Thoroughly enjoying the Facebook videos – don’t worry about the number of songs, I reckon we’d all be happy to listen for hours!
Still thankful to have received a call from you on January 3rd, as I tried to get Vicar Street tickets at the start of the year. Said I could wait til the Barras – sadly didn’t come to fruition; would be grand to hear you sing Barrowland on a stream.
Hope you’re keeping safe and well, and hope to see you live again soon.
Neil
Christy's reply
good man Neil…hopefully the old halls and clubs will return to gigs…we hear very little about all the people who work around gigs..
I’m enjoying these sessions…it was my son Andy who got me started…he is pulling it all together with my daughter Juno….great buzz to be working with them
What a brilliant lockdown session this week – it reminds me of the gigs, each one unique and inspiring. Lovely span of some of your set-lists & diaries at the beginning. I’m lucky to have one of the request inserts from your gig-book; once when you played, “Cry Like A Man” in The Park Hotel, Sligo in 2010 (Thurs 06 May). Always very grateful when a request get’s played – fond memories of you playing “Veronica” in Vicar Street and “So Do I” at The Slieve Russell. Keep her lit. Kev
Christy's reply
Rapid response there Kev..
like a greyhound out of the traps..
keep coming back
Hi Christy,
If it’s trump the musical folks are looking for then not only has Matt McGinn got a belter of a song about that loon , but the great Mick Blake had one telling the eejit to stay away from Ireland.
Mick has a fabulous talent for lyrics as you know, Oblivious is excellent, Another Child Another War leaves me tearful every time, The Pride of Corranmore is so stirring etc etc
I know he has joined you on stage a couple of times, i imagine an unasssuming ,talented guy with deep feelings of right and wrong.
Last night son Charlie and i took part in that webinar showing support with our fellow humans dealing with the racist killing of George Floyd, it was a fulfilling experience even though it is a deeply sad time.
A huge number of ‘leaders’ could have had Hey Ronnie Reagan moulded into their name, it is a song that we turn to a lot, thanks for it. Protest songs are such a powerful tool for venting, encouraging and for keeping us on track, and that has been the same throughout history, so keep on keeping on.
Whether from the bog meadow, the falcon’s nest, the dark bunker or from the well below the valley, we are with you.
Best regards
Rory
Christy's reply
Matt Mc Ginn and Mick Blake
Two great balladeers
When I think back to the early 60s
I relied completely on The Clancy Brothers repertoire
Then came Colm O’Lochlainn books of Irish Street Ballads
then hearing John Reilly and on into the Folk revival
Song writing was never considered until encountering Ewan MacColl and Woody Guthrie…then the seed was sown
60 years later and the world of Folk Song is as different as The World itself
Dwight Eisenhower has morphed into Trump
Harold MacMillan into Boris
Eamon De Valera into Leo Varadkar
(We’ve definitely come out best of those morphs)
Just about to send out the latest episode of sessions with my Son Andy..
Its interesting to note the power of the Gambling lobby..Cheltenham last to go, Newcastle first to return
I’m happy for all those involved within the world of horses
less so for the Sharks who fuel the sick Gambling Industry ….
Hi Christy,
Were loving your virtual gigs, they’re really keeping us going. We were wondering if you could play the song moorefield. It’s my grandad, John Joe’s 4th anniversary tomorrow. It would be wonderful to hear it. Hope you’re keeping well. Best wishes
Christy's reply
“John Joe Murray at The Pinkeen Bridge as The Rags rode into Town”….
What a day that was, what a time in our young lives, what a man was John Joe,…
a beating heart of Moorefield GFC
I’m looking at Jim McDermot,Skinner, Dinny, The Ba, Doggy, Narky, Harry Fay, Johnny Gibson,Jimmy Cummins and all those “heroes of the hour”…..that was our World Cup, our Olympic Games,
the greatest sporting occasion of my young life, thanks for the memory
Hi Christy,
I’ll be zooming with the Féile Choir later, the group sing many songs which highlight the struggle of oppressed communities. The songs we will be raising our voices this evening will be in support of Black Lives Matter. The song list includes ‘Harriet Tubman’ the American abolitionist who escaped slavery and joined the underground railway. She made many perilous journeys back to the south to free her family from slave catchers. Looking forward to your next instalment and fingers crossed for Spancil Hill. Go well!
