Christy,
I have a type of sea ballad written about sea going back in the 1950s would it be ethical to post it here on comments?
Great to have a bit of freedom again, thanks for your memories of Brendan. I hope you will be back to your gigs soon, and we look forward to you visiting our Theatre Royal.
Christy's reply
John,
we dont stand on ethics here….print and post..
I love that Theatre Royal …just as I loved Kate Reilly’s and The Forum in days of yore
Very welcome content from Hilary…always good to get some Leonard Cohen into the mix…a great regret that I never saw any of his gigs,but laugh at his masterful,droll intros,which became funnier as he grew older…eg recalling ‘being a kid of 60,with a crazy dream’ as he pondered on fame and his career.
Some of his finest writing was away from music and showed his mastery of words…the perfect letter to Marianne as she was near death became his epitaph too.Truth,stranger than fiction…thanks,H
Hope you get to chance to have an easing of lockdown wander soon.Not going too far from the bunker here…
Hi All, lots of talk about songs and writing and Voices and learning chords and instruments here recently. I was reminded of the speech that Leonard Cohen at 77 gave when receiving the Prince of Asturias Award for Literature in 2011 for songs which ” explored with depth and beauty the major questions concerning humanity”. There are lots of LC fans here which is not surprising, lots of common ground indeed, forgive my off topic posting, but I think the content resonates : https://youtu.be/VIR5ps8usuo I was lucky to see LC perform twice in Dublin, once at the expense of a CM gig !! beir bua agus beannacht go deo, H
Christy's reply
We heard Leonard at Kilmainham that Summer’s evening…..I remember it as perhaps the most beautiful concert I ever heard….He shone that evening..his voice and his songs, his position within the Band, his kindness and generosity, the way he gave a little ” skip” on entry and exit…
Thanks for sharing this video, the tribute he paid to his Spainish gutar teacher is heartbreakingly beautiful ….
Well Christy and Easkey! I was just in another we space, and the name Pat Quinn came up with the comment’s wrote a song for Christy Moore. And you’d have just gone and answered my question what the song was! Grand wee community you have here Christy, linking so many different people.
If I could write I would write a bout NO FOOTPATHS ONLY BRIGANDS as you have touched on one of my pet hates, and remembering the drenching as the vehicles ploughed through puddles bigger than Lough Neagh, without a dip in speed or lights!
On another note, thought you might like to hear I was at a gig last night by a wee German/Irish folk group, Crosswind, it was a drive in! Space for 100 cars, 10 rows of 10. we could sit on the sun roof, stand sticking head and anything that fit out the window, honk and roar…. Totally different, but fun
Dear Christy, thanks for your third video concert. It made me happy. I aways knew, there’s a Gerry Murray song on Ride On.
I spent a wonderful Friday night session at Murray’s Bar in Charlestown last September. Now I bring it both together. Thanks Christy for this realization.
Christy's reply
Sounds Good Guenter….
rory bannerman
June 8, 2020 at 5:43 am
Location: Morning time, crows calling to the hawick bunker
Morra Christy,
Since you mentioned Floyd Westerman in your home-movie i have been thinking a lot about the Native Americans.
Floyd’s Sioux name was Red Crow and every day i awake to the sound of our crows cawing in the day.
Red Crow spoke and marched for Native and minority rights, i imagine he would be proud of those facing out Trump , of those tearing down slavers statues and of people singing in protest like you do.
Where did you meet him may i ask? What did he say and do with you?
I appreciate that these may be personal, of course.
The Native Americans, those First Americans, had their lands stolen, children slaughtered, crops burnt, treaties ignored, customs disrespected…..and eventually the genocide . You have so much to do, so many to connect with, but if you ever get a spare day have a dip into Dee Brown’s writings.
Even with covid , it has disproportionately hit the Native Americans, yet Trump pays no heed and in reporting it many states classify these noble people as ‘other’.
