Greetings, Christie.
My darling wife, Barbie, and I are coming from down under in July to see you at Ballybunion on Friday 13. What a treat for her 50th birthday today and for me too. I last saw you perform in Sydney in the late 90s and to finally see you in your homeland will be magical indeed.
We are also spending a month playing music and sampling the special warmth of tiny little Graiguenamanagh in Kilkenny.
All the best.
Christy's reply
I last played Ballybunion 34 years ago, looking forward to returning to the home of the Gay Bachelor Festival (sadly extinct) ..I hope to climb The Cliffs of Dooneen in the afternoon….
Graiguenamanagh is a lovely spot…. walk down the Barrow Bank to St Mullins and sample the Holy Waters of St Moling’s well……
see ye in The Kingdom of Kerry
rory bannerman
April 19, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Location: On route from englandshire to my own personal heaven amongst the hills of hawick
I feel delighted to have today, at last ,found a copy of the cd ‘i sang through the fairs’ ,in a backstreet record exchange today and am guarding it keenly on my return north.
Is your lyric a true tale about being called up for ‘wild colonial boy’?
She and john reilly must have been wonderful influences, not just on your early career but still in every fabulous gig i assume?
Liverpool approaches, thankfully not on foot though.
Rory
Christy's reply
The spirit of the old time Balladeers still lives on….
“Twas there I heard Luke Kelly, Frank Harte and Tom Munnelly
sing The Rocky Road and the Rocks of Bawn….
I learned to vamp the Jigs and Reels
and the rhythm of the ancient drum
on the windswept Hill of Tulla
learned The Bridge of Killaloe and Spancilhill.
but when I heard John Reilly, his singing mesmerised me
and The Raggle Taggle Gypsy ‘s got me still”
…………………(If I get and encore)
Dreamtime can become reality…
then there’s poetic licence
never let the truth get in the way of a good story
Morning Christy hope all is well with you firstly I’d like to thank Hillary for sharing the link to my song Sheeran Mad here on your guestbook and thanks to everyone who viewed or shared it on
I think the first time I saw you play was in Loughrea GAA pitch at.a once off folk festival in my head I can still see you singing Lanagans Ball Stockton Wing were on that day too and the first full gig on your own was in Hydens Ballinasloe I think around 1984.ish well anyway next Saturday my daughter Ciara is bringing her boyfriend no less to see you in Limerick his name is Brendan I know you probably have loads of requests but she asked Daddy to ask if you could sing Black is the Colour and as it happens my sister Patricia and her son and daughter in law are there the same night
It’s great to see the cycle starting all over again in the next generation and you are still going strong fair play if the ground dries out go with the ground hurling
Christy's reply
I do recall that gig in Loughrea… it was more like ” singin-on-the-back-of-a-lorry” then a Festival but the poster said festival so thats that…I think my favourite “Festival” concept was the Claremorris “Ham” Festival….it consisted of a week of bar exemptions based upon a smoked ham in a publican’s shop window…back in 1972 it was a hard hard gig…one that almost saw the demise of Planxty before we got properly started.. around the same time we had a similar experience in a dancehall in Enniscrone where we played “relief” to a showband called The Everglades..a riot erupted during our 20 minute set….I really thought Liam was gonna bail out of the band that night… but we got over it and the tide soon turned..
I remember Hayden’s too..I think Tommy Swarbrigg ran that gig..did it a few times in the 80s and always enjoyed playing Ballina…had a great gig there in a pub called “The Log Cabin”..when I landed, the man of the house announced that he had never heard tell of me….but he let me play and we had a good night..I’ve a vivid memory of tuning up in his mother’s “front room” above the pub..there was a big Grandfather clock tick-tocking in the corner…I was working on Johnny Duhan’s song “El Salvador” and I clearly remember playing it to the rhythm of the old clock….
Hi Christy,
My wife Suzanne and I will be attending your show in Manchester next month. When we met one of the things that we found we had in common was a love of your music I first saw you at Glastonbury in the 1980s and have been attending your concerts ever since. Suzanne was introduced to your music by an Irish neighbour in Manchester where she grew up.
This time will be even more special because shortly after the Manchester concert Suzanne will be celebrating her 50th birthday. If you could tell her that I love her more than ever, and that she has grown even more beautiful with the passing years, it would mean so much to us. If you could play ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ for her it would be sensational, but I don’t want to be too greedy! She is unaware of me contacting you so it would be a fabulous surprise if you are able to help.
