Sheffield has always been a great music city,but the lineups you saw,really were something special.
The good thing about the online fest is that its now there,so we can dip in and out.Watched Kathryn Tickell playing Northumbrian pipes earlier…reminded me of Liam Og-always welcome…
I’m sure you’re in ‘canny fettle’ and will keep the docs at bay for years.But singing at low volume is best avoided,for sure.Recently,I heard about a folkie doing a lockdown piece who was finding the same restriction as you.He settled for sitting quite a distance from the mike,so he could get some volume going,but not enough to banjax the recording levels.Over to Andy’s skills with that,perhaps.I’m sure the results will be ace and certainly appreciated from here to Barnard Castle and way beyond…
Rory’s excellent find was a great escape from the bunker.Put me in mind of John Martyn…’Spencer the Rover’ from the BBC Sight and Sound is waiting to be found on youtube.
Keep well
Dave
Christy's reply
first time I heard John Martyn was in a legendary folk club in Sheffield..The Highcliffe was run by Win White every Saturday night..heard Clive Palmer there too, and Wizz Jones…. there was a more “trad” Sat night club in Sheffield in The Barley Mow..that was run by Malcolm and Jenny Fox and I gigged there regularly…
John was a unique musician..when he was on stream he carried us away
Hello Christy! Infinitely grateful for the Facebook concert, and eagerly looking forward to more.
I see you also have concerts scheduled. My dream is to return to see you in live in concert again. But I suspect Americans will not be able to travel for awhile, and understandably might not be welcomed in many places, for reasons I won’t say here.
Where can I send correspondence, such as a belated birthday card?
(FYI, this is Wolf, here. Couldn’t logon for the past year. The website wouldn’t let me in so changed my user and passcode, et voila! So happy to be back!)
💚🌞🍀
Hi Christy,
I was taking a ramble through the parish records of sligo (on the magical mystery genealogy tour) and stumbled upon a wonderful video set on youtube.
It seems that last year Derek Cullen walked around Ireland with only his rucksack, tent and a new fangled phone. It looks like a wonderful journey to have undertaken.
The only thing i would add to his colection (apart from a new pair of legs) would be the box set, and a few barrys black label tea bags, could one then want for more?
I hope that Folks will have a look on the old you tube at his endeavours.
You could sing along, in appropriate places, to Carnsore, wicklow hills, mullaghmore, balinamore, ballindine, loughrea, derry, tyrone, killaloe, dublin, armagh and enniskillen just for song name starters …oh what a joy. I am sure Hilary, Dave, Marty, Mary, Easkey and many others will have song after song with places in to add from other discs and setlists.
Now where’s my compass?
Best rambling (in or out for a pint of stout) regards
Rory
ps i agree with you about the magpie, a larsson trap is what you need for those critters
Christy's reply
is it true that Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnston were at Cheltenham along with Sir AJ and the Princess Royal?…would they fit in a Larson?
Amazing Christy. Would love a go on that! Have been trying to teach the children in school over here cúpla focail throughout the year. They may have struggled to pronounce my name properly but counting to 10 as Gaeilge wasn’t a bother!!😅
Christy's reply
aon, dó, trí,ceathair,cúig,sé, seacht, oct,naoí, deich,
an bhful sé sin ceart ?
‘Sloth’ was probably the highlight of RT’s set,but all good-and he seems on top form.I think the whole event,will still be on ‘folk on foot’ for awhile.Its a long gig,with RT being about 30/45 minutes from the end…also,missed Chris Wood,but he’s nearer the start.
