Thank you again for another storming gig. Loved that version of Faithful Departed and Sacco and Vanzetti was a noble call. Valentine’s granddaughters were delighted with the call out too- they were so looking forward to their first Christy gig and you didn’t disappoint. Hope you’re safely home and look forward to crossing paths again along the way. Thank you.
Christy's reply
Sam Shepard RIP….
Sacco & Vanzetti seldom played
Thanks John, got back at 3am
safe and sound….
Home Sweet Home
everyone needs one
Thank you so much christy for a fab night you never fail I know I said it before but you are a true legend Away home to Longford tomorrow and I won’t be going home disappointed x thanks again ps up the lily whites my dads a new bridge man st Patrick’s Terece ❤️Ops and thanks for doing bright blue rose x take care christy hopefully be to see you again really soon
Great show last night.Loved every minute,set list brilliant,highlights for me were Back home in Derry,A stitch in time,No time for love and the brilliant The time has come. Brings a tear to my eye when you sing it.
Thank you for your kind reply, Christy!
Lovely to read your words about the conditions before you entered stage. – The posts here sound as if it was a splendid gig …
Enjoy the Walled City!
Best of Luck for tonight, Traudel
Christy's reply
we flew home to our nests after 2 great nights on the banks of The Foyle….I wont see the Companeros again until Vicar Street next month….
now I must turn my attention to 4 upcoming Solo gigs and to the launch of “On The Road” The solo gigs take me to a different place…..at first I feel naked and bereft without the assurance and comfort of my favourite orchestra…
Going to hear Ralph McTell tonight…we first met in 1967 in a Folk Club in Manchester…not many of us left from those halcyon days….
Hope your enjoying the Derry air this morning Christy (Toasted muffins, hard boiled eggs and all). Buzzing from the gig last night, lovely flow and energy to it from start to finish. Loved “Little Musgrave” “The Contender” & “A Stitch in Time” Some noble calls too when you kicked into JukeBox mode … your ode to Ann Lovett was deeply moving I have to say…..For some reason “Butterfly” had been in my head all day yesterday so I was chuffed to hear the shout out from down the hall “There will never be enough” ..Had a really nice feeling and sense of peace on the drive home after, dropped my good friend Mark off in Donegal Town before heading on to the old hometown of Kilcar …Two happy campers #Grateful Looking forward to tonight and more of the same Love & Respect Martin Mac
Christy's reply
Hardly stirred today Martin, went down for the egg and then retired for the remainder of the day to conserve all energy for tonights performance…. here now listening to Cathal’s soundcheck…his fiddle is sounding sweet,his banjo tuned for action…..Declan is poised to perform, Jimmy is like a greyhound in the traps waitingfor sight of the hare, I’m contamplating songs that might emerge, Thinking of Faithfull Departed,Johnny Conners….
Declan and I talk sometime of doing a long gig, really going for it…a gig of Grateful Dead duration…saw them once in London circa mid 70s..they played for almost 6 hours….I was fast asleep by the end of it..but that was down to relaxing potions rather then their music..
Michael Devine has just called me for my sound check..the show must go on…
So excited to be traveling to see you in Derry can not wait not long now if you can Christy would you sing bright blue rose or Honda 50 can’t wait to hear you sing again your a legend good night Christy take care sweet dreams
Thank you Christy for another wonderful night – songs seemed to appear from another place tonight and the Time has Come was especially poignant linking our recent and not so recent past. Looking forward to another cracker tomorrow night. Siobhan and Mary will be crossing the border from Tyrone before Brexit kicks in. Great how the music draws us from many places to a special place. Thanks for the magic that you bring.
Christy,
Looking forward to the Millenium Forum on Friday night. Im not the type for roaring out for songs so I’ll make a request here, I would love to hear Reel in the Flickering Light, have never heard you sing it live.
I’ll be there with my girlfriend and her mother, a Cork man and two Tyrone women.
