Christy, as we approach 11 years since Planxty played live – is there any chance of some more Planxty concerts? Thanks.
Christy's reply
its the divil itself how passing time accelerates towards the finish….when we were youngsters, time seemed to go on forever….The Planxty re-union of 2004-2005 came after a 25 year lay-off and featured the original four members… over the years there were a number of different Planxty line-ups ..I have no knowledge of any proposed re-unions…. but the recorded music still resounds,I always feel good when I hear a blast of it
Is the set list out for the March 31, 2016 show in Guilford? We are travelling from Newfoundland, and your show is the reason we are coming across the pond.
Thanks
Michelle
Christy's reply
we dont have set lists…we go with the flow of the night…however,you being long haul songsters,let us know if you have particular songs and we will try to oblige (especially when there are Powers involved…our Mother was Nancy Power from The Yellow Furze on the Banks of The River Boyne…..)
Yeah, no more gigs in The Tavern, I’m afraid. In fact I think the last live one I saw there was your good self. Tis all disco now. I will certainly tell Sean that you were asking for him when next I visit. I never heard of any of those Carlow songs before but, being a Carlow man, I did learn and regularly sing “Follow me up to Carlow” in as rousing a fashion as I can muster. Hope to catch one of your gigs shortly as I haven’t been at one in a long time. Keep on keeping on…
You will be amused to hear that Sean Furey’s hasn’t changed one bit since your gig, except for the addition of a pool table and Sean married Peggy the bar maid.
El Ruedo was Robbie and Peter Archibold’s where we used to go and see the brilliant Jimmy Smith and his Bogey Boys. The playwright Billy Roche was also doing the rounds in a penguin suit. My best friend often reminds me that we once saw a young U2 in there but left early proclaiming that they would never amount to much.. talent scouts we were not. Pedigree Corner had Just 4 every Monday playing 24 instruments between them.. I think I saw you with the Hearts there one night with Mick Hanly doing the warm up. Happy days…
Christy's reply
Does that mean there are no longer gigs in Sean Furey’s ?…I played there circa 1977…..it was a cracking night…the end of which, I cannot remember!!..but I clearly recall the gig itself …I sang “The Ridge and Coolcullen Brigade” that night and also gave a blast of “The Carlow Fifteen”. The first song celebrated hero warriors who made it thru the fierce snow of ’47 to gather provisions in Leighlinbridge.The Second song celebrated Carlow winning their only the Leinster Senior Football C’Ship by defeating The Dubs in Athy back in the 2nd World War years. The same night I sang “The Kilruddery Hunt”…..3 good songs subsequently lost in mists of time, smoke and drink…tell Sean I was askin for him
Cormac Murphy here from Newbridge. I was at your most recent gig in the Keadeen Hotel before Christmas. Absolutely fantastic having my dad along and singing about the locality.
I recently revisited your 1994 Live at the Point recording, specifically ‘Welcome to the Cabaret’. At the beginning of the recording the musical intro you got from what sounded like an african xylophone playing a rhythmic motif sent chills down my spine. I was wondering if you might have any more information about it? What was the instrument and who might’ve been playing? Maybe there could be a live video recording of it somewhere on the internet.
Anyway, thanks for letting me leave this note. You have been an inspiration to me as a Newbridgian. Newbridge isn’t that renowned for its welcoming of Irish folk and traditional music. I took up the button accordion at a very early age and seeing you and Donal Lunny spurred me on when I was starting to play seriously in the early 2000’s. Thanks to you your inspiration – and listening to the great Joe Cooley of course – I’ve been able to tour and travel with my music.
Morra Cormac…I have great memories of Ryan’s Field….after Páirc Mhuire was built in the 1950’s the visiting carnivals used to set up there…..back then there was a soccer pitch there too…Newbridge Town played there back then…we were forbidden from watching “Foreign Games” but some of us said “to hell with that auld shite” and we’d go and watch The Town playing on Sunday aftrenoons (provided Moorefield were’nt playing !!)
