Thanks, Christy for the lines from Bogie’s Bonnie Belle. It brought back memories of a great night at Eden Court, Inverness a few years back when you spoke about the journey from Aberdeen and seeing the road signs for so many places which inspired song titles. You were asking about Dounreay. The site is halfway through its decommissioning and is due to eventually close in 2025. Meanwhile the nuclear fuel is still being transported about the country by train with all the usual ‘safety assurances’.
I had been enjoying a brilliant performance of Bogie’s Bonnie Belle from you of the 1979 vintage. You were in great voice. On the eve of another Six Nations Rugby, I took a look back 36 years (?!) to the 1979 season. Coached by Noel Murphy (the other one!), captained by Fergus Slattery and with Tony Ward at flyhalf, Ireland unusually drew two of their four matches (Scotland and France), lost narrowly to the eventual champions, Wales, and although there might only have been a single victory that season, it was against the Engoish! Enjoy the action this weekend.
Many thanks again for the wonderful Chat.
Christy's reply
Does anyone remember the Thurso Folk Club? I played there once. There was a lot of Single Malt involved. Am I imagining it or was it within the walls of The Dounreay Nuclear Power Station?. I recall flying from London to Aberdeen and then getting a small plane on up to ? Caithness ? On the first leg I sat beside Roy Wood of The Move. I attempted conversation but none was forthcoming. I have this vague memory of my billet but not of the club itself.
I am standing by for the Six Nations. I have my scrum cap,jock strap and boots in the bag and Joe Schmidt has my number should he, perchance, run out of tight heads. Myself and Noel Dowling delivered many vital strikes against the head when Cashel RFC ruled Munster Junior Rugby in 1964-65. We’d strike them, quick out to Johnny Moroney and on to Barney Joe Burke who’d run them in. Richmond,Thomond,St Mary’s,Garrowen, Young Munster..we bate them all…
CM (69)
I am at home since with the head.Bhí cuile rud reoite ar madin.
The post lady took one look out and went back to bed for fear of frostbit.
Theres a lot of wierd stuff online like one lad trying to take cheese out of a mouse trap and getting his hand snapped, with over 10 million views .Some people have a lot of time on their hands! ….(like me ha)
Did you get snow?
CS (10)
P.S.
Today I am listening to nic jones penguin eggs.
Intersting guitar tuning.
Christy's reply
Dia Dhuit CS. We got a few light dustings of sneachta but nothing too serious…Penguin Eggs is my favourite album of all time. I often turn to it for its calming balm…sometimes when I cannot sleep I put it on and Nic’s beautiful singing and playing take me off into the arms of Morpheus…his accompaniments are mesmerising….if I ever meet Genie with the Magic Lamp my first wish would be to learn the mystery of Nic Jones guitar accompaniments. I dont blame the post lady for heading back to the scratcher…some cold mornings of late, I found it hard to leave the leaba mysel….Marcaidh ar aghaidh mo cara
my other half (who is from Lurgan, Co. Armagh) took me to your concert at the Waterfront last year and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever heard, thanks for a really memorable night, goosebumps and all! Since then your songs have been a faithful companion, especially on those long training runs before the next marathon. Couldn’t do without them and love it when a song like “The Ballad of Ruby Walsh” comes on the moment I think “I can run no further!” :O)
One question though – why do you never play any gigs in London? Cambridge or Coventry might be just around the corner but it’s really tricky to get there (and expensive) without a car. Is there any way you could be persuaded to play here? :O) There are so many nice folks living here in the quiet outskirts, far away from town, sitting in cosy pubs that feel just like home, thinking “If only he would play here.”
God bless.
Christine
Christy's reply
I normally play London every 18 months and would have been due to visit this coming Autumn….according to all accounts it is not possible..much to my regret (and chagrin) there will be no London gig until next Spring…. However I am not taking this lying down…I may have to by-pass all the various agencies and source a London gig myself…watch this space..and good luck with your Marathon
Christy, I am looking forward to your response when you are not busy. But, I want to share this album with you. It’s great! Unless you don’t like sea shanties. I have served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years. The motif is still the same after all these years, the poor serving the rich on the sea.
You might like it if you haven’t heard it yet.
John Roberts & Tony Barrand – Across the Western Ocean
Christy,
Last chat, “Guitar… Sleeping Bag … Travellin’ Light …” What a ride! I am so envious the musical listens you’ve had, especially because I could have been there but I wasn’t. Again,Thanks for the very rich ride.
Now a sincere question. I had promised to buy one of your new records, remember records? So, Christy. I am ready to purchase any of your works, which I have of course heard – but to date – have not purchased. Which of your records should I absolutely have?
Then, a suggestion. all these artists you spoke of in your chat. Have you, could you – or another enterprising lad – create an album with a sampling of each and every one of these artists you spoke of. I’d buy it in a second!