Tori Amos has cherokee ancestry, now i am no big fan, but she rails against US govts in her gentle way.
I am very glad that you met and swapped songs with Floyd, it must have been a highlight of your trip i imagine.
I don’t recall you singing Irish Ways and Irish Laws since Moving Hearts, instead the equally inspiring Green Island, am i wrong? Might it return?
Anyway the crows are moving off, i must too.
You inspire, you create, you, protest,you sing from the heart, just like Red Crow.
Thank you.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
Met Red Crow when he visited Ireland in the mid 80s….it was a cultural exchange…a group of 5 men from the Sioux Nation gave a series of performances in Ireland…one was in An Cultúrlann ,Monkstown……I spoke briefly with Floyd Westerman and gave him a Bodhrán….I also sent him the song “Irish Ways,Irish Laws” (John Gibbs)….
I think he may have attended a concert I gave subsequently in Culver City, California…..he may have been there with Jackson Brown…I’m not 100% of that, there was a right schimmozel after the gig…I’m a bit hazy about 1985
the music I mentioned earlier is under the ‘company’then ‘travel blogs’ section of the Vagabond travel site…sorry,its messy-but ,their clips are youtube based…good to see Luke/The Dubliners well represented there…D
Christy's reply
I tried to navigate thru that site,
had to give up,
I reached for thon Atkin
life is too short !!!
Just rereading “One Voice My Life in Song” I love the line In the book referring to performing After the Deluge “I keep finding new colours and the accompanying picture in my head continues to change and update.”
When l listen to your music it always comes with a nice memory. Christy music was always playing in our house growing up in Belfast & then when we Immigrated to Toronto. Your music passed down generations and it still makes me smile when I hear Lisdoonvarna, I see my daughter (now 21) sitting in the back of the car at 3years old in pigtails and when her favourite songs came on the radio, she would yell out “Van the man says turn it up, turn it up.”
Thanks to their Granda, my kids would belt out Ride On & Sonny’s Dream” instead of the usual children’s songs.
Thanks Christy for the colours and accompanying pictures.
Tracy
Christy's reply
Thank You Tracy,
“As my life is passing thru me
I’m mostly satisfied
Old songs keep calling me
calling thru the night”…………(Tony Small)
I’m guessing you’ll be on the final run in to lockdown 4…eagerly awaited by a large crowd!
Following earlier chat,I’ve had a look for archive footage of Granada TV/Two Brewers,but I;m not sure if anything exists…but,I came across a feature that has several great songs,inc Luke on a chat show,telling of him meeting Patrick Kavanagh and being given the nod to sing ‘Raglan Road’… some fine songs at http://www.vagabondtoursofireland.com
Not sure if u remember the song I wrote for your friend John Bowen, his son John Joe and his daughter Marian just send me an email thanking me for the song, they were blown away by my description of his life, I had to tell them I never met their dad but got the info from you..hope u don’t mind,they were very thankfully, and said they will pass the wee song to all the family…I love a story like this.especially during those awful times. Peace and love to all the Moore crew.
Christy's reply
Marty,..thats a beautiful tribute to our good friend John Bowen..I can only hope that all his family, neighbours and friends around The Sheeps Head and Rathoora get to hear it..I just spoke to his son …they are delighted to hear your song about their Father…John Bowen was , without doubt, the most unique man I ever met…you sing as if you knew him all your life….Thanks for sharing Marty
Just to say thanks for all the brilliant music and looking forward to lots more! Just listened to Missing You and thinking of my Da who came to London from Athlone in 1960. That song resonates with the truth of his experience and brings a lump to my throat.
Last time I saw you was London RFH-next time hopefully will be in Ireland! Hope you and yours all keeping well.
