered, old ones reappearing, new ones introduced, and of course the regulars. No 2 gigs ever the same, with your feel of the room often dictating the direction.
Thanks to you, the Crew, and all the Backroom people, we really appreciate everything.
Best regards
Ride on.
Patsy.
McGregor finds God……truly a miracle…..maybe he’ll leave Kildare and move to Israel…himself and Net likely godbedfellows
Thanks Christy for your message with lots of surprising information. I had always thought because of the setting of the Just William books that Richmal Crompton was from the south rather than the north of England. What a mark of a versatile writer when you are sure something must have been written by a person of one gender and it turns out that Richmal was of another gender. Unexpected too that you didn’t write “Sail on Jimmy” as it seems so much in your style. A lovely song though for you to remember your uncle by. I hope you enjoy “Wind, Sand and Stars” when you get a chance to read it.
its on the Santa list
Hello Christy,
Ooh aah Cuman na mBan!
Remembering the Cumann na mBan Escape from Mountjoy Gaol
On the evening of October 30th, 1921, a group of female Irish Republican prisoners in Mountjoy Gaol were taking part in a lively Gaelic football match — Cork versus the Rest of Ireland (the Rest of Ireland won).
As the game drew cheers and noise from the yard, four women — Linda Kearns, Eithne Coyle, Mae Burke, and Eileen Keogh — seized the moment to put their daring escape plan into action.
At the agreed signal, a small perfume bottle was thrown over the prison wall. Moments later, a rope ladder was dropped in response. One by one, they climbed to freedom — Linda Kearns first, due to her ill health, followed by Eileen Keogh, Mae Burke, and finally Eithne Coyle.
Once outside the walls, the women split up and found refuge in separate safe houses. But their freedom was soon under threat. Each was visited by a man calling himself Seamus Burke, who had previously met them in Mountjoy claiming to be an IRA officer. He told them they needed to regroup.
Before long, however, a message arrived from Michael Collins warning them that “Seamus Burke” was in fact a British spy, attempting to lure them back together for re-arrest.
Acting swiftly on Collins’ orders, the women escaped once more — this time to an IRA training camp at Duckett’s Grove, County Carlow, where they remained until the outbreak of the Civil War.
A remarkable tale of courage, cunning, and survival by four brave members of Cumann na mBan who refused to be silent.
Ooh aah Cuman na mBan!
Rebecc
Great share…thank you….lest we forget
We’re heading the Blackpool the weekend for the gig, would love to hear Lyra for me and the wife Julie. Enjoy the run of shows big love Fran.
good call Fran
Morning Christy
I agree with you completely about the power of an Irish funeral…yesterday,a small,Manchester family gave matriarch,Dolly,a fine send off…
The service had lovely eulogies and music she loved to sing..
Entry…Autumn Leaves by Nat King Cole
Reflection time…Scarlet Ribbons (For her hair) by Harry Belafonte (not a dry eye in the house..)
Exit music…Blue Moon by Dean Martin
Followed by an afternoon of great chat and stories.
On the bus home I nearly missed my stop,mulling over the day. Late on,I played my music nightcap…YouTube for a gem…The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem…Liam on lead vocals…The Parting Glass…
All the best
Dave
last night doc on Storyville @ BBC….”Welded Together”
astounding….
how it was made I simply cannot imagine…
never has a fly been so invisible….
Jus’ when you thought it were spent, the bad penny returns. Evening, Christy. Break a leg at your pending show, and in the spirit of Samhain, another Moore cousin and I are folding John O’Dreams into our acoustic repertoire on the eve of Halloween. Wish us luck; we hope to do it justice!
Remember the late Bill Caddick when you sing this beautiful song.
Bill wrote it
I heard him sing it when I played his club back circa 1967/8
Bill’s “John O’Dreams” always stills the night ( and gives a nod to Tchaikovsky)
I can never recall the location of Bill’s club…. Diaries are locked away
Wolverhampton ? Walsall? Coventry? …any old midland Folkies out there ?