Joe Cooley’s playing is so beautiful..have you heard an album called “Speech Project” by Gerry Diver ? its essential listening for any Joe Cooley fan
that Ray Lynch track is brilliant… opened manys the gig with it back in the 1980’s..there was a call out recently to start it going again
good to here from you..just finishing an album which will include “Lily of The Shortgrass”
Keep up the good work
Hi Christy, just had confirmation of our tickets for 31st March at GLive in Guildford. Really looking forward to it and hoping The Voyage will be part of your set that evening?
I think like many of your fans this song so completely sums up my wife, Anita’s, and my lives together, 29 years and still going strong, and it was the song we picked to celebrate our Vows renewal service on our 25th anniversary so very special to us.
If not I know it will be a fantastic night anyway as it always is.
Take care, Mark.
Hello Christy,
Many thanks for your reply regarding “Green Island”. I think I know what you have in mind about the recording of “Smoke & Strong Whiskey”. That caused me to compare your awesome song “Burning Times” on both your albums … very different sound and arrangements … and the newer version (from 2005) is much better. Sure if you’re going to re-record Ewan McColl’s wonderful ballad it would be well worth.
Nevertheless the 1991 released CD “Smoke & Strong Whiskey” is very valuable to me, there are so many great songs including the first recording I had of “Burning Times”. When I heard you sing that stunning song of the witches in the Old Opera Frankfurt (January 1991) for the first time I was blown away and as soon as we arrived on the Island in summer the same year I bought this album.
Hope you are enjoying the work on your new CD!
Winter greetings, Traudel
Christy's reply
we played Burning Times in The Eccles ,Glengariff on August 29th 2015…at the time I thought it was the best rendition we had ever played…never heard it since, dont know if it was recorded…we only gigged it once last year, it appeared out of the blue, unrehearsed and unexpected but it felt really good on the night
Hi Christy
Absorbing the news of David Bowie’s passing and being impressed by the BBC coverage (as so often.) Immensely moved by the video for ‘Lazarus’…..not having seen anything as powerful since ‘Hurt’ -Johnny Cash’s epitaph.
Artists like Bowie transcend genres,so I thought it appropriate to pay tribute here, You also cut across many music and social boundaries by music and thought provoking words.
Especially in troubled times ,it seems important to acknowledge freedom of speech and thought and to celebrate artists who can make us think and open up new possibilities.
All the best with recording.
Dave
Christy's reply
artist, icon, rebel, hero but , most of all, kind and compassionate gentle man…. will always be remembered
Hi All,,,Thanks to Lar Flynn for the encouragement and invite to attend the Wally Page and Band gig last Fri night … I had fogotten how many great songs Wally has co written… Two Connellys, This is the Day, Biko Drum, Hey Paddy, Smoke and Strong Whiskey,Duffys Cut, and much more,and then Johnny Mulhern ( Matty,Continential Ceili, Blue Green Bangle ),, the gig was just wonderful in this small room upstairs in Annesley House, 5 mins from Busarus,,,, mark it down if anyone is in Dublin on 2nd Fri of the month,,,, not to be missed,,,, thanks again to Lar Flynn for his promoting of these gigs,,, 6 wonderful musicians and a duo at the break,,, Best gig in town last Fri for sure,, Shine On Wally Page Band,,,,AND a new CD on the way,,soonish !! Christy I trust your own recording is going well at HQ.. beir bua agus beannacht,,, H
Christy's reply
been listening to Wally Page for nigh on 40 years now….a Wally gig never disappoints….he has written and continues to write some classic songs…I’m currently recording a song of ours to add to the list of our previous collaborations…Lisdoonvarna lies beneath a mantle of frost this morning as we gather to lay down some backing vocals, some guitar over dubs and a volley of percussion from “GoodMan-Lads”….we send greetings to The Kingdom
Christy, no one quite sings it like you! When you coming to visit us down under? We want you back for another listen and pint.
All the best!