Thanks Christy
Christy's reply
I’m checking around here now to see if there is any sign of Daddy Longlegs… Halloween is a hard time on our Arachnaphobes.. they dig in deep when the crackers start and some of ’em dont re-appear til after Boxing Day
Welcome back to Derry, Christy and crew. We three Dungiven dreamers are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. I will be there with my two eldest granddaughters at their first ever Christy gig. They would love to hear you sing Beeswing but whatever appears on the setlist, it will be a special night. I’d say my rose has faded……..
Christy's reply
I hope ye have a good night here in Derry..we kicked off here last night and there was a great atmosphere in the Forum…they were here from all sides…Holland, New York, Glenties, Letterkenny, Tyrone, London and the Kingdom of Kerry…tonight is shaping up nice and tidy…we have a bus coming from Bellaghy, a Honda 50 fro The lowlands of Holland and a space cadet from Miltown Malbay here to research some cartoon material..
Hi Christy, Just a quick one to check if you have any date set for the release of the new Album. We were at your gig at the Nuremore back in March. You mentioned a possible release date this Autumn. Sure let me know, have to say can’t wait as I think Lily for me is up there as one of your best albums. Like good wine…
Looking forward to Derry on Friday night. We are having a wee reunion, 7 of us meeting up (remembering our UCG days) going to the MF to see you. The lads haven’t had the Christy experience yet. I know they can’t wait. One of the lads, Brendan Behan from Laois is a huge fan, and loves Beeswing. So if you remember you might sing or even mention his name. The name is easier than Chonticha, my friends new wife, who you called out for in the Black Box in August. Thanks again for that. Also, as its Derry, and in memory of the late Sam Shepard, perhaps you might give Faithful Departed a little rattle. He loved that song. I’ve told many people of your chance meeting for breakfast that next morning after the concert in 2012?
I’ve seen you many times now but can’t wait for tomorrow night as you save your best for Derry. Thanks Christy.
Christy's reply
whallup …we’ll do the best we can..thanks for bringing back the memory of Sam…it was a great pleasure to sit with him and have a banter
Dear Christy,
Hope this finds you well. Time flies and now the poor November man is already advancing. We returned home safe and sound few days ago after four most enjoyable weeks on the Island and we are very appreciative for the precious time we had there …
And there were some experiences we’ll never forget: we rode out the storms “Ophelia” and “Brian” without any harm, explored the Fanad Lighthouse by day and night during our pleasant stay and again we had two magic nights at Bundoran and Ballina!
MÍLE MAITH AGAT to you, Declan, Cathal and Jimmy for your songs and music at two outstanding gigs!!! Especially loved to hear Two Island Swans, Johnny Jump Up, The Time Has Come, Spancil Hill, your extraordinary version with drums and banjo of The Well and your “little song” for Anne Lovett – it was so moving!
This was the first time I got to hear Rosalita and Jack Campbell live – a special Thank You for that! I think it’s a marvellous song but I’ll need to have the lyrics to get familiar with it.
As always it was a pleasure to meeting up with our 4711er gaggle. Last but not least many thanks to the whole crew who made it all happen.
Wish I could be in Derry …
All the best, Traudel
Christy's reply
always good to get feedback from Germany…thanks for your words of approval…here in Derry now with an hour to go before we kick off….the lights are focused, the guitars are tuned, the prelude playing across the auditorium as the songsters gather….just got a flashback to that Gaggle at Free Derry Corner must be 10 years ago..
Declan is flying up and down the fretboard behind me, Jimmy is tightening his drums, Cathal is puttin rosin on his bow, I’m taking it all in as I write
A few strange creatures still roaming Foyleside after last night’s festivities – some still dancing to the reel in the flickering light. Hope you have a safe journey and looking forward to a couple of good nights. Great to see the “sold out” signs on both shows – people still appreciating the great sounds and craic.
