Good morning and Happy Birthday ???Christopher Anthony???
It’s hard to believe your’e 72. Like meeself, you don’t look a day under 110 ! Ha – Ha!
I’m delighted the Scots treated you well with BLANTYRE remembered and the annual Barrowlands rejuvenating you all.
This bright May morning, I couldn’t ask for a more blessed Aurora here near the foothills of the Ox mountains. These weeks of sunshine and wild flowers Springing are good for the soul. We’ll be off to climb Union Rock in a few hours time when Lugh has warmed Mother Earth again.
Remembering last weekend, Baktygul, Madina and I crossed the county bounds at Belleek and onwards to Enniskillen. We wandered the hills and valleys of Lower Lough Erne, watched rod fishermen play and learned from little old dears. A beautiful neck of the woods with warm welcomes from both people and Mother Nature herself.
Listened again to your doubleseedee “Where I come from” and then to “Lily’. And there’s me wondering to meself how long it takes you to write the first draft of a song. I know from listening to you and about you that some have taken decades to hone, craft and complete with loving care until it’s ready. But going back to my original thought, when the first emotion of an idea catches you, do you typically get a first draft down in a single sitting? Which comes first, lyrics or melody? …….
Then Oblivious came on the Juke Box and was interrupted by the Sat Nav asking if I wanted to change my Country setting? We had crossed the borderline without sight of a difference between North and South of the border. The way it should be ???.
Then I came to wondering, will the AhSoles from Duvlin and Londin, guided by misTrump, dream up a new barricaded border crossing to be built again in the name of Brexit? What will it take to make us Angry? ? ? ?. Will we wait once again until the Rage divides us? What can we learn from our past mistakes before it’s too late?
I dusted down some older songs to see if there might be some clue to use from our past mistakes. What can we learn from your (first?) song “90 Miles from Dublin” to stop the potential madness in its tracks before the cancer takes hold again? Is it time for yourgoodself, the Bono and the Edge to write another candle in the wind, South and North of the River – this time to preempt the destruction before it happens and draw the peace-lines BEFORE the Wall gets built, BEFORE the divide can ever get a foothold?
It’s been a week since Barrowland, Christy but the intense buzz from that amazing gig is still there and hasn’t diminished a bit! I was fortunate to have been there with my daughter Ruth and son Liam and it was so special to have been able to share the experience with them of such a wonderful evening. It’s a night we’ll treasure forever and one we’ll never forget.
The musicianship on stage was outstanding and I can’t ever recall hearing your voice in better shape. I’ve always thought that Natives could be a song which acts as a ‘vocal barometer’ and it has never sounded more beautiful and moving as it did last Saturday. When a day starts with Celtic 5 Rangers 1 there is only one possible thing which could make it even better and that’s seeing Christy performing his magic at Barrowland!
Many thanks to you, the band and the whole crew who work so hard to allow us all to enjoy such a wonderful night. Best wishes too for a very happy birthday tomorrow.
Hi Christy
On 13th May I hope to celebrate my 65th Birthday watching you play at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick On Shannon. We are travelling over from England for this special event. My wife Vishva son Kieran and daughter in law Donna will be sharing the night with me. I know you don’t do requests but there are a couple of songs that would help me celebrate. Ride On is one of my favourites and will be played at my funeral which I hope is still a long way off. My Dad was stationed in the Orkneys during the war so it would be good to hear the song about the daughter of the man from Scapa Flow. Mam and Dad also kept the largest Irish pub in Leicester in The 1960s and it would be good to hear about The Magic Nights in the Lobby Bar when we were children and our mothers were young and our fathers were tall and kind. Your music had played a large part in our lives. Kieran’s first gigs were in the early 90s when we took him to see you play in Manchester and Liverpool. Thank you Christy. We are all looking forward to a great night in your company.
Tom Murtha.
Hi Christy ,am only getting round to thanking you and the guys for 2 fantastic nights last week in Glasgow.Front row Concert Hall ,absolutely awesome.Virtually at the back in the Barrowland,couldnt hear it so well for all the 10 in a row chanting bhoys,but still amazing.Cried my eyes out as usual,but ended up laughing.Thanks a million.
