Loved your set this week especially Raggle Taggle Gypsy and John O’Dreams. Thanks so much! If I may throw in a request for next week for The Blacksmith…. One of my limited repetoir as a student 🙄
Christy's reply
the Blacksmith hammers his anvil in the Forge of Andy Irvine…..I did play Harmonium on the early Planxty recording but never sung the song….
Dear Christy
Again Thank you for the wonderful performance.
( regrettable no BBR for Hil) Really curious to see Andy next week!
I don’t find it naturally that you do this for free.
In Belgium, and I’m ashamed to say so, everybody who can’t work because of the virus get’s a fee from the government. Except artists!!
Especially for the young ones it’s a big problem.
Don’t know how it is in Ireland but it’s a disgrace that a sector who gives us so much pleasure and relaxation even in hard times get’s nothing!
Go raibh maith agar aris!
Chris
Christy you absolute hero… Go raibh míle míle maith agat! Me & the fam didn’t think you could go up any higher in our estimations but hearing Beeswing sang today for wee Seoidín in Perth made us love you even more! My brother & sister in law had tears in their eyes listening to the beautiful rendition. Oisín, an All Ireland flute player who has the biggest grá for the ceol tradisiúnta informed me that he received his first instrument as a child (the bodhrán) along with one of your tapes (Planxty maybe). Thank you so much again, you really brightened up our 2020 just as Seoidín’s arrival did.
Le meas,
Eimhear
(P.S. It was also refreshing to hear my name pronounced correctly, not I’m Here 😂)
Hello Christy,
You’re sounding beautiful on lockdown 5. Open and relaxed. Bit of a goldmine for me, I’m loving the purity of it.
Talking of the freetrade Hall, I played there, kind of by mistake. In my teens, a few brass bands used to draft me in to play percussion. The brass band championship happened at the free trade Hall each year.
I don’t remember much, apart from the judges. They were shut in a big black box, in the middle of the auditorium. They weren’t allowed out of the box during the competition that went on all day. I’ve no idea what it must have been like in there, after they’d listened to 20 bands playing the same test piece.
They had a bucket in the black box, to wee in.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Locked into a black box with a bucket of adjudictor’s piss…sounds like a recipe for hasty decisions and misplaced silverware
Well done Christie on all the Facebook live videos.
You have and continue to be an inspiration to me as a song writer and performer. Albit I am more a singing farmer than a performer 😉 I have a few vids on youtube if your up for a laugh.
Do you use many alternate tunings or string styles combinations on your taks?
Have a grand day, keep on
And thank you for the inspiration.
Scott Judd
Christy's reply
only one tuning
bass string up to f
dont try it
its filthy habit I picked up in 1961
somewhere between lesson one and two
never managed to kick it
twas the bane of my working life
but now I’m embracing it as I run back down the hill
Again a great choice of songs! I’m looking forward to a song sung by Andy next time and hopefull a duet will soon be possible as well! Sounds like your voices go together pretty well! “I love to hear the music, but most of all I love to hear you sing!” Keep on keeping on!
Christy's reply
we’re in serious rehearsal
at a safe distance…1.99 metres
Well now Christy, there I was busy weeding the spuds when the notification came in, Session #5 was up. So a welcome break, and what a beautiful session that was. I know you said you had a couple of difficulties with the set, well through your great professionalism, and Andy’s help, not a sign of a problem. It flowed smoothly and beautifully.
Thanks again for this great moment you provide for us.
Just got thinking as Andy panned the camera over the CDs, tapes,masters and box sets. The Box Set ‘Lockdown Sessions’ must be filling up nicely. But I ask all other posters to suggest a ‘must’ for the set. Mine is Lisdoo Lisdoo Lisdoo Lisdoonvarna, with 7 creamy pints coming out on a tray! Give it a lash there!