Kind Regards
Clint West
Christy's reply
Greetings to Rammy……Really Clint, I think it will mean a lot more if you tell her yourself…
re that song…seeing as it was written by a Salford man it might be a runner…lets see how the wind is blowing
“The moon and the stars were the gifts you gave,
to the dark and the endless skies my love” (Ewan MacColl)
Hi All
As we know there is a lot of talent among the 4711ers,,,, young and not so young,,, this song was launched last week by Iggy B in aniticipation of Ed Sheerans Summer gigs,, have a listen and maybe leave a comment on youtubehttps://youtu.be/AZFelwT86tc , the West is awake !! H
Firstly what a fantastic show yourself and the crew put on for us in the Sleive Russell on Saturday night, it was superb from start to finish. An equally fantastic rendition of ‘bogman’, but i sat tight and enjoyed the shout out!
It was a day for the Russell’s, when Davy Russell won the grand national, Michael O’leary flew him home on a cramped ryanair flight (he would have put Tiger Roll in the luggage hold if he could), and the day Christy would brace the Sleive Russell.
You really got my mind going after the gig, great men get great inspiration from the magic air of the bog. From the narrow boreens of Mossbawn rose the great Seamus Heaney as you mentioned, who was inspired by the richness of the peatland surroundings. So too yourself, who has refreshed many peoples minds of the bogs open, clean desolite beauty. But most of all the hotel we all sat in on saturday night was inspired so much by the rolling blanket bog mountain landscape of nearby Slieve Russell, where it found its name. Father Horan dreamt big and built a runway through one also not so long ago but God knows what the future holds. Will Theresa May build a Donald Trump-style, great wall through the bogs of Sleive Russell mountain out of well stacked, highly built, good hard seasoned turf, to keep the smugglers out. Or will Leo take a gentle jog round the soft, black metropolis and save it, where the mighty wind turbines produce the green energy for the masses below. The answer is unclear for now, the bog will live on through the politics for years to come though, for no matter the border or a wall, the rich mossy peat is the same on both sides. Good luck with the rest of the tour Christy and come up our way again soon, you are in flying form!
Christy's reply
could not catch Butterfly last Sat night….almost grasped it once or twice before it flew off up into the chandeliers….such a beautiful song …its getting on for 20 years since we heard Brett And Rennie Sparks (The Handsome Family) in Connolly’s of Leap,near Skibbereen in the County Cork….its achingly descriptive words haunt me every time…
The Slieve Russell has become a firm favourite of ours…the room always attracts a great audience….the building itself is totally out of place in the rolling landscape of Cavan/Fermanagh but all reality is suspended upon entering the palatial lobby to be so warmly greeted within….sweeping stairs and crystal chandeliers abound…crisp sheets, pillows fluffed and puffed,en -suite suites, all a far cry from the floors and sleeping bags of early balladeering days
“me sunburnt thumb stuck up in the air
got manys the lift from here to there.
in cars,buses, vans and trains
the punishing heat,the snow and the rain” ( Trip to Jerusalem- Sweeney’s Joe Dolan )
thats the way the world has gone..from haybarns to luxury resorts on sandy foundations….
You may travel far far from your own native home … It’s been 10 years since Uwe and I began to travel Ireland along the concert route – at least once per year. It all started after we saw you at Vicar Street in January 2009 for the first time, Christy. Then, by following you On The Road we have seen almost every corner of Ireland. And your song lyrics were the best guide to your country we could find.
This time, we are after four fantastic gigs in four different counties, in Letterkenny, Carrick On Shannon, Westport and Ballyconnell. And still buzzing from all the beautiful music that is resounding in our heads. No idea where you find all the energy and fitness to keep going this kind of „high voltage“ gigs – absolutely amazing. As I had mentioned previously, we love the litte orchestra playing with you these days – Declan, Jimmy and Cathal even seemed to enjoy themselves on the stage, and they took the songs to a higher level with their beautiful solos and accompaniment.
It was good to meet up with some old 4711ers friends along the way, some of them we had not seen in years, as our concert paths did not cross lately.
Last but not least we can’t praise enough the always friendly crew behind the stage – sound, light, stage and organisation were flawless as ever. This level of precision requires a team operating perfectly together, and we assume there is much more work involved than the average concert goer is aware of. This includes long distance night drives on narrow roads and preparing everything just in time. Big hand for the team!
After some more days in Ireland we’ll be heading home to Hamburg. With the promise to come back if all goes well.
Christy's reply
Thank you Petra….your words of praise for those who work behind the scenes are very appropriate……everyone strives to make each gig special…before the band starts to play, our team will have been working all day preparing the stage and the venue …….when we walk out on stage at 8pm everything is precisely in place, instruments tuned, sound system set, microphones tweaked, lights focused,stage built precisely,monitors in place, seating inch perfect, coffee brewed,catering laid,
…..before the opening notes are sounded there will have been months of preparatory work…booking venues and accomodation, publicising, ticketing and a host of other details that need careful attention…..
I feel very priviledged ,at this time of my life , to have such a dedicated team of co-workers…..