Christy's reply
the quiet listening in the Concert Hall
the mayhem of The Barras
……….its that Spirit of Glasgow keeps calling me back….
“Out of the East End there came Hairy Mary
Oh Glory Hallelujah
The Cod Liver Oil and The Orange Juice”
good morning christy,
yesterday was an important day for remembering, 36 years on,so i wanted to say thanks for playing ‘mcilhatton’ and ‘back home in derry’ last week both at the usher hall and then at the barras. these were two very different,and yet both very special gigs. (inbetween times i nipped over to pay homage in the church of ruby and of willie ,washed down with a glass or two of porter.) scotland awaits your return.
it seems amazing to think how some people have the ability,humanity and inner drive to conquer both politics and music , with selflessness and conscience.
Christy's reply
Hey Ruby!
Hould Her Back
Now give her a smack
and Hup she goes
Ridin down the back straight
Ruby has her in a canter
over the last she hits the front
and nothin is goin to pass her ………………………Winner All Right
The love, the passion,friendship, the sweat,the tears and the song.. that was barrowland for me!!
There was a couple of magic momemts at that gig for me. The first song Deportees really set the tone and what a tune to open with. Then the bleacher lassie o’, just hit the spot.
I was asked what was the song of that night and for the fan there wasn’t one as we were spoiled from start to finish.
Personally my songs of the night was natives, it has a special place within me and also the blantyre explosion. The blantyre got me through the junior cert and when I closed my eyes last Saturday night I could hear the thunder storm off the album and drove goose bumps all over me..
Two other bits was Jimmy during no time for love. He nailed it on that song would love to hear the recording of that one. And also cathal brought another energy to the room He was seamless
Hope to see ya in the barrowland again in the near future Christy. I really took the whole gig in and seen the stars on the ceiling. An absolute pleasure to witness it all.
Even after the gig the amount of organisation in the back round for that to happen was massive. I was fortunate to be waiting on a taxi outside and the crew of about 30 loading up the truck and Mike outside loading up the bus checking his watch, it was unstop.. a big credit to all behind the scenes..
Next stop mayo!!! I like mayo people they remind me of kildare people over rate their team underachieve
Christy's reply
I’d forgotten all about the clap of thunder on that track
at the time of my Junior Cert ( Inter) I was hearing Skiffle and early R&R…. but the Clancy’s were about to enter the fray
there were 3 Bands in Newbridge, JImmy Dunny’s Orchestra, Bobby Roger’s Orchesra and Tom Wilmot’s Céilií Band….there was a Skiffle Group Featuring Alan Ray, Leo McBride and Tony Sinnott while The Liffeysiders were soon to be created and would feature Donal Lunny, Mick Curran, Justin Brady, Sean Reilly and Brendan Hayes.. ( Just realised they were all from the Sarsfield end of Town)
Thanks for your feedback..
Been asked to attend the opening of June Fest ..it will be my first time back there since performing at the annual Fianna Fáil Dinner Dance in 1964….Donal & Frank Lunny & I performed as The Rakes of Kildare. We were booked by the legendary John Joe Murray and our fee was £3 and a crate of stout….we played 4 songs…. (Probably Curragh of Kildare, Mary from Dungloe,Follow me Up to Carlow and Rosin The Bow) but the crate of stout was no where to be found…..
Hi Christy,
thanks a lot for your kind response! Any idea how I could reach Peter Hames? Seems he hasn’t got a website… found his youtube clip but no further data in the net.
Yeah, Folk Music in particular is such a wonderful way to connect people, over borders and ages and stages in life, with topics and feelings local and global, a well of humanity that never runs dry. And with your voice it’s a blessing. 1984… the year my wife and I got married and our eldest daughter was born… whilst the youngest sings with the two of us in the band now. We’ll all be there in New Ross – and hope for “Ordinary Man”, of course ?.
Have a great day this Sunday, and many happy years still to come!
