Not a bother. . Still on the Promenade. Hope to be there tonight again. The gig was in full flow last night .
Hurt was very powerful indeed…..
Christy's reply
hope to be there mysel Marty…its all go here..between rehearsals and soundchecks, gigs and albums, setlists and underpants,
I cant figure out how we did it years ago..to be chasin the crack, day and night, like headless chickens, Porter and Crack was first and foremost, sometimes the gigs would intrude upon our social lives…but thats Youth for you Marty….that said, I prefer the way things are now…..the purpose is clear, its the work, the words ,the music, the art of performance, the cohesion,the will for perfection,but flawed perfection Marty, for tis flaws that sharpen the edge, an edge that some will comprehend, that others neither need nor notice..I’ve the kettle on now.. a swift brew and back to that land of leisure
and then there is The Hurling,, and Sam Maguire looming, and Japan soon after,
“and then the whole bloody business starts all over again, a cat’s flux”
“I was so much older then,
I’m younger then that now”
“The Prince and The Ploughman, The Slave and The Free Man “
I had a few days on the Shannon with the family on a boat and ended up the last night in Drumsna, now I can’t get the song out of my head… “Every ould crock of a Drumsna Cock is longing to be free” Hope all’s good Christy looking forward to the next gig.
Christy's reply
no doubt Brian…Leitrim is a very funny place…that ballad was written by Fintan Vallely
“They’ve a race track underground for training Shergar
No Comment ! is all they’ll say to me
Subversion here is bubblin
O please take me back to Dublin
Sez Your Man from RTE”
a great write of ballads is Fintan…also a fine flute player and doctor of the folklore
we’re gathered down here in Galway at the lower end of Connacht…your in a fine part of the world up there…lots of music and capers lurking in Leitrim…lurchers and latchicoes too but the good always wins out in the long run….spotted a Fleet of Harleys the other day ( not a feckin silencer between them,I wondered were you among them) I wore your teashirt recently at a Honda 50 rally and got some strange looks…better then no looks at all…hope all is well with you….
Hi Christy.
Due to circumstances I’ve missed a few Gigs; however tonight was the perfect tonic. Thanks so much for a wonderful show. You brought us on a lovely musical journey and to finish with “Hurt” was just magic. Thanks also to your wonderful crew, they always deliver super sound and lightning . ….. The perfect Friday, great music, great friends and a great venue……. what more could one wish for.
Best regards
Patsy
Christy's reply
Thanks Patsy…I like when the Crew get a mention….they put a lot of effort into getting everything ready for us at every gig…no matter where we play…be it Carnegie Hall,New York or The Sheebeen in Moate the Crew have everything in place when we arrive…PA tweeked,Lights focused, guitars strung and tuned, kettle boiled, venue ready to rock…all we gotta do is sit down and play…..
I often think back to bygone days of yore….pulling into Rakish Paddy’s in the old Peugeot 404 diesel, hauling in Hurleys Crazy Boxes, gettin it set up mysel, turning the 200 watt H&H amp up to 11 and wiring in the Binson echo…changing the strings and then slaughtering a half dozen large bottles to tune up the vocals…. do the gig, haul out the gear…gather the few bob from Peter, another half dozen large bottles and off again..The Merriman Scariff, De Barras in Cork, The Green Briar in Antrim,CJ’s in Salthill….never tire of the road sez Andy irvine
good audience last night… a few good versions emanating…I’m really enjoying “Hurt” and playing it after “back Home in Derry ” brought it to a different plain…
Hi Christy, Harry here tonight I am going to your concert in leisureland ( Friday the 16th ) . I’m your biggest fan! I’m 7 years old and this is my 3rd time seeing your concert this year.. my favourite song is joxter, I also love ordinary man and viva la quinte.. I hope you sing them tonight. Good luck for a good show! My mum, dad and grandad are coming too, bye Christy! 😀😮👍🏻
Christy's reply
Hey Harry, its the morning after and I’ve just read your message…..happy to note that I sang all three of your songs last night…was that you in the front row to my right ? Cant see too clearly with the lights in my eyes …but I did spot a young man bopping in the front row…hoe you Ma,Dad and Grandad had a good time and behaved themselves..just as well you were there to look after them…
Breezy and blustery…… a good evening for listening to good music
Had a roundabout trip via dublin and athlone and then thought of yourself and Pete St John as I passed Athenry.
Would be great to hear John O’Dreams tonight if it appears on the list .