Have a good day
D
Christy's reply
I never got round to thon Festival…was slaving over the Atkin..preparing for another wee session…having the annual check up..bloods, prostate and all the other bits and pieces…my Doctor is very pragmatic and told me as I left
“shure you gotta die of something!”..now I’ve got this blood pressure monitor hangin out of my neck for the next 24 hours….tried a face mask today…caused my glasses to fog up and kept pulling my hearing aids out…whoever started this Covid needs a right good kick in the bollox ( or wherever)
Now is full on song time….I feel that the voice needs a heavy workout..tooling around in the workroom is very nice but it never opens up the instrument to full throttle…I find it impossible to go into overdrive here in the hit factory ( Spillane)….when I’m knee deep in listeners I can blow out all the impediments, go for the high notes and reach right down for the low ones..I need a Barrowland Choir, or a Bridgewater roar to rev me up to full capacity…..sitting here on my lonesome I find myself whispering into the soundhole..its the same in a recording studio, I can never find the petrol to gain full speed ahead….when I’m playing a good gig I pay no heed to what I’m doing ..I just do it..here in the workspace I’m aware of every aspect of whats going down…on front of the lamps its all down to seeking the spirit of Duende….the song, the band, the listeners, the air, all blended into one
I don’t go a bundle on limericks,usually,but there was something tempting about your tale of lost romance ,in a post yesterday…
I went with a girl from the Curragh
She ended up top trumps at bridge
I should have been bolder
She left with a soldier
The date was as cold as a fridge
A sunny day and a heart warming find…via http://www.elliottlandy.com Superb photos of a golden era…the late 60s in the US,esp happy Dylan,in the Woodstock area with his young family.Landy’s images really capture the subjects so well.If you have chance,well worth a wander around the site as there’s such a great range of photos.
Anticipation for your lockdown songs mounts…have a good day
‘Lingo Politico’should have been played on the BBC news tonight…fortunately,Rjchard Thompson was on line,playing an ace solo version of ‘Sloth’…50 years since he and Swarb put pen to paper…
Christy, your gut reaction in singing this song for Martin, was spot on. The protagonist appears to be looking back on a pivotal moment in his life that set his direction for years to come! Thanks Lizzie, my dad hailed from Fintona and as his older brother inherited the farm, he moved to the Belfast in ’31 to work and live with his aunt and uncle (Tyrone) who grazed cattle on the meadows. My mother was from the Glens. Joe, what can I say about the loss of such wonderful camáms. Footering aside Rossa ,Aontroim,Tír Eoghain agus Lilywhites abú!
Christy's reply
just as well the older brother got the farm,
there might have been no Mary upon the bog meadow
…pivotal moments
I’d never heard that story before about you losing the Yamaha Christy. Thankfully I’ve never had a guitar stolen but I’ve had a few hurleys stolen in my time. I mind playing St Gall’s in the Bog Meadow in Belfast one night and left two hurleys (made by Liam Walsh of Lisgoold in Cork) on the the sideline with strict instructions to my da to keep an eye on them. Low and behold after the match they weren’t to be found. My da had got too wrapped up in the game and some wee mucker slipped off with them! I’m still trying to get over the loss!
Christy's reply
Same thing happened to me at a Dance one night in Lawlor’s Ballroom, Naas. I went with a girl from The Curragh. She said she was feelin thirsty. I went to the mineral bar and got her a Club Lemon. When I returned she was gone. I never laid eyes on her again but I heard she got married to a cadet after. He went on to achieve high rank and she got very good at playing Bridge.
Hi Christy,
Love The Song of wandering Aengus it is a great poem and I’m aware Aengus was from the mythical people – Tuatha De Dannan. Listening to your lovely tribute to Martin, I couldn’t help but wonder why you chose to sing this for him.
Can I ask?
Christy's reply
tell you the truth Mary…it simply seemed like a good idea at the time…..I had assumed I might do either Time has Come, Only Our Rivers, Broken Heart, No Time, Green Island, Irish Ways, Minds Locked Shut,On The Bridge, Scapegoats,Tamlaghtduff, Dustbin Lid, Jesus Christ & Jessie James but when the red light came on I slipped into Hazelwood in search on Aongus…
in the late 70s I was doing a gig in The Rialto in Derry…it was in the midst of a campaign, half way thru the gig I offered my stage to Martin to say a few words..what happened next was confusing
my recall is hazy and disjointed..was anyone out there present that night ?..I’d love to hear their version of events
“Footer” or “phooter”, both springing from the Gaelic “fudar; mess, confusion”. Our Hiberno tongue has thankfully retained some of the words of our forebears. Thon the-under is the best way I can explain it Christy!
Glad to hear that the oul’ Yamaha still has a bit of sentimental value to you. I bought myself a Yamaha FGX5 last year after much saving up and deliberating. It’s based on the original Nippon Gakki FG180s from the 1960s that a lot of the folk fraternity (yourself included) would’ve played.
Looking forward to your next online offering. Wandering Aengus went down well the other night too.