Hi Christy,
Just in between your gigs – got to say Thank You for many a song you brought forth. Your music has inspired me, and truly enriched my life. One of those fine songs that have long become part of my own repertoire is the “Ordinary Man”, a song so powerful and intense that I’ll be forever thankful to Peter Hames for giving you this piece, and to that old friend of mine treating me to your concert in Düsseldorf way back where I first heard you playing it… and in quite a few gigs since… Here’s a recording we just recently did with our hobby Folk band “Among Friends”… still raw material for a new cd, but it just came to my mind I could send a link, simply to give thanks: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mnwszn880ppak7r/Among%20Friends%20-%20Neu%20-%20Ordinary%20Man.wav?dl=0
Go raibh maith aget, Christy (and Declan, and Jimmy)!
Can’ wait to see you again in New Ross – we’ll be there with Family and friends on the 15th of June…
All the best, and keep playing!!
Christy's reply
Dietmar..thank you for sharing your version of Peter’s song..hope he gets to hear it too…
I still remember the first time I heard it back in 1984…on a cassette player in the back of a Volvo on the M1 Motorway towards London..I had just played a gig in The Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes (a seaside town in Lincolnshire on the East Coast of England)….I got my guitar out and by the time we reached London I had the first verse worked out…
Its such a wonderful part of the Folk Music process..when songs travel across oceans to find new singers and new listeners and years later resound back to source….see you in New Ross
Christy
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for dedicating The Voyage to my brother,Kevin McGrory, who was at your show in the The Playhouse Edinburgh on Wednesday 26th of April. Unfortunately I was not there but some of the family were there alongside Kevin and tears flowed. The entire family, including our 93 year old mother, have all been moved by your choice of song which was so fitting. You have lifted Kevin’s spirits in so many ways and helped him and the crew on the next leg of his journey. We can’t thank you enough . Maire
Christy's reply
we got word from County Clare that the family were attending Usher Hall…it was a pleasure to sing that song for Kevin
Hiya Christy, Been goin mental tryin to get onto guestbook for 4days, thank goodness it seems fine now. Really wanted to let u know how amazin both Fri n Sat gigs were. Me n my man been goin to see u for over 25yrs and never miss u when u come as u mean so much to us, but the Barraland was just fantastic on Sat especially with Cathal and the extra band members. Thought u handled the crowd magnificently and u were really enjoyin yersel, which makes me feel so proud! The tears rolled when u sang Barrowlands and I thought the crowd were in fine form and great voice. Just want to say, have a rerr terr on yer burfday and keep riding on, never stop. Love u dearly, Julseyx
Christy's reply
Hey Julesy…thanks for feedback..we’re still buzzin after Mags McIvor’s…that crowd handled the band magnificently….then we had Gandolfis fish and chip suppers in the bandroom .. some good banter with long distance listeners who had travelled from Cork, Derry and Stradbally..hope we make it back again for another 2 hours of barrowland magic
Hi Christy – a longtime fan here – more than 30 years I’ve been listening to youm since I was teenager back in Ireland. Love your work. I’ve seen you live a few times, from the Point in the 90s to gigs with Wally Page in the centre of Dublin to theatres in Manchester and the Opera House in Wexford. Looking forward to seeing you next week in the Castle Court in Westport – coming over specially.
Which brings me to this – my English girlfriend Sair proposed to me as ‘Bright Blue Rose’ was playing, back in 2004. She’s been my wife now for almost 11 years, and she’s been a huge fan too since those heady days. If there’s any way at all that you could play ‘Bright Blue Rose’ for Sair, I would be forever in your debt. (I also ask because I’m in the doghouse right now despite the trip. We were supposed to be flying over on the Wed before your gig, you see, but a c*ck up by me means I have work I can’t get out of that day. We’re now coming over on the Friday of the concert. Fingers crossed there are no delays.)
Really looking forward to the concert regardless of whether you can play the song, or mention Sair or not. Thank you, Christy, for the many years of pleasure your music has given both of us. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat – Ben Kane.
Christy's reply
sound Ben..hope you make it to Westport in time…always a joy to sing that song…see you in mayo
Happy Birthday, dear Christy – and many more to come! Thank you for the beautiful music and all your inspiration.
Dear Christy,
Happy birthday today and have a great year.
Hope to see you live at one of your concerts in Ireland or perhaps in the lowlands low.
John
Good morning and Happy Birthday ???Christopher Anthony???
It’s hard to believe your’e 72. Like meeself, you don’t look a day under 110 ! Ha – Ha!
