Always good to get your take on people and places.
A sign of the times in 60s/70s that there were so many folk clubs.Ashington would have probably had a miners’ social club too… Johnny Handle was the first ‘turn’ I saw at the MSG…part of a rich heritage…Kathryn Tickell is a brilliant Northumbrian ambassador now.
Hello Christy,
I’m thinking back to that music shop in Halifax, it was like Shangri-la in there when I was a kid. Was it called Hinds? It was at the top of town. I got a drum kit there and a casio keyboard that did loads of things but turned out to be much less interesting than a piano. The guitars were downstairs. Later I watched Steve play a beautiful bass in there. I loved that place.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Hinds rings a bell,,,,strings were 7/6 a set…a pint of Websters 2 & tuppence in The Upper George
RIP ‘big Jack’…terrifying,even viewed from a 60’s crowd on ‘the Kippax’…loved him during his Ireland times…what a great legacy …’Joxer’ marked the era so well-maybe one for a lockdown tribute ? D
Christy's reply
“Jack wanted Cascarino but Joxer wanted Quinn”
a larger then life man in both physical stature and emotional presence…I got to sing “Joxer” in his presence twice, to shake his hand once….I remember 1966 so well..I watched the World Cup final thru the window of a TV shop in Norwich..I was “well nourished” at the time..
got to see him in Elland Road a few times too… with Bremner, Giles, Clarke,Lorimer et al..back in my Halifax days..my abiding memory of Jack will always be of him standing in The River Moy in Ballina as gently laid his line out upon the trout filled waters
played in Ashington too..back in dem glory days
Thank you both, Christy & Dave (Dagrab) for your kind words re Planxty, Little Musgrave in Listoonvarna 1981. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9yRXjAd1c4
Regards
JP O’Sullivan. Excuse the visual quality but as a techie chancer its the best i can do at the moment but hope to upgrade it in the near future..
Christy's reply
Fair Play JP…thank you for uncovering and sharing that snippet of Planxty History
ps
further compliments to Rory-the Hawickmeister…’Traveller’ is about to get a spin here today…its an ace musical surprise .One of those albums that seems even better every time its played.Maybe because of the layers of sound?…I recall it being mentioned a few years back.Was it a link with Andy and friends that led you in that direction?I may well be wrong on that,but I’m glad you followed that path…
Also,curious if some listeners picked up on your music via that album,not having previously connected with the ‘folk’scene?D
Christy's reply
Played a few tunes here in the house one night when Andy’s friends were gathered here…one of them was a teenage Leo Pearson who was already making music and recording sounds…he like some f what he heard and we had a chat about his recording process, his use of samples and loops and other emerging tricks of the trade..as a result he set up his gear down in our garden room and we began to work together on what became “Traveller”
Leo is still making Music and now lives with his family in County Kilkenny
You’re generous in your credit,thanks,but I can’t claim the uncovered Planxty gem…I picked it up from a post by ‘JP’-West Limerick…the link is there,but I think its on youtube too…I’ve watched it loads in recent days .Its a favourite song,and I love the playing styles-classic Planxty…I’m interested that you now feel you benefit from time in your workroom.No time for that back then,I’m sure.
Also,good to see instruments with pick ups held on by tape,before the DI lark.My dulcimer has numerous tape marks from such ventures…like your Yamaha,fortune has been kind to it!
One of the ace features of being involved here is chance comments that regenerate memories…early 70s,rambling along Deansgate to Forsyth’s or Mameloks for a Black Diamond thin E string…bought individually as a set was expensive…and,so often it was the ‘thin E’ that bust during tuning! If I’d known about boiling strings,I’d have a go and probably knackered one of my Mum’s pans as well as strings!
Enjoy the day
Dave
Christy's reply
I’d forgotten about Dulcimer days….I had one for a few weeks at some stage..I think Andy Irvine may have played one on a Planxty session at some stage
Someone’s now just mentioned a Late Late Show special on RTE Radio, there must have been one tonight on TV.
Hamish and the man looking to move the chairs. Hilarious. These ‘folkies’ had that gift; a self-deprecating sense of humour, that they can laugh at themselves and re-tell the story.
So the Quinta Brigada got an airing, must tune in to get a listen.
And who has found a Lisdoonvarna 1981 video shot? Planxty. My God. 39 years ago.
Christy's reply
Dave from Suffragette City found it about a dozen posts back…he posts under DAGRAB
The best of the Late Late…hearing your great rendition again – a pair of brown eyes followed by the poetic genius Shane Magowan…a measure of my dreams!
Christy's reply
I missed that….slavin over a hot guitar here in the cosy cocoon…I need to get out more often
Good evening Christy,
The Traveller album is one that i played a little immediately after i got it on release, and then it kind of went to sleep in my bunker.
In the last couple of years i have returned to it more frequently, never more so than in the last 4 months.
Last night i came across my ideal situation to listen to it, by chance.
Waking around 4 i wanted to get back over ,struggling to do so i stuck Traveller on in the dark, played softly.
It was magical, mystical, it flowed over and through me. I just found my place and time to commune properly with this fine album. I have spent all day trying to think which is the oldest voice only version on my old folk Lps or Cds that i heard The banks of the Lee/i loved her ,it is a beautiful song.
As the land of nod cascades towards me in the darkness now, Traveller is taking me there. It would be great to hear ‘i loved her’ in a lockdown session or a gig sometime.
Best regards
Rory
Christy's reply
I must admit Rory….this old shelmalier always gets a buzz when earlier work is mentioned…that album passed under the main radar…apart from a few loyal companeros like yourself who give it a spin….I’m thinking of “Lovely Young One” again…on the back of your post I gave the “Banks of The Lee” a birl tonight..I learned that song from Andy Rynne in 1967….
A rare sunny evening…sending greetings via Rory’s bunker…with compliments to the Hawick maestro for putting ‘Nava’ my way…what a stonking good fusion outfit…had the bunker grooving in fine fettle! Looking forward to finding their back story – must be a tale to tell…
New strings on the Epiphone today…like a different guitar nowStopped short of boiling the old ones!
All the best
Dave
Christy's reply
living in Halifax in 1968 strings were a scarce commodity…I boiled regularly…I think I was using St David Original’s or Black Diamond…not too sure….I played a Yamaha, one guitar was quite sufficient, I lived with it, beside it, it never left my side, in cars buses vans or trains, in Yates Wine Lodges, in Indian Cafes,was often reckless and careless with it at late night soirees but fortune was kind
You cannot beat the old analog recording set up…a good quality desk, a good sweet mic, and Avalon 737 pre amp , a quiet closet, that all u really need..I’m afraid I never got into pro tools or dabbled with digital too much even though it’s easier to edit your stuff. When I write a song anymore I throw it down to utube it keeps all my stuff in one place, sometimes the audio is not the best like the last song. But I’ll re do it when I get home., Keep safe Christy, we will all be back to what has become normal before u know it..
Christy's reply
I have no means of recording whatsoever….I have tried over the years to conquer my nil capability with the process…. but it has always come to nought….
Maith thú Christy! Session 7, on the 7th of the 7th, 7 Songs…. I am on cloud 7 as the Germans say, no nine for them…
I relate to Pam, a ‘mere’ fan but I love the way you bring us all onstage Christy, or as you said, we are all in the room with you.
Gortatagort, where as you say we can all put our field names in the story. I wrote a wee (very short) homeland story which I could share here if I can conjour it up again.
So many brilliant links popping up in these posts, sure I have to spend so much time