Christy's reply
no more long haul tours will be undertaken….I have had to remove the possibility of performing upon far flung shores..I need to concentrate on gigs closer to home for the remainder of the tour….I will always cherish the memories of my visits there
Thanks for the reply Christy. A big thanks for not including Lady of Loughrea on the Ride On album as most times that I sing it I’m asked “where did you get that one?” Nice to present songs to people for the first time. Did you ever hear Richard Thompsons “How will I ever be simple again”? Same kind of vibe as Johnny Duhan’s El Salvador. I know for sure it would suit you. I can just hear Declan Sinnott’s slide guitar….
There’s over 10,000 comments so I’m guessing you won’t see this one but anyway here goes. : As a ballad singer I want to say a big thanks for: the Galtee Mountain Boy, Ships in the Forest, Lady of Loughrea, The Dalesmans Litany, and the lakes of Pontchartrain, among others….They have become my good friends over the years and I never tire of singing them. I still remember being mesmerized watching you perform in Sean Furey’s Tavern in Carlow around 1979 and thinking, this is what it’s all about. (I think you thought I was a stalker that night!)
God Bless.
Christy's reply
We were living up on The ‘Comer Plateau back then. Did a lot of gigs around the area and Sean Furey’s was among my favourites. Fair play to you Hopper I love to hear about the old gigs and I have a fond memory of that venue.Back then also played Gowran, Goresbridge,The El Ruedo, Sheerans of the Ridge, Larkins of Kanesbrige,Coon Hall, The Salmon Pool, Muckalee, Conways and The Coalmine and The Avalon in ‘Comer,a rake of lounges in The Marble City, Pedigree Corner and anywhere that would book me… it was a one man operation, booked my own gigs, drove the Peugeot 404 diesel, set up the gear, did my own sound and played 2 x 45 minute sets….I’d have an awful thirst on me after the gigs but twas easy slaked with Dannos,Sergeants and wee drops….good to hear that you are singin the songs….PS nearly forgot, The West End In Ballyraggett..
Was looking at some old family stuff and discovered that the Carroll side of my Mom’s side was in 1864 Arthur Carroll and Lydia Ann Little married in 1846 and took up farming near about one mile from the village of Aughnaclay in Tyrone,
I got on Google maps and am touring the views of Tyrone. A very pretty place! I love the houses, so beautiful. I’d love to walk down the roads there. I have got to come over soon. All the best to you all this New Year and onwards!
Christy: So excited to see you play live again. It was in Boston, MA, many years ago when I saw you play live. It was awesome! I can’t remember the years, only how I was completely taken in by the loud and raucous opening Welcome to the Cabaret, followed by humorous banter I could barely understand, and the complete quiet for Well Below the Valley and Ride On. Travelling to Cork, alone, for the Friday night show. Now I see a second show added; I’ll have to stay and catch that one too! Any chance I could sit quietly in the shadows for a rehearsal or sound check? So excited to be a like a college student visiting Ireland at age 48. Any suggestions for places to stay, eat, drink, see, in my 3 days? Thanks, Brian!
Dear Christy,
Wishing you a peaceful, healthy and happy 2016 and may all your plans and work be under a lucky star!
Glad to read you are working on a new album in that significant room where the spirit of music is in the air. Lovely memories are coming up …
A couple of days ago I enjoyed listening to the programme “Christy Moore on Ewan McColl” on RTE radio player (thanks to Hilary). Very informative interview and wonderful songs. A special delight was to hear you sing “Green Island” a cappella in the studio. I was a bit surprised that you said you weren’t happy with the recording because I always liked it. So I searched for the CD, found this great song on “Smoke & Strong Whiskey”, listened to your singing and bodhran playing and Davy Spillane’s tuneful Low Whistle … and I still love it.