Christy's reply
Marty, I’m only after reading your”John O’Dreams ” this minute and the gig over 10 hours ago…there you were on front of me and me with no notion of your call-out…..this is the only platform I visit, …..on gig days I do get distracted by rehearsals, sound checks, warm ups,catch-ups and chewin the fat….
“The Hawks of Morning cannot reach you here”
let me know next time you’ll be joining the gaggle
Greetings Christy,
Jayo and Antoinette’s only son Dean is over in Tipp for 3 weeks from Sydney where he is exiled.
The lure of the song is bringing them to Leisureland on saturday night, and with Dean feeling that Oz is now ‘home’ they are singing ‘pity the poor immigrant’ to him on the journey up.
They will have a ball, hope you do too.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
“He filled his mouth with laughin,
He built his town with blood”
Hi Christy, delighted that you are returning to Clonmel next month. I think I may have asked you this before but is there any chance you might include “Little Musgrave” in your set on the night. I play a little music myself at times and recently some of my friends and I had two sessions in your old stomping ground Annie Kehoe’s..its great to see it open again. Looking forward to seeing and hearing you in Clonmel next month.
Kindest regards..John O Neill.
Christy's reply
Morra John… I’ve noted that…hopefully it will happen…its not every saturday night that Musgrave will venture out…a lot depends on the way the wind is blowing…he is a delicate kinda lad..needs the ground to be well prepared but if he is willing I’ll not be found wanting…Did Babs Keating play for Ardfinnan or was that a dream I had 55 years ago ?
I have written emails several times and been told no via your management. I am hoping that you will read this and reply.
I am a Dublin man (don’t hold that against me) living outside Nuremberg. We have a beautiful 13th century building with a gorgeous beer garden. We often have music including Irish music.
My German partner loves you and her dream is for you to play in our hotel. What do you say. I promise the most relaxing environment and an enjoyable time.
Here is hoping
Owen
Christy's reply
Hi Owen, I’m a Kildare man living outside Dublin…greetings to all listeners and songsters in Germany.
Last time I saw you Christy was above in Bundoran last October. What a great two nights in the Great Northern. I was part of a 5 man crew over from the States and we christened ourselves the Milwaukee5. We were ‘free at last’ roaming Irelands western & northern seaboard and the highlight of the trip was to see your great self. We have played you on many a road trip around the mid west and many a kitchen and fireside and it has always been the hope we would see you at some point at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
The second night in Bundoran you were about to tell a story of going to play in America when you were interupted by some gob$%!t and the story left your mind… Anyway didnt stop you giving a great rendition of Lisdoonvarna. We almost took the roof off the hotel! What a send off…
Looking forward to seeing you in Galway Friday night and down the chipper afterwards… ‘Let the music keep your spirits high’
Dan Ryan
Christy's reply
Dan The Man…enjoy Salthill…Galway always leppin in August…
Dear Christy, I hope you are well. We have returned from our ramble to the fantastic coast line to catch you at the Mermaid. It was fantastic to be in such a cool venue. I’m sorry we missed the Friday night. We walked the Bray promenade. The highlight of the concert was the recitation of the Lost Tribe of the Wicklow Hills by Dave Lordan. The best moment was the tingling call out to Mullaghcleevaun where we had just been that very day. It casts a mighty shadow for many miles along the Wicklow Gap. And see how Lough Tay becomes Lough Dan. There are some fine sights there. Such an emotional trip. Thank you to you and yours and to the music and words that makes it all an illumination. xx
Christy's reply
Greetings to you,to Farmer Michael Hayes and to all belonging to Ye both….what a wonderful post ! To think you sought and found The Lost Tribe, that you gazed down upon Lough Dan and up towards Mullaghacleevaune, and all because of Dave Lordan…..He himself was present at The Friday gathering in The Mermaid…after I recited his words he came on stage and shared a most beautiful run of verse…
……………….Thank You for sharing your journey with us Anuk
That’s the very man Christy, My auntie is married to Pa’s son Paul.So young Kevin is Pa’s grandson. The 3 of them will be there Friday. Jim Casey’s daughter cuts my mam’s hair would you believe, a great woman. My da used to be down there too for the sessions, when he tells the stories of those days I feel I missed out big time…some of the best music was played under that roof when Pat Dowling was there by the sounds of things.
Last month, when I had my father in for a hospital appointment he actually bumped into a lad that used to come from Leixlip for the session and the darts in Pat Dowlings time, they hadn’t seen each other in 40+ years and the laughs of them talking about those days, many memories shared.