Cheers
Mark
Christy's reply
Hopefully I’ll get the chance to play a few gigs again when the cloud clears and the dust settles…
My own Father’s Father left Athlone many many years before your Da headed East… his name was Christy Moore..he died in 1919 when our dear Father was only 4 years old…Our Father was Andy Moore he died in 1956 at 41 years of age…we still miss him
Dear Christy I hope you are keeping well. I did enjoy greatly your videos. Was delighted to hear Away Ye Broken Heart. Seems like it’s falling apart over here. Peaceful protests reported as violent in the media. My daughter aged 19 reported being kettled until 11pm in central London with no access to water or toilet. Teenage girls are apparently the vanguard of dissent. Charging horses and unlawful detentions. But this is as old as time I told her. I sent her your song In Zurich.
Children in the cold
Bring anarchy to streets of gold
That’s what I was told
In Zurich
Compare and contrast to the song Mountains of Mourne.
I had a conversation with Marty Mac about all things immigrant and the Irish diaspora t’other evening. So my question to you is … Were you always going to go home or did you ever think you’d join the rest of us. Trying to belong somewhere else? Xx
Christy's reply
Sorry to hear of your daughter’s experience Anuk…..
Boris & Trump are like conjoined twins (joined at the arsehole) with neither a brain nor an emotion between them….how either of them got elected is one of life’s mysteries…we have a few similar types lurking the corridors of power here but ,so far, they’ve not managed to gain any real traction outside their own electoral districts ( thanks be)
I’ll say no more..
I hope you and Michael and Family are safe and well this night..
in answer to your question…it was always my (hopeful) intention to return to Ireland ….that said I had 5 great years singing the clubs of England ,Scotland and Wales..I served my apprenticeship there, I learned so much from all those I heard, I recieved wonderful hospitality in a thousand Folk Clubs..I still sing some of the songs I learned in my years”over”..
But I was lucky to get back..lucky that Bill Leader agreed to travel to Ireland to record the “Prosperous” album with me….Planxty was formed on the back of that album’s success. Planxty gave me reason and wherewithal to return..home…without that good fortune, who knows what might have been?
I was born in a caravan on the side of a mountain,
They say I cried when I felt the cold,
On that dark and frosty morning,
18 hungry mouths to feed
4 dogs and a pyball pony
Times were hard,but we got by.
That’s all I have to say.
We fixed tin cans in a caravan
And sold them to the gorgers
We tramped all day,and made our
To pass the time of day,
Sometimes wed drink our cider
Around a roaring fire,
We were happy, we were free,
That’s all I have to say.
The times they are a changing
For the travelling people
No more we can go tramping
No more we roam free
I’ll spend my days dreaming
About the days of yander
They never will return again.
That’s all I have to say..
The guitar is a 1965 yiari.
My ex bought it for $2, it was all in pieces, stuck it back together, I love it.
Hello Christy,
The Anna Livia sculpture got me remembering. When I was very young, my mum and dad took me and my brother to cartwright Hall in Bradford. It was an art gallery in those days. Walking up the path we saw that it was lined with large stone balls, between the trees. My mum said, if I could pick one up I could bring it home. I really tried. There were also big metal lions that you could sit on. They were vandalised then. I’ve no idea if they are still there.
I also remember seeing ancient stone heads lined up in an old church in heptonstall.
I’m thinking Anna Livia looked better in her element than suspended above it. You are very lucky to own a small piece. I still want one of those stone balls.
You guys are brilliantly funny, loving all the posts.
I’m going to make omelettes now.