Hi Christy, I’m loving the virtual gigs, in fact I prefer them, it’s saving me a fortune in airfares lol…..
My request is Sweet Music Roll On one of my all time favorites. For me it invokes a sentiment of normal, having grown up around there, the song brings memories of sunny summer Sundays, of speeding bicycles around the Tinkers Hill, down the Strawberry Beds, we knew every twist in the road from Knockmaroon to Lucan.
Now here living with Trumps and Coumos, looters and riots in Manhattan, lockdown,virus, and an 8pm curfew would you believe, what wouldn’t we give for a cycle on the Strawberry Beds. We did not know how good and normal we had it. Be well Christy and we will see you soon. Sweet Music Roll on.
Christy's reply
I know what you mean…I dont even have to go downstairs…
re thon song…”Sweet Music”
It was the drummer Hughie Flint that sent it to me….I just loved it…as it did for you it invoked elements of my own journey,
I recorded it in the mid 80s …I was playing with Donal Lunny and Arty McGlynn..it was a very happy time for me in Aigle Studio with Nicky Ryan at the desk….I have vivid memories of many of the trax going down…. Arty’s playing still resounds in my head… ( he released a beautiful album before he passed… “Botera” is well worth a listen…I keep returning to it )….Donal was weaving his magic,lashing on the layers….Nicky capturing every nuance and enhancing the mix….( he rolled a few tracks out to Eithne soon to become Enya) Liam Óg dropped in as did a few other guest players….
I thought that the Sweet Music track would roll on but it never clicked….I simply could not deliver it ….
Sorry to read about Manhattan….sounds like the burning pits of Hell with Satan stoking the fires….
I knew that back road well as a boy.. over the Liffey at Lucan,turn right,past the The Strawberry Beds and on up to The Anglers Rest , on into The Phoenix Park thru The Knockmaroon Gate. With my Grandparents Jack and Elly Power we’d always end up at Pacitti’s Ice Cream Parlour in Parkgate Street before turning for home in Backweston…. I was 8 years old and in love
Hi Christy,
Loved the mention of “Mr Tangerine Man” and your comments following. I’ve spent the last 2 days in Washington DC being inspired by the young and old of all races protesting for the most basic of human rights. The support from all over the world has been overwhelming and humbling. For the first time since the election of this idiot I’m starting to feel optimistic about the future of this country and it’s place in the world. On both days, we’ve had “No Time for Love” on loop driving in and out of the city. Sorry for the rant but we’re all feeling a little raw in these strange times. Can’t wait for your next set of songs on the social media! Cheers!
Buck
I was reading through your replies to the comments and seen you mentioned Declan Mc Laughlin and paddy nash among others. (ports are a great band from Derry worth checking out too)Then by chance I seen that paddy Nash has put up a new song on YouTube about a dream he has of yourself meeting axl rose. It’s a funny song that I really enjoyed.
I’m really enjoying the short lockdown laments you are uploading, long may they continue!
Christy's reply
Morra Tommy, hows tricks up your way,
Me and Axel go way back, we were gonna duet at Slane but The Slash made a bollicks of whole caboodle by rearing up on Lord Mountcharles…I thought it was out of order to address Henry as Lord Mountbatten….anyways the Lord, like the mad Meath hoor that he is, gave Slash an unmerciful kick in the mebs that drove his marriage prospects right up to the roof of that awful hat …the promoter tried to intervene but got a smack in the gob for his trouble….whereupon myself and Paddy Nash seized the hour and went on instead of Guns & Roses….the crowd were so pissed they did not notice the difference… afterwards we adjourned to The Lords quarters and sampled his latest distillation….myself and Paddy told him it tasted like Woodies Paintstripper and did a runner out the Beauparc gate….we pulled into the Senchelstown GAA club and , back among our own sort,we sang til monday morning…dont talk to me about Axel Rose..feckin upstart
I’ll leave everyone in peace now,but couldn’t resist sharing the news that ‘Rocky Mountain Mike ‘has come up with a superb song title…’Mr Tangerine Man’…genius!!
over and out…D
Christy's reply
trump is an ignorant racist amadán of the lowest order….