The deer are cavorting in the field outside my window, do they not have beds to go to?
hi Christy, with over 30 albums under the belt i wondered if you had a favourite album of your own making. it is probably an impossible question to answer ,like asking lester for his favourite ride, saint brendan his favourite discovered land, henrik his favourite goal, seamus his favourite poem etc etc but have you one of your own that you would take if shipwrecked on Rockall ?
even i cannot decide (it is between king puck, smoke and strong whiskey ,and spirit of freedom , but no doubt will change that next year ) so i realise it is perhaps unfair to ask.
regards
Rory
ps Up Tipp (for the Kinanes)
Christy's reply
a good question Rory, all the better for its lack of precision !!! not sure whether you mean favourite album or favourite recording session…
So many sessions remembered and cherished…
The “Prosperous” recording was outstanding and memorably enjoyable for the Music, the Cameraderie and the Crack….
“Spirit of Freedom” was recorded in many different locations with different line-ups….my clearest memory is of Mairtín O’Connor playing accordeon on “Plane Crash at Los Gotos” in Slane Studio in County Meath
“King Puck” came together in Ballyvourney, County Cork…when Jimmy Faulkner took ill I invited Neil MacColl to join us in Sullaune Studio…Recording “Me &The Rose” was a stand out for me. I had been attempting to record it for years
“Smoke” was a difficult album as there were headaches and heartaches along the way but ,with the help of Eoghan O’Neill (my fellow-member of Moving Hearts) we eventually got it over the line
“Traveller” was a revealation when I worked with Leo Pearson in the Garden Shed.He looped and sampled, machined the drums, played things backwards and turned things inside out…
“Ordinary Man” was achieved in Nicky Ryan’s Garden studio…Arty McGlynn and Donal Lunny provided most of the Music with a host of others adding their beauty along the way..that was a happy time
“Ride On” was recorded at Muckross in The Kingdom of Kerry…that was an outstanding experience….Donal Lunny,Declan Sinnott and myself hiding out with Mark Frank, Jim and Peter Donohoe along with Peter Eades’ Eerie Mobile Studio made for a truly memorable time….twas the least we could do
I spent a lovely couple of days near Bristol recording with Calum and Neil MacColl..it yielded up one track on the Box Set (1964-2004)..In Praise of Mullaghmore
Recording “North& South” with Bono and The Edge was an insight into a very different world….like being in the deep end of a pool rather then my usual fast moving River…but I enjoyed the process and the glimpse into another world
Loved recording with Barney McKenna, Matt Molloy,Luka Bloom, Elvis Costello, Mary Black,Mandy Murphy, Eithne Ní Bhraonáin,Conor Byrne,….come to think of it..there were hundreds of great sessions over the years…loved working with Nigel Rolfe too
Christy,
Great night in Brey. Was great to hear “how long”. Lovely venue, we’ll definitely be back, reminded me of Ratoath.
I’ve family heading West to see you in Gaillimh on Friday night, unfortunately I won’t make this one myself but if the Honda 50 makes the cut I’d be very thankful if you sung if for Kevin Bagnall, he’s getting his leavin’ results tomorrow after slogging it all year, a sound chap!
We’ll see you on the road!
Aisling
Christy's reply
Aisling… I have to ask…. I used to have two good friends way back in the early days in Pat Dowlings Pub…. Pa and Mickey Bagnall..any relation to young Kevin?…they were both transport men and used to haul briquettes and turf up to Dublin….Jim Casey was anoter great Lorry Man..used to sing “The Roadstone Cowboy” after a few pints
great music in Pats back then..thats where Donal Lunny and I first heard Liam Óg O’Flynn…. where the sound of Planxty was conceived……Frank Burke, Ned Farrell, Gerry O Mahoney, Mickey Carroll. Michael Crehan, The Rynne family, Nan McCormack were the heart of the music in Prosperous but twas Pat Dowling that made that heart beat
Great to read your recent comment,riffing on music in Leeds.Always enjoyable to go off on subsequent diversions after a visit here…You mentioned Bob and Carole Pegg…I greatly admired Bob’s songwriting and its part in the ace ‘Mr Fox ‘band.Also had the pleasure of seeing one of their rare gigs at a festival ,on a bill with C Moore ,M Harding et al…
Can’t put my paws on the CD right now,but ‘The Gipsy’ is in fine voice on youtube…epic writing and performance…a Raggle Taggle trail through the North of England…a love story starting over ‘Tetley’s ale and wine’ in Bradford and following the travellers’ journey North…still vibrant after almost half a century and one to be enjoyed over a cuppa and a map of The Yorkshire Dales.Spot the links to ‘Beeswing’ too…
Bob Pegg is still a wordsmith and has good updates at http://www.bobpegg.com…the mark of the writer,from ‘The Gipsy’…
‘her Grandad used to drive in a pony and a trap
now they lived in Bradford,where her father dealt in scrap’
after writing lines like that ,it was probably ‘time for Tetley’s’for Mr P.