Christy's reply
what class of spuds are you weeding Pat ?
maybe its time for another Box Set…..really enjoying these auld sessions
next set taking shape nicely in the old head
dont know if I coud achieve a Lisdoon without the roar of the greasepaint , the smell of the crowd
News just in announcing a facebook gig by Leo O’Kelly at 9pm on Saturday,with Shea Fitzgerald on bass.
I missed his previous on line venture,but its on youtube (23/5/20) and sounds great.I’ll have a shufti soon,as I prowl the bunker,waiting for the new Dylan LP to hurl through the letter box!
A wet morning Christy,
Something Scottish here i think you will enjoy, i was reminded last night, by chance, to pluck out my album by Martyn Bennett ‘ Grit’.
Put together shortly before his premature death, this Scotsman created an album that has echoes of Gerry Divers’ Speech Project.
The first track is a sampling of Ewan MacColl’s ‘Moving Song/go move shift’, that we all adore.
The second a beautiful song ‘Blackbird’ that is so clear and heartbreaking like a bird’s song itself.
Both feature wonderful Scottish voices.
It is ,like much of his work, a tribute to Travelling People and Gaelic islanders.
I hope you can find an hour to listen, you will be amazed not disappointed.
All the best
Rory
Ps if you can spare an extra ten minutes watch Danny Macaskill’s youtube video ‘the ridge’, it is stunning, aweinspiring and never to be forgotten, and is accompanied over the Cuillins of Skye by that Blackbird song
Christy's reply
THANK YOU FOR THE NOD TOWARDS MARTYN BENNETT
BEAUTIFUL
Prompted by recent mentions here,I’ve had a long overdue email catch up with Bernard Wrigley…he sends greetings and mentioned some good stories…
An MSG night when you looked at the set list for ‘Dave and Bernard’…they enjoyed a laugh with you about their coded titles eg ‘contemptuous harpsichords’ for ‘contemporary songs’
A gig at the ‘Gypsy’s Tent’ folk club,Bolton…where your version of ‘Curragh of Kildare’ resonated…
Your memory also impresses Mr W, from a more recent meeting-at the Radio 2 Folk Awards…you recognised him before he prompted you-after many years since the above meetings!
Great that the good old days leave such impressions on many of us!
Dave
Christy's reply
lovely to hear from Bernard…not too many still knockin about from those early times
I first saw Ralph McTell around that time in Manchester, I think it was at the Free Trade Hall which is a hotel now. It was a very popular venue then, saw a very young Simon and Garfunkel there, also Tom Paxton who isn’t considered very cool but I thought wrote some rather good songs. Memory lane time again
Christy's reply
It all began for me in Manchester in 1966..back then it seemed as if the Free Trade was the most prestigious gig in the North West….it was way beyond the reach of those of us playing the circuit back then…I caught a few gigs there most notably Fairport Convention…years later I found myself back there with Planxty…we opened for Stefan Grossman….I met Tom Paxton in the 80s..he came to a concert in London….afterwards we met for a chat…he gave me a great tip when he said…. “you sing with your eyes closed, tomorrow night I want you to open your eyes for one song and simply look around the room as you sing, just for one song”
I think I’ve done that every night since and I understand his reasoning….a lesson not too late for the learning..Thanks Paxo
Keep saying I’ll shut up and am sure the chat will soon move on from Bury in ‘the olden days’ as my granddaughter refers to my youth.
But I well remember the Blue Bell – my family home was around the corner in Radcliffe New Road, don’t know whether you ever played at a venue up the road in Prestwich village, can’t remember it’s name, down a side street and over some shops but good performers.
Great places in Bolton too, the cattle market, the old man and scythe and the good old Octagon, love to see you there but it would be too small you’d fill it 6 times over.