Rebecca
http://www.johnfinch.com …loads of memories of the pioneer days of Granada tv…folk at the Two Brewers was another breakthrough,with ‘big names’ as you recall…amazing that you ‘stayed’ at The Midland-classic scenes there on ‘Don’t Look Back’ with Bob et al…
Brilliant that you and Ronnie were pals… what a great gesture to you as well…great times,for sure…memory lane is a regular diversion-welcome too…D
Thanks for your hard work on pressing ‘Good Vibrations’! Several of my school mates will have kept you busy…playing the grooves off that amazing song.There was opposition to its radio play,initially,because of the song’s length..also,from similar times,reading the words of ‘Zoological Gardens’ reminds me of the wonderful sound of The Dubliners -and ‘Seven Drunken Nights’ being banned on BBC radio…the ‘approved ‘ version was a big hit…even more so,because the original was banned!Happy times…
Dave
Christy's reply
first time I met Luke was at The Two Brewers pub in (I think) Salford… I was in the queue for their TV show (with a guitar case, rare enough in the 60s) he stopped to talk and then brought me into show as his guest…later he let me doss on the floor of his hotel room ( Midland no less !)
When I woke next morning Luke was gone, there was a £5 note in my guitar case…a lot of money back then…a fiver would cover 40-50 pints of ale back then…a bed sit about £4 a week..next time we met was when Planxty and The Dubliners played together in Galway…then he came to our wedding…we got on well….what a great singer..his young voice still sounds fresh and exciting
Thanks for the history of “Sweet Music Roll On” wonderful….I too have a very strong connection to the Phoenix Park as we lived there as a family when I was born, my Dad was “Assistant Chief Superintendent” there (awesome title) and we lived in Fort Lodge, one several lodges in the Park, this one named for the Magazine Fort and nestled down there between the Fort and the Fifteen Acres, and coincidentally, my wife was living in the park also, in the Ordnance Survey, there are seven or eight homes there within the compound. We remember well the Angler’s, the Wren’s and the Straw Hall…Thanks again for the songs and stay well Christy.
Brian.
Christy's reply
What a wonderful back garden you both enjoyed in your childhood
You remind me of Ronnie singin:
“Oh thunder and lightning is no lark
When Dublin city is in the dark
So if you’ve any money go up to the park
And view the zoological gardens
We went out there to see the zoo
We saw the lion and the kangaroo
There was he-males and she-males of every hue
Up in the zoological gardens
We went out there by Castleknock
Says she to me “Sure we’ll court on the lock”
Then I knew she was one of the rare old stock
From outside the zoological gardens
We went out there on our honeymoon
Says she to me “If you don’t come soon
I’ll have to get in with the hairy baboons”
Up in the zoological garden
Says she to me “It’s seven o’clock
And it’s time for me to be changin’ me frock
For I long to see the old cockatoo”
Up in the zoological garden
Says she to me “Me lovely Jack
Sure I’d love a ride on the elephant’s back
If you don’t get out that I’ll give you such a smack
Up in the zoological garden
Christy just re-watched Good Vibrations a cracking film about ‘Terri Hooley, Belfast’s chaotic godfather of punk. In the 70s, he defied the miseries and tribalism of the Troubles by opening a record shop in the middle of the city, idealistically called Good Vibrations. His record label put out the Undertones’ Teenage Kicks…thanks to John Peel’s support. So how about Rory’s third choice of Johnny Fingers’ I don’t’ like Mondays followed by Teenage Kicks! By the way a great film and worth checking out.
Christy's reply
I worked at EMI pressing plant one Summer in the early 60s.
On the night shift in Hayes Middx
it was a hot sweaty job but great wages
for 8 weeks I pressed “Good Vibrations” by Brian and Beach Boys
on a good night I’d press 1200 copies which brought bonus to the pay packet
the pressing machine opened every 15 seconds
it was years later that I realised the genius of Brian Wilson
Teatime watching California falcons (wow- Lizzy,must be some sight to admire their skills),followed by an excellent gig by maestros,Wally and Johnny…(thanks to Lar for the link and,fair play for all the tech wizardry…)What a treat to finally see your mucker…can’t wait to catch a ‘real’ session sometime…but,superb to hear so many great songs,especially when gigs are on hold.Many thanks to all…
Going to have a nightcap of your lockdown sessions now! Best day I’ve had in awhile…
Christy,
I have a type of sea ballad written about sea going back in the 1950s would it be ethical to post it here on comments?