over and out…I’ve done more rambling than ‘The Gipsy’!…Dave
Christy's reply
I played in Bob Pegg’s club circa 67-68..I’m wondering was it in The Sovereign in Leeds..it was well before Mr Fox was conceived…I recall it being a very Trad orientated club…a lot of the Leeds club had solid Trad foundations…. The Peel club was more Blues/Contemp, heard Alan Spud Taylor there, Roger Sutcliffe too .. whilst The Memphis was focused on “big names'” and a lot of London acts …The Grove had Geoff Woods at the helm and the Adelphi at Leeds Brig was run by Bob & Hazel Spray….this was my favourite Leeds club ..whilst it had a Trad vibe , Fun & Frolics were also a factor .. the night always ended at a hooley….lots of floor singers there too..heard Jock Manuel there who came with a Hull contingent including Mike Waterson and Jill Pidd…Alma Ford was a resident singer and Jim Potter would weigh in with a Shanty from Wakefield..
its great to read about Bob Pegg and hear some of his work..
there was a great club in Huddersfield called The Singin Jenny..it was run by Brian Lawton, one of my favourite club organisers..it was held in The Polish Club in Wood Street and Vodka was sometimes consumed after the gig….heard a lot of gigs there….Hamish Imlach, Noel Murphy,Alex Cambell, The Matthews Brothers, The Grehan Sisters,…..
hey christy! me and my dad are going to your show on the 16th. i’m from america and we will love it if you played the voyage :). can’t wait to see your show.
Thank you for the response Christy. I think I will send you over a recording in any case and if you get a chance to listen to it and offer some feedback it would be very welcome. I am off to Liverpool today to see another Derry man, Paul Casey. I believe Paul did some work on your live album. Enjoy the night in Wicklow and I will see you (from a distance) in Manchester.
Christy's reply
Manchester to Leeds…I made that journey frequently.Back before the Motorway was constructed it was quite an experience going “over the top”… I had an old 1956 VW Beetle ….it was always a great relief to arrive in Town, particularly in Winter Time.My first Leeds gig was at “Club Memphis” which was run by John & Rita Wall in an R.A.O.B. room in the suburbs.It was early 1967 and was to be my introduction to the great Leeds club scene back at that time.Subsequently I got to play in The Grove Club, The Adelphi, Leeds Brig,The Peel Club, Bob & Carol Pegg’s Club all of which were in the City Centre….a few years later I moved to Halifax and got to play in most towns in Yorkshire…from Halifax to Hull…from York to Donny and all places between….we sang some songs and supped some stuff
Re gerboy below I see your only down the road .. hi if you’d like to make contact with me adamswicklow@gmail.com I live in Arklow I could post you something Christy related you could use for your daughters raffle.regards Adam
Christy's reply
Nice One Adam…..Thanks for the Book..I love the cover shot….thanks too for posting the shots you took in Bray on Friday night…you have a great eye for capturing “the moment”
Good morning Christy, how are you?
Growing up in Ireland, your music was always around. I knew the songs like Ride On, Lisdoonvarna, Back Home in Derry (I am a Derry man myself) and Ordinary Man. I have turned 30 this year and having lived in England for the past two years I have looked to you to ease the homesickness. I delved deeper into your back catalogue and I am amazed at the beauty of it. The pain of Beeswing, the hilarious Weekend in Amsterdam and the familiarity of Delirium Tremens! Your music has always been an acquaintance to me, now its becoming an extremely valued friend. Thank you for the songs. I see you are playing Liverpool & Manchester later in the year. How would I go about sending some music and infornation be considered for a support slot? Either way, I will be there to watch. Take care. Thomas
Christy's reply
Thank You Thomas….Playing in Bray,County Wicklow these nights…then on to County Galway next week, just as it was 50 years ago…Topic Club Bradford one week…Singers Club London the next….the words and music weave a magic carpet that carries us along…
Everything is in place for the Autumn trip “over”….I’ll be supported by Declan Sinnott, Jimmy Higgins and Cathal Hayden….
hi christy i am a big fan and was wondering if you could help. my daughter is doing a street raffle to collect money to go and work in an orphanage in bucharest for a week i was wondering if you could donate anything for her to raffle. someting signed maybe. thank you for taking the time to read this
Not a bother. . Still on the Promenade. Hope to be there tonight again. The gig was in full flow last night .