Still enjoying your guestbook, very diverse – really in depth musical knowledge to wet-farts. Helping me with lockdown keeping me entertained as I’m having to shield. All the best to all. Pam
Christy's reply
if memory serves…that club in Prestwich may have been run by Rael & Maureen Birnes..I played there once.. met Ralph McTell at that club…
OOOH them are strange dreams Marty is having……….. bringing the “Wicklow Boy” all across the Island; and the Kerry Rose too…all the way up the Wild Atlantic way. Too much “Johnny jump up” I’d be thinking; sure it’s going to his head……………..Next thing he will be talking about the “stars lighting up the Fresco”
As another great man once said” I have a Dream”…………..That we all meet in the middle of the Island; plenty of wide open Venues; one meter, two meters, no problem!! Iggy could hop across with the loose Tea; plenty of Beef here for the Sandwiches….sure haven’t we the best Butchers in the Country. It’s only a thought….but then maybe !!!!!!!!
Looking forward to tomorrows 5th Instalment.
Ride Onn.
Patsy
I dreamed a dream the other night…..
We were all gathered in the Great Northern hotel in Bundoran for a very special gig…… a gig like no other…..
It was like one of those Elvis spectaculars in Las Vegas all those years ago. the crowd all sitting round little tables …. dickie bows and sequins everywhere..
” they’ll never all fit on stage with this 2 metre rule” sez H,
“Don’t worry ,they only need 1 metre now” sez Adam as he tucked in to his meal…….” sure , you know you can’t catch the Covid if you eat a dinner that costs at least Nine Euro !! ”
“What’ll you have to drink Adam “sez H.
“another pint of JohnnyJump Up” sez Adam…..” and hurry up , you know the gig can only last 90 minutes ”
And the opening bars of City of Chicago drifted through the Crowd…..
Hello everyone from not so
United States. Loving youR concerts, Christy! So cool to have them right here in my livingroom.
Here’s a neat version of Pink Floyd On The Turning Away: https://youtu.be/o8QO-uBndnk
Great to have the mix of folk clubs and concert venues…On a different level to you,I share the gig withdrawal symptoms! I’d certainly love to have some youth returned and be back in MSG days…
As the Government here dithered about lockdown,many people had a similar dilemma to you about the safety of events…A few days before UK lockdown,our morning rehearsal was interrupted by the organiser making the call ,pulling a gig for the following night…a small folk club in the hills near Oldham…hopefully,returning asap-we’ve played there since the 80s..
Your superb recall got me remembering some great gigs we played in the 80s/90s…with the ‘Bolton Bullfrog’ – Bernard Wrigley…one of the funniest/most affable blokes ever…great that he has a website http://www.bernardwrigley.com his ‘memoirs’ section will be keeping me going for ages! No doubt,some bells ringing for you too when you have chance to check it out.
Thankfully,there are still a few ‘real’ folk clubs.Give me a holler if ever you fancy revisiting some old haunts…I’ve wanted to share a stage with you for decades,but,I’ll have to settle for playing along/putting some harmonies on a few of your lockdown songs (out of earshot for you too!)
I hope your companeros and crew are doing well -despite cabin fever.
So,happy days recalled…and many more to come,hopefully.
Dave
Christy's reply
“the good old days
were the days
we didnt talk about
the good old days” ………
I heard that from Meg McGowan back in the good old days…Meg was my best school Buddy…he had me reading Steinbeck and Hemingway when we were 15..we had our first drink together…we rolled around Donnolly;s Hollow in paroxyms…last time we met was in Kensington.. we saw John Huston’s “The Dead” and went for a Rogan Josh…..
Loved your set this week especially Raggle Taggle Gypsy and John O’Dreams. Thanks so much! If I may throw in a request for next week for The Blacksmith…. One of my limited repetoir as a student 🙄
the Blacksmith hammers his anvil in the Forge of Andy Irvine…..I did play Harmonium on the early Planxty recording but never sung the song….
Dear Christy
Again Thank you for the wonderful performance.
( regrettable no BBR for Hil) Really curious to see Andy next week!
I don’t find it naturally that you do this for free.
In Belgium, and I’m ashamed to say so, everybody who can’t work because of the virus get’s a fee from the government. Except artists!!