if he be”leader of the free world” ,we’re all in a scary place….
having boris ruling next door adds fuel to the fire…
and yet this world is full of goodness and beauty, nature’s bounty sustains us all
but the deniers are waiting in the wings ready to take off and fly again..
like edible bats out of hell…
I’m gonna open the last tin of cocoa, try to send up a few Zeds
For many of us,Woody Guthrie has always been a talisman…
no doubt about his genius and being socially aware…but,even smarter that he had the ‘first family’ worked out,many,many years ago…’Old Man Trump’ is tucked away on youtube,but is testament to Woody’s capacity to call out the ‘wrong uns’…what a radar he had for BS .. D
Hello Christy, my dad Seamus is turning fifty in two weeks and is a huge fan of yours. I was wondering if there was any way you could send a short video saying happy 50th birthday to him? As we are putting together a few videos to play for him and it would make his day 🙂
Christy's reply
I dont have the necessary gear here to make a video, my son visits occasionally and shoots ( from the hip) but I dont think he will be here in time for Seamus ‘s big birthday….so …
Happy Birthday Seamus…the first 50 are the HARDEST..time now to take your foot off the accelerator….invest in a nose clippers, the eyebrows will need trimming too, no harm to begin looking into hearing pods, I’ve also heard of a new app that helps us find our glasses…last but not least..no matter how long you shake, the last drop always runs down your leg..apart from that 50-75 is a doddle and you wont feel it til you’ll have the free travel
Great if you ever fancied returning to an Appalachian dulcimer,Christy…so much scope with your songs.
Having heard Tim Hart and Maddy Prior LPs,then his electric playing with Steeleye,I wrote to Tim for advice c 1970.I’ll never forget his helpful letter in reply.It meant so much that he took the trouble to advise and encourage…a few years later,I had the pleasure of meeting him and Maddy a time or two…his health was so bad eventually,he moved to the island of La Gomera,where he had a happy few years.He wrote a guide book of the island and spent time,with any folkies who took the trouble to track him down.Sadly,I wasn’t one of them and never met him again the early 70s.He returned to the UK for medical treatment and died a few years ago.A great guy…always good to know of your connections…
You mention ‘tapping away’…a lockdown version of ‘Well Below The Valley’would be wonderful,if you think its a lockdown runner,anytime…I’m glad you’re enjoying the sessions.They’re greatly appreciated,for sure.
Dave
Christy's reply
had not considered a bowrawn number for these sessions….my working drum lives up in Donegal with Johnny Meade ( as do the workings Taks)…I’ll check out some of the old drums I have here and see if any pass muster…..”The Well” has been rested for a while…perhaps if the rains come
Sounds like a fine lockdown session last night…the results will be greatly anticipated world wide.Brilliant that its a family project too… heartwarming in these troubled times.
There’s some terrific riffing on ‘Spancil Hill’-a good spin off ,when stories are shared and variations of verses are discussed.Certainly,the spirit of ‘folk’ music…Thanks for keeping the songs coming.I re watched ‘The Gardener’ last night,that’s a mighty finger picking rhythm there…steady as she goes,for sure.All the hours in the workroom paying off.Some dulcimer tunes for me today-when I drag myself away from the treasure trove of Peel sessions…
Keep well
Dave
Christy's reply
your mention of Dulcimer brings me right back to Tim Hart & Maddy Prior …after a gig near Halifax they stayed with me in my humble abode….some time after I played a Folk Club in St Alban’s and stayed with Tim’s family….thats how it was back then….I spent 5 years troubadouring around UK Folk Clubs and never once stayed in B&Bs,Hotels or paid lodgings of any kind….I never forget the hospitality I recieved in hundreds of places…Imlachs in Motherwell, Hands in Edinburgh, Gilfellons in Newcastle, Doonans in Hebburn, Hardings in Manchester, Hipkiss’s in Birmingham, Tozer’s, McManus’s and Watersons in Hull,Fahy’s in Grimsby, O’Boyles in Rotherham, George &Sheena’s in Doncaster, Fox’s in Sheffield, I could go on and on down this memory lane…another time perhaps, Congleton, Leicester, Jersey,Dounreay, Kircaldy,
back in the old world
I had a Dulcimer at some stage..spent a few weeks tootling about trying to get some form of accompaniment going but soon returned to the FG180….over the years tried Banjo, Keyboards, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Indian Organ, Concertina, Accordeon, even blew a Hohner….but all to no avail…. the songs remained my obsession ( I still rattle a bowrawn occasionally)
Christy, a chara,
Just got to round to listening to the second lockdown offering agus a bhuíochas ortsa arís!