Hurt was very powerful indeed…..
hope to be there mysel Marty…its all go here..between rehearsals and soundchecks, gigs and albums, setlists and underpants,
I cant figure out how we did it years ago..to be chasin the crack, day and night, like headless chickens, Porter and Crack was first and foremost, sometimes the gigs would intrude upon our social lives…but thats Youth for you Marty….that said, I prefer the way things are now…..the purpose is clear, its the work, the words ,the music, the art of performance, the cohesion,the will for perfection,but flawed perfection Marty, for tis flaws that sharpen the edge, an edge that some will comprehend, that others neither need nor notice..I’ve the kettle on now.. a swift brew and back to that land of leisure
and then there is The Hurling,, and Sam Maguire looming, and Japan soon after,
“and then the whole bloody business starts all over again, a cat’s flux”
“I was so much older then,
I’m younger then that now”
“The Prince and The Ploughman, The Slave and The Free Man “
I had a few days on the Shannon with the family on a boat and ended up the last night in Drumsna, now I can’t get the song out of my head… “Every ould crock of a Drumsna Cock is longing to be free” Hope all’s good Christy looking forward to the next gig.
no doubt Brian…Leitrim is a very funny place…that ballad was written by Fintan Vallely
“They’ve a race track underground for training Shergar
No Comment ! is all they’ll say to me
Subversion here is bubblin
O please take me back to Dublin
Sez Your Man from RTE”
a great write of ballads is Fintan…also a fine flute player and doctor of the folklore
we’re gathered down here in Galway at the lower end of Connacht…your in a fine part of the world up there…lots of music and capers lurking in Leitrim…lurchers and latchicoes too but the good always wins out in the long run….spotted a Fleet of Harleys the other day ( not a feckin silencer between them,I wondered were you among them) I wore your teashirt recently at a Honda 50 rally and got some strange looks…better then no looks at all…hope all is well with you….
Hi Christy.
Due to circumstances I’ve missed a few Gigs; however tonight was the perfect tonic. Thanks so much for a wonderful show. You brought us on a lovely musical journey and to finish with “Hurt” was just magic. Thanks also to your wonderful crew, they always deliver super sound and lightning . ….. The perfect Friday, great music, great friends and a great venue……. what more could one wish for.
Best regards
Patsy
Thanks Patsy…I like when the Crew get a mention….they put a lot of effort into getting everything ready for us at every gig…no matter where we play…be it Carnegie Hall,New York or The Sheebeen in Moate the Crew have everything in place when we arrive…PA tweeked,Lights focused, guitars strung and tuned, kettle boiled, venue ready to rock…all we gotta do is sit down and play…..
I often think back to bygone days of yore….pulling into Rakish Paddy’s in the old Peugeot 404 diesel, hauling in Hurleys Crazy Boxes, gettin it set up mysel, turning the 200 watt H&H amp up to 11 and wiring in the Binson echo…changing the strings and then slaughtering a half dozen large bottles to tune up the vocals…. do the gig, haul out the gear…gather the few bob from Peter, another half dozen large bottles and off again..The Merriman Scariff, De Barras in Cork, The Green Briar in Antrim,CJ’s in Salthill….never tire of the road sez Andy irvine
good audience last night… a few good versions emanating…I’m really enjoying “Hurt” and playing it after “back Home in Derry ” brought it to a different plain…
Hi Christy, Harry here tonight I am going to your concert in leisureland ( Friday the 16th ) . I’m your biggest fan! I’m 7 years old and this is my 3rd time seeing your concert this year.. my favourite song is joxter, I also love ordinary man and viva la quinte.. I hope you sing them tonight. Good luck for a good show! My mum, dad and grandad are coming too, bye Christy! 😀😮👍🏻
Hey Harry, its the morning after and I’ve just read your message…..happy to note that I sang all three of your songs last night…was that you in the front row to my right ? Cant see too clearly with the lights in my eyes …but I did spot a young man bopping in the front row…hoe you Ma,Dad and Grandad had a good time and behaved themselves..just as well you were there to look after them…
Breezy and blustery…… a good evening for listening to good music
Had a roundabout trip via dublin and athlone and then thought of yourself and Pete St John as I passed Athenry.
Would be great to hear John O’Dreams tonight if it appears on the list .
Marty, I’m only after reading your”John O’Dreams ” this minute and the gig over 10 hours ago…there you were on front of me and me with no notion of your call-out…..this is the only platform I visit, …..on gig days I do get distracted by rehearsals, sound checks, warm ups,catch-ups and chewin the fat….