Especially for the young ones it’s a big problem.
Don’t know how it is in Ireland but it’s a disgrace that a sector who gives us so much pleasure and relaxation even in hard times get’s nothing!
Go raibh maith agar aris!
Chris
anyone for the last few choc ices ?
Christy you absolute hero… Go raibh míle míle maith agat! Me & the fam didn’t think you could go up any higher in our estimations but hearing Beeswing sang today for wee Seoidín in Perth made us love you even more! My brother & sister in law had tears in their eyes listening to the beautiful rendition. Oisín, an All Ireland flute player who has the biggest grá for the ceol tradisiúnta informed me that he received his first instrument as a child (the bodhrán) along with one of your tapes (Planxty maybe). Thank you so much again, you really brightened up our 2020 just as Seoidín’s arrival did.
Le meas,
Eimhear
(P.S. It was also refreshing to hear my name pronounced correctly, not I’m Here 😂)
Sound
Hello Christy,
You’re sounding beautiful on lockdown 5. Open and relaxed. Bit of a goldmine for me, I’m loving the purity of it.
Talking of the freetrade Hall, I played there, kind of by mistake. In my teens, a few brass bands used to draft me in to play percussion. The brass band championship happened at the free trade Hall each year.
I don’t remember much, apart from the judges. They were shut in a big black box, in the middle of the auditorium. They weren’t allowed out of the box during the competition that went on all day. I’ve no idea what it must have been like in there, after they’d listened to 20 bands playing the same test piece.
They had a bucket in the black box, to wee in.
Rebecca
Locked into a black box with a bucket of adjudictor’s piss…sounds like a recipe for hasty decisions and misplaced silverware
Well done Christie on all the Facebook live videos.
You have and continue to be an inspiration to me as a song writer and performer. Albit I am more a singing farmer than a performer 😉 I have a few vids on youtube if your up for a laugh.
Do you use many alternate tunings or string styles combinations on your taks?
Have a grand day, keep on
And thank you for the inspiration.
Scott Judd
only one tuning
bass string up to f
dont try it
its filthy habit I picked up in 1961
somewhere between lesson one and two
never managed to kick it
twas the bane of my working life
but now I’m embracing it as I run back down the hill
Again a great choice of songs! I’m looking forward to a song sung by Andy next time and hopefull a duet will soon be possible as well! Sounds like your voices go together pretty well! “I love to hear the music, but most of all I love to hear you sing!” Keep on keeping on!
we’re in serious rehearsal
at a safe distance…1.99 metres
Well now Christy, there I was busy weeding the spuds when the notification came in, Session #5 was up. So a welcome break, and what a beautiful session that was. I know you said you had a couple of difficulties with the set, well through your great professionalism, and Andy’s help, not a sign of a problem. It flowed smoothly and beautifully.
Thanks again for this great moment you provide for us.
Just got thinking as Andy panned the camera over the CDs, tapes,masters and box sets. The Box Set ‘Lockdown Sessions’ must be filling up nicely. But I ask all other posters to suggest a ‘must’ for the set. Mine is Lisdoo Lisdoo Lisdoo Lisdoonvarna, with 7 creamy pints coming out on a tray! Give it a lash there!
what class of spuds are you weeding Pat ?
maybe its time for another Box Set…..really enjoying these auld sessions
next set taking shape nicely in the old head
dont know if I coud achieve a Lisdoon without the roar of the greasepaint , the smell of the crowd
Morning Christy
News just in announcing a facebook gig by Leo O’Kelly at 9pm on Saturday,with Shea Fitzgerald on bass.
I missed his previous on line venture,but its on youtube (23/5/20) and sounds great.I’ll have a shufti soon,as I prowl the bunker,waiting for the new Dylan LP to hurl through the letter box!
Have a good day
Dave
WHALLUP DAVE
keep it coming
A wet morning Christy,
Something Scottish here i think you will enjoy, i was reminded last night, by chance, to pluck out my album by Martyn Bennett ‘ Grit’.