Ádh mór ort a chara, slán agus beannacht!
Christy's reply
on my early Folk Club gigs ’66-’67 I used to play an old Spainish Guitar, all finger style no plectrum…I met Ralph McTell in ’67 and he advised me to consider a steel strung instrument…I saved a few bob and next time I was in London Ralph accompanied me to Ivor Mairant’s guitar shop where I purchased my first Yamaha FG 180 (and I’ve had a plectrum in my pocket ever since !)
That Guitar was stolen from Slattery’s in Capel Street in 1969…I’ve told the story before but the audacity of the thief bears repeating..
I did my first set, put my guitar back in the case and placed it on top of the piano on the small stage..I went down to the bar to await my second set…when I returned and opened the case the guitar was gone…the room was full of listeners yet someone had the bottle to walk onto the stage ,take my guitar and walk down thru the audience to the exit…I did my second set accapella and it was well recieved ( perhaps out of sympathy)
Subsequent to that I had two further guitars stolen…a Gibson J45 after a gig in The Embankment in Tallaght and a Martin D20 from our home in Rialto..
Years later I was playing a gig in Mountjoy prison..a young lad told me he knew where my Martin was and reckoned he could get it back for me at a price….I reckoned that once was enough to pay for a guitar..
lost a few Bodhráns too along the way but I was gifted quite a few as well…Nicky Kelly made one for me whilst lingering in Portlaois Jail..Joe kelly of The Brow, Coolcullen, Co Carlow gifted me a beauty…years later it exploded in Club Stubo in Bremen as I tried to tighten the skin over a candle…
“O The Crack, The Gargle and The Ganjee”
Thanks again to our Californian falcon guru…being a Luddite – on first reading ,I pictured the author in a sun bathed room and an open window…then realised its a computer window!
Fantastic info to have and monitor…I saw images of the terrifyingly high tower bearing the birds’ nesting box and hope to see their departure…seeing them in a now,cramped space as they stretch their wings shows how strong they grow and so fast…its a joyous process.Possibly,too much tech needed,but images of fledgling flight would be amazing.Its wondrous to share the process,even this far.And,what a welcome diversion from lockdown and the follies of our ‘leaders’…I can feel the need to play ‘Spancilhill’ with the morning cuppa.
That’s a great song, Dagrab. I keep my falcon window open when I’m on the computer, so the odd squawk accompanied the singers -very appropriate. I don’t know if you watched the Q and A, but Redwood and Sequoia (the males, named for the state trees) will fly off the tower first, probably between May 28th and 31st. Then the bigger one, Poppy (the female, named for the state flower) will go sometime after that. The parents will still feed them wherever they land or settle and for a month or so will teach them how to catch birds on the wing. Then they’re supposed to go off on their own. Have you looked at a picture of the Berkeley Campanile? They’re on the top balcony above the long openings. The area outside the nest is like an apocalyptic wasteland at the minute with all the poop, feathers, and blood from their meals. It’s interesting -and funny- watching the birds flapping their wings and practising their flying skills. They have certainly kept me entertained during the lockdown.
Lizzy…based on their weight etc,it would be great if the falcon experts can estimate approx when fledglings might leave the nest…and well worth me keeping a close watch for them starting their journeys…
youtube for ‘The Falcon’ by Mimi and Richard Farina -a great listen D
Hi Christy
Sheffield has always been a great music city,but the lineups you saw,really were something special.
The good thing about the online fest is that its now there,so we can dip in and out.Watched Kathryn Tickell playing Northumbrian pipes earlier…reminded me of Liam Og-always welcome…
I’m sure you’re in ‘canny fettle’ and will keep the docs at bay for years.But singing at low volume is best avoided,for sure.Recently,I heard about a folkie doing a lockdown piece who was finding the same restriction as you.He settled for sitting quite a distance from the mike,so he could get some volume going,but not enough to banjax the recording levels.Over to Andy’s skills with that,perhaps.I’m sure the results will be ace and certainly appreciated from here to Barnard Castle and way beyond…
All the best
Dave
Hi Christy
Rory’s excellent find was a great escape from the bunker.Put me in mind of John Martyn…’Spencer the Rover’ from the BBC Sight and Sound is waiting to be found on youtube.