Good Luck for your recordings on the West Coast of Clare, Traudel
Christy's reply
its probably 25 years since I recorded “Green Island”…it was the one song that Ewan actually sent me directly…all other MacColl songs I gleaned from his own albums and performances….my unhappiness with Green Island stems from aspects of that recording…I employed certain techniques that were popular at the time..when I hear them now they cause me to wince slightly..its a song that I would like to re-visit …..that said, thank you for your positive feedback…I remember clearly Davy Spillane putting down his whistle part…it was and remains beautiful…..greetings to all over there in “Angela’s”…the longest night has passed and the sun is shinng on The Burren this morning…. warmer drier days ahead…
Greetings all for Nollaig na mBan,,,, glad to hear that you are in Munster for it Christy and wishing you every blessing for the new work,,,,,looking foward to the fun and maybe wisdom you will share with us like you did with this great one https://youtu.be/lNoKxrjyiWM Go mbeirimid go leir beo ar an am seo arís.H
Christy's reply
we had a fruitfil Nollaig na mban here in Royal Spa….Jimmy Higgins back in behind the traps and laying it down solid.Sheamie arrived in from Sligo last night and started sprinkling his notes over a few tracks….I got some vocals down as Declan listened carefully and planned what might come next…Davy and Dickon attentive to every detail while Paddy surveyed all with great attention to detail….the cake is being mixed and will soon be in the oven..
thanks for that Burning Times…have not heard that version for many years..brought me back to when we recorded in Cork 10 years back (methinks)….
Hi Christy
All the best for 2016.Sounds like a great start for you in a wonderful part of the world.Are you recording with your trad companeros?
After a mixed year,2015 finished on a high here with the birth of my grandaughter on New Year’s Eve.’The Voyage’ came to mind many times during the day as I waited for my son to call with news……
I’m playing ‘Blonde on Blonde’ for the zillionth time.Pure enigmatic class.Just wikipediad the title and read a fascinating piece on the album and backstory.Not sure that a title where the initials spell ‘Christy’ is what you have in mind for the next album but it could be another competition perhaps.?
Christy, as we approach 11 years since Planxty played live – is there any chance of some more Planxty concerts? Thanks.
its the divil itself how passing time accelerates towards the finish….when we were youngsters, time seemed to go on forever….The Planxty re-union of 2004-2005 came after a 25 year lay-off and featured the original four members… over the years there were a number of different Planxty line-ups ..I have no knowledge of any proposed re-unions…. but the recorded music still resounds,I always feel good when I hear a blast of it
Is the set list out for the March 31, 2016 show in Guilford? We are travelling from Newfoundland, and your show is the reason we are coming across the pond.
Thanks
Michelle
we dont have set lists…we go with the flow of the night…however,you being long haul songsters,let us know if you have particular songs and we will try to oblige (especially when there are Powers involved…our Mother was Nancy Power from The Yellow Furze on the Banks of The River Boyne…..)
Yeah, no more gigs in The Tavern, I’m afraid. In fact I think the last live one I saw there was your good self. Tis all disco now. I will certainly tell Sean that you were asking for him when next I visit. I never heard of any of those Carlow songs before but, being a Carlow man, I did learn and regularly sing “Follow me up to Carlow” in as rousing a fashion as I can muster. Hope to catch one of your gigs shortly as I haven’t been at one in a long time. Keep on keeping on…
You will be amused to hear that Sean Furey’s hasn’t changed one bit since your gig, except for the addition of a pool table and Sean married Peggy the bar maid.
El Ruedo was Robbie and Peter Archibold’s where we used to go and see the brilliant Jimmy Smith and his Bogey Boys. The playwright Billy Roche was also doing the rounds in a penguin suit. My best friend often reminds me that we once saw a young U2 in there but left early proclaiming that they would never amount to much.. talent scouts we were not. Pedigree Corner had Just 4 every Monday playing 24 instruments between them.. I think I saw you with the Hearts there one night with Mick Hanly doing the warm up. Happy days…
Does that mean there are no longer gigs in Sean Furey’s ?…I played there circa 1977…..it was a cracking night…the end of which, I cannot remember!!..but I clearly recall the gig itself …I sang “The Ridge and Coolcullen Brigade” that night and also gave a blast of “The Carlow Fifteen”. The first song celebrated hero warriors who made it thru the fierce snow of ’47 to gather provisions in Leighlinbridge.The Second song celebrated Carlow winning their only the Leinster Senior Football C’Ship by defeating The Dubs in Athy back in the 2nd World War years. The same night I sang “The Kilruddery Hunt”…..3 good songs subsequently lost in mists of time, smoke and drink…tell Sean I was askin for him
Dear Christy,
Cormac Murphy here from Newbridge. I was at your most recent gig in the Keadeen Hotel before Christmas. Absolutely fantastic having my dad along and singing about the locality.