Great to have a bit of freedom again, thanks for your memories of Brendan. I hope you will be back to your gigs soon, and we look forward to you visiting our Theatre Royal.
John,
we dont stand on ethics here….print and post..
I love that Theatre Royal …just as I loved Kate Reilly’s and The Forum in days of yore
Hi Christy
Very welcome content from Hilary…always good to get some Leonard Cohen into the mix…a great regret that I never saw any of his gigs,but laugh at his masterful,droll intros,which became funnier as he grew older…eg recalling ‘being a kid of 60,with a crazy dream’ as he pondered on fame and his career.
Some of his finest writing was away from music and showed his mastery of words…the perfect letter to Marianne as she was near death became his epitaph too.Truth,stranger than fiction…thanks,H
Hope you get to chance to have an easing of lockdown wander soon.Not going too far from the bunker here…
Dave
soccer ! horseracing ! gigs ??
Hi All, lots of talk about songs and writing and Voices and learning chords and instruments here recently. I was reminded of the speech that Leonard Cohen at 77 gave when receiving the Prince of Asturias Award for Literature in 2011 for songs which ” explored with depth and beauty the major questions concerning humanity”. There are lots of LC fans here which is not surprising, lots of common ground indeed, forgive my off topic posting, but I think the content resonates : https://youtu.be/VIR5ps8usuo I was lucky to see LC perform twice in Dublin, once at the expense of a CM gig !! beir bua agus beannacht go deo, H
We heard Leonard at Kilmainham that Summer’s evening…..I remember it as perhaps the most beautiful concert I ever heard….He shone that evening..his voice and his songs, his position within the Band, his kindness and generosity, the way he gave a little ” skip” on entry and exit…
Thanks for sharing this video, the tribute he paid to his Spainish gutar teacher is heartbreakingly beautiful ….
its not Cavan this week…..
Well Christy and Easkey! I was just in another we space, and the name Pat Quinn came up with the comment’s wrote a song for Christy Moore. And you’d have just gone and answered my question what the song was! Grand wee community you have here Christy, linking so many different people.
If I could write I would write a bout NO FOOTPATHS ONLY BRIGANDS as you have touched on one of my pet hates, and remembering the drenching as the vehicles ploughed through puddles bigger than Lough Neagh, without a dip in speed or lights!
On another note, thought you might like to hear I was at a gig last night by a wee German/Irish folk group, Crosswind, it was a drive in! Space for 100 cars, 10 rows of 10. we could sit on the sun roof, stand sticking head and anything that fit out the window, honk and roar…. Totally different, but fun
The Honk & Roar…..
Dear Christy, thanks for your third video concert. It made me happy. I aways knew, there’s a Gerry Murray song on Ride On.
I spent a wonderful Friday night session at Murray’s Bar in Charlestown last September. Now I bring it both together. Thanks Christy for this realization.
Sounds Good Guenter….
Morra Christy,
Since you mentioned Floyd Westerman in your home-movie i have been thinking a lot about the Native Americans.
Floyd’s Sioux name was Red Crow and every day i awake to the sound of our crows cawing in the day.
Red Crow spoke and marched for Native and minority rights, i imagine he would be proud of those facing out Trump , of those tearing down slavers statues and of people singing in protest like you do.
Where did you meet him may i ask? What did he say and do with you?
I appreciate that these may be personal, of course.
The Native Americans, those First Americans, had their lands stolen, children slaughtered, crops burnt, treaties ignored, customs disrespected…..and eventually the genocide . You have so much to do, so many to connect with, but if you ever get a spare day have a dip into Dee Brown’s writings.
Even with covid , it has disproportionately hit the Native Americans, yet Trump pays no heed and in reporting it many states classify these noble people as ‘other’.
Tori Amos has cherokee ancestry, now i am no big fan, but she rails against US govts in her gentle way.
I am very glad that you met and swapped songs with Floyd, it must have been a highlight of your trip i imagine.