I’m delighted the Scots treated you well with BLANTYRE remembered and the annual Barrowlands rejuvenating you all.
This bright May morning, I couldn’t ask for a more blessed Aurora here near the foothills of the Ox mountains. These weeks of sunshine and wild flowers Springing are good for the soul. We’ll be off to climb Union Rock in a few hours time when Lugh has warmed Mother Earth again.
Remembering last weekend, Baktygul, Madina and I crossed the county bounds at Belleek and onwards to Enniskillen. We wandered the hills and valleys of Lower Lough Erne, watched rod fishermen play and learned from little old dears. A beautiful neck of the woods with warm welcomes from both people and Mother Nature herself.
Listened again to your doubleseedee “Where I come from” and then to “Lily’. And there’s me wondering to meself how long it takes you to write the first draft of a song. I know from listening to you and about you that some have taken decades to hone, craft and complete with loving care until it’s ready. But going back to my original thought, when the first emotion of an idea catches you, do you typically get a first draft down in a single sitting? Which comes first, lyrics or melody? …….
Then Oblivious came on the Juke Box and was interrupted by the Sat Nav asking if I wanted to change my Country setting? We had crossed the borderline without sight of a difference between North and South of the border. The way it should be ???.
Then I came to wondering, will the AhSoles from Duvlin and Londin, guided by misTrump, dream up a new barricaded border crossing to be built again in the name of Brexit? What will it take to make us Angry? ? ? ?. Will we wait once again until the Rage divides us? What can we learn from our past mistakes before it’s too late?
I dusted down some older songs to see if there might be some clue to use from our past mistakes. What can we learn from your (first?) song “90 Miles from Dublin” to stop the potential madness in its tracks before the cancer takes hold again? Is it time for yourgoodself, the Bono and the Edge to write another candle in the wind, South and North of the River – this time to preempt the destruction before it happens and draw the peace-lines BEFORE the Wall gets built, BEFORE the divide can ever get a foothold?
Here’s a link to 90 miles from Dublin https://youtu.be/W6BWiTVEhcM
“Pay attention Irish men and Irish women too,
Show the Free State government their silence will not do”
Looking forward to seeing you again soon in Westport and Carrick-on-Shannon
Happy birthday Christy. Have a super day.
Best wishes.
Sue
Happy birthday Christy .. see you down in the tent in July…tony
Happy Birthday Christy,Ride on.
PS
Happy Birthday to yourself.
Tom Murtha and Family.
It’s been a week since Barrowland, Christy but the intense buzz from that amazing gig is still there and hasn’t diminished a bit! I was fortunate to have been there with my daughter Ruth and son Liam and it was so special to have been able to share the experience with them of such a wonderful evening. It’s a night we’ll treasure forever and one we’ll never forget.
The musicianship on stage was outstanding and I can’t ever recall hearing your voice in better shape. I’ve always thought that Natives could be a song which acts as a ‘vocal barometer’ and it has never sounded more beautiful and moving as it did last Saturday. When a day starts with Celtic 5 Rangers 1 there is only one possible thing which could make it even better and that’s seeing Christy performing his magic at Barrowland!
Many thanks to you, the band and the whole crew who work so hard to allow us all to enjoy such a wonderful night. Best wishes too for a very happy birthday tomorrow.
Hi Christy
On 13th May I hope to celebrate my 65th Birthday watching you play at the Landmark Hotel in Carrick On Shannon. We are travelling over from England for this special event. My wife Vishva son Kieran and daughter in law Donna will be sharing the night with me. I know you don’t do requests but there are a couple of songs that would help me celebrate. Ride On is one of my favourites and will be played at my funeral which I hope is still a long way off. My Dad was stationed in the Orkneys during the war so it would be good to hear the song about the daughter of the man from Scapa Flow. Mam and Dad also kept the largest Irish pub in Leicester in The 1960s and it would be good to hear about The Magic Nights in the Lobby Bar when we were children and our mothers were young and our fathers were tall and kind. Your music had played a large part in our lives. Kieran’s first gigs were in the early 90s when we took him to see you play in Manchester and Liverpool. Thank you Christy. We are all looking forward to a great night in your company.
Tom Murtha.