“The Hawks of Morning cannot reach you here”
let me know next time you’ll be joining the gaggle
Greetings Christy,
Jayo and Antoinette’s only son Dean is over in Tipp for 3 weeks from Sydney where he is exiled.
The lure of the song is bringing them to Leisureland on saturday night, and with Dean feeling that Oz is now ‘home’ they are singing ‘pity the poor immigrant’ to him on the journey up.
They will have a ball, hope you do too.
Regards
Rory
“He filled his mouth with laughin,
He built his town with blood”
Hi Christy, delighted that you are returning to Clonmel next month. I think I may have asked you this before but is there any chance you might include “Little Musgrave” in your set on the night. I play a little music myself at times and recently some of my friends and I had two sessions in your old stomping ground Annie Kehoe’s..its great to see it open again. Looking forward to seeing and hearing you in Clonmel next month.
Kindest regards..John O Neill.
Morra John… I’ve noted that…hopefully it will happen…its not every saturday night that Musgrave will venture out…a lot depends on the way the wind is blowing…he is a delicate kinda lad..needs the ground to be well prepared but if he is willing I’ll not be found wanting…Did Babs Keating play for Ardfinnan or was that a dream I had 55 years ago ?
Hi Christy
I have written emails several times and been told no via your management. I am hoping that you will read this and reply.
I am a Dublin man (don’t hold that against me) living outside Nuremberg. We have a beautiful 13th century building with a gorgeous beer garden. We often have music including Irish music.
My German partner loves you and her dream is for you to play in our hotel. What do you say. I promise the most relaxing environment and an enjoyable time.
Here is hoping
Owen
Hi Owen, I’m a Kildare man living outside Dublin…greetings to all listeners and songsters in Germany.
Last time I saw you Christy was above in Bundoran last October. What a great two nights in the Great Northern. I was part of a 5 man crew over from the States and we christened ourselves the Milwaukee5. We were ‘free at last’ roaming Irelands western & northern seaboard and the highlight of the trip was to see your great self. We have played you on many a road trip around the mid west and many a kitchen and fireside and it has always been the hope we would see you at some point at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
The second night in Bundoran you were about to tell a story of going to play in America when you were interupted by some gob$%!t and the story left your mind… Anyway didnt stop you giving a great rendition of Lisdoonvarna. We almost took the roof off the hotel! What a send off…
Looking forward to seeing you in Galway Friday night and down the chipper afterwards… ‘Let the music keep your spirits high’
Dan Ryan
Dan The Man…enjoy Salthill…Galway always leppin in August…
Hello Christy Man
Looking forward to the shows in Leisureland this weekend
Christy Moore
The people’s champion
Royal box hopper
Balladeer
Played damn near every stage in Ireland
Now he’s doing two nights here
Any chance of doing the Amsterdam song
It depends on The Bishop….sometimes she slips in in plain clothes..undercover like..
Dear Christy, I hope you are well. We have returned from our ramble to the fantastic coast line to catch you at the Mermaid. It was fantastic to be in such a cool venue. I’m sorry we missed the Friday night. We walked the Bray promenade. The highlight of the concert was the recitation of the Lost Tribe of the Wicklow Hills by Dave Lordan. The best moment was the tingling call out to Mullaghcleevaun where we had just been that very day. It casts a mighty shadow for many miles along the Wicklow Gap. And see how Lough Tay becomes Lough Dan. There are some fine sights there. Such an emotional trip. Thank you to you and yours and to the music and words that makes it all an illumination. xx
Greetings to you,to Farmer Michael Hayes and to all belonging to Ye both….what a wonderful post ! To think you sought and found The Lost Tribe, that you gazed down upon Lough Dan and up towards Mullaghacleevaune, and all because of Dave Lordan…..He himself was present at The Friday gathering in The Mermaid…after I recited his words he came on stage and shared a most beautiful run of verse…
……………….Thank You for sharing your journey with us Anuk
That’s the very man Christy, My auntie is married to Pa’s son Paul.So young Kevin is Pa’s grandson. The 3 of them will be there Friday. Jim Casey’s daughter cuts my mam’s hair would you believe, a great woman. My da used to be down there too for the sessions, when he tells the stories of those days I feel I missed out big time…some of the best music was played under that roof when Pat Dowling was there by the sounds of things.
Last month, when I had my father in for a hospital appointment he actually bumped into a lad that used to come from Leixlip for the session and the darts in Pat Dowlings time, they hadn’t seen each other in 40+ years and the laughs of them talking about those days, many memories shared.