Keep well
Dave
first time I heard John Martyn was in a legendary folk club in Sheffield..The Highcliffe was run by Win White every Saturday night..heard Clive Palmer there too, and Wizz Jones…. there was a more “trad” Sat night club in Sheffield in The Barley Mow..that was run by Malcolm and Jenny Fox and I gigged there regularly…
John was a unique musician..when he was on stream he carried us away
Howya Christy, Hope you’re good. Here’s a song I wrote. You might be interested. Mind yourself
Tower of Song
Balief Castle still stands tall
Near every stone in place
The falcons in the sky above
See them wheel and race
They say that Strongbow slept here once
Eight hundred years ago
I ask you where is Strongbow now
And the people he laid low
The Gaelic tongue from us is gone
O what did we lose?
I hear its dying echo
In old words my father used
Will we go down to the Coursing Field
And lawshig up the hay
Cut them trawneens by the gap
But first we’ll drink the tae
Go out into the haggert
And cut a stout gauloge
We’ll go curdeeking later on
With the boys up to Kelly’s Forge
I sing for Cashin’s Garden
And for Doolin’s Bosheen
Though progress put an end to you
I still see you in my dreams
And the hazels woods up on the Spaw
Where we spent such happy times
Though every tree has been cut down
They still grow in my mind
Chorus
Balief Castle still stands tall
Near every stone in place
Strongbow’s gone but his name
Still echoes round that place
So I will build my tower of song
Each precious name a stone
May it still ring out in a thousand years
May each name still be known
Chorus
thanks for sharing Paddy
Hello Christy! Infinitely grateful for the Facebook concert, and eagerly looking forward to more.
I see you also have concerts scheduled. My dream is to return to see you in live in concert again. But I suspect Americans will not be able to travel for awhile, and understandably might not be welcomed in many places, for reasons I won’t say here.
Where can I send correspondence, such as a belated birthday card?
(FYI, this is Wolf, here. Couldn’t logon for the past year. The website wouldn’t let me in so changed my user and passcode, et voila! So happy to be back!)
💚🌞🍀
we always welcome goodhearted visitors…
Hi Christy,
I was taking a ramble through the parish records of sligo (on the magical mystery genealogy tour) and stumbled upon a wonderful video set on youtube.
It seems that last year Derek Cullen walked around Ireland with only his rucksack, tent and a new fangled phone. It looks like a wonderful journey to have undertaken.
The only thing i would add to his colection (apart from a new pair of legs) would be the box set, and a few barrys black label tea bags, could one then want for more?
I hope that Folks will have a look on the old you tube at his endeavours.
You could sing along, in appropriate places, to Carnsore, wicklow hills, mullaghmore, balinamore, ballindine, loughrea, derry, tyrone, killaloe, dublin, armagh and enniskillen just for song name starters …oh what a joy. I am sure Hilary, Dave, Marty, Mary, Easkey and many others will have song after song with places in to add from other discs and setlists.
Now where’s my compass?
Best rambling (in or out for a pint of stout) regards
Rory
ps i agree with you about the magpie, a larsson trap is what you need for those critters
is it true that Dominic Cummings and Boris Johnston were at Cheltenham along with Sir AJ and the Princess Royal?…would they fit in a Larson?
Amazing Christy. Would love a go on that! Have been trying to teach the children in school over here cúpla focail throughout the year. They may have struggled to pronounce my name properly but counting to 10 as Gaeilge wasn’t a bother!!😅
aon, dó, trí,ceathair,cúig,sé, seacht, oct,naoí, deich,
an bhful sé sin ceart ?
Hi Christy
‘Sloth’ was probably the highlight of RT’s set,but all good-and he seems on top form.I think the whole event,will still be on ‘folk on foot’ for awhile.Its a long gig,with RT being about 30/45 minutes from the end…also,missed Chris Wood,but he’s nearer the start.