I heeded the advice of listening to the session through the headphones and I have to say it makes all the difference.
To continue with the Spancil Hill thread; I took a notion to locate and learn the Robbie McMahon version of the sing recently. I never realised it has eleven verses. What that have been the way you would have first heard it back in Tulla all those years ago Christy and if so how did it become the shortened version that appeared on Prosperous? I have to say though that none of the soul or spirit of the song is lost in the shortened version.
I look forward to tuning in to session 3 and in the meantime look after yourself agus fan folláin!
Ádh mór ort a chara. Joe Mór
Christy's reply
I was 19 when I first heard Spancilhill….it was after hours in John Minogue’s Kitchen, there was drink involved…..next day John got me the lyrics…I cannot recall if it had 11 verses on first hearing but the way I sing it is the way I learnt it from John’s written version….Joe McGrath of Tulla whistled the melody for me
I hope you have a great evening,slaving over a hot Atkin…
Deep in the Hawick bunker,Rory has been busy on a special ops mission…under top security,his findings were zapped to suffragette city for verification…all decoded now and we’re happy to unleash a treasure trove of sessions/interviews etc from John Peel’s finest hours with the BBC…
no sign of you or Planxty (yet)but so much good stuff via http://www.davestrickson.blogspot.com insert ‘peel’ into the small search box in the top left corner of the page…click on the magnifying glass symbol and voila…so many great names and gigs…earlier,I tested the site via Mr Peel’s interview with RTE tv,Fairport from around the time you saw them…and ,while you’re playing locdown 3,I’m heading to listen to Tir na nOg…
Enjoy
Dave
Christy's reply
Andy recorded 5 onto his phone tonight…we had a nice time…one song put up a fight …I kept drawing a blank on verse 3….take 4 and I cleared Beacher’s Brook…
Christy and wolfsongs thank you, heartbreakingly beautiful.
There is an Eventbrite event 6-7.30pm tonight, free to register…’Justice for George Floyd:eyewitness reports from Minneapolis’. This is with organisers from Minneapolis and also a Scots HR lawyer.
For all of our languages we can’t communicate, for all of our native tongues we’re all natives here…… Natives
It was, appropriately as ever, I think the first song you came back to sing in the well after a while away.
Be strong everyone, we shall overcome.
Rory
Hi Christy,
Ronan Collins just played ” Raggle Taggle”, the full version, with Liam óg at the end…………..a brilliant reminded to me of the many songs which started me on this wonderful journey. EPIC.
Ride Onn,
Patsy
Christy's reply
Ronan gave my work a great reference way back in the early 80s..he took a shine to a record and played it every morning early for a few weeks…he also brought attention to the composer of the song who subsequently went on become much loved and very popular in his country of origin
Hi Christy, thank you for your online session no. 2 – I really like it! There’s a saying here: First time we tried it, second time it’s tradition, third time it’s custom (I hope I translated it more or less correctly into English). So I’m really looking forward to no. 3 and curious which songs you pick this time.
Christy's reply
almost 40 years since I played in Essen..
good to hear that the songs still resound in Steel City..
hoping to record Ep 3 this evening and post it in a few days
Hi Christy
We met briefly a number of times
over many years. You have been a big musical influence and I just want to thank you for your songs and inspiration. I played at Lisdoonvarna, once with Micho Russell and twice with Tipsy Sailor.
Sweet music roll on.
Terry
Christy's reply
Micho has been mentioned here a few times in recent days..
I remember “Tipsy Sailor” from the Meeting Place late 70s
I still rem your sound…the late Mick Fitz became a very good friend
you still playing Terry?..tell us more…
Lisdoonvarna was some crack all the same…
some of us still wandering about the fields of North Clare
Hi Christy,
Thoroughly enjoying the Facebook videos – don’t worry about the number of songs, I reckon we’d all be happy to listen for hours!