Thank you for your feedback…I wish you and Uwe a safe journey back to Hamburg….we appreciate the efforts made by long-distance-listeners who travel far to hear the music
Great night in the Sieve Russell , we got the chance of a couple of tickets late in the week , so myself and Gers brother Liam made the trip , and glad we did. Hope to see you on Merseyside, where Conor is working for a while. Never been to the Philharmonic before so looking forward to that too.
Christy's reply
as Frank Carson would say..last night was a cracker…loved thon buachall coming up and asking for “Martin Egan’s Casey”..it was lovely to hear Martin’s name called out…had to do it then..I had not sung it since Bishop Casey expired..some great requests last night…those I heard but did not get to do sing included Butterfly, Burning Times, Tamlaghtduff, Stardust, Ballydine, Tyrone Boys …only time prevented
It takes a lot to speak in public and I always love your banter in the songs and on stage. I don’t want to sound like an eejit by giving you loads of compliments suffice to say the music and lyrics and the vouce speak for themselves.
Im no aficionado when it comes to artists, I just like what I like and have a very broad listening ear from yourself to Mary Coughlan to Van to Picture This………
What brought you into my head was the song ‘If they come in the morning’, while watching the latest goings on in Syria. I never realised until a couple of days ago that you didn’t write it by the way.
Anyway, it sparked of loads of memories so I thought I’d say ‘hello’.
Christy's reply
About 40 years ago I heard a Band called “Men of No Property”.Thats when I first heard Jack Warshaw’s song “No Time For Love”.I covered it initially with Planxty. There may be a version on a Planxty bootleg from 1979….with the formation of Moving Hearts in 1981 there came the version that resounded…over the years it has gone through many variations in the lyric.. these days from 3 to 6 verses depending upon the night thats in it….last night in County Cavan it was a 4 verse version with an elongated outro as Declan saddled the Fender and took us on a gallop over new territory …..
reading your post this morning I think you are an afficionado…you know what you like…in earlier years I struggled with the art concept…..what is art, whats good art, high art, naive art,…..age brought the realisation that Art is what I make of it…
coming home last night we heard two tracks from Dolores and The Cranberries….it was deeply moving and emotional…for the remainder of the journey I was immersed in their Art….recently I saw 5 pictures of Aleppo painted by Brian Maguire…..every time I see the Famine Sculptures by Rowan Gillespie ( by the Liffey in Dublin)….when I hear Paula Meehan, Stephen Murphy,Liam O’Flynn, my heart betimes melted by what I’ve witnessed…
sometimes a song I’ve sung a thousand times can suddenly be imbued with hearbreaking emotion that may never appear again…. “Pity The Poor Immigrant” “The Contender”, “Middle of The Island”, ” Magdalen Laundry” (Joni’s version) “Cry like a man”
I’ve been going down memory lane lately and you came into my head. The one time I met you properly was at The Point over 20 years ago and you asked me ‘Hows the babby’. I was chuffed. You gave a shout out to my hubby Gerry in Vicar Street a few years ago. Again, I was chuffed!
I think you’re getting better Christy, still love your talent.
Thanks for the music.
Christy's reply
Memory Lane.
I live here sometimes. Particularily out on the road between gigs. I dip into the guest book and get transported back to earlier times.
I was so nervous starting out. I had a small Spainish Guitar and I used to try and hide behind it. I could not even say hello to the audience. I’d sing my few songs and get quickly back to the bar. I’d watch other singers in awe of their communication skills. Watching Hamish Imlach, Noel Murphy, Johnny Silvo, Alex Cambell I realised that communicating with listeners made for more relaxed gigs…two years in I started introducing songs and started rapping to the room..
Fifty years on it comes naturally, we play and sing and try to communicate as naturally as we can…. most of it is spontaneous, some bits are repeated but that can get really boring for everyone concerned….
gotta be careful with “shout-outs”.. many seek them, I like to pick a few, particularily ones of interest….if someone has travelled a long way, or gone to great effort to hear the songs, something special….I know of one mush who has taken bets that he can get a “shout out”…..some go to great lengths, a small few feel utterly entitled and can take offence when not given their “due” recognition…..
Friday the 13th.
This was a lucky friday ,musically.
firstly i am just back in from Declan O’Rourke’s magical gig in edinburgh where he played his whole moving and thought provoking album’chronicles of the great irish famine’. he sang only one song not from the album ,Farmer Michael Hayes was played and i heard it recently revived in your sets too Christy, a great tale and fine tune, once a Planxty song i think? i prefer your version of his wonderful ‘lightning bird’ song, though he is a truly gifted songsmith.
secondly i had 8 lines from ‘North and South’ printed in a letter in the local press expressing my despair that my border town is tomorrow to have only the 2nd orange walk that i can remember in over 50 years here, infelt that the true words and sentiments of your song should be considered by those that approved it, will march it and will noisily oppose it, time we moved on ,as your perceptive lyric implores. i wonder if many have covered your song?