Have a good day
D
I never got round to thon Festival…was slaving over the Atkin..preparing for another wee session…having the annual check up..bloods, prostate and all the other bits and pieces…my Doctor is very pragmatic and told me as I left
“shure you gotta die of something!”..now I’ve got this blood pressure monitor hangin out of my neck for the next 24 hours….tried a face mask today…caused my glasses to fog up and kept pulling my hearing aids out…whoever started this Covid needs a right good kick in the bollox ( or wherever)
Now is full on song time….I feel that the voice needs a heavy workout..tooling around in the workroom is very nice but it never opens up the instrument to full throttle…I find it impossible to go into overdrive here in the hit factory ( Spillane)….when I’m knee deep in listeners I can blow out all the impediments, go for the high notes and reach right down for the low ones..I need a Barrowland Choir, or a Bridgewater roar to rev me up to full capacity…..sitting here on my lonesome I find myself whispering into the soundhole..its the same in a recording studio, I can never find the petrol to gain full speed ahead….when I’m playing a good gig I pay no heed to what I’m doing ..I just do it..here in the workspace I’m aware of every aspect of whats going down…on front of the lamps its all down to seeking the spirit of Duende….the song, the band, the listeners, the air, all blended into one
I don’t go a bundle on limericks,usually,but there was something tempting about your tale of lost romance ,in a post yesterday…
I went with a girl from the Curragh
She ended up top trumps at bridge
I should have been bolder
She left with a soldier
The date was as cold as a fridge
D
steady on Dave…dont be rushing to print
Hi Christy
A sunny day and a heart warming find…via http://www.elliottlandy.com Superb photos of a golden era…the late 60s in the US,esp happy Dylan,in the Woodstock area with his young family.Landy’s images really capture the subjects so well.If you have chance,well worth a wander around the site as there’s such a great range of photos.
Anticipation for your lockdown songs mounts…have a good day
Dave
I’m planning a little catch up with mates down Port Fairy way (was Belfast originally) late July – reckon we’ll be told safe to do so then…
Be good to be on the road & savour some Christy decibels again – this trainee lighthouse keeper gig is overrated…
Hope youse is all well & safe & happy & eager to hit the road or the floorboards again soon…
“Thou must not COVIT thy neighbours’ goods…”
late July !…heres hoping
Hi Christy
‘Lingo Politico’should have been played on the BBC news tonight…fortunately,Rjchard Thompson was on line,playing an ace solo version of ‘Sloth’…50 years since he and Swarb put pen to paper…
Good luck with recording your session
Dave
I’ll have to try and catch “Sloth”
Eliza Carthy taking no prisoners on http://www.folkonfoot.com !D
Christy, your gut reaction in singing this song for Martin, was spot on. The protagonist appears to be looking back on a pivotal moment in his life that set his direction for years to come! Thanks Lizzie, my dad hailed from Fintona and as his older brother inherited the farm, he moved to the Belfast in ’31 to work and live with his aunt and uncle (Tyrone) who grazed cattle on the meadows. My mother was from the Glens. Joe, what can I say about the loss of such wonderful camáms. Footering aside Rossa ,Aontroim,Tír Eoghain agus Lilywhites abú!
just as well the older brother got the farm,
there might have been no Mary upon the bog meadow
…pivotal moments
I’d never heard that story before about you losing the Yamaha Christy. Thankfully I’ve never had a guitar stolen but I’ve had a few hurleys stolen in my time. I mind playing St Gall’s in the Bog Meadow in Belfast one night and left two hurleys (made by Liam Walsh of Lisgoold in Cork) on the the sideline with strict instructions to my da to keep an eye on them. Low and behold after the match they weren’t to be found. My da had got too wrapped up in the game and some wee mucker slipped off with them! I’m still trying to get over the loss!
Same thing happened to me at a Dance one night in Lawlor’s Ballroom, Naas. I went with a girl from The Curragh. She said she was feelin thirsty. I went to the mineral bar and got her a Club Lemon. When I returned she was gone. I never laid eyes on her again but I heard she got married to a cadet after. He went on to achieve high rank and she got very good at playing Bridge.
Hi Christy,
Love The Song of wandering Aengus it is a great poem and I’m aware Aengus was from the mythical people – Tuatha De Dannan. Listening to your lovely tribute to Martin, I couldn’t help but wonder why you chose to sing this for him.