Hi,
silly coment, I have been following you since I was 14, now I am 46, I was in ireland a long time ago when ireland was different, got to it love with the music and your music, lots of meaning, well now after so long i will be in easter there with my own students. dont spect you to come to this little town that is the same as it used to be, but would be so nice to have you there
Christy's reply
which little town? hope you have a good trip and that your wishes and expectations are fulfilled….Adelante!
Christy…that time you wrote of, 60s/70s folk-scene is a major reason I’m a ‘working’ muso, and whenever I think of it one of the first memories that pops in is watching Nik Jones at Enfield Folk club playing a song I’d never heard before but couldn’t stop thinking about called ‘Bogie’s Bonny Belle’…I asked anyone who might know of it unsuccessfully for years afterwards until my new mate Neil Morgan played me your version one memorable day in Bermuda…what days of constant discovery…their seemed to be a bottomless trove of wonderful stuff about the things that mattered, eh? No wonder we’re tempted by the odd reminiscence! Imho, yours is the defining version chord-wise! Thanks for it all, Kevin Dolan.
Christy's reply
greetings to you Kevin wherever you may be this Spring morning…my version came originally from Muriel Graves in the Cockermouth Folk Club in Cumbria,England.Later I heard versions from Davey Stewart, Jimmy MacBeath, Owen Hand and Archie Fisher….only recently I discovered some additional verses which have given me reason to consider recording it again…I never gig it now but often sing it to myself late of a sleepless night as a gentle lullaby…
Damo1…the piece is indeed called ‘Celestial Soda Pop’ by Ray Lynch, on an album called Deep Breakfast. I’ve found a lovely bit of video that goes with it that I include here. I remember that well, it was really exciting waiting when the lights went down and this music started, probably getting louder just before Christy walked out..I think I may be guessing here or remembering better than I thought, but he walked out at about 1 min18 seconds into it…check it on the video…I’ve been solo campaigning for it to be used at a gig sometime again, I would love to hear it again…who knows, somewhere on the never ending tour it may show up…hope I’m in the room that night tho..enjoy it, its lovely..and if I ever get me own radio slot, this will be me signature tune..
Morra Lar, no word back from Damo ! in the absence of a modicum of gratitude allow me to thank you for posting this.It really brought me back to an earlier time…when I heard it I started getting myself ready to enter stage right one more time with a “Welcome to this evenings cabaret”….maybe at the next gaggle we’ll try and revive it one more time for old times ( and young Lar’s) sake
Another brilliant CHAT,Christy. It was a pity the Spuds had to be peeled when you were in full flow……..Looking forward to the next chapter in future Chats.
Ride Onn
Patsy
Christy's reply
Thanks Patsy, always great to get a bit of feedback
It’s the beginning of St.Brigid’s Day (your county woman) and I have my crosses made. The rushes here are really skinny yokes and are difficult to handle, but I usually manage to create a few crosses that are, unfortunately, not very aesthetically pleasing. My mother used to be a great cross maker who’d make ones for neighbors and all, but she’s not fit to anymore.
I love your current Chat, Christy. Your fleadh reminiscences are great and bring back memories of sleeping in all kinds of places including doorways, benches, fields … can you imagine the young ones nowadays? And, indeed, we did go to Mass too. Of course, we all “grew up” at some point and started to pay for legitimate lodging. For our crowd of “fleadh babies” as we called ourselves, the end of an era was definitively marked when my sister was spotted one Easter, through the window of a B+B in Boyle, sitting on a sofa watching Oprah. And it was on a Monday too, always the best day of a fleadh. She still gets slagged.
You mentioned Sean O Riada and it was a bit coincidental since I had watched Mise Eire a few days before. There’s great old footage in the film and, of course, the music is beautiful. The style of the narrator is very much of the era and is interesting to listen to (as I read the subtitles). A wonderful production overall.
I’m following the poetry competition with interest and am finding it hard to pick just one from the final list. I think you are being too modest when you say you aren’t a poetry person – who writes all them songs? Repeat after me: “MIse Christy an File”
Christy's reply
Lán dochais ‘s grá….I’d forgotten that Monday was the best day ..only last week at the Sweeney’s Men gig did we hear Johnny Moynihan’s parody.. ” Mama,dont let your babies turn into Fleadh Cowboys”….you created a lovely vision of Oprah at the Fleadh in Boyle…she’d have created quite a stir…I was quite a nifty Brigid’s Cross maker in my day, one of many sidelines employed back in the 50’s, along with sellin hanks of mushrooms, deliverin papers….gotta head to Newbridge now with my Lotto ticket…
Well done Christy you were right about Warwick Arts Centre and we’ve got our tickets. As a thank you, have a look on Eliza Carthy’s website there’s some nice footage of Norma Waterson taken recently and she is in good voice.
Cheers Steve
Hi Christy,
As I was on the C-Train heading into downtown Calgary on Thursday morning, I get this email from Christy Moore – what a fabulous read! It was a wonderful nostalgic journey back to the halcyon days of the folk boom, and through the various changes of the Irish music landscape.
The last time we spoke was in Brian Molloy’s office sometime in the seventies – you were in full flight in your solo career, and I was on the crest of a wave with my band, The Cotton Mill Boys.