I welcome more friday the thirteenths into the calendar, they are good for the musical soul.
rory
Christy's reply
Declan O’Rourke does a lovely gig…I first heard him at Dave Murphy’s open mike night around 20 years ago…when he opened for Planxty at Vicar St Dublin in 2004….I heard the magic of his music…
One Summer’s night we caught his gig in Lahinch,County Clare…his vocal range is stunning…he just kept going Up Up Up like there was no ceiling…when he went into Lightning,Bird, Wind,River Man I whispered to Val that I’d love to cover that song…I made contact with Declan and he gave me the nod….
These past years my own writing has all but dried up…thankfully, many younger writers share their songs with me ( a few older ones too !) and I have a basket of fresh songs in the work room to keep me occupied…..
Back at Aintree again today…I have my few shekkels on a good thing from County Kildare…I got some information during the week, I’ve laid my money and said my prayers….its a longish shot, the going is just right, the jockey is keenly confident, connections are leppin with anticipation, the Bookies around the shortgrass are sweatin…I cant say much more….my lips must remain sealed…may all 40 Horses and Jockeys get home safe and sound….its a hard auld game…
Hi Christy I was at the gig in carrick with my father in law he was the man in the wheelchair. We seen you in Boyle and not long after john had a massive stroke. You met him in the NRH after as he tipes out to us he would have loved to be able to say hello. I myself am a lifetime fan and have tickets got for Athlone. John has tickets got for Sligo but I was to late its sold out. But I am heading to the barrowlands on my own in November. Hope to see you soon Stewart.
thanks for quick response Christy- from Kilcrohane, living in short grass county since late 70s with Teresa from Carrick-on-Suir (cousin of Clancys)
Daughter Roisin married to Alan in Baileborough- hence going to see you in Cavan, our son Cathal and partner Roseanne from Sligo will also join us in SR.
Christy's reply
forty years in the short grass and still a hankering for the Sheep’s Head…I’m a bit the same myself..47 years in The Black Lagoon (Dubh Linn) but always a Lily….in Westport tonight then on up to Ballyconnell tomorrow
HI Christy
Teresa Daly going to show in SR Sat 14th, love to hear ‘The Cliffs’ if possible, she sang it with you circa 10 years ago at impromptu gig ‘The White House’
Christy's reply
The White House in Kilcrohane was a favourite spot of ours when it was run by Pat and Kathleen Tobin…I remember some great sessions there when Colm Murphy and Bob Walshe were residing in that West Cork haven of culture and civility…(Bob is gone fishing above in Nirvana, Colm decided to move when an uncouth gombeen took up residence nearby). We had mighty nights of capers and frolics, cherished memories….cant figure whether you’re from Naas, Cavan or Kilcrohane Donal..you reveal very little of yourself…a sure sign of a….(tbc P94)
Hey there, hope all’s well with you Christy. Last week I had the headphones on listening to “The Gardener” on my dad’s birthday, I heard it for the first time on his birthday shortly after he passed, wonderful wonderful song….
Christy's reply
Delighted by your feedback…..there has been very little attention paid to our recording of Paul Doran’s beautiful song…I have rated this song very highly since Paul shared it with me many years ago… I was certain it would be well recieved…it describes the Gardener’s life so beautifully…..I must try and get it back into the set
I’m so sorry excited fo you to come to London! I’ve grown up listening to my parents playing your music now I’m 27 and can’t wait to come along with my hubby to hear you live!! Roll on next spring
Christy's reply
Here’s hoping we’ll all still be spring rolling and rocking
Hello Christy, Sean Gorman from Limerick is 17 years old and he is your number 1 fan. He is going to your concert in UL with his Dad on Friday 19th April. Sean would love if you could play his favourite song ‘Ride On’. He will be in the second row, Thanks, Sean’s Dad, John.
Christy's reply
I’ll do my best John, the half of Limerick is looking for requests and call outs…Lets see how the night flows….we’ll work it out… Ride On Sean
Hello Christy! My husband and I are such big fans of yours. Steve, my husband worked in Dublin in 2010 and was away from home for long periods of time. Black is the Color became our theme song when we were so lonesome we could barely stand it. Your voice is like no other. Your passion to sing is felt with every audience that hears you. We are coming to Ireland September 2018. We will be in your audience Thursday September 20th. We wanted to follow you to Newcastle but were told your show is sold out on the 21st of September. Is it possible for you to perform in a bigger room so more tickets could be sold? We have planned our trip to see you and hope it can be possible. Never stop the music for you are one of the greatest of all time! ??❤️
Christy's reply
Have a chat with the man on the door in Armagh…he will know if there is any availability for the 21st…both gigs are full but sometimes there are cancellations…the room in Slieve Donard is the biggest in Town !!! Newcastle is a lovely town..hope ye get sorted
Greetings, Christie.