I don’t recall you singing Irish Ways and Irish Laws since Moving Hearts, instead the equally inspiring Green Island, am i wrong? Might it return?
Anyway the crows are moving off, i must too.
You inspire, you create, you, protest,you sing from the heart, just like Red Crow.
Thank you.
Regards
Rory
Met Red Crow when he visited Ireland in the mid 80s….it was a cultural exchange…a group of 5 men from the Sioux Nation gave a series of performances in Ireland…one was in An Cultúrlann ,Monkstown……I spoke briefly with Floyd Westerman and gave him a Bodhrán….I also sent him the song “Irish Ways,Irish Laws” (John Gibbs)….
I think he may have attended a concert I gave subsequently in Culver City, California…..he may have been there with Jackson Brown…I’m not 100% of that, there was a right schimmozel after the gig…I’m a bit hazy about 1985
the music I mentioned earlier is under the ‘company’then ‘travel blogs’ section of the Vagabond travel site…sorry,its messy-but ,their clips are youtube based…good to see Luke/The Dubliners well represented there…D
I tried to navigate thru that site,
had to give up,
I reached for thon Atkin
life is too short !!!
Just rereading “One Voice My Life in Song” I love the line In the book referring to performing After the Deluge “I keep finding new colours and the accompanying picture in my head continues to change and update.”
When l listen to your music it always comes with a nice memory. Christy music was always playing in our house growing up in Belfast & then when we Immigrated to Toronto. Your music passed down generations and it still makes me smile when I hear Lisdoonvarna, I see my daughter (now 21) sitting in the back of the car at 3years old in pigtails and when her favourite songs came on the radio, she would yell out “Van the man says turn it up, turn it up.”
Thanks to their Granda, my kids would belt out Ride On & Sonny’s Dream” instead of the usual children’s songs.
Thanks Christy for the colours and accompanying pictures.
Tracy
Thank You Tracy,
“As my life is passing thru me
I’m mostly satisfied
Old songs keep calling me
calling thru the night”…………(Tony Small)
Hi Christy
I’m guessing you’ll be on the final run in to lockdown 4…eagerly awaited by a large crowd!
Following earlier chat,I’ve had a look for archive footage of Granada TV/Two Brewers,but I;m not sure if anything exists…but,I came across a feature that has several great songs,inc Luke on a chat show,telling of him meeting Patrick Kavanagh and being given the nod to sing ‘Raglan Road’… some fine songs at http://www.vagabondtoursofireland.com
Dave
I’ll try and get back to it
This is the song..
https://youtu.be/MjOrkZpsUVQ
Not sure if u remember the song I wrote for your friend John Bowen, his son John Joe and his daughter Marian just send me an email thanking me for the song, they were blown away by my description of his life, I had to tell them I never met their dad but got the info from you..hope u don’t mind,they were very thankfully, and said they will pass the wee song to all the family…I love a story like this.especially during those awful times. Peace and love to all the Moore crew.
Marty,..thats a beautiful tribute to our good friend John Bowen..I can only hope that all his family, neighbours and friends around The Sheeps Head and Rathoora get to hear it..I just spoke to his son …they are delighted to hear your song about their Father…John Bowen was , without doubt, the most unique man I ever met…you sing as if you knew him all your life….Thanks for sharing Marty
Hi Christy
Just to say thanks for all the brilliant music and looking forward to lots more! Just listened to Missing You and thinking of my Da who came to London from Athlone in 1960. That song resonates with the truth of his experience and brings a lump to my throat.
Last time I saw you was London RFH-next time hopefully will be in Ireland! Hope you and yours all keeping well.