PS
Stop Press :our Mancunian Correspondent points towards Wolverhampton..but is reliant upon Wiki ….any further accreditation would be appreciated ( Thanks Dave)
Hi Christy
My husband Richie and I are coming to see you in Vicar Street on Saturday (1st November) with our three adult children Ross, Ben and Sadhbh as well as Ross’s fiancee Jenna. We will be married 30 years in December. It would mean so much to us if you could play “The Voyage” as 30 years ago it was just Richie and I and now “gathered round us we have our own crew”. Thanks a million Veronica (Ronnie)
Ronnie & Richie…have a good night…I’m deep in preparation here..
Hi Christy
Getting suited and booted to attend the funeral of a close friend’s mum ..we first met in the late 60’s. A great character and singer, who always welcomed her son’s friends…
As i’m squeezing into the suit jacket,I stopped…on the radio,first time in ages…Who knows where the time goes…Fairport with Sandy Denny singing…absolutely perfect.
Dave
there is nothing quite like the afters of a good Irish Funeral..God be with the days…
my late friend, John Bowen of Moulnaskehagh ( and Rathoora ) once remarked…”
“they buried him deep, they were three days at it”
Sandy always sounds like she has never gone away
Hello Christy,
Ok, I’ll be the first to bite. What’s all this teasing about a 12th concert? Hope its something i can get to….
I’m in no way to expecting a straight answer. That would be far too predictable. And we dont come here for predictable, do we. 💚
Found a lovely song the other day in Elizabeth Cronin’s song book.
Rebecca
Hi Christy, delighted to hear you are a fan of Jeeves and Wooster books and the Just William stories by Richmal Crompton. I adored reading Just William as a child (indeed those books are a great read whatever your age). Both P. G. Wodehouse and Richmal Crompton had that rare ability to write stories that can make you laugh out loud and are told with the most wonderful use of language. I enjoyed hearing about the aviation exploits of your Uncle Jimmy. Was he the inspiration for “Sail on Jimmy”? That’s a terrific song. Thinking about flight reminds me of another literary classic, the autobiography “Wind, Sand and Stars” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (who also wrote “The Little Prince”). He captures the sense of exploration, wonder and danger for pilots during the early decades after the invention of the aeroplane, and also shares wise thoughts about life in general. Talking about books, have you thought about writing a book (beautiful concert photos included) telling the stories about some songs, alongside an album of those songs? I was just checking whether you had written such a book and see that your autobiography was published in 2000 (which I must read). I enjoy the way that each concert is unique because it always seems that at different concerts you hear backstories about different songs. As I see in a previous comment, the atmosphere has to be right for you to sing Spancil Hill (another wonderful song). I was lucky enough to hear you sing it live a year or two ago and when you shared the story about the life of the lyricist, that knowledge gives the song extra resonance for me when I listen to it. I’m sure you would have plenty of stories to fill another book, but I know finding time might be tricky given how busy you are with live performances. Best wishes for magic nights at Vicar Street!
our Manchester Correspondant has just alerted me to the fact that Richmal was born in Bury…whats more ,I’ve just realised that Richmal was not of the gender I had imagined back in my boyhood years….
“Pagan Ritual” was written by the Mountbellew Song Writer Albert Niland…I recorded it a few years back and it became “Sail On Jimmy”…I’ve heard some young bands have taken it up…it bears no connection to my own late Uncle Jimmy despite the fact that I have, betimes,fantasised the poor man into the introduction…
Thank you for your book recommendation..I’ll be looking out for “Wind,Sand and Stars”…that said .I have a mountain of unread books bedside, 5 on the go at the moment…I mighty finish two of them….these times I quickly fall into the arms of Morpheus…
Hi Christy
An unexpectedly bright start to the day…kettle on,radio. Six on…very soon,a very excited presenter demanded attention for a song that is obsessing him…
Then…Dublin’s Madra Salach with ‘Blue and Gold’..new to me and a fab range of drones and vocals..very welcome,unexpected and now on the list for further listening!