My darling wife, Barbie, and I are coming from down under in July to see you at Ballybunion on Friday 13. What a treat for her 50th birthday today and for me too. I last saw you perform in Sydney in the late 90s and to finally see you in your homeland will be magical indeed.
We are also spending a month playing music and sampling the special warmth of tiny little Graiguenamanagh in Kilkenny.
All the best.
I last played Ballybunion 34 years ago, looking forward to returning to the home of the Gay Bachelor Festival (sadly extinct) ..I hope to climb The Cliffs of Dooneen in the afternoon….
Graiguenamanagh is a lovely spot…. walk down the Barrow Bank to St Mullins and sample the Holy Waters of St Moling’s well……
see ye in The Kingdom of Kerry
I feel delighted to have today, at last ,found a copy of the cd ‘i sang through the fairs’ ,in a backstreet record exchange today and am guarding it keenly on my return north.
Is your lyric a true tale about being called up for ‘wild colonial boy’?
She and john reilly must have been wonderful influences, not just on your early career but still in every fabulous gig i assume?
Liverpool approaches, thankfully not on foot though.
Rory
The spirit of the old time Balladeers still lives on….
“Twas there I heard Luke Kelly, Frank Harte and Tom Munnelly
sing The Rocky Road and the Rocks of Bawn….
I learned to vamp the Jigs and Reels
and the rhythm of the ancient drum
on the windswept Hill of Tulla
learned The Bridge of Killaloe and Spancilhill.
but when I heard John Reilly, his singing mesmerised me
and The Raggle Taggle Gypsy ‘s got me still”
…………………(If I get and encore)
Dreamtime can become reality…
then there’s poetic licence
never let the truth get in the way of a good story
Morning Christy hope all is well with you firstly I’d like to thank Hillary for sharing the link to my song Sheeran Mad here on your guestbook and thanks to everyone who viewed or shared it on
I think the first time I saw you play was in Loughrea GAA pitch at.a once off folk festival in my head I can still see you singing Lanagans Ball Stockton Wing were on that day too and the first full gig on your own was in Hydens Ballinasloe I think around 1984.ish well anyway next Saturday my daughter Ciara is bringing her boyfriend no less to see you in Limerick his name is Brendan I know you probably have loads of requests but she asked Daddy to ask if you could sing Black is the Colour and as it happens my sister Patricia and her son and daughter in law are there the same night
It’s great to see the cycle starting all over again in the next generation and you are still going strong fair play if the ground dries out go with the ground hurling
I do recall that gig in Loughrea… it was more like ” singin-on-the-back-of-a-lorry” then a Festival but the poster said festival so thats that…I think my favourite “Festival” concept was the Claremorris “Ham” Festival….it consisted of a week of bar exemptions based upon a smoked ham in a publican’s shop window…back in 1972 it was a hard hard gig…one that almost saw the demise of Planxty before we got properly started.. around the same time we had a similar experience in a dancehall in Enniscrone where we played “relief” to a showband called The Everglades..a riot erupted during our 20 minute set….I really thought Liam was gonna bail out of the band that night… but we got over it and the tide soon turned..
I remember Hayden’s too..I think Tommy Swarbrigg ran that gig..did it a few times in the 80s and always enjoyed playing Ballina…had a great gig there in a pub called “The Log Cabin”..when I landed, the man of the house announced that he had never heard tell of me….but he let me play and we had a good night..I’ve a vivid memory of tuning up in his mother’s “front room” above the pub..there was a big Grandfather clock tick-tocking in the corner…I was working on Johnny Duhan’s song “El Salvador” and I clearly remember playing it to the rhythm of the old clock….
Hi Christy,
My wife Suzanne and I will be attending your show in Manchester next month. When we met one of the things that we found we had in common was a love of your music I first saw you at Glastonbury in the 1980s and have been attending your concerts ever since. Suzanne was introduced to your music by an Irish neighbour in Manchester where she grew up.
This time will be even more special because shortly after the Manchester concert Suzanne will be celebrating her 50th birthday. If you could tell her that I love her more than ever, and that she has grown even more beautiful with the passing years, it would mean so much to us. If you could play ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ for her it would be sensational, but I don’t want to be too greedy! She is unaware of me contacting you so it would be a fabulous surprise if you are able to help.
Kind Regards
Clint West
Greetings to Rammy……Really Clint, I think it will mean a lot more if you tell her yourself…
re that song…seeing as it was written by a Salford man it might be a runner…lets see how the wind is blowing
“The moon and the stars were the gifts you gave,
to the dark and the endless skies my love” (Ewan MacColl)
Sorry,,, left out spaces,,this will hopefully lead to Iggys song https://youtu.be/AZFelwT86tc
totally spaced out…no bother
Hi All
As we know there is a lot of talent among the 4711ers,,,, young and not so young,,, this song was launched last week by Iggy B in aniticipation of Ed Sheerans Summer gigs,, have a listen and maybe leave a comment on youtubehttps://youtu.be/AZFelwT86tc , the West is awake !! H
Iggy is ready to face the puck-out
Hello again Christy,
Firstly what a fantastic show yourself and the crew put on for us in the Sleive Russell on Saturday night, it was superb from start to finish. An equally fantastic rendition of ‘bogman’, but i sat tight and enjoyed the shout out!