Put together shortly before his premature death, this Scotsman created an album that has echoes of Gerry Divers’ Speech Project.
The first track is a sampling of Ewan MacColl’s ‘Moving Song/go move shift’, that we all adore.
The second a beautiful song ‘Blackbird’ that is so clear and heartbreaking like a bird’s song itself.
Both feature wonderful Scottish voices.
It is ,like much of his work, a tribute to Travelling People and Gaelic islanders.
I hope you can find an hour to listen, you will be amazed not disappointed.
All the best
Rory
Ps if you can spare an extra ten minutes watch Danny Macaskill’s youtube video ‘the ridge’, it is stunning, aweinspiring and never to be forgotten, and is accompanied over the Cuillins of Skye by that Blackbird song
THANK YOU FOR THE NOD TOWARDS MARTYN BENNETT
BEAUTIFUL
To all my brothers who didn’t beat this sickness.
See the field there
Where all the pretty wild flowers grow
No one planted them
They just appeared after a morning snow.
See that rock,it hasn’t moved in a million years,
It’s seen some happy times
And I know it’s seen some tears,.
See the rain as it comes falling down
It disappears forever in the solid ground.
See the time as it passes on
It leaves sweet memories
Of a time long gone,
See my life as it unfolds
Like an open book
Wonder what the future holds.
our souls are in the rock
Hi Christy
Prompted by recent mentions here,I’ve had a long overdue email catch up with Bernard Wrigley…he sends greetings and mentioned some good stories…
An MSG night when you looked at the set list for ‘Dave and Bernard’…they enjoyed a laugh with you about their coded titles eg ‘contemptuous harpsichords’ for ‘contemporary songs’
A gig at the ‘Gypsy’s Tent’ folk club,Bolton…where your version of ‘Curragh of Kildare’ resonated…
Your memory also impresses Mr W, from a more recent meeting-at the Radio 2 Folk Awards…you recognised him before he prompted you-after many years since the above meetings!
Great that the good old days leave such impressions on many of us!
Dave
lovely to hear from Bernard…not too many still knockin about from those early times
I first saw Ralph McTell around that time in Manchester, I think it was at the Free Trade Hall which is a hotel now. It was a very popular venue then, saw a very young Simon and Garfunkel there, also Tom Paxton who isn’t considered very cool but I thought wrote some rather good songs. Memory lane time again
It all began for me in Manchester in 1966..back then it seemed as if the Free Trade was the most prestigious gig in the North West….it was way beyond the reach of those of us playing the circuit back then…I caught a few gigs there most notably Fairport Convention…years later I found myself back there with Planxty…we opened for Stefan Grossman….I met Tom Paxton in the 80s..he came to a concert in London….afterwards we met for a chat…he gave me a great tip when he said…. “you sing with your eyes closed, tomorrow night I want you to open your eyes for one song and simply look around the room as you sing, just for one song”
I think I’ve done that every night since and I understand his reasoning….a lesson not too late for the learning..Thanks Paxo
Keep saying I’ll shut up and am sure the chat will soon move on from Bury in ‘the olden days’ as my granddaughter refers to my youth.
But I well remember the Blue Bell – my family home was around the corner in Radcliffe New Road, don’t know whether you ever played at a venue up the road in Prestwich village, can’t remember it’s name, down a side street and over some shops but good performers.
Great places in Bolton too, the cattle market, the old man and scythe and the good old Octagon, love to see you there but it would be too small you’d fill it 6 times over.
Still enjoying your guestbook, very diverse – really in depth musical knowledge to wet-farts. Helping me with lockdown keeping me entertained as I’m having to shield. All the best to all. Pam
if memory serves…that club in Prestwich may have been run by Rael & Maureen Birnes..I played there once.. met Ralph McTell at that club…
Ha , mushrooms and cider…… now we’re rolling.