No film spoilers,but I had a great Sunday night in an old,volunteer run cinema. Admiring performances and the geek stuff linked to Springsteen’s recordings…in due course,i’m sure there’ll be more comments in this parish.
Have a good day
Dave
The Madra Sollocks are on a roll..fair play to them…may their tails wag on and their tumblers never run dry
Hi Christy,
Well, Sharon Shannon and her seven piece band,
(with special guests) fairly rocked old Sligo Town on Saturday.
Between the jigs and the reels on the night
there was a real nice vibe for Shane.
Liam Ó Maonlaí sang The Lullaby of London.
(Wouldn’t have killed him to sing Sí Do Mhamo Í)
But the dude is the dude.
Mundy chipped in with July and Mexico.
Local hero Eamon Mullarkey brought the first half to a close
with The Irish Rover. Joined Camille O’ Sullivan for The Fairytale
Of New York in the second half.
She near stole the show with A Rainy Night in Soho.
But it was Sharon and her right hand man Alan Connor
what kept the show on the road throughout.
Mighty version of Cavan Potholes for Donal Lunny
Before Steve Earle joined the ensemble.
The roof seemed to lift just then. And after The Galway Girl
the place was near burned to the ground.
No time for no Johnny Come Lately
as security, health and safety started getting interested.
No more than your Uncle Jimmy and his RAF chocks,
when the legend becomes fact go with the legend.
Then again maybe that’s why we’re in the mess we’re in.
Fair play to Catherine. She’s got the big job in the big house.
Hopefully she won’t let them grind her down over the seven years.
Again enjoy the Vicar Street run.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Morra Bourkey,
your review of Sharon’s gig reads like a wonderful dream…what an amazing array of players and singers….and this gathering completely unique to Herself…there at the heart of it all…..Sharon succeeds at something I often dream….thank you for the great review of what reads like a magical experience….
Turning my attention here to the Vicar St run ( marathon !)….kicks off this coming Saturday with the first of 12 (one yet to be announced…a special )
preparing some seldom performed chestnuts, hoping to slip them in when nobody’s watching….as the finishing draws closer there are songs I’d like to air..
a few have come back of late…Smoke “n Whiskey, Lawless, Allende, Tamlaghtduff, Sacco ‘n Vanzetti, Fidel ‘n Che,Allende
It was inspiring to meet Catherine on the canvass, to lend support to the brilliant campaign, to encounter the passion of her team, …… last Monday’s Green Room in Vicar St was an example of what could be…..Catherine surrounded by a cacophony of people all buzzed up by the togetherness engendered by this Galway Girl…. in Labour with Sinn Fein, Social Democrats, People Before Profit, Balladeers, Rappers, Poets, Rusty Rifles, Reformed Rogues, Declan Bree and Mary Wallopers all together in that delivery room determined to deliver this miracle up to The Park…..
Its gonna be like The GPO in 1916, The British Embassy in ’72 Carnsore Point in’78, everyone will have been there when history unfolds the real and imagined story….
off to the Dintist this morning….( me teeth are perfect but me gums have to come out) ….{“he got them all in and out in the one day”)
let me know when your next thinking of coming to a gig
Dear Christy,
What was I’m going to do on a rare free rainy Sunday ( as you know I’m a nurse)? While I was hanging around the house I came across a DVD of yours that I’ve hadn’t seen yet! “Journey”.
Very lovely, powerful and also courageous story.
An afternoon well spent. Far beyond the borders of your beautiful Island your music means a lot for many people.
In November we’re going to Argentina so no Vicar street for us but a good friend is coming to see you for the first time so in a way we will be there. Do you have any idea yet what the plans are for gigs in springtime?
Many greetings and thanks for many lovely hours.
See you hopefully soon
Chris and Jan
Hi Chris & Jan
I wish you a safe and happy trip to Argentina…..
if all goes well there will be Springtime gigs here in Bognia…..