Hi Christy ,am only getting round to thanking you and the guys for 2 fantastic nights last week in Glasgow.Front row Concert Hall ,absolutely awesome.Virtually at the back in the Barrowland,couldnt hear it so well for all the 10 in a row chanting bhoys,but still amazing.Cried my eyes out as usual,but ended up laughing.Thanks a million.
the quiet listening in the Concert Hall
the mayhem of The Barras
……….its that Spirit of Glasgow keeps calling me back….
“Out of the East End there came Hairy Mary
Oh Glory Hallelujah
The Cod Liver Oil and The Orange Juice”
good morning christy,
yesterday was an important day for remembering, 36 years on,so i wanted to say thanks for playing ‘mcilhatton’ and ‘back home in derry’ last week both at the usher hall and then at the barras. these were two very different,and yet both very special gigs. (inbetween times i nipped over to pay homage in the church of ruby and of willie ,washed down with a glass or two of porter.) scotland awaits your return.
it seems amazing to think how some people have the ability,humanity and inner drive to conquer both politics and music , with selflessness and conscience.
Hey Ruby!
Hould Her Back
Now give her a smack
and Hup she goes
Ridin down the back straight
Ruby has her in a canter
over the last she hits the front
and nothin is goin to pass her ………………………Winner All Right
Also..
Happy Birthday,
Go off and have a ball!!
Muchos Gracias
The love, the passion,friendship, the sweat,the tears and the song.. that was barrowland for me!!
There was a couple of magic momemts at that gig for me. The first song Deportees really set the tone and what a tune to open with. Then the bleacher lassie o’, just hit the spot.
I was asked what was the song of that night and for the fan there wasn’t one as we were spoiled from start to finish.
Personally my songs of the night was natives, it has a special place within me and also the blantyre explosion. The blantyre got me through the junior cert and when I closed my eyes last Saturday night I could hear the thunder storm off the album and drove goose bumps all over me..
Two other bits was Jimmy during no time for love. He nailed it on that song would love to hear the recording of that one. And also cathal brought another energy to the room He was seamless
Hope to see ya in the barrowland again in the near future Christy. I really took the whole gig in and seen the stars on the ceiling. An absolute pleasure to witness it all.
Even after the gig the amount of organisation in the back round for that to happen was massive. I was fortunate to be waiting on a taxi outside and the crew of about 30 loading up the truck and Mike outside loading up the bus checking his watch, it was unstop.. a big credit to all behind the scenes..
Next stop mayo!!! I like mayo people they remind me of kildare people over rate their team underachieve
I’d forgotten all about the clap of thunder on that track
at the time of my Junior Cert ( Inter) I was hearing Skiffle and early R&R…. but the Clancy’s were about to enter the fray
there were 3 Bands in Newbridge, JImmy Dunny’s Orchestra, Bobby Roger’s Orchesra and Tom Wilmot’s Céilií Band….there was a Skiffle Group Featuring Alan Ray, Leo McBride and Tony Sinnott while The Liffeysiders were soon to be created and would feature Donal Lunny, Mick Curran, Justin Brady, Sean Reilly and Brendan Hayes.. ( Just realised they were all from the Sarsfield end of Town)
Thanks for your feedback..
Been asked to attend the opening of June Fest ..it will be my first time back there since performing at the annual Fianna Fáil Dinner Dance in 1964….Donal & Frank Lunny & I performed as The Rakes of Kildare. We were booked by the legendary John Joe Murray and our fee was £3 and a crate of stout….we played 4 songs…. (Probably Curragh of Kildare, Mary from Dungloe,Follow me Up to Carlow and Rosin The Bow) but the crate of stout was no where to be found…..
Hi Christy,
thanks a lot for your kind response! Any idea how I could reach Peter Hames? Seems he hasn’t got a website… found his youtube clip but no further data in the net.
Yeah, Folk Music in particular is such a wonderful way to connect people, over borders and ages and stages in life, with topics and feelings local and global, a well of humanity that never runs dry. And with your voice it’s a blessing. 1984… the year my wife and I got married and our eldest daughter was born… whilst the youngest sings with the two of us in the band now. We’ll all be there in New Ross – and hope for “Ordinary Man”, of course ?.
Have a great day this Sunday, and many happy years still to come!