Christy's reply
” spare a penny for the Pooka” was our calling cry over 60 years ago….faces black polished,old clothes and old shoes and away down the town with us..it was essential to sing on every doorstep…main thing was..it all cost nothing…no fancy uniforms , never heard of fireworks or fire crackers…I could be wrong but I have a feeling that we had more fun..no expectation, a few slices of brack and lotsa crack…
then again, this could be just auld-fella-begrudgery talkin….thats one thing about these senior years…I get exhausted sometimes listening to myself moaning on..I do be giving myself a pain in the hole, not to mention those around me… as for the rest of it !..dont even get me started ! Trumps,Brexits, Borders (hard or soft),N.I.Assembly (as gaeilge), Gooch ‘n Brolly, Zebo,robbin-bastard-Bankers,Nama,re-emerging corrupt Developers with big hungry stupid grins on their faces
anyway to hell with the lot of it… two nights at The Forum will bring some respite, once the curtain is raised we’ll trip the light fandango, we’ll tear into a few tunes and songs,
always good to hear from you…you have been a long-haul -listener for manys the year..
It’s been two quick years since my dad died and as always the family thanks you for your love and support. His anniversary mass is on the 5th of November and so my travel itinerary apparently collides with yours, In Derry this time, on Friday November 3rd. I’ve gotten a ticket to your gig and I’ll keep an eye out for you crossing the peace bridge or maybe strolling the free corner ! Maybe you can give me a lift back to Dublin….Best for now Christy, hope all is well with you.
Christy's reply
I never use the Bridge Brian,
prefer to swim the Foyle
I always run ’round Free Derry Corner Brian,
keeps the heart rate up,
once I leave that stage Brian
I just fly to the moon……….
packin the bag now, for the soft border, country butter and duck eggs
Hi All. I came across this poem again tonight. it was written by Alan Cooke, a resident of West Clare, during a gig in The Royal Spa in Lisdoon in Oct 2015… well done to Alan I think he fairly captures the essence of it,, ” the magic space ” The Singers Hands, Ode to Christy
The singers fingers break song waves
The voice radiates out into heart space
The universe listens as words defy the loss in our souls
Strings hum under soft incantations of the song birds return
I thought I heard the crowds sigh as his tender voice elevates our silent cries
We hide in the magic space
Safe from harm today
The furnace woes of our dying world
Cease for these hours
Maybe our hands can meet God for a while through the singers open vowels
For secret angels stand at his back
Guiding poems that seem to make the stars fall as sweat beads on his sacred brow
I don’t know the words
I only know his face
Celtic warrior burning wild man expressing the soul of his race
Taking us home
Underneath the guitar and drums silent and sweet
The roars a passionate fierceness that nails the soft rhythm of the universal song
Stay awhile Christy
Stay singing upon an eternal mountain of stars
Help me leave my quiet sorrows tonight
Bring me home to the old flame one more time
Where beauty tastes like guitar strings and the folk songs mark our time over and over and over
Amen
Alan Cooke 2015
I have bought tickets for my parents, Martin & Jeanie to see you in Birmingham in May next year for Christmas. My parents both love your music! My father, from Belfast, Ireland has always loved your music and went to his first concert of yours in Germany, many years ago! Me, my parents and my two sisters have always grown up listening to your music and we’ve even been to quite a few of your concerts in England & Ireland! I’m not sure if this is now I do it, but I wanted to request a song for them both for the concert in Symphony Hall, Birmingham in May 2018. All of us love ‘Don’t forget your shovel’ (one of them) as it was our song we all used to song along too throughout the years. It brings back so many memories!
Warm Regards
Orlagh Breen
Birmingham/Belfast
Christy's reply
Órla…
you are well ahead of the possee …
I’m always charmed by the vision of children singing songs on old car journeys…
my Da got a car in 1953, it was a green Hillman Huskey ( ZW 1723)….he used to sing ” The Garden where The Praties Grow” “Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” and “The Pride of Petravore”
Thank you again for another storming gig. Loved that version of Faithful Departed and Sacco and Vanzetti was a noble call. Valentine’s granddaughters were delighted with the call out too- they were so looking forward to their first Christy gig and you didn’t disappoint. Hope you’re safely home and look forward to crossing paths again along the way. Thank you.
Sam Shepard RIP….
Sacco & Vanzetti seldom played
Thanks John, got back at 3am
safe and sound….