(Mullingar, Killarney, Concert hall,Dublin and Cavan are pencilled in and will soon be announced…)
good to read that you saw “Journey” by Mark McLoughlin….working with Mark for a year was a great experience..himself and Dara and their team travelled with us to many places and captured the work with great sensitivity
One of today’s Sunday papers mentions that Christy gets a shout out in a new short story (entitled “Ah Jaysis, Jeeves”) by Roddy Doyle. This appears in a new short story collection called “Jeeves Again” in which different contemporary writers reimagine their own versions of the comic Jeeves and Wooster stories written by P. G. Wodehouse. The Wodehouse stories, set roughly in the 1920s, feature an aristocratic Englishman called Bertie Wooster who was always getting into scrapes and being rescued by his clever butler Jeeves. In Roddy Doyle’s version, Bertie is an Irishman who has won the lottery and hired an English assistant called Jeeves. The book review mentions that when Jeeves quotes “the Bard”, Bertie asks if he means Christy Moore. Sounds like a book to add to the list for Santa!
tickled pink I am…on 2 fronts…to get a mention in a Roddy Doyle is a buzz..to be linked, even second hand, with Jeeves brings on a broad smile…way way back, over 60 years ago, I was infatuated with PG Woodhouse…I ended up there after consuming Richmal Crompton yarns thru boyhood years…..after I’d grown out of The Hotspur,The Adventure, The Wizard, The Rover…they followed earlier years with The Beano & The Dandy…jasus but I was a right little englander ( out of Dundee) back in the day…for a while I was sucked in by ads to join the RAF…either that or the priesthood…the power of advertising..I had but one Uncle (no Aunts) Uncle Jimmy left Navan in 1939 to join the RAF…his poor mother(my Granny) regaled me with heroic tales of his piloting Spitfires…( later I learned he used to the remove the chocks from under the wheels before they took off )
A céad míle fáilte on the mat at the Áras for our new President Catherine Connolly. It was a joy to listen to her speak throughout the campaign. In a world of chaotic parts, her calmness, integrity & compassion is refreshing and ever present.. “That flame of light, that beacon bright, that flame is burning still..”
Great day
Christy,
We didn’t have twentieth century revoltionary heroes here in Hawick, ours more sixteenth.
However the young Dundalk lad has found and famed one new to me, the book is on its way, the musical history link here
https://youtube.com/shorts/ejf5JF58o04?si=aVLSukI1PJNX6veW
Fair play, Rory
great to hear the lad from The Wee
is stirring hearts across the Sea
We wish him well upon his journey
may he know peace of mind,
may all his dreams come thru
Hi Christy,
Looking forward to watching A Ballymurphy Man.
Another good one is Mr Scorsese and enjoying
Imelda May’s Amhráin na nGael too.
Got to see the Bruce film this afternoon.
Afternoon is a good time to go – quieter like.
Feckin expensive these days. But this one is worth it.
Nebraska, The Ghost of Tom Joad and The Seeger sessions
are getting a spin tonight. Lucky to have Bruce and his songs.
Guess he’s lucky too. Having Jon Landau as a friend and manager.
Off to Sligo tomorrow to see Steve Earle and Sharon Shannon.
Enjoy the Vicar Street run.
Tabhair Aire
Bourkey
Morra Bourkey,
So much to ponder in a paragraph…
hope to see Mr Scorsese..
so far I’ve failed to shake the Apple tree
have yet to see Ep 2 of Imelda’s latest series
but we have it taped
she is some woman for one woman
Nebraska still resounds
hope Sligo goes well
Steve & Sharon sure to rock that arena
Waiting for the count here
Hi Christy,
Looking forward to seeing you again back at Vicar Street next week. If possible can I make a request for Spancilhill to be played, myself and my girlfriend’s favourite song of yours.
Thanks and up Catherine ✊
Shane, I cant commit to “Spancilhill”….its one of a number of songs that only works when the night is right, its a very special song in many ways, it runs deep, its never planned, never on a set list,
On random nights Michael Considine taps me gently on the shoulder. other nights he whispers in my ear,
“Last night as I lay dreaming of pleasant days gone by”
I think of his young tragic life and the beautiful song he left after him…..maybe come the night ..we’ll just have to wait and see