Been many years since last contact with Peter….
Hi Christy,
Just in between your gigs – got to say Thank You for many a song you brought forth. Your music has inspired me, and truly enriched my life. One of those fine songs that have long become part of my own repertoire is the “Ordinary Man”, a song so powerful and intense that I’ll be forever thankful to Peter Hames for giving you this piece, and to that old friend of mine treating me to your concert in Düsseldorf way back where I first heard you playing it… and in quite a few gigs since… Here’s a recording we just recently did with our hobby Folk band “Among Friends”… still raw material for a new cd, but it just came to my mind I could send a link, simply to give thanks: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mnwszn880ppak7r/Among%20Friends%20-%20Neu%20-%20Ordinary%20Man.wav?dl=0
Go raibh maith aget, Christy (and Declan, and Jimmy)!
Can’ wait to see you again in New Ross – we’ll be there with Family and friends on the 15th of June…
All the best, and keep playing!!
Dietmar..thank you for sharing your version of Peter’s song..hope he gets to hear it too…
I still remember the first time I heard it back in 1984…on a cassette player in the back of a Volvo on the M1 Motorway towards London..I had just played a gig in The Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes (a seaside town in Lincolnshire on the East Coast of England)….I got my guitar out and by the time we reached London I had the first verse worked out…
Its such a wonderful part of the Folk Music process..when songs travel across oceans to find new singers and new listeners and years later resound back to source….see you in New Ross
Christy
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you for dedicating The Voyage to my brother,Kevin McGrory, who was at your show in the The Playhouse Edinburgh on Wednesday 26th of April. Unfortunately I was not there but some of the family were there alongside Kevin and tears flowed. The entire family, including our 93 year old mother, have all been moved by your choice of song which was so fitting. You have lifted Kevin’s spirits in so many ways and helped him and the crew on the next leg of his journey. We can’t thank you enough . Maire
we got word from County Clare that the family were attending Usher Hall…it was a pleasure to sing that song for Kevin
Hiya Christy, Been goin mental tryin to get onto guestbook for 4days, thank goodness it seems fine now. Really wanted to let u know how amazin both Fri n Sat gigs were. Me n my man been goin to see u for over 25yrs and never miss u when u come as u mean so much to us, but the Barraland was just fantastic on Sat especially with Cathal and the extra band members. Thought u handled the crowd magnificently and u were really enjoyin yersel, which makes me feel so proud! The tears rolled when u sang Barrowlands and I thought the crowd were in fine form and great voice. Just want to say, have a rerr terr on yer burfday and keep riding on, never stop. Love u dearly, Julseyx
Hey Julesy…thanks for feedback..we’re still buzzin after Mags McIvor’s…that crowd handled the band magnificently….then we had Gandolfis fish and chip suppers in the bandroom .. some good banter with long distance listeners who had travelled from Cork, Derry and Stradbally..hope we make it back again for another 2 hours of barrowland magic
Hi Christy – a longtime fan here – more than 30 years I’ve been listening to youm since I was teenager back in Ireland. Love your work. I’ve seen you live a few times, from the Point in the 90s to gigs with Wally Page in the centre of Dublin to theatres in Manchester and the Opera House in Wexford. Looking forward to seeing you next week in the Castle Court in Westport – coming over specially.
Which brings me to this – my English girlfriend Sair proposed to me as ‘Bright Blue Rose’ was playing, back in 2004. She’s been my wife now for almost 11 years, and she’s been a huge fan too since those heady days. If there’s any way at all that you could play ‘Bright Blue Rose’ for Sair, I would be forever in your debt. (I also ask because I’m in the doghouse right now despite the trip. We were supposed to be flying over on the Wed before your gig, you see, but a c*ck up by me means I have work I can’t get out of that day. We’re now coming over on the Friday of the concert. Fingers crossed there are no delays.)
Really looking forward to the concert regardless of whether you can play the song, or mention Sair or not. Thank you, Christy, for the many years of pleasure your music has given both of us. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat – Ben Kane.
sound Ben..hope you make it to Westport in time…always a joy to sing that song…see you in mayo
Christy How ya’
keep rocking.
one day at a time Frank….taking all the help I can get….
Marcel I feel ur pain !!!