I recently revisited your 1994 Live at the Point recording, specifically ‘Welcome to the Cabaret’. At the beginning of the recording the musical intro you got from what sounded like an african xylophone playing a rhythmic motif sent chills down my spine. I was wondering if you might have any more information about it? What was the instrument and who might’ve been playing? Maybe there could be a live video recording of it somewhere on the internet.
Anyway, thanks for letting me leave this note. You have been an inspiration to me as a Newbridgian. Newbridge isn’t that renowned for its welcoming of Irish folk and traditional music. I took up the button accordion at a very early age and seeing you and Donal Lunny spurred me on when I was starting to play seriously in the early 2000’s. Thanks to you your inspiration – and listening to the great Joe Cooley of course – I’ve been able to tour and travel with my music.
Keep Seeing, Keep Writing, Keep Singing, Keep Fighting.
Beir Bua, a dhuine uasal.
Cormac Murphy
Celestial Soda Pop- Ray Lynch – YouTube
Morra Cormac…I have great memories of Ryan’s Field….after Páirc Mhuire was built in the 1950’s the visiting carnivals used to set up there…..back then there was a soccer pitch there too…Newbridge Town played there back then…we were forbidden from watching “Foreign Games” but some of us said “to hell with that auld shite” and we’d go and watch The Town playing on Sunday aftrenoons (provided Moorefield were’nt playing !!)
Joe Cooley’s playing is so beautiful..have you heard an album called “Speech Project” by Gerry Diver ? its essential listening for any Joe Cooley fan
that Ray Lynch track is brilliant… opened manys the gig with it back in the 1980’s..there was a call out recently to start it going again
good to here from you..just finishing an album which will include “Lily of The Shortgrass”
Keep up the good work
Hi Christy, just had confirmation of our tickets for 31st March at GLive in Guildford. Really looking forward to it and hoping The Voyage will be part of your set that evening?
I think like many of your fans this song so completely sums up my wife, Anita’s, and my lives together, 29 years and still going strong, and it was the song we picked to celebrate our Vows renewal service on our 25th anniversary so very special to us.
If not I know it will be a fantastic night anyway as it always is.
Take care, Mark.
see ye there…looking forward
Hello Christy,
Many thanks for your reply regarding “Green Island”. I think I know what you have in mind about the recording of “Smoke & Strong Whiskey”. That caused me to compare your awesome song “Burning Times” on both your albums … very different sound and arrangements … and the newer version (from 2005) is much better. Sure if you’re going to re-record Ewan McColl’s wonderful ballad it would be well worth.
Nevertheless the 1991 released CD “Smoke & Strong Whiskey” is very valuable to me, there are so many great songs including the first recording I had of “Burning Times”. When I heard you sing that stunning song of the witches in the Old Opera Frankfurt (January 1991) for the first time I was blown away and as soon as we arrived on the Island in summer the same year I bought this album.
Hope you are enjoying the work on your new CD!
Winter greetings, Traudel
we played Burning Times in The Eccles ,Glengariff on August 29th 2015…at the time I thought it was the best rendition we had ever played…never heard it since, dont know if it was recorded…we only gigged it once last year, it appeared out of the blue, unrehearsed and unexpected but it felt really good on the night
Thanks for the e-mail! I hope to meet some of the 4711ers in Cork City! Booked the Metropole; Can’t wait. “Ride On” Brian Gleason
Hi Christy
Hope you had a great Xmas & New Year. Did e-mail ya but it must have hit the spam filter 😉
Cardiff was memorable last May…..and BIG thanks for The Sage in September.
Hope to catch you again on stage……God Willing.