Home Sweet Home
everyone needs one
Thank you so much christy for a fab night you never fail I know I said it before but you are a true legend Away home to Longford tomorrow and I won’t be going home disappointed x thanks again ps up the lily whites my dads a new bridge man st Patrick’s Terece ❤️Ops and thanks for doing bright blue rose x take care christy hopefully be to see you again really soon
Sound as a bell
Great show last night.Loved every minute,set list brilliant,highlights for me were Back home in Derry,A stitch in time,No time for love and the brilliant The time has come. Brings a tear to my eye when you sing it.
on we go,heel to the toe
Thank you for your kind reply, Christy!
Lovely to read your words about the conditions before you entered stage. – The posts here sound as if it was a splendid gig …
Enjoy the Walled City!
Best of Luck for tonight, Traudel
we flew home to our nests after 2 great nights on the banks of The Foyle….I wont see the Companeros again until Vicar Street next month….
now I must turn my attention to 4 upcoming Solo gigs and to the launch of “On The Road” The solo gigs take me to a different place…..at first I feel naked and bereft without the assurance and comfort of my favourite orchestra…
Going to hear Ralph McTell tonight…we first met in 1967 in a Folk Club in Manchester…not many of us left from those halcyon days….
Hope your enjoying the Derry air this morning Christy (Toasted muffins, hard boiled eggs and all). Buzzing from the gig last night, lovely flow and energy to it from start to finish. Loved “Little Musgrave” “The Contender” & “A Stitch in Time” Some noble calls too when you kicked into JukeBox mode … your ode to Ann Lovett was deeply moving I have to say…..For some reason “Butterfly” had been in my head all day yesterday so I was chuffed to hear the shout out from down the hall “There will never be enough” ..Had a really nice feeling and sense of peace on the drive home after, dropped my good friend Mark off in Donegal Town before heading on to the old hometown of Kilcar …Two happy campers #Grateful Looking forward to tonight and more of the same Love & Respect Martin Mac
Hardly stirred today Martin, went down for the egg and then retired for the remainder of the day to conserve all energy for tonights performance…. here now listening to Cathal’s soundcheck…his fiddle is sounding sweet,his banjo tuned for action…..Declan is poised to perform, Jimmy is like a greyhound in the traps waitingfor sight of the hare, I’m contamplating songs that might emerge, Thinking of Faithfull Departed,Johnny Conners….
Declan and I talk sometime of doing a long gig, really going for it…a gig of Grateful Dead duration…saw them once in London circa mid 70s..they played for almost 6 hours….I was fast asleep by the end of it..but that was down to relaxing potions rather then their music..
Michael Devine has just called me for my sound check..the show must go on…
So excited to be traveling to see you in Derry can not wait not long now if you can Christy would you sing bright blue rose or Honda 50 can’t wait to hear you sing again your a legend good night Christy take care sweet dreams
we have the place warmed up for your arrival
Thank you Christy for another wonderful night – songs seemed to appear from another place tonight and the Time has Come was especially poignant linking our recent and not so recent past. Looking forward to another cracker tomorrow night. Siobhan and Mary will be crossing the border from Tyrone before Brexit kicks in. Great how the music draws us from many places to a special place. Thanks for the magic that you bring.
might they exit here while they’re at it
Christy,
Looking forward to the Millenium Forum on Friday night. Im not the type for roaring out for songs so I’ll make a request here, I would love to hear Reel in the Flickering Light, have never heard you sing it live.
I’ll be there with my girlfriend and her mother, a Cork man and two Tyrone women.
Thanks Christy
I’m checking around here now to see if there is any sign of Daddy Longlegs… Halloween is a hard time on our Arachnaphobes.. they dig in deep when the crackers start and some of ’em dont re-appear til after Boxing Day
Welcome back to Derry, Christy and crew. We three Dungiven dreamers are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow night. I will be there with my two eldest granddaughters at their first ever Christy gig. They would love to hear you sing Beeswing but whatever appears on the setlist, it will be a special night. I’d say my rose has faded……..