Magic Nights
The deer are cavorting in the field outside my window, do they not have beds to go to?
hi Christy, with over 30 albums under the belt i wondered if you had a favourite album of your own making. it is probably an impossible question to answer ,like asking lester for his favourite ride, saint brendan his favourite discovered land, henrik his favourite goal, seamus his favourite poem etc etc but have you one of your own that you would take if shipwrecked on Rockall ?
even i cannot decide (it is between king puck, smoke and strong whiskey ,and spirit of freedom , but no doubt will change that next year ) so i realise it is perhaps unfair to ask.
regards
Rory
ps Up Tipp (for the Kinanes)
a good question Rory, all the better for its lack of precision !!! not sure whether you mean favourite album or favourite recording session…
So many sessions remembered and cherished…
The “Prosperous” recording was outstanding and memorably enjoyable for the Music, the Cameraderie and the Crack….
“Spirit of Freedom” was recorded in many different locations with different line-ups….my clearest memory is of Mairtín O’Connor playing accordeon on “Plane Crash at Los Gotos” in Slane Studio in County Meath
“King Puck” came together in Ballyvourney, County Cork…when Jimmy Faulkner took ill I invited Neil MacColl to join us in Sullaune Studio…Recording “Me &The Rose” was a stand out for me. I had been attempting to record it for years
“Smoke” was a difficult album as there were headaches and heartaches along the way but ,with the help of Eoghan O’Neill (my fellow-member of Moving Hearts) we eventually got it over the line
“Traveller” was a revealation when I worked with Leo Pearson in the Garden Shed.He looped and sampled, machined the drums, played things backwards and turned things inside out…
“Ordinary Man” was achieved in Nicky Ryan’s Garden studio…Arty McGlynn and Donal Lunny provided most of the Music with a host of others adding their beauty along the way..that was a happy time
“Ride On” was recorded at Muckross in The Kingdom of Kerry…that was an outstanding experience….Donal Lunny,Declan Sinnott and myself hiding out with Mark Frank, Jim and Peter Donohoe along with Peter Eades’ Eerie Mobile Studio made for a truly memorable time….twas the least we could do
I spent a lovely couple of days near Bristol recording with Calum and Neil MacColl..it yielded up one track on the Box Set (1964-2004)..In Praise of Mullaghmore
Recording “North& South” with Bono and The Edge was an insight into a very different world….like being in the deep end of a pool rather then my usual fast moving River…but I enjoyed the process and the glimpse into another world
Loved recording with Barney McKenna, Matt Molloy,Luka Bloom, Elvis Costello, Mary Black,Mandy Murphy, Eithne Ní Bhraonáin,Conor Byrne,….come to think of it..there were hundreds of great sessions over the years…loved working with Nigel Rolfe too
Christy,
Great night in Brey. Was great to hear “how long”. Lovely venue, we’ll definitely be back, reminded me of Ratoath.
I’ve family heading West to see you in Gaillimh on Friday night, unfortunately I won’t make this one myself but if the Honda 50 makes the cut I’d be very thankful if you sung if for Kevin Bagnall, he’s getting his leavin’ results tomorrow after slogging it all year, a sound chap!
We’ll see you on the road!
Aisling
Aisling… I have to ask…. I used to have two good friends way back in the early days in Pat Dowlings Pub…. Pa and Mickey Bagnall..any relation to young Kevin?…they were both transport men and used to haul briquettes and turf up to Dublin….Jim Casey was anoter great Lorry Man..used to sing “The Roadstone Cowboy” after a few pints
great music in Pats back then..thats where Donal Lunny and I first heard Liam Óg O’Flynn…. where the sound of Planxty was conceived……Frank Burke, Ned Farrell, Gerry O Mahoney, Mickey Carroll. Michael Crehan, The Rynne family, Nan McCormack were the heart of the music in Prosperous but twas Pat Dowling that made that heart beat
Hi Christy
Great to read your recent comment,riffing on music in Leeds.Always enjoyable to go off on subsequent diversions after a visit here…You mentioned Bob and Carole Pegg…I greatly admired Bob’s songwriting and its part in the ace ‘Mr Fox ‘band.Also had the pleasure of seeing one of their rare gigs at a festival ,on a bill with C Moore ,M Harding et al…
Can’t put my paws on the CD right now,but ‘The Gipsy’ is in fine voice on youtube…epic writing and performance…a Raggle Taggle trail through the North of England…a love story starting over ‘Tetley’s ale and wine’ in Bradford and following the travellers’ journey North…still vibrant after almost half a century and one to be enjoyed over a cuppa and a map of The Yorkshire Dales.Spot the links to ‘Beeswing’ too…
Bob Pegg is still a wordsmith and has good updates at http://www.bobpegg.com…the mark of the writer,from ‘The Gipsy’…
‘her Grandad used to drive in a pony and a trap
now they lived in Bradford,where her father dealt in scrap’
after writing lines like that ,it was probably ‘time for Tetley’s’for Mr P.