TGI Thursday….. Thursday is the new Friday !!
back to partying in the Fields
Hi All. Is this the season for magic mushrooms ?? asking for some friends .H
not yet… come September and the psilocybin wil be peeping up..best avoided…approach with caution
OOOH them are strange dreams Marty is having……….. bringing the “Wicklow Boy” all across the Island; and the Kerry Rose too…all the way up the Wild Atlantic way. Too much “Johnny jump up” I’d be thinking; sure it’s going to his head……………..Next thing he will be talking about the “stars lighting up the Fresco”
As another great man once said” I have a Dream”…………..That we all meet in the middle of the Island; plenty of wide open Venues; one meter, two meters, no problem!! Iggy could hop across with the loose Tea; plenty of Beef here for the Sandwiches….sure haven’t we the best Butchers in the Country. It’s only a thought….but then maybe !!!!!!!!
Looking forward to tomorrows 5th Instalment.
Ride Onn.
Patsy
are we all goin bats or what…..
Sail On Patsy
I dreamed a dream the other night…..
We were all gathered in the Great Northern hotel in Bundoran for a very special gig…… a gig like no other…..
It was like one of those Elvis spectaculars in Las Vegas all those years ago. the crowd all sitting round little tables …. dickie bows and sequins everywhere..
” they’ll never all fit on stage with this 2 metre rule” sez H,
“Don’t worry ,they only need 1 metre now” sez Adam as he tucked in to his meal…….” sure , you know you can’t catch the Covid if you eat a dinner that costs at least Nine Euro !! ”
“What’ll you have to drink Adam “sez H.
“another pint of JohnnyJump Up” sez Adam…..” and hurry up , you know the gig can only last 90 minutes ”
And the opening bars of City of Chicago drifted through the Crowd…..
its The National Concert Hall tonight ‘nt
Hello everyone from not so
United States. Loving youR concerts, Christy! So cool to have them right here in my livingroom.
Here’s a neat version of Pink Floyd On The Turning Away:
https://youtu.be/o8QO-uBndnk
Hope you enjoy!🙏🌞💙
Thanks for sharing….I enjoyed that…
O The Summer Time is coming…
Hi Christy
Great to have the mix of folk clubs and concert venues…On a different level to you,I share the gig withdrawal symptoms! I’d certainly love to have some youth returned and be back in MSG days…
As the Government here dithered about lockdown,many people had a similar dilemma to you about the safety of events…A few days before UK lockdown,our morning rehearsal was interrupted by the organiser making the call ,pulling a gig for the following night…a small folk club in the hills near Oldham…hopefully,returning asap-we’ve played there since the 80s..
Your superb recall got me remembering some great gigs we played in the 80s/90s…with the ‘Bolton Bullfrog’ – Bernard Wrigley…one of the funniest/most affable blokes ever…great that he has a website http://www.bernardwrigley.com his ‘memoirs’ section will be keeping me going for ages! No doubt,some bells ringing for you too when you have chance to check it out.
Thankfully,there are still a few ‘real’ folk clubs.Give me a holler if ever you fancy revisiting some old haunts…I’ve wanted to share a stage with you for decades,but,I’ll have to settle for playing along/putting some harmonies on a few of your lockdown songs (out of earshot for you too!)
I hope your companeros and crew are doing well -despite cabin fever.
So,happy days recalled…and many more to come,hopefully.
Dave
“the good old days
were the days
we didnt talk about
the good old days” ………
I heard that from Meg McGowan back in the good old days…Meg was my best school Buddy…he had me reading Steinbeck and Hemingway when we were 15..we had our first drink together…we rolled around Donnolly;s Hollow in paroxyms…last time we met was in Kensington.. we saw John Huston’s “The Dead” and went for a Rogan Josh…..
Mick Buckley had three All Ireland`s 1919, 1927 and 1928.
good man John
we may both be in exile from Droichead Nua
but we still dream about our old town