But as I read your ‘Guitar, sleeping bag, and travelling light’ piece it brought so many memories flooding back. I thought of Gerry O’Grady’s Ould Triangle folk club in Mount Street (where I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Seeger), and Cecil Frew’s 95 Club in Harcourt street, and the Black Raven club, where I met Hamish Imlach and also Robin Hall and Jimmie McGregor. The scene was vibrant, and so full of amazing musicians.
You mentioned the influence of Sweeney’s Men – I was influenced greatly by the Prentice Folk (comprising Terry Woods, Gay Corcoran, and Terry and Austin Corcoran) – I subsequently became good friends with all of them, and recorded an album down in that beautiful stone cottage in Dromone with Terry and Gay Woods. Those were special days.
The name Jon Ledingham came up in your ‘chat’, and I recall one special evening at the 95 Club when Mick Moloney and Paul Brady were there, and the guests were Jon Ledingham and John Banville – another talented musician who wrote powerful lyrics – I think he became a writer later in life.
Thanks for sparking a nostalgic trip down memory lane in my head – any chance of including Calgary in one of your tours? I’d love to catch up.
Warmest regards, and best of luck in your travels.
Christy's reply
Hi Madser…nice post.. The Cotton Mill Boys were one of the top bands back then, there were a lot of bands working out of lombard St. under Tom Costello, Jim Hand, Brian Molloy and a few other Managers/Agents/ Gangermen…..I rem The Prentice Folk well…saw Terry last week with Sweeney’s Men at The Temple Bar Trad Fest. Great night and a full house in St Patricks cathedral……yes, Brian Molloy did my gigs for a few years back in the late 70s…its unlikely I’ll make it to Calgary ….John Banville’s writing has gained a huge global following, John Ledingham became Jonathan Kelly and moved to London..after initial success there he moved on from Music.. last saw Austin Corcoran in Copenhagen 30 years ago..the Old Triangle I knew and loved but I was too culchie for The 95..my wife has fond memories from that club
Christy's reply
Hi Madser…nice post.. The Cotton Mill Boys were one of the top bands back then, there were a lot of bands working out of lombard St. under Tom Costello, Jim Hand, Brian Molloy and a few other Managers/Agents/ Gangermen…..I rem The Prentice Folk well…saw Terry last week with Sweeney’s Men at The Temple Bar Trad Fest. Great night and a full house in St Patricks cathedral……yes, Brian Molloy did my gigs for a few years back in the late 70s…its unlikely I’ll make it to Calgary ….John Banville’s writing has gained a huge global following, John Ledingham became Jonathan Kelly and moved to London..after initial success there he moved on from Music.. last saw Austin Corcoran in Copenhagen 30 years ago..the Old Triangle I knew and loved but I was too culchie for The 95..my wife has fond memories from that club ..greetings to you and all Linnets and Songsters in that great country
Howya Christy.
Used to follow you regularly in the 80s and 90s before I left Leixlip and took the boat….still try to get to a show when im home (Belfast last year). Can you help me? What was the tune you always came on stage to in those days…a beautiful upbeat piece…I’d love to find it.
Hope your’e keeping well.
Damian
Christy's reply
Morra damo..I think it may have been a few bars “Celestial Soda Pop” …..maybe see you thar nais i Léim an Bhradáin…..down Captain’s Hill and straight into the Liffey
It’s always an absolute delight to get the chance of catching up with your latest Chat and this one was truly magnificent! That Dr Who fella and his Tardis just couldn’t hold a candle to Christy and his Ballad Lounge Tour time machine! What an incredible journey you treated us to with your ‘reflective groove’. Those filmmakers and producers who you told us in your previous Chat had been chasing after you, know documentary gold when they see it right enough.
Many thanks again Christy for sharing your gift of storytelling with us. Already looking forward to Barrowland in October but also hoping to catch up with you along the way before then.
Christy's reply
as I went out be Huntley Town one evenin for to fee, I met with Bogie O Cairney and wi’ him I did agree……is Dounreay still chunderin away?
Hi Christy,
Wow what a rollercoaster ride of a magic journey. The memory lane trip was outstanding and so enjoyable. Thanks yet again. Great that you are back in full flight, stay safe and remain well.
Regds
Bill Brady {Cork/Pairc Mhuire
Booked to see you in May at Warwick Arts Centre…bringing my husband for his first Christy gig! Even better news, i get a free ticket as he is in a wheelchair, so i get a companion ticket. Every cloud etc…. Anyhow, we can’t wait!
Hi christy.
First of all thank you and Paul Keogh for your very kind words that made my and Paulines day. Words couldn’t even describe our happiness.
The other week we were in o donoghues just off St Stephen green and we had the place rocking singing songs from o John o dreams, Nancy Spain, my little Honda 50 , I’m a bog man and lisdonnvarna.. They weren’t a bad crowd for dubs! !!!!!.