I hope ye have a good night here in Derry..we kicked off here last night and there was a great atmosphere in the Forum…they were here from all sides…Holland, New York, Glenties, Letterkenny, Tyrone, London and the Kingdom of Kerry…tonight is shaping up nice and tidy…we have a bus coming from Bellaghy, a Honda 50 fro The lowlands of Holland and a space cadet from Miltown Malbay here to research some cartoon material..
Hi Christy, Just a quick one to check if you have any date set for the release of the new Album. We were at your gig at the Nuremore back in March. You mentioned a possible release date this Autumn. Sure let me know, have to say can’t wait as I think Lily for me is up there as one of your best albums. Like good wine…
November 17th is release date for “On The Road”
Christy,
Looking forward to Derry on Friday night. We are having a wee reunion, 7 of us meeting up (remembering our UCG days) going to the MF to see you. The lads haven’t had the Christy experience yet. I know they can’t wait. One of the lads, Brendan Behan from Laois is a huge fan, and loves Beeswing. So if you remember you might sing or even mention his name. The name is easier than Chonticha, my friends new wife, who you called out for in the Black Box in August. Thanks again for that. Also, as its Derry, and in memory of the late Sam Shepard, perhaps you might give Faithful Departed a little rattle. He loved that song. I’ve told many people of your chance meeting for breakfast that next morning after the concert in 2012?
I’ve seen you many times now but can’t wait for tomorrow night as you save your best for Derry. Thanks Christy.
whallup …we’ll do the best we can..thanks for bringing back the memory of Sam…it was a great pleasure to sit with him and have a banter
Dear Christy,
Hope this finds you well. Time flies and now the poor November man is already advancing. We returned home safe and sound few days ago after four most enjoyable weeks on the Island and we are very appreciative for the precious time we had there …
And there were some experiences we’ll never forget: we rode out the storms “Ophelia” and “Brian” without any harm, explored the Fanad Lighthouse by day and night during our pleasant stay and again we had two magic nights at Bundoran and Ballina!
MÍLE MAITH AGAT to you, Declan, Cathal and Jimmy for your songs and music at two outstanding gigs!!! Especially loved to hear Two Island Swans, Johnny Jump Up, The Time Has Come, Spancil Hill, your extraordinary version with drums and banjo of The Well and your “little song” for Anne Lovett – it was so moving!
This was the first time I got to hear Rosalita and Jack Campbell live – a special Thank You for that! I think it’s a marvellous song but I’ll need to have the lyrics to get familiar with it.
As always it was a pleasure to meeting up with our 4711er gaggle. Last but not least many thanks to the whole crew who made it all happen.
Wish I could be in Derry …
All the best, Traudel
always good to get feedback from Germany…thanks for your words of approval…here in Derry now with an hour to go before we kick off….the lights are focused, the guitars are tuned, the prelude playing across the auditorium as the songsters gather….just got a flashback to that Gaggle at Free Derry Corner must be 10 years ago..
Declan is flying up and down the fretboard behind me, Jimmy is tightening his drums, Cathal is puttin rosin on his bow, I’m taking it all in as I write
Haha it’s a bit cool for swimming the Foyle ! and it’s Brian by the way, John’s a long lost cousin somewhere in Meath…
noratall Brian…a quick piss in the wetsuit and away we go…like marmite in a flask
What are the chances of getting a State side tour going? You would sell out in Boston for sure!!
Regrets Aoife..
that day is done..
confined to the local Islands from here on in
A few strange creatures still roaming Foyleside after last night’s festivities – some still dancing to the reel in the flickering light. Hope you have a safe journey and looking forward to a couple of good nights. Great to see the “sold out” signs on both shows – people still appreciating the great sounds and craic.