Cheers
Mark
Hopefully I’ll get the chance to play a few gigs again when the cloud clears and the dust settles…
My own Father’s Father left Athlone many many years before your Da headed East… his name was Christy Moore..he died in 1919 when our dear Father was only 4 years old…Our Father was Andy Moore he died in 1956 at 41 years of age…we still miss him
Dear Christy I hope you are keeping well. I did enjoy greatly your videos. Was delighted to hear Away Ye Broken Heart. Seems like it’s falling apart over here. Peaceful protests reported as violent in the media. My daughter aged 19 reported being kettled until 11pm in central London with no access to water or toilet. Teenage girls are apparently the vanguard of dissent. Charging horses and unlawful detentions. But this is as old as time I told her. I sent her your song In Zurich.
Children in the cold
Bring anarchy to streets of gold
That’s what I was told
In Zurich
Compare and contrast to the song Mountains of Mourne.
I had a conversation with Marty Mac about all things immigrant and the Irish diaspora t’other evening. So my question to you is … Were you always going to go home or did you ever think you’d join the rest of us. Trying to belong somewhere else? Xx
Sorry to hear of your daughter’s experience Anuk…..
Boris & Trump are like conjoined twins (joined at the arsehole) with neither a brain nor an emotion between them….how either of them got elected is one of life’s mysteries…we have a few similar types lurking the corridors of power here but ,so far, they’ve not managed to gain any real traction outside their own electoral districts ( thanks be)
I’ll say no more..
I hope you and Michael and Family are safe and well this night..
in answer to your question…it was always my (hopeful) intention to return to Ireland ….that said I had 5 great years singing the clubs of England ,Scotland and Wales..I served my apprenticeship there, I learned so much from all those I heard, I recieved wonderful hospitality in a thousand Folk Clubs..I still sing some of the songs I learned in my years”over”..
But I was lucky to get back..lucky that Bill Leader agreed to travel to Ireland to record the “Prosperous” album with me….Planxty was formed on the back of that album’s success. Planxty gave me reason and wherewithal to return..home…without that good fortune, who knows what might have been?
Gypsy Dream..
I was born in a caravan on the side of a mountain,
They say I cried when I felt the cold,
On that dark and frosty morning,
18 hungry mouths to feed
4 dogs and a pyball pony
Times were hard,but we got by.
That’s all I have to say.
We fixed tin cans in a caravan
And sold them to the gorgers
We tramped all day,and made our
To pass the time of day,
Sometimes wed drink our cider
Around a roaring fire,
We were happy, we were free,
That’s all I have to say.
The times they are a changing
For the travelling people
No more we can go tramping
No more we roam free
I’ll spend my days dreaming
About the days of yander
They never will return again.
That’s all I have to say..
The guitar is a 1965 yiari.
My ex bought it for $2, it was all in pieces, stuck it back together, I love it.
Enjoy the auld song christy.keep well.
sound Marty Thanks
Hello Christy,
The Anna Livia sculpture got me remembering. When I was very young, my mum and dad took me and my brother to cartwright Hall in Bradford. It was an art gallery in those days. Walking up the path we saw that it was lined with large stone balls, between the trees. My mum said, if I could pick one up I could bring it home. I really tried. There were also big metal lions that you could sit on. They were vandalised then. I’ve no idea if they are still there.
I also remember seeing ancient stone heads lined up in an old church in heptonstall.
I’m thinking Anna Livia looked better in her element than suspended above it. You are very lucky to own a small piece. I still want one of those stone balls.
You guys are brilliantly funny, loving all the posts.
I’m going to make omelettes now.