Today we done the ring of kerry we are on honeymoon and stopped off at some beautiful cafe s on the way. One being o dywers in Waterville. We had a great conversation about football, turf and Glen Ryan ! Well worth a visit when your down here is April!!!
We went to the ince tonight to watch the snooker and the place is a christy moore heaven with bodhrans and posters all over the place…
fair play to the kingdom to respect the king.
ride on
up the sash….
Christy's reply
sounds to me like you planned yourselves a great Honeymoon…well done you Sars Love Birds…its a great County for travellin…Muckross is a fine park to visit, thats where I recorded the Ride On album 30 years ago…they should never have put nappys on the jarveys horses..the horseshite used to make me homesick for The Curragh
Was just reading your latest newsletter … must say you have outdone yourself yet again …great piece of writing it took me back over the musical decades I remember the late 60 s when my father bought me a tape recorder with a microphone you plugged in … its lead was no longer than a rats tail.
I spent many evenings taping songs off the radio remember Radio Luxembourg and the pirate stations ? I used to hate when the DJ would butt in at the end and ruin my recording. Liam Clancy too … Daddy had a great big tape player in his Morris Minor van the cassettes were nearly the size of a video tape.
I remember the long trips to Milltown Mallbay … Me and himself in the van and the Clancys belting out as we meandered through the towns and villages on our annual trip to his home town. Reading through your letter at all the artists names some I had forgotten about like Spud and Mushroom . I remember seeing Mushroom on Youngline on RTE or one of those shows. I saw Rory Gallagher on stage with Phil Lynott in Punchestown in the 80s they were brilliant.
And Rob strong and the Rockets in Berneys in Kilcullen the basement packed to the rafters and naer a fire escape in sight.
It must have bee a wonderful experience for you to have been a part of that scene..meeting all those great musicians and singers and gigging with them you are one lucky man my friend !
I see you mentioned Auschwitz near the end.. I was there last March again when I visited Poland. In 2007 I presented a poem Called Auschwitz… Birkenau to Auschwitz historian Dr. Piper he was a gentleman who spent his life studying and researching Auschwitz . I gave him the frame under the Arbiet Macht Frei gates of Auschwitz.. It was a moving experience and later he brought us to the vast archives and showed us among many other things an original Mein kampf by Hitler. Speaking of books about 15 years ago in the Athy market I bought two large old books. When I got home I looked up the dates on them and discovered they were printed in 1649. Two years later I was walking down the main street in Mountmellick and saw to my surprise in a shop window a photo copy picture of the inside page of my books. The owner of the shop was one of the organisers of the Hugenot festival in Mountmellick. His photo copy had come from a Hugenot bible … one of 12 books. They were brought to Ireland in 1662 by the Hugenots who were forced out of France by the Catholics. Some of them settled in Mountmellick brought their ” John Calvin ” bibles over with them and now I have two. Terrible pity I can’t read Latin !
Anyway for Jaysus sake write a book will you ? You have more yarns than the brothers Grimm !
All the best
Barney
Christy's reply
I was turned on to Radio Luxembourg circa 1959 by my good buddy ( the late) Pat McGowan. ( aka The Meg in Newbridge and Paul in London where he lived for 40 years) Pat was always ahead of the possee in music and books for he had 3 older brothers who advanced his thinking.We heard Buddy and Elvis and then The Clancys…he also introduced me to Steinbeck, Hemingway, Flann O’Brien when we were both still in early teens.
great that you posted here Barney..lots of songbirds drop in here…I’m sure some of them would love to hear your songs
I see the note about a Peggy Seeger interview on BBC -well Peggy spends some time in NZ over our summer and I am interviewing her live on Hutt Radio just after 11 am NZ time Saturday morning 31 Jan .We will be playing tracks from her latest album ‘ Everthing Changes ” and I plan to play Christy singing ‘ The First Time Ever I saw her face ” written by Ewan MacColl -Peggy’s partner . You can listen on line http://www.huttradio.co.nz any feedback to studio@huttradio.co.nz
Hi Christy,
Great to see that you are back on you feet and well again , It was very intresting to read your musical journey and what a roller coaster ride it has been for you, I come from Ennistymon and My first time to ever hear you was as a young teenager during the Lisdoonvarna folk festival where I spent the weekend working for a Kerry man (Paddy Brosnan) in a chip van ,we remained friends until he passed away a few years ago , My first time to actually go to see you was the Hammersmith Odeon in London when Luka was on before you it was a great night and its been a great journey for me as a fan to follow your music ever since , Music is what feelings sound like, Its a great gift and thank you for sharing.
God bless
Jimi
Christy's reply
Jimi, I thought you’d gone on a very long holiday…there were some right chip vans back in those days, slightly more exotic then the food villages at Festivals these times…anyone remember Sean Cannon’s Curry Van at Lisdoonvarna and Ballisodare … I salivate at the memory….it was a converted Ambulance painted Green (I think) …..If memory serves they catered a Moving Hearts tour back in ’81 and the entire band put on weight..then John went and joined The Dubliners
Thanks, Christy for the lines from Bogie’s Bonnie Belle. It brought back memories of a great night at Eden Court, Inverness a few years back when you spoke about the journey from Aberdeen and seeing the road signs for so many places which inspired song titles. You were asking about Dounreay. The site is halfway through its decommissioning and is due to eventually close in 2025. Meanwhile the nuclear fuel is still being transported about the country by train with all the usual ‘safety assurances’.