” spare a penny for the Pooka” was our calling cry over 60 years ago….faces black polished,old clothes and old shoes and away down the town with us..it was essential to sing on every doorstep…main thing was..it all cost nothing…no fancy uniforms , never heard of fireworks or fire crackers…I could be wrong but I have a feeling that we had more fun..no expectation, a few slices of brack and lotsa crack…
then again, this could be just auld-fella-begrudgery talkin….thats one thing about these senior years…I get exhausted sometimes listening to myself moaning on..I do be giving myself a pain in the hole, not to mention those around me… as for the rest of it !..dont even get me started ! Trumps,Brexits, Borders (hard or soft),N.I.Assembly (as gaeilge), Gooch ‘n Brolly, Zebo,robbin-bastard-Bankers,Nama,re-emerging corrupt Developers with big hungry stupid grins on their faces
anyway to hell with the lot of it… two nights at The Forum will bring some respite, once the curtain is raised we’ll trip the light fandango, we’ll tear into a few tunes and songs,
always good to hear from you…you have been a long-haul -listener for manys the year..
Thanks for that
It’s been two quick years since my dad died and as always the family thanks you for your love and support. His anniversary mass is on the 5th of November and so my travel itinerary apparently collides with yours, In Derry this time, on Friday November 3rd. I’ve gotten a ticket to your gig and I’ll keep an eye out for you crossing the peace bridge or maybe strolling the free corner ! Maybe you can give me a lift back to Dublin….Best for now Christy, hope all is well with you.
I never use the Bridge Brian,
prefer to swim the Foyle
I always run ’round Free Derry Corner Brian,
keeps the heart rate up,
once I leave that stage Brian
I just fly to the moon……….
packin the bag now, for the soft border, country butter and duck eggs
Ps Its the Life of Brian
Hi All. I came across this poem again tonight. it was written by Alan Cooke, a resident of West Clare, during a gig in The Royal Spa in Lisdoon in Oct 2015… well done to Alan I think he fairly captures the essence of it,, ” the magic space ” The Singers Hands, Ode to Christy
The singers fingers break song waves
The voice radiates out into heart space
The universe listens as words defy the loss in our souls
Strings hum under soft incantations of the song birds return
I thought I heard the crowds sigh as his tender voice elevates our silent cries
We hide in the magic space
Safe from harm today
The furnace woes of our dying world
Cease for these hours
Maybe our hands can meet God for a while through the singers open vowels
For secret angels stand at his back
Guiding poems that seem to make the stars fall as sweat beads on his sacred brow
I don’t know the words
I only know his face
Celtic warrior burning wild man expressing the soul of his race
Taking us home
Underneath the guitar and drums silent and sweet
The roars a passionate fierceness that nails the soft rhythm of the universal song
Stay awhile Christy
Stay singing upon an eternal mountain of stars
Help me leave my quiet sorrows tonight
Bring me home to the old flame one more time
Where beauty tastes like guitar strings and the folk songs mark our time over and over and over
Amen
Alan Cooke 2015
Thank You Alan…..
Looking forward to seeing you in millium forum derry on Friday night Christy your a true legend
see you up there soon Tia……
I have bought tickets for my parents, Martin & Jeanie to see you in Birmingham in May next year for Christmas. My parents both love your music! My father, from Belfast, Ireland has always loved your music and went to his first concert of yours in Germany, many years ago! Me, my parents and my two sisters have always grown up listening to your music and we’ve even been to quite a few of your concerts in England & Ireland! I’m not sure if this is now I do it, but I wanted to request a song for them both for the concert in Symphony Hall, Birmingham in May 2018. All of us love ‘Don’t forget your shovel’ (one of them) as it was our song we all used to song along too throughout the years. It brings back so many memories!
Warm Regards
Orlagh Breen
Birmingham/Belfast
Órla…
you are well ahead of the possee …
I’m always charmed by the vision of children singing songs on old car journeys…
my Da got a car in 1953, it was a green Hillman Huskey ( ZW 1723)….he used to sing ” The Garden where The Praties Grow” “Lovely Bunch of Coconuts” and “The Pride of Petravore”
Thanks for a wonderful gig at the Inec last night.Lookingforward to Vicar St on january 2nd.One of my favourite venues.
” O The sun it was high and the day it was warm
sez I an auld pint would’nt do me much harm”