It was a day for the Russell’s, when Davy Russell won the grand national, Michael O’leary flew him home on a cramped ryanair flight (he would have put Tiger Roll in the luggage hold if he could), and the day Christy would brace the Sleive Russell.
You really got my mind going after the gig, great men get great inspiration from the magic air of the bog. From the narrow boreens of Mossbawn rose the great Seamus Heaney as you mentioned, who was inspired by the richness of the peatland surroundings. So too yourself, who has refreshed many peoples minds of the bogs open, clean desolite beauty. But most of all the hotel we all sat in on saturday night was inspired so much by the rolling blanket bog mountain landscape of nearby Slieve Russell, where it found its name. Father Horan dreamt big and built a runway through one also not so long ago but God knows what the future holds. Will Theresa May build a Donald Trump-style, great wall through the bogs of Sleive Russell mountain out of well stacked, highly built, good hard seasoned turf, to keep the smugglers out. Or will Leo take a gentle jog round the soft, black metropolis and save it, where the mighty wind turbines produce the green energy for the masses below. The answer is unclear for now, the bog will live on through the politics for years to come though, for no matter the border or a wall, the rich mossy peat is the same on both sides. Good luck with the rest of the tour Christy and come up our way again soon, you are in flying form!
could not catch Butterfly last Sat night….almost grasped it once or twice before it flew off up into the chandeliers….such a beautiful song …its getting on for 20 years since we heard Brett And Rennie Sparks (The Handsome Family) in Connolly’s of Leap,near Skibbereen in the County Cork….its achingly descriptive words haunt me every time…
The Slieve Russell has become a firm favourite of ours…the room always attracts a great audience….the building itself is totally out of place in the rolling landscape of Cavan/Fermanagh but all reality is suspended upon entering the palatial lobby to be so warmly greeted within….sweeping stairs and crystal chandeliers abound…crisp sheets, pillows fluffed and puffed,en -suite suites, all a far cry from the floors and sleeping bags of early balladeering days
“me sunburnt thumb stuck up in the air
got manys the lift from here to there.
in cars,buses, vans and trains
the punishing heat,the snow and the rain” ( Trip to Jerusalem- Sweeney’s Joe Dolan )
thats the way the world has gone..from haybarns to luxury resorts on sandy foundations….
Go raibh maith agat agus fad saoil Críostóir
ceart go leor, márcaidh ar agaidh
You may travel far far from your own native home … It’s been 10 years since Uwe and I began to travel Ireland along the concert route – at least once per year. It all started after we saw you at Vicar Street in January 2009 for the first time, Christy. Then, by following you On The Road we have seen almost every corner of Ireland. And your song lyrics were the best guide to your country we could find.
This time, we are after four fantastic gigs in four different counties, in Letterkenny, Carrick On Shannon, Westport and Ballyconnell. And still buzzing from all the beautiful music that is resounding in our heads. No idea where you find all the energy and fitness to keep going this kind of „high voltage“ gigs – absolutely amazing. As I had mentioned previously, we love the litte orchestra playing with you these days – Declan, Jimmy and Cathal even seemed to enjoy themselves on the stage, and they took the songs to a higher level with their beautiful solos and accompaniment.
It was good to meet up with some old 4711ers friends along the way, some of them we had not seen in years, as our concert paths did not cross lately.
Last but not least we can’t praise enough the always friendly crew behind the stage – sound, light, stage and organisation were flawless as ever. This level of precision requires a team operating perfectly together, and we assume there is much more work involved than the average concert goer is aware of. This includes long distance night drives on narrow roads and preparing everything just in time. Big hand for the team!
After some more days in Ireland we’ll be heading home to Hamburg. With the promise to come back if all goes well.
Thank you Petra….your words of praise for those who work behind the scenes are very appropriate……everyone strives to make each gig special…before the band starts to play, our team will have been working all day preparing the stage and the venue …….when we walk out on stage at 8pm everything is precisely in place, instruments tuned, sound system set, microphones tweaked, lights focused,stage built precisely,monitors in place, seating inch perfect, coffee brewed,catering laid,
…..before the opening notes are sounded there will have been months of preparatory work…booking venues and accomodation, publicising, ticketing and a host of other details that need careful attention…..
I feel very priviledged ,at this time of my life , to have such a dedicated team of co-workers…..