over and out…I’ve done more rambling than ‘The Gipsy’!…Dave
I played in Bob Pegg’s club circa 67-68..I’m wondering was it in The Sovereign in Leeds..it was well before Mr Fox was conceived…I recall it being a very Trad orientated club…a lot of the Leeds club had solid Trad foundations…. The Peel club was more Blues/Contemp, heard Alan Spud Taylor there, Roger Sutcliffe too .. whilst The Memphis was focused on “big names'” and a lot of London acts …The Grove had Geoff Woods at the helm and the Adelphi at Leeds Brig was run by Bob & Hazel Spray….this was my favourite Leeds club ..whilst it had a Trad vibe , Fun & Frolics were also a factor .. the night always ended at a hooley….lots of floor singers there too..heard Jock Manuel there who came with a Hull contingent including Mike Waterson and Jill Pidd…Alma Ford was a resident singer and Jim Potter would weigh in with a Shanty from Wakefield..
its great to read about Bob Pegg and hear some of his work..
there was a great club in Huddersfield called The Singin Jenny..it was run by Brian Lawton, one of my favourite club organisers..it was held in The Polish Club in Wood Street and Vodka was sometimes consumed after the gig….heard a lot of gigs there….Hamish Imlach, Noel Murphy,Alex Cambell, The Matthews Brothers, The Grehan Sisters,…..
I loved my time in Yorkshire
hey christy! me and my dad are going to your show on the 16th. i’m from america and we will love it if you played the voyage :). can’t wait to see your show.
your biggest fan,
Faye
Together, we’ll all sail the ship….
Thank you for the response Christy. I think I will send you over a recording in any case and if you get a chance to listen to it and offer some feedback it would be very welcome. I am off to Liverpool today to see another Derry man, Paul Casey. I believe Paul did some work on your live album. Enjoy the night in Wicklow and I will see you (from a distance) in Manchester.
Manchester to Leeds…I made that journey frequently.Back before the Motorway was constructed it was quite an experience going “over the top”… I had an old 1956 VW Beetle ….it was always a great relief to arrive in Town, particularly in Winter Time.My first Leeds gig was at “Club Memphis” which was run by John & Rita Wall in an R.A.O.B. room in the suburbs.It was early 1967 and was to be my introduction to the great Leeds club scene back at that time.Subsequently I got to play in The Grove Club, The Adelphi, Leeds Brig,The Peel Club, Bob & Carol Pegg’s Club all of which were in the City Centre….a few years later I moved to Halifax and got to play in most towns in Yorkshire…from Halifax to Hull…from York to Donny and all places between….we sang some songs and supped some stuff
Re gerboy below I see your only down the road .. hi if you’d like to make contact with me adamswicklow@gmail.com I live in Arklow I could post you something Christy related you could use for your daughters raffle.regards Adam
Nice One Adam…..Thanks for the Book..I love the cover shot….thanks too for posting the shots you took in Bray on Friday night…you have a great eye for capturing “the moment”
Good morning Christy, how are you?
Growing up in Ireland, your music was always around. I knew the songs like Ride On, Lisdoonvarna, Back Home in Derry (I am a Derry man myself) and Ordinary Man. I have turned 30 this year and having lived in England for the past two years I have looked to you to ease the homesickness. I delved deeper into your back catalogue and I am amazed at the beauty of it. The pain of Beeswing, the hilarious Weekend in Amsterdam and the familiarity of Delirium Tremens! Your music has always been an acquaintance to me, now its becoming an extremely valued friend. Thank you for the songs. I see you are playing Liverpool & Manchester later in the year. How would I go about sending some music and infornation be considered for a support slot? Either way, I will be there to watch. Take care. Thomas
Thank You Thomas….Playing in Bray,County Wicklow these nights…then on to County Galway next week, just as it was 50 years ago…Topic Club Bradford one week…Singers Club London the next….the words and music weave a magic carpet that carries us along…
Everything is in place for the Autumn trip “over”….I’ll be supported by Declan Sinnott, Jimmy Higgins and Cathal Hayden….
hi christy i am a big fan and was wondering if you could help. my daughter is doing a street raffle to collect money to go and work in an orphanage in bucharest for a week i was wondering if you could donate anything for her to raffle. someting signed maybe. thank you for taking the time to read this