Still thankful to have received a call from you on January 3rd, as I tried to get Vicar Street tickets at the start of the year. Said I could wait til the Barras – sadly didn’t come to fruition; would be grand to hear you sing Barrowland on a stream.
Hope you’re keeping safe and well, and hope to see you live again soon.
Neil
good man Neil…hopefully the old halls and clubs will return to gigs…we hear very little about all the people who work around gigs..
I’m enjoying these sessions…it was my son Andy who got me started…he is pulling it all together with my daughter Juno….great buzz to be working with them
What a brilliant lockdown session this week – it reminds me of the gigs, each one unique and inspiring. Lovely span of some of your set-lists & diaries at the beginning. I’m lucky to have one of the request inserts from your gig-book; once when you played, “Cry Like A Man” in The Park Hotel, Sligo in 2010 (Thurs 06 May). Always very grateful when a request get’s played – fond memories of you playing “Veronica” in Vicar Street and “So Do I” at The Slieve Russell. Keep her lit. Kev
Rapid response there Kev..
like a greyhound out of the traps..
keep coming back
Hi Christy,
If it’s trump the musical folks are looking for then not only has Matt McGinn got a belter of a song about that loon , but the great Mick Blake had one telling the eejit to stay away from Ireland.
Mick has a fabulous talent for lyrics as you know, Oblivious is excellent, Another Child Another War leaves me tearful every time, The Pride of Corranmore is so stirring etc etc
I know he has joined you on stage a couple of times, i imagine an unasssuming ,talented guy with deep feelings of right and wrong.
Last night son Charlie and i took part in that webinar showing support with our fellow humans dealing with the racist killing of George Floyd, it was a fulfilling experience even though it is a deeply sad time.
A huge number of ‘leaders’ could have had Hey Ronnie Reagan moulded into their name, it is a song that we turn to a lot, thanks for it. Protest songs are such a powerful tool for venting, encouraging and for keeping us on track, and that has been the same throughout history, so keep on keeping on.
Whether from the bog meadow, the falcon’s nest, the dark bunker or from the well below the valley, we are with you.
Best regards
Rory
Matt Mc Ginn and Mick Blake
Two great balladeers
When I think back to the early 60s
I relied completely on The Clancy Brothers repertoire
Then came Colm O’Lochlainn books of Irish Street Ballads
then hearing John Reilly and on into the Folk revival
Song writing was never considered until encountering Ewan MacColl and Woody Guthrie…then the seed was sown
60 years later and the world of Folk Song is as different as The World itself
Dwight Eisenhower has morphed into Trump
Harold MacMillan into Boris
Eamon De Valera into Leo Varadkar
(We’ve definitely come out best of those morphs)
Just about to send out the latest episode of sessions with my Son Andy..
Its interesting to note the power of the Gambling lobby..Cheltenham last to go, Newcastle first to return
I’m happy for all those involved within the world of horses
less so for the Sharks who fuel the sick Gambling Industry ….
Hi Christy,
Were loving your virtual gigs, they’re really keeping us going. We were wondering if you could play the song moorefield. It’s my grandad, John Joe’s 4th anniversary tomorrow. It would be wonderful to hear it. Hope you’re keeping well. Best wishes
“John Joe Murray at The Pinkeen Bridge as The Rags rode into Town”….
What a day that was, what a time in our young lives, what a man was John Joe,…
a beating heart of Moorefield GFC
I’m looking at Jim McDermot,Skinner, Dinny, The Ba, Doggy, Narky, Harry Fay, Johnny Gibson,Jimmy Cummins and all those “heroes of the hour”…..that was our World Cup, our Olympic Games,
the greatest sporting occasion of my young life, thanks for the memory
Hi Christy,
I’ll be zooming with the Féile Choir later, the group sing many songs which highlight the struggle of oppressed communities. The songs we will be raising our voices this evening will be in support of Black Lives Matter. The song list includes ‘Harriet Tubman’ the American abolitionist who escaped slavery and joined the underground railway. She made many perilous journeys back to the south to free her family from slave catchers. Looking forward to your next instalment and fingers crossed for Spancil Hill. Go well!
its on the way
Hi Christy, I’m loving the virtual gigs, in fact I prefer them, it’s saving me a fortune in airfares lol…..