Thank you for your feedback…I wish you and Uwe a safe journey back to Hamburg….we appreciate the efforts made by long-distance-listeners who travel far to hear the music
Great night in the Sieve Russell , we got the chance of a couple of tickets late in the week , so myself and Gers brother Liam made the trip , and glad we did. Hope to see you on Merseyside, where Conor is working for a while. Never been to the Philharmonic before so looking forward to that too.
as Frank Carson would say..last night was a cracker…loved thon buachall coming up and asking for “Martin Egan’s Casey”..it was lovely to hear Martin’s name called out…had to do it then..I had not sung it since Bishop Casey expired..some great requests last night…those I heard but did not get to do sing included Butterfly, Burning Times, Tamlaghtduff, Stardust, Ballydine, Tyrone Boys …only time prevented
It takes a lot to speak in public and I always love your banter in the songs and on stage. I don’t want to sound like an eejit by giving you loads of compliments suffice to say the music and lyrics and the vouce speak for themselves.
Im no aficionado when it comes to artists, I just like what I like and have a very broad listening ear from yourself to Mary Coughlan to Van to Picture This………
What brought you into my head was the song ‘If they come in the morning’, while watching the latest goings on in Syria. I never realised until a couple of days ago that you didn’t write it by the way.
Anyway, it sparked of loads of memories so I thought I’d say ‘hello’.
About 40 years ago I heard a Band called “Men of No Property”.Thats when I first heard Jack Warshaw’s song “No Time For Love”.I covered it initially with Planxty. There may be a version on a Planxty bootleg from 1979….with the formation of Moving Hearts in 1981 there came the version that resounded…over the years it has gone through many variations in the lyric.. these days from 3 to 6 verses depending upon the night thats in it….last night in County Cavan it was a 4 verse version with an elongated outro as Declan saddled the Fender and took us on a gallop over new territory …..
reading your post this morning I think you are an afficionado…you know what you like…in earlier years I struggled with the art concept…..what is art, whats good art, high art, naive art,…..age brought the realisation that Art is what I make of it…
coming home last night we heard two tracks from Dolores and The Cranberries….it was deeply moving and emotional…for the remainder of the journey I was immersed in their Art….recently I saw 5 pictures of Aleppo painted by Brian Maguire…..every time I see the Famine Sculptures by Rowan Gillespie ( by the Liffey in Dublin)….when I hear Paula Meehan, Stephen Murphy,Liam O’Flynn, my heart betimes melted by what I’ve witnessed…
sometimes a song I’ve sung a thousand times can suddenly be imbued with hearbreaking emotion that may never appear again…. “Pity The Poor Immigrant” “The Contender”, “Middle of The Island”, ” Magdalen Laundry” (Joni’s version) “Cry like a man”
Thanks for your”Hello”
I’ve been going down memory lane lately and you came into my head. The one time I met you properly was at The Point over 20 years ago and you asked me ‘Hows the babby’. I was chuffed. You gave a shout out to my hubby Gerry in Vicar Street a few years ago. Again, I was chuffed!
I think you’re getting better Christy, still love your talent.
Thanks for the music.
Memory Lane.
I live here sometimes. Particularily out on the road between gigs. I dip into the guest book and get transported back to earlier times.
I was so nervous starting out. I had a small Spainish Guitar and I used to try and hide behind it. I could not even say hello to the audience. I’d sing my few songs and get quickly back to the bar. I’d watch other singers in awe of their communication skills. Watching Hamish Imlach, Noel Murphy, Johnny Silvo, Alex Cambell I realised that communicating with listeners made for more relaxed gigs…two years in I started introducing songs and started rapping to the room..
Fifty years on it comes naturally, we play and sing and try to communicate as naturally as we can…. most of it is spontaneous, some bits are repeated but that can get really boring for everyone concerned….
gotta be careful with “shout-outs”.. many seek them, I like to pick a few, particularily ones of interest….if someone has travelled a long way, or gone to great effort to hear the songs, something special….I know of one mush who has taken bets that he can get a “shout out”…..some go to great lengths, a small few feel utterly entitled and can take offence when not given their “due” recognition…..
Friday the 13th.
This was a lucky friday ,musically.
firstly i am just back in from Declan O’Rourke’s magical gig in edinburgh where he played his whole moving and thought provoking album’chronicles of the great irish famine’. he sang only one song not from the album ,Farmer Michael Hayes was played and i heard it recently revived in your sets too Christy, a great tale and fine tune, once a Planxty song i think? i prefer your version of his wonderful ‘lightning bird’ song, though he is a truly gifted songsmith.
secondly i had 8 lines from ‘North and South’ printed in a letter in the local press expressing my despair that my border town is tomorrow to have only the 2nd orange walk that i can remember in over 50 years here, infelt that the true words and sentiments of your song should be considered by those that approved it, will march it and will noisily oppose it, time we moved on ,as your perceptive lyric implores. i wonder if many have covered your song?