Rebecca
Keep coming back
http://www.johnfinch.com …loads of memories of the pioneer days of Granada tv…folk at the Two Brewers was another breakthrough,with ‘big names’ as you recall…amazing that you ‘stayed’ at The Midland-classic scenes there on ‘Don’t Look Back’ with Bob et al…
Brilliant that you and Ronnie were pals… what a great gesture to you as well…great times,for sure…memory lane is a regular diversion-welcome too…D
Mornin’ Christy
Thanks for your hard work on pressing ‘Good Vibrations’! Several of my school mates will have kept you busy…playing the grooves off that amazing song.There was opposition to its radio play,initially,because of the song’s length..also,from similar times,reading the words of ‘Zoological Gardens’ reminds me of the wonderful sound of The Dubliners -and ‘Seven Drunken Nights’ being banned on BBC radio…the ‘approved ‘ version was a big hit…even more so,because the original was banned!Happy times…
Dave
first time I met Luke was at The Two Brewers pub in (I think) Salford… I was in the queue for their TV show (with a guitar case, rare enough in the 60s) he stopped to talk and then brought me into show as his guest…later he let me doss on the floor of his hotel room ( Midland no less !)
When I woke next morning Luke was gone, there was a £5 note in my guitar case…a lot of money back then…a fiver would cover 40-50 pints of ale back then…a bed sit about £4 a week..next time we met was when Planxty and The Dubliners played together in Galway…then he came to our wedding…we got on well….what a great singer..his young voice still sounds fresh and exciting
Thanks for the history of “Sweet Music Roll On” wonderful….I too have a very strong connection to the Phoenix Park as we lived there as a family when I was born, my Dad was “Assistant Chief Superintendent” there (awesome title) and we lived in Fort Lodge, one several lodges in the Park, this one named for the Magazine Fort and nestled down there between the Fort and the Fifteen Acres, and coincidentally, my wife was living in the park also, in the Ordnance Survey, there are seven or eight homes there within the compound. We remember well the Angler’s, the Wren’s and the Straw Hall…Thanks again for the songs and stay well Christy.
Brian.
What a wonderful back garden you both enjoyed in your childhood
You remind me of Ronnie singin:
“Oh thunder and lightning is no lark
When Dublin city is in the dark
So if you’ve any money go up to the park
And view the zoological gardens
We went out there to see the zoo
We saw the lion and the kangaroo
There was he-males and she-males of every hue
Up in the zoological gardens
We went out there by Castleknock
Says she to me “Sure we’ll court on the lock”
Then I knew she was one of the rare old stock
From outside the zoological gardens
We went out there on our honeymoon
Says she to me “If you don’t come soon
I’ll have to get in with the hairy baboons”
Up in the zoological garden
Says she to me “It’s seven o’clock
And it’s time for me to be changin’ me frock
For I long to see the old cockatoo”
Up in the zoological garden
Says she to me “Me lovely Jack
Sure I’d love a ride on the elephant’s back
If you don’t get out that I’ll give you such a smack
Up in the zoological garden
Christy just re-watched Good Vibrations a cracking film about ‘Terri Hooley, Belfast’s chaotic godfather of punk. In the 70s, he defied the miseries and tribalism of the Troubles by opening a record shop in the middle of the city, idealistically called Good Vibrations. His record label put out the Undertones’ Teenage Kicks…thanks to John Peel’s support. So how about Rory’s third choice of Johnny Fingers’ I don’t’ like Mondays followed by Teenage Kicks! By the way a great film and worth checking out.
I worked at EMI pressing plant one Summer in the early 60s.
On the night shift in Hayes Middx
it was a hot sweaty job but great wages
for 8 weeks I pressed “Good Vibrations” by Brian and Beach Boys
on a good night I’d press 1200 copies which brought bonus to the pay packet
the pressing machine opened every 15 seconds
it was years later that I realised the genius of Brian Wilson
Saw the movie and agree with you
Hi Christy
Teatime watching California falcons (wow- Lizzy,must be some sight to admire their skills),followed by an excellent gig by maestros,Wally and Johnny…(thanks to Lar for the link and,fair play for all the tech wizardry…)What a treat to finally see your mucker…can’t wait to catch a ‘real’ session sometime…but,superb to hear so many great songs,especially when gigs are on hold.Many thanks to all…
Going to have a nightcap of your lockdown sessions now! Best day I’ve had in awhile…
G’night all
Dave
Happy Sunday Dave