Steven & Louise
fair play to you
Hi Christy
Absorbing the news of David Bowie’s passing and being impressed by the BBC coverage (as so often.) Immensely moved by the video for ‘Lazarus’…..not having seen anything as powerful since ‘Hurt’ -Johnny Cash’s epitaph.
Artists like Bowie transcend genres,so I thought it appropriate to pay tribute here, You also cut across many music and social boundaries by music and thought provoking words.
Especially in troubled times ,it seems important to acknowledge freedom of speech and thought and to celebrate artists who can make us think and open up new possibilities.
All the best with recording.
Dave
artist, icon, rebel, hero but , most of all, kind and compassionate gentle man…. will always be remembered
Hi All,,,Thanks to Lar Flynn for the encouragement and invite to attend the Wally Page and Band gig last Fri night … I had fogotten how many great songs Wally has co written… Two Connellys, This is the Day, Biko Drum, Hey Paddy, Smoke and Strong Whiskey,Duffys Cut, and much more,and then Johnny Mulhern ( Matty,Continential Ceili, Blue Green Bangle ),, the gig was just wonderful in this small room upstairs in Annesley House, 5 mins from Busarus,,,, mark it down if anyone is in Dublin on 2nd Fri of the month,,,, not to be missed,,,, thanks again to Lar Flynn for his promoting of these gigs,,, 6 wonderful musicians and a duo at the break,,, Best gig in town last Fri for sure,, Shine On Wally Page Band,,,,AND a new CD on the way,,soonish !! Christy I trust your own recording is going well at HQ.. beir bua agus beannacht,,, H
been listening to Wally Page for nigh on 40 years now….a Wally gig never disappoints….he has written and continues to write some classic songs…I’m currently recording a song of ours to add to the list of our previous collaborations…Lisdoonvarna lies beneath a mantle of frost this morning as we gather to lay down some backing vocals, some guitar over dubs and a volley of percussion from “GoodMan-Lads”….we send greetings to The Kingdom
Christy, no one quite sings it like you! When you coming to visit us down under? We want you back for another listen and pint.
All the best!
no more long haul tours will be undertaken….I have had to remove the possibility of performing upon far flung shores..I need to concentrate on gigs closer to home for the remainder of the tour….I will always cherish the memories of my visits there
Thanks for the reply Christy. A big thanks for not including Lady of Loughrea on the Ride On album as most times that I sing it I’m asked “where did you get that one?” Nice to present songs to people for the first time. Did you ever hear Richard Thompsons “How will I ever be simple again”? Same kind of vibe as Johnny Duhan’s El Salvador. I know for sure it would suit you. I can just hear Declan Sinnott’s slide guitar….
There’s over 10,000 comments so I’m guessing you won’t see this one but anyway here goes. : As a ballad singer I want to say a big thanks for: the Galtee Mountain Boy, Ships in the Forest, Lady of Loughrea, The Dalesmans Litany, and the lakes of Pontchartrain, among others….They have become my good friends over the years and I never tire of singing them. I still remember being mesmerized watching you perform in Sean Furey’s Tavern in Carlow around 1979 and thinking, this is what it’s all about. (I think you thought I was a stalker that night!)
God Bless.
We were living up on The ‘Comer Plateau back then. Did a lot of gigs around the area and Sean Furey’s was among my favourites. Fair play to you Hopper I love to hear about the old gigs and I have a fond memory of that venue.Back then also played Gowran, Goresbridge,The El Ruedo, Sheerans of the Ridge, Larkins of Kanesbrige,Coon Hall, The Salmon Pool, Muckalee, Conways and The Coalmine and The Avalon in ‘Comer,a rake of lounges in The Marble City, Pedigree Corner and anywhere that would book me… it was a one man operation, booked my own gigs, drove the Peugeot 404 diesel, set up the gear, did my own sound and played 2 x 45 minute sets….I’d have an awful thirst on me after the gigs but twas easy slaked with Dannos,Sergeants and wee drops….good to hear that you are singin the songs….PS nearly forgot, The West End In Ballyraggett..