I had been enjoying a brilliant performance of Bogie’s Bonnie Belle from you of the 1979 vintage. You were in great voice. On the eve of another Six Nations Rugby, I took a look back 36 years (?!) to the 1979 season. Coached by Noel Murphy (the other one!), captained by Fergus Slattery and with Tony Ward at flyhalf, Ireland unusually drew two of their four matches (Scotland and France), lost narrowly to the eventual champions, Wales, and although there might only have been a single victory that season, it was against the Engoish! Enjoy the action this weekend.
Many thanks again for the wonderful Chat.
Does anyone remember the Thurso Folk Club? I played there once. There was a lot of Single Malt involved. Am I imagining it or was it within the walls of The Dounreay Nuclear Power Station?. I recall flying from London to Aberdeen and then getting a small plane on up to ? Caithness ? On the first leg I sat beside Roy Wood of The Move. I attempted conversation but none was forthcoming. I have this vague memory of my billet but not of the club itself.
I am standing by for the Six Nations. I have my scrum cap,jock strap and boots in the bag and Joe Schmidt has my number should he, perchance, run out of tight heads. Myself and Noel Dowling delivered many vital strikes against the head when Cashel RFC ruled Munster Junior Rugby in 1964-65. We’d strike them, quick out to Johnny Moroney and on to Barney Joe Burke who’d run them in. Richmond,Thomond,St Mary’s,Garrowen, Young Munster..we bate them all…
CM (69)
I am at home since with the head.Bhí cuile rud reoite ar madin.
The post lady took one look out and went back to bed for fear of frostbit.
Theres a lot of wierd stuff online like one lad trying to take cheese out of a mouse trap and getting his hand snapped, with over 10 million views .Some people have a lot of time on their hands! ….(like me ha)
Did you get snow?
CS (10)
P.S.
Today I am listening to nic jones penguin eggs.
Intersting guitar tuning.
Dia Dhuit CS. We got a few light dustings of sneachta but nothing too serious…Penguin Eggs is my favourite album of all time. I often turn to it for its calming balm…sometimes when I cannot sleep I put it on and Nic’s beautiful singing and playing take me off into the arms of Morpheus…his accompaniments are mesmerising….if I ever meet Genie with the Magic Lamp my first wish would be to learn the mystery of Nic Jones guitar accompaniments. I dont blame the post lady for heading back to the scratcher…some cold mornings of late, I found it hard to leave the leaba mysel….Marcaidh ar aghaidh mo cara
Hi Christy,
my other half (who is from Lurgan, Co. Armagh) took me to your concert at the Waterfront last year and it was one of the best concerts I’ve ever heard, thanks for a really memorable night, goosebumps and all! Since then your songs have been a faithful companion, especially on those long training runs before the next marathon. Couldn’t do without them and love it when a song like “The Ballad of Ruby Walsh” comes on the moment I think “I can run no further!” :O)
One question though – why do you never play any gigs in London? Cambridge or Coventry might be just around the corner but it’s really tricky to get there (and expensive) without a car. Is there any way you could be persuaded to play here? :O) There are so many nice folks living here in the quiet outskirts, far away from town, sitting in cosy pubs that feel just like home, thinking “If only he would play here.”
God bless.
Christine
I normally play London every 18 months and would have been due to visit this coming Autumn….according to all accounts it is not possible..much to my regret (and chagrin) there will be no London gig until next Spring…. However I am not taking this lying down…I may have to by-pass all the various agencies and source a London gig myself…watch this space..and good luck with your Marathon
Christy, I am looking forward to your response when you are not busy. But, I want to share this album with you. It’s great! Unless you don’t like sea shanties. I have served in the U.S. Navy for 6 years. The motif is still the same after all these years, the poor serving the rich on the sea.
You might like it if you haven’t heard it yet.
John Roberts & Tony Barrand – Across the Western Ocean
Christy,
Last chat, “Guitar… Sleeping Bag … Travellin’ Light …” What a ride! I am so envious the musical listens you’ve had, especially because I could have been there but I wasn’t. Again,Thanks for the very rich ride.
Now a sincere question. I had promised to buy one of your new records, remember records? So, Christy. I am ready to purchase any of your works, which I have of course heard – but to date – have not purchased. Which of your records should I absolutely have?
Then, a suggestion. all these artists you spoke of in your chat. Have you, could you – or another enterprising lad – create an album with a sampling of each and every one of these artists you spoke of. I’d buy it in a second!