My request is Sweet Music Roll On one of my all time favorites. For me it invokes a sentiment of normal, having grown up around there, the song brings memories of sunny summer Sundays, of speeding bicycles around the Tinkers Hill, down the Strawberry Beds, we knew every twist in the road from Knockmaroon to Lucan.
Now here living with Trumps and Coumos, looters and riots in Manhattan, lockdown,virus, and an 8pm curfew would you believe, what wouldn’t we give for a cycle on the Strawberry Beds. We did not know how good and normal we had it. Be well Christy and we will see you soon. Sweet Music Roll on.
I know what you mean…I dont even have to go downstairs…
re thon song…”Sweet Music”
It was the drummer Hughie Flint that sent it to me….I just loved it…as it did for you it invoked elements of my own journey,
I recorded it in the mid 80s …I was playing with Donal Lunny and Arty McGlynn..it was a very happy time for me in Aigle Studio with Nicky Ryan at the desk….I have vivid memories of many of the trax going down…. Arty’s playing still resounds in my head… ( he released a beautiful album before he passed… “Botera” is well worth a listen…I keep returning to it )….Donal was weaving his magic,lashing on the layers….Nicky capturing every nuance and enhancing the mix….( he rolled a few tracks out to Eithne soon to become Enya) Liam Óg dropped in as did a few other guest players….
I thought that the Sweet Music track would roll on but it never clicked….I simply could not deliver it ….
Sorry to read about Manhattan….sounds like the burning pits of Hell with Satan stoking the fires….
I knew that back road well as a boy.. over the Liffey at Lucan,turn right,past the The Strawberry Beds and on up to The Anglers Rest , on into The Phoenix Park thru The Knockmaroon Gate. With my Grandparents Jack and Elly Power we’d always end up at Pacitti’s Ice Cream Parlour in Parkgate Street before turning for home in Backweston…. I was 8 years old and in love
Hi Christy,
Loved the mention of “Mr Tangerine Man” and your comments following. I’ve spent the last 2 days in Washington DC being inspired by the young and old of all races protesting for the most basic of human rights. The support from all over the world has been overwhelming and humbling. For the first time since the election of this idiot I’m starting to feel optimistic about the future of this country and it’s place in the world. On both days, we’ve had “No Time for Love” on loop driving in and out of the city. Sorry for the rant but we’re all feeling a little raw in these strange times. Can’t wait for your next set of songs on the social media! Cheers!
Buck
Keep sharing Buck
Let it Out
Love dont ever come across as “rant”
https://www.facebook.com/799539910084929/posts/3182111221827774/?vh=e
I was reading through your replies to the comments and seen you mentioned Declan Mc Laughlin and paddy nash among others. (ports are a great band from Derry worth checking out too)Then by chance I seen that paddy Nash has put up a new song on YouTube about a dream he has of yourself meeting axl rose. It’s a funny song that I really enjoyed.
I’m really enjoying the short lockdown laments you are uploading, long may they continue!
Morra Tommy, hows tricks up your way,
Me and Axel go way back, we were gonna duet at Slane but The Slash made a bollicks of whole caboodle by rearing up on Lord Mountcharles…I thought it was out of order to address Henry as Lord Mountbatten….anyways the Lord, like the mad Meath hoor that he is, gave Slash an unmerciful kick in the mebs that drove his marriage prospects right up to the roof of that awful hat …the promoter tried to intervene but got a smack in the gob for his trouble….whereupon myself and Paddy Nash seized the hour and went on instead of Guns & Roses….the crowd were so pissed they did not notice the difference… afterwards we adjourned to The Lords quarters and sampled his latest distillation….myself and Paddy told him it tasted like Woodies Paintstripper and did a runner out the Beauparc gate….we pulled into the Senchelstown GAA club and , back among our own sort,we sang til monday morning…dont talk to me about Axel Rose..feckin upstart
I’ll leave everyone in peace now,but couldn’t resist sharing the news that ‘Rocky Mountain Mike ‘has come up with a superb song title…’Mr Tangerine Man’…genius!!
over and out…D
trump is an ignorant racist amadán of the lowest order….