Hey Christy,
Was looking at some old family stuff and discovered that the Carroll side of my Mom’s side was in 1864 Arthur Carroll and Lydia Ann Little married in 1846 and took up farming near about one mile from the village of Aughnaclay in Tyrone,
I got on Google maps and am touring the views of Tyrone. A very pretty place! I love the houses, so beautiful. I’d love to walk down the roads there. I have got to come over soon. All the best to you all this New Year and onwards!
Christy: So excited to see you play live again. It was in Boston, MA, many years ago when I saw you play live. It was awesome! I can’t remember the years, only how I was completely taken in by the loud and raucous opening Welcome to the Cabaret, followed by humorous banter I could barely understand, and the complete quiet for Well Below the Valley and Ride On. Travelling to Cork, alone, for the Friday night show. Now I see a second show added; I’ll have to stay and catch that one too! Any chance I could sit quietly in the shadows for a rehearsal or sound check? So excited to be a like a college student visiting Ireland at age 48. Any suggestions for places to stay, eat, drink, see, in my 3 days? Thanks, Brian!
Hi Christy …i hope you had a good Christmas break and home time with the family.
I have another original song that might suit you this year:
https://soundcloud.com/lucis-starling/where-are-the-dreamers.
best to you
Thank you for sharing
Dear Christy,
Wishing you a peaceful, healthy and happy 2016 and may all your plans and work be under a lucky star!
Glad to read you are working on a new album in that significant room where the spirit of music is in the air. Lovely memories are coming up …
A couple of days ago I enjoyed listening to the programme “Christy Moore on Ewan McColl” on RTE radio player (thanks to Hilary). Very informative interview and wonderful songs. A special delight was to hear you sing “Green Island” a cappella in the studio. I was a bit surprised that you said you weren’t happy with the recording because I always liked it. So I searched for the CD, found this great song on “Smoke & Strong Whiskey”, listened to your singing and bodhran playing and Davy Spillane’s tuneful Low Whistle … and I still love it.
Good Luck for your recordings on the West Coast of Clare, Traudel
its probably 25 years since I recorded “Green Island”…it was the one song that Ewan actually sent me directly…all other MacColl songs I gleaned from his own albums and performances….my unhappiness with Green Island stems from aspects of that recording…I employed certain techniques that were popular at the time..when I hear them now they cause me to wince slightly..its a song that I would like to re-visit …..that said, thank you for your positive feedback…I remember clearly Davy Spillane putting down his whistle part…it was and remains beautiful…..greetings to all over there in “Angela’s”…the longest night has passed and the sun is shinng on The Burren this morning…. warmer drier days ahead…
Greetings all for Nollaig na mBan,,,, glad to hear that you are in Munster for it Christy and wishing you every blessing for the new work,,,,,looking foward to the fun and maybe wisdom you will share with us like you did with this great one https://youtu.be/lNoKxrjyiWM Go mbeirimid go leir beo ar an am seo arís.H
we had a fruitfil Nollaig na mban here in Royal Spa….Jimmy Higgins back in behind the traps and laying it down solid.Sheamie arrived in from Sligo last night and started sprinkling his notes over a few tracks….I got some vocals down as Declan listened carefully and planned what might come next…Davy and Dickon attentive to every detail while Paddy surveyed all with great attention to detail….the cake is being mixed and will soon be in the oven..
thanks for that Burning Times…have not heard that version for many years..brought me back to when we recorded in Cork 10 years back (methinks)….
Hi Christy
All the best for 2016.Sounds like a great start for you in a wonderful part of the world.Are you recording with your trad companeros?
After a mixed year,2015 finished on a high here with the birth of my grandaughter on New Year’s Eve.’The Voyage’ came to mind many times during the day as I waited for my son to call with news……
I’m playing ‘Blonde on Blonde’ for the zillionth time.Pure enigmatic class.Just wikipediad the title and read a fascinating piece on the album and backstory.Not sure that a title where the initials spell ‘Christy’ is what you have in mind for the next album but it could be another competition perhaps.?
Keep on keepin’ on….
Dave