Sincerely,
Charles
whatever turns you on Cathal
Hi,
silly coment, I have been following you since I was 14, now I am 46, I was in ireland a long time ago when ireland was different, got to it love with the music and your music, lots of meaning, well now after so long i will be in easter there with my own students. dont spect you to come to this little town that is the same as it used to be, but would be so nice to have you there
which little town? hope you have a good trip and that your wishes and expectations are fulfilled….Adelante!
Christy…that time you wrote of, 60s/70s folk-scene is a major reason I’m a ‘working’ muso, and whenever I think of it one of the first memories that pops in is watching Nik Jones at Enfield Folk club playing a song I’d never heard before but couldn’t stop thinking about called ‘Bogie’s Bonny Belle’…I asked anyone who might know of it unsuccessfully for years afterwards until my new mate Neil Morgan played me your version one memorable day in Bermuda…what days of constant discovery…their seemed to be a bottomless trove of wonderful stuff about the things that mattered, eh? No wonder we’re tempted by the odd reminiscence! Imho, yours is the defining version chord-wise! Thanks for it all, Kevin Dolan.
greetings to you Kevin wherever you may be this Spring morning…my version came originally from Muriel Graves in the Cockermouth Folk Club in Cumbria,England.Later I heard versions from Davey Stewart, Jimmy MacBeath, Owen Hand and Archie Fisher….only recently I discovered some additional verses which have given me reason to consider recording it again…I never gig it now but often sing it to myself late of a sleepless night as a gentle lullaby…
Damo1…the piece is indeed called ‘Celestial Soda Pop’ by Ray Lynch, on an album called Deep Breakfast. I’ve found a lovely bit of video that goes with it that I include here. I remember that well, it was really exciting waiting when the lights went down and this music started, probably getting louder just before Christy walked out..I think I may be guessing here or remembering better than I thought, but he walked out at about 1 min18 seconds into it…check it on the video…I’ve been solo campaigning for it to be used at a gig sometime again, I would love to hear it again…who knows, somewhere on the never ending tour it may show up…hope I’m in the room that night tho..enjoy it, its lovely..and if I ever get me own radio slot, this will be me signature tune..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPojjUgZy7I
Morra Lar, no word back from Damo ! in the absence of a modicum of gratitude allow me to thank you for posting this.It really brought me back to an earlier time…when I heard it I started getting myself ready to enter stage right one more time with a “Welcome to this evenings cabaret”….maybe at the next gaggle we’ll try and revive it one more time for old times ( and young Lar’s) sake
Another brilliant CHAT,Christy. It was a pity the Spuds had to be peeled when you were in full flow……..Looking forward to the next chapter in future Chats.
Ride Onn
Patsy
Thanks Patsy, always great to get a bit of feedback
It’s the beginning of St.Brigid’s Day (your county woman) and I have my crosses made. The rushes here are really skinny yokes and are difficult to handle, but I usually manage to create a few crosses that are, unfortunately, not very aesthetically pleasing. My mother used to be a great cross maker who’d make ones for neighbors and all, but she’s not fit to anymore.
I love your current Chat, Christy. Your fleadh reminiscences are great and bring back memories of sleeping in all kinds of places including doorways, benches, fields … can you imagine the young ones nowadays? And, indeed, we did go to Mass too. Of course, we all “grew up” at some point and started to pay for legitimate lodging. For our crowd of “fleadh babies” as we called ourselves, the end of an era was definitively marked when my sister was spotted one Easter, through the window of a B+B in Boyle, sitting on a sofa watching Oprah. And it was on a Monday too, always the best day of a fleadh. She still gets slagged.
You mentioned Sean O Riada and it was a bit coincidental since I had watched Mise Eire a few days before. There’s great old footage in the film and, of course, the music is beautiful. The style of the narrator is very much of the era and is interesting to listen to (as I read the subtitles). A wonderful production overall.
I’m following the poetry competition with interest and am finding it hard to pick just one from the final list. I think you are being too modest when you say you aren’t a poetry person – who writes all them songs? Repeat after me: “MIse Christy an File”
Lán dochais ‘s grá….I’d forgotten that Monday was the best day ..only last week at the Sweeney’s Men gig did we hear Johnny Moynihan’s parody.. ” Mama,dont let your babies turn into Fleadh Cowboys”….you created a lovely vision of Oprah at the Fleadh in Boyle…she’d have created quite a stir…I was quite a nifty Brigid’s Cross maker in my day, one of many sidelines employed back in the 50’s, along with sellin hanks of mushrooms, deliverin papers….gotta head to Newbridge now with my Lotto ticket…
Well done Christy you were right about Warwick Arts Centre and we’ve got our tickets. As a thank you, have a look on Eliza Carthy’s website there’s some nice footage of Norma Waterson taken recently and she is in good voice.
Cheers Steve
sounds good Steve
Hi Christy,
As I was on the C-Train heading into downtown Calgary on Thursday morning, I get this email from Christy Moore – what a fabulous read! It was a wonderful nostalgic journey back to the halcyon days of the folk boom, and through the various changes of the Irish music landscape.