if he be”leader of the free world” ,we’re all in a scary place….
having boris ruling next door adds fuel to the fire…
and yet this world is full of goodness and beauty, nature’s bounty sustains us all
but the deniers are waiting in the wings ready to take off and fly again..
like edible bats out of hell…
I’m gonna open the last tin of cocoa, try to send up a few Zeds
Hi Christy
For many of us,Woody Guthrie has always been a talisman…
no doubt about his genius and being socially aware…but,even smarter that he had the ‘first family’ worked out,many,many years ago…’Old Man Trump’ is tucked away on youtube,but is testament to Woody’s capacity to call out the ‘wrong uns’…what a radar he had for BS .. D
Hello Christy, my dad Seamus is turning fifty in two weeks and is a huge fan of yours. I was wondering if there was any way you could send a short video saying happy 50th birthday to him? As we are putting together a few videos to play for him and it would make his day 🙂
I dont have the necessary gear here to make a video, my son visits occasionally and shoots ( from the hip) but I dont think he will be here in time for Seamus ‘s big birthday….so …
Happy Birthday Seamus…the first 50 are the HARDEST..time now to take your foot off the accelerator….invest in a nose clippers, the eyebrows will need trimming too, no harm to begin looking into hearing pods, I’ve also heard of a new app that helps us find our glasses…last but not least..no matter how long you shake, the last drop always runs down your leg..apart from that 50-75 is a doddle and you wont feel it til you’ll have the free travel
Great if you ever fancied returning to an Appalachian dulcimer,Christy…so much scope with your songs.
Having heard Tim Hart and Maddy Prior LPs,then his electric playing with Steeleye,I wrote to Tim for advice c 1970.I’ll never forget his helpful letter in reply.It meant so much that he took the trouble to advise and encourage…a few years later,I had the pleasure of meeting him and Maddy a time or two…his health was so bad eventually,he moved to the island of La Gomera,where he had a happy few years.He wrote a guide book of the island and spent time,with any folkies who took the trouble to track him down.Sadly,I wasn’t one of them and never met him again the early 70s.He returned to the UK for medical treatment and died a few years ago.A great guy…always good to know of your connections…
You mention ‘tapping away’…a lockdown version of ‘Well Below The Valley’would be wonderful,if you think its a lockdown runner,anytime…I’m glad you’re enjoying the sessions.They’re greatly appreciated,for sure.
Dave
had not considered a bowrawn number for these sessions….my working drum lives up in Donegal with Johnny Meade ( as do the workings Taks)…I’ll check out some of the old drums I have here and see if any pass muster…..”The Well” has been rested for a while…perhaps if the rains come
Hi Christy
Sounds like a fine lockdown session last night…the results will be greatly anticipated world wide.Brilliant that its a family project too… heartwarming in these troubled times.
There’s some terrific riffing on ‘Spancil Hill’-a good spin off ,when stories are shared and variations of verses are discussed.Certainly,the spirit of ‘folk’ music…Thanks for keeping the songs coming.I re watched ‘The Gardener’ last night,that’s a mighty finger picking rhythm there…steady as she goes,for sure.All the hours in the workroom paying off.Some dulcimer tunes for me today-when I drag myself away from the treasure trove of Peel sessions…
Keep well
Dave
your mention of Dulcimer brings me right back to Tim Hart & Maddy Prior …after a gig near Halifax they stayed with me in my humble abode….some time after I played a Folk Club in St Alban’s and stayed with Tim’s family….thats how it was back then….I spent 5 years troubadouring around UK Folk Clubs and never once stayed in B&Bs,Hotels or paid lodgings of any kind….I never forget the hospitality I recieved in hundreds of places…Imlachs in Motherwell, Hands in Edinburgh, Gilfellons in Newcastle, Doonans in Hebburn, Hardings in Manchester, Hipkiss’s in Birmingham, Tozer’s, McManus’s and Watersons in Hull,Fahy’s in Grimsby, O’Boyles in Rotherham, George &Sheena’s in Doncaster, Fox’s in Sheffield, I could go on and on down this memory lane…another time perhaps, Congleton, Leicester, Jersey,Dounreay, Kircaldy,
back in the old world
I had a Dulcimer at some stage..spent a few weeks tootling about trying to get some form of accompaniment going but soon returned to the FG180….over the years tried Banjo, Keyboards, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Indian Organ, Concertina, Accordeon, even blew a Hohner….but all to no avail…. the songs remained my obsession ( I still rattle a bowrawn occasionally)
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Christy, a chara,
Just got to round to listening to the second lockdown offering agus a bhuíochas ortsa arís!