Can I ask?
tell you the truth Mary…it simply seemed like a good idea at the time…..I had assumed I might do either Time has Come, Only Our Rivers, Broken Heart, No Time, Green Island, Irish Ways, Minds Locked Shut,On The Bridge, Scapegoats,Tamlaghtduff, Dustbin Lid, Jesus Christ & Jessie James but when the red light came on I slipped into Hazelwood in search on Aongus…
in the late 70s I was doing a gig in The Rialto in Derry…it was in the midst of a campaign, half way thru the gig I offered my stage to Martin to say a few words..what happened next was confusing
my recall is hazy and disjointed..was anyone out there present that night ?..I’d love to hear their version of events
“Footer” or “phooter”, both springing from the Gaelic “fudar; mess, confusion”. Our Hiberno tongue has thankfully retained some of the words of our forebears. Thon the-under is the best way I can explain it Christy!
Glad to hear that the oul’ Yamaha still has a bit of sentimental value to you. I bought myself a Yamaha FGX5 last year after much saving up and deliberating. It’s based on the original Nippon Gakki FG180s from the 1960s that a lot of the folk fraternity (yourself included) would’ve played.
Looking forward to your next online offering. Wandering Aengus went down well the other night too.
Ádh mór ort a chara, slán agus beannacht!
on my early Folk Club gigs ’66-’67 I used to play an old Spainish Guitar, all finger style no plectrum…I met Ralph McTell in ’67 and he advised me to consider a steel strung instrument…I saved a few bob and next time I was in London Ralph accompanied me to Ivor Mairant’s guitar shop where I purchased my first Yamaha FG 180 (and I’ve had a plectrum in my pocket ever since !)
That Guitar was stolen from Slattery’s in Capel Street in 1969…I’ve told the story before but the audacity of the thief bears repeating..
I did my first set, put my guitar back in the case and placed it on top of the piano on the small stage..I went down to the bar to await my second set…when I returned and opened the case the guitar was gone…the room was full of listeners yet someone had the bottle to walk onto the stage ,take my guitar and walk down thru the audience to the exit…I did my second set accapella and it was well recieved ( perhaps out of sympathy)
Subsequent to that I had two further guitars stolen…a Gibson J45 after a gig in The Embankment in Tallaght and a Martin D20 from our home in Rialto..
Years later I was playing a gig in Mountjoy prison..a young lad told me he knew where my Martin was and reckoned he could get it back for me at a price….I reckoned that once was enough to pay for a guitar..
lost a few Bodhráns too along the way but I was gifted quite a few as well…Nicky Kelly made one for me whilst lingering in Portlaois Jail..Joe kelly of The Brow, Coolcullen, Co Carlow gifted me a beauty…years later it exploded in Club Stubo in Bremen as I tried to tighten the skin over a candle…
“O The Crack, The Gargle and The Ganjee”
Hi Christy
Thanks again to our Californian falcon guru…being a Luddite – on first reading ,I pictured the author in a sun bathed room and an open window…then realised its a computer window!
Fantastic info to have and monitor…I saw images of the terrifyingly high tower bearing the birds’ nesting box and hope to see their departure…seeing them in a now,cramped space as they stretch their wings shows how strong they grow and so fast…its a joyous process.Possibly,too much tech needed,but images of fledgling flight would be amazing.Its wondrous to share the process,even this far.And,what a welcome diversion from lockdown and the follies of our ‘leaders’…I can feel the need to play ‘Spancilhill’ with the morning cuppa.
Have a good day all,Dave
That’s a great song, Dagrab. I keep my falcon window open when I’m on the computer, so the odd squawk accompanied the singers -very appropriate. I don’t know if you watched the Q and A, but Redwood and Sequoia (the males, named for the state trees) will fly off the tower first, probably between May 28th and 31st. Then the bigger one, Poppy (the female, named for the state flower) will go sometime after that. The parents will still feed them wherever they land or settle and for a month or so will teach them how to catch birds on the wing. Then they’re supposed to go off on their own. Have you looked at a picture of the Berkeley Campanile? They’re on the top balcony above the long openings. The area outside the nest is like an apocalyptic wasteland at the minute with all the poop, feathers, and blood from their meals. It’s interesting -and funny- watching the birds flapping their wings and practising their flying skills. They have certainly kept me entertained during the lockdown.
Lizzy…based on their weight etc,it would be great if the falcon experts can estimate approx when fledglings might leave the nest…and well worth me keeping a close watch for them starting their journeys…
youtube for ‘The Falcon’ by Mimi and Richard Farina -a great listen D
ps Hi Lizzie,not Lizzy!
D