The last time we spoke was in Brian Molloy’s office sometime in the seventies – you were in full flight in your solo career, and I was on the crest of a wave with my band, The Cotton Mill Boys.
But as I read your ‘Guitar, sleeping bag, and travelling light’ piece it brought so many memories flooding back. I thought of Gerry O’Grady’s Ould Triangle folk club in Mount Street (where I had the pleasure of meeting Pete Seeger), and Cecil Frew’s 95 Club in Harcourt street, and the Black Raven club, where I met Hamish Imlach and also Robin Hall and Jimmie McGregor. The scene was vibrant, and so full of amazing musicians.
You mentioned the influence of Sweeney’s Men – I was influenced greatly by the Prentice Folk (comprising Terry Woods, Gay Corcoran, and Terry and Austin Corcoran) – I subsequently became good friends with all of them, and recorded an album down in that beautiful stone cottage in Dromone with Terry and Gay Woods. Those were special days.
The name Jon Ledingham came up in your ‘chat’, and I recall one special evening at the 95 Club when Mick Moloney and Paul Brady were there, and the guests were Jon Ledingham and John Banville – another talented musician who wrote powerful lyrics – I think he became a writer later in life.
Thanks for sparking a nostalgic trip down memory lane in my head – any chance of including Calgary in one of your tours? I’d love to catch up.
Warmest regards, and best of luck in your travels.
Hi Madser…nice post.. The Cotton Mill Boys were one of the top bands back then, there were a lot of bands working out of lombard St. under Tom Costello, Jim Hand, Brian Molloy and a few other Managers/Agents/ Gangermen…..I rem The Prentice Folk well…saw Terry last week with Sweeney’s Men at The Temple Bar Trad Fest. Great night and a full house in St Patricks cathedral……yes, Brian Molloy did my gigs for a few years back in the late 70s…its unlikely I’ll make it to Calgary ….John Banville’s writing has gained a huge global following, John Ledingham became Jonathan Kelly and moved to London..after initial success there he moved on from Music.. last saw Austin Corcoran in Copenhagen 30 years ago..the Old Triangle I knew and loved but I was too culchie for The 95..my wife has fond memories from that club
Hi Madser…nice post.. The Cotton Mill Boys were one of the top bands back then, there were a lot of bands working out of lombard St. under Tom Costello, Jim Hand, Brian Molloy and a few other Managers/Agents/ Gangermen…..I rem The Prentice Folk well…saw Terry last week with Sweeney’s Men at The Temple Bar Trad Fest. Great night and a full house in St Patricks cathedral……yes, Brian Molloy did my gigs for a few years back in the late 70s…its unlikely I’ll make it to Calgary ….John Banville’s writing has gained a huge global following, John Ledingham became Jonathan Kelly and moved to London..after initial success there he moved on from Music.. last saw Austin Corcoran in Copenhagen 30 years ago..the Old Triangle I knew and loved but I was too culchie for The 95..my wife has fond memories from that club ..greetings to you and all Linnets and Songsters in that great country
Howya Christy.
Used to follow you regularly in the 80s and 90s before I left Leixlip and took the boat….still try to get to a show when im home (Belfast last year). Can you help me? What was the tune you always came on stage to in those days…a beautiful upbeat piece…I’d love to find it.
Hope your’e keeping well.
Damian
Morra damo..I think it may have been a few bars “Celestial Soda Pop” …..maybe see you thar nais i Léim an Bhradáin…..down Captain’s Hill and straight into the Liffey
It’s always an absolute delight to get the chance of catching up with your latest Chat and this one was truly magnificent! That Dr Who fella and his Tardis just couldn’t hold a candle to Christy and his Ballad Lounge Tour time machine! What an incredible journey you treated us to with your ‘reflective groove’. Those filmmakers and producers who you told us in your previous Chat had been chasing after you, know documentary gold when they see it right enough.
Many thanks again Christy for sharing your gift of storytelling with us. Already looking forward to Barrowland in October but also hoping to catch up with you along the way before then.
as I went out be Huntley Town one evenin for to fee, I met with Bogie O Cairney and wi’ him I did agree……is Dounreay still chunderin away?
Hi Christy,
Wow what a rollercoaster ride of a magic journey. The memory lane trip was outstanding and so enjoyable. Thanks yet again. Great that you are back in full flight, stay safe and remain well.
Regds
Bill Brady {Cork/Pairc Mhuire
not as enjoyable as Rosy’s lane
Booked to see you in May at Warwick Arts Centre…bringing my husband for his first Christy gig! Even better news, i get a free ticket as he is in a wheelchair, so i get a companion ticket. Every cloud etc…. Anyhow, we can’t wait!
see you there..hope ye have a good night
Hi christy.
First of all thank you and Paul Keogh for your very kind words that made my and Paulines day. Words couldn’t even describe our happiness.
The other week we were in o donoghues just off St Stephen green and we had the place rocking singing songs from o John o dreams, Nancy Spain, my little Honda 50 , I’m a bog man and lisdonnvarna.. They weren’t a bad crowd for dubs! !!!!!.