I heeded the advice of listening to the session through the headphones and I have to say it makes all the difference.
To continue with the Spancil Hill thread; I took a notion to locate and learn the Robbie McMahon version of the sing recently. I never realised it has eleven verses. What that have been the way you would have first heard it back in Tulla all those years ago Christy and if so how did it become the shortened version that appeared on Prosperous? I have to say though that none of the soul or spirit of the song is lost in the shortened version.
I look forward to tuning in to session 3 and in the meantime look after yourself agus fan folláin!
Ádh mór ort a chara. Joe Mór
I was 19 when I first heard Spancilhill….it was after hours in John Minogue’s Kitchen, there was drink involved…..next day John got me the lyrics…I cannot recall if it had 11 verses on first hearing but the way I sing it is the way I learnt it from John’s written version….Joe McGrath of Tulla whistled the melody for me
Hi Christy
I hope you have a great evening,slaving over a hot Atkin…
Deep in the Hawick bunker,Rory has been busy on a special ops mission…under top security,his findings were zapped to suffragette city for verification…all decoded now and we’re happy to unleash a treasure trove of sessions/interviews etc from John Peel’s finest hours with the BBC…
no sign of you or Planxty (yet)but so much good stuff via http://www.davestrickson.blogspot.com insert ‘peel’ into the small search box in the top left corner of the page…click on the magnifying glass symbol and voila…so many great names and gigs…earlier,I tested the site via Mr Peel’s interview with RTE tv,Fairport from around the time you saw them…and ,while you’re playing locdown 3,I’m heading to listen to Tir na nOg…
Enjoy
Dave
Andy recorded 5 onto his phone tonight…we had a nice time…one song put up a fight …I kept drawing a blank on verse 3….take 4 and I cleared Beacher’s Brook…
Christy and wolfsongs thank you, heartbreakingly beautiful.
There is an Eventbrite event 6-7.30pm tonight, free to register…’Justice for George Floyd:eyewitness reports from Minneapolis’. This is with organisers from Minneapolis and also a Scots HR lawyer.
For all of our languages we can’t communicate, for all of our native tongues we’re all natives here…… Natives
It was, appropriately as ever, I think the first song you came back to sing in the well after a while away.
Be strong everyone, we shall overcome.
Rory
I cant breathe
Hi Christy,
Ronan Collins just played ” Raggle Taggle”, the full version, with Liam óg at the end…………..a brilliant reminded to me of the many songs which started me on this wonderful journey. EPIC.
Ride Onn,
Patsy
Ronan gave my work a great reference way back in the early 80s..he took a shine to a record and played it every morning early for a few weeks…he also brought attention to the composer of the song who subsequently went on become much loved and very popular in his country of origin
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Hi Christy, thank you for your online session no. 2 – I really like it! There’s a saying here: First time we tried it, second time it’s tradition, third time it’s custom (I hope I translated it more or less correctly into English). So I’m really looking forward to no. 3 and curious which songs you pick this time.
almost 40 years since I played in Essen..
good to hear that the songs still resound in Steel City..
hoping to record Ep 3 this evening and post it in a few days
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Hi Christy
We met briefly a number of times
over many years. You have been a big musical influence and I just want to thank you for your songs and inspiration. I played at Lisdoonvarna, once with Micho Russell and twice with Tipsy Sailor.
Sweet music roll on.
Terry
Micho has been mentioned here a few times in recent days..
I remember “Tipsy Sailor” from the Meeting Place late 70s
I still rem your sound…the late Mick Fitz became a very good friend
you still playing Terry?..tell us more…
Lisdoonvarna was some crack all the same…
some of us still wandering about the fields of North Clare
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Wish I could send in an email or private message. Breakdown in USA
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so sorry to hear the news from USA
we send love to all good people over there
looking at images of Trump and Epstein last night on Netflix….felt the air gettin sucked outa the room