I welcome more friday the thirteenths into the calendar, they are good for the musical soul.
rory
Declan O’Rourke does a lovely gig…I first heard him at Dave Murphy’s open mike night around 20 years ago…when he opened for Planxty at Vicar St Dublin in 2004….I heard the magic of his music…
One Summer’s night we caught his gig in Lahinch,County Clare…his vocal range is stunning…he just kept going Up Up Up like there was no ceiling…when he went into Lightning,Bird, Wind,River Man I whispered to Val that I’d love to cover that song…I made contact with Declan and he gave me the nod….
These past years my own writing has all but dried up…thankfully, many younger writers share their songs with me ( a few older ones too !) and I have a basket of fresh songs in the work room to keep me occupied…..
Back at Aintree again today…I have my few shekkels on a good thing from County Kildare…I got some information during the week, I’ve laid my money and said my prayers….its a longish shot, the going is just right, the jockey is keenly confident, connections are leppin with anticipation, the Bookies around the shortgrass are sweatin…I cant say much more….my lips must remain sealed…may all 40 Horses and Jockeys get home safe and sound….its a hard auld game…
Hi Christy I was at the gig in carrick with my father in law he was the man in the wheelchair. We seen you in Boyle and not long after john had a massive stroke. You met him in the NRH after as he tipes out to us he would have loved to be able to say hello. I myself am a lifetime fan and have tickets got for Athlone. John has tickets got for Sligo but I was to late its sold out. But I am heading to the barrowlands on my own in November. Hope to see you soon Stewart.
Sound Stewart….see you along the way…
thanks for quick response Christy- from Kilcrohane, living in short grass county since late 70s with Teresa from Carrick-on-Suir (cousin of Clancys)
Daughter Roisin married to Alan in Baileborough- hence going to see you in Cavan, our son Cathal and partner Roseanne from Sligo will also join us in SR.
forty years in the short grass and still a hankering for the Sheep’s Head…I’m a bit the same myself..47 years in The Black Lagoon (Dubh Linn) but always a Lily….in Westport tonight then on up to Ballyconnell tomorrow
HI Christy
Teresa Daly going to show in SR Sat 14th, love to hear ‘The Cliffs’ if possible, she sang it with you circa 10 years ago at impromptu gig ‘The White House’
The White House in Kilcrohane was a favourite spot of ours when it was run by Pat and Kathleen Tobin…I remember some great sessions there when Colm Murphy and Bob Walshe were residing in that West Cork haven of culture and civility…(Bob is gone fishing above in Nirvana, Colm decided to move when an uncouth gombeen took up residence nearby). We had mighty nights of capers and frolics, cherished memories….cant figure whether you’re from Naas, Cavan or Kilcrohane Donal..you reveal very little of yourself…a sure sign of a….(tbc P94)
Hey there, hope all’s well with you Christy. Last week I had the headphones on listening to “The Gardener” on my dad’s birthday, I heard it for the first time on his birthday shortly after he passed, wonderful wonderful song….
Delighted by your feedback…..there has been very little attention paid to our recording of Paul Doran’s beautiful song…I have rated this song very highly since Paul shared it with me many years ago… I was certain it would be well recieved…it describes the Gardener’s life so beautifully…..I must try and get it back into the set
I’m so sorry excited fo you to come to London! I’ve grown up listening to my parents playing your music now I’m 27 and can’t wait to come along with my hubby to hear you live!! Roll on next spring
Here’s hoping we’ll all still be spring rolling and rocking
Hello Christy, Sean Gorman from Limerick is 17 years old and he is your number 1 fan. He is going to your concert in UL with his Dad on Friday 19th April. Sean would love if you could play his favourite song ‘Ride On’. He will be in the second row, Thanks, Sean’s Dad, John.
I’ll do my best John, the half of Limerick is looking for requests and call outs…Lets see how the night flows….we’ll work it out… Ride On Sean
Hello Christy! My husband and I are such big fans of yours. Steve, my husband worked in Dublin in 2010 and was away from home for long periods of time. Black is the Color became our theme song when we were so lonesome we could barely stand it. Your voice is like no other. Your passion to sing is felt with every audience that hears you. We are coming to Ireland September 2018. We will be in your audience Thursday September 20th. We wanted to follow you to Newcastle but were told your show is sold out on the 21st of September. Is it possible for you to perform in a bigger room so more tickets could be sold? We have planned our trip to see you and hope it can be possible. Never stop the music for you are one of the greatest of all time! ??❤️
Have a chat with the man on the door in Armagh…he will know if there is any availability for the 21st…both gigs are full but sometimes there are cancellations…the room in Slieve Donard is the biggest in Town !!! Newcastle is a lovely town..hope ye get sorted