Today we done the ring of kerry we are on honeymoon and stopped off at some beautiful cafe s on the way. One being o dywers in Waterville. We had a great conversation about football, turf and Glen Ryan ! Well worth a visit when your down here is April!!!
We went to the ince tonight to watch the snooker and the place is a christy moore heaven with bodhrans and posters all over the place…
fair play to the kingdom to respect the king.
ride on
up the sash….
sounds to me like you planned yourselves a great Honeymoon…well done you Sars Love Birds…its a great County for travellin…Muckross is a fine park to visit, thats where I recorded the Ride On album 30 years ago…they should never have put nappys on the jarveys horses..the horseshite used to make me homesick for The Curragh
Evening Christy
Was just reading your latest newsletter … must say you have outdone yourself yet again …great piece of writing it took me back over the musical decades I remember the late 60 s when my father bought me a tape recorder with a microphone you plugged in … its lead was no longer than a rats tail.
I spent many evenings taping songs off the radio remember Radio Luxembourg and the pirate stations ? I used to hate when the DJ would butt in at the end and ruin my recording. Liam Clancy too … Daddy had a great big tape player in his Morris Minor van the cassettes were nearly the size of a video tape.
I remember the long trips to Milltown Mallbay … Me and himself in the van and the Clancys belting out as we meandered through the towns and villages on our annual trip to his home town. Reading through your letter at all the artists names some I had forgotten about like Spud and Mushroom . I remember seeing Mushroom on Youngline on RTE or one of those shows. I saw Rory Gallagher on stage with Phil Lynott in Punchestown in the 80s they were brilliant.
And Rob strong and the Rockets in Berneys in Kilcullen the basement packed to the rafters and naer a fire escape in sight.
It must have bee a wonderful experience for you to have been a part of that scene..meeting all those great musicians and singers and gigging with them you are one lucky man my friend !
I see you mentioned Auschwitz near the end.. I was there last March again when I visited Poland. In 2007 I presented a poem Called Auschwitz… Birkenau to Auschwitz historian Dr. Piper he was a gentleman who spent his life studying and researching Auschwitz . I gave him the frame under the Arbiet Macht Frei gates of Auschwitz.. It was a moving experience and later he brought us to the vast archives and showed us among many other things an original Mein kampf by Hitler. Speaking of books about 15 years ago in the Athy market I bought two large old books. When I got home I looked up the dates on them and discovered they were printed in 1649. Two years later I was walking down the main street in Mountmellick and saw to my surprise in a shop window a photo copy picture of the inside page of my books. The owner of the shop was one of the organisers of the Hugenot festival in Mountmellick. His photo copy had come from a Hugenot bible … one of 12 books. They were brought to Ireland in 1662 by the Hugenots who were forced out of France by the Catholics. Some of them settled in Mountmellick brought their ” John Calvin ” bibles over with them and now I have two. Terrible pity I can’t read Latin !
Anyway for Jaysus sake write a book will you ? You have more yarns than the brothers Grimm !
All the best
Barney
I was turned on to Radio Luxembourg circa 1959 by my good buddy ( the late) Pat McGowan. ( aka The Meg in Newbridge and Paul in London where he lived for 40 years) Pat was always ahead of the possee in music and books for he had 3 older brothers who advanced his thinking.We heard Buddy and Elvis and then The Clancys…he also introduced me to Steinbeck, Hemingway, Flann O’Brien when we were both still in early teens.
great that you posted here Barney..lots of songbirds drop in here…I’m sure some of them would love to hear your songs
I see the note about a Peggy Seeger interview on BBC -well Peggy spends some time in NZ over our summer and I am interviewing her live on Hutt Radio just after 11 am NZ time Saturday morning 31 Jan .We will be playing tracks from her latest album ‘ Everthing Changes ” and I plan to play Christy singing ‘ The First Time Ever I saw her face ” written by Ewan MacColl -Peggy’s partner . You can listen on line http://www.huttradio.co.nz any feedback to studio@huttradio.co.nz
Hi Christy,
Great to see that you are back on you feet and well again , It was very intresting to read your musical journey and what a roller coaster ride it has been for you, I come from Ennistymon and My first time to ever hear you was as a young teenager during the Lisdoonvarna folk festival where I spent the weekend working for a Kerry man (Paddy Brosnan) in a chip van ,we remained friends until he passed away a few years ago , My first time to actually go to see you was the Hammersmith Odeon in London when Luka was on before you it was a great night and its been a great journey for me as a fan to follow your music ever since , Music is what feelings sound like, Its a great gift and thank you for sharing.
God bless
Jimi
Jimi, I thought you’d gone on a very long holiday…there were some right chip vans back in those days, slightly more exotic then the food villages at Festivals these times…anyone remember Sean Cannon’s Curry Van at Lisdoonvarna and Ballisodare … I salivate at the memory….it was a converted Ambulance painted Green (I think) …..If memory serves they catered a Moving Hearts tour back in ’81 and the entire band put on weight..then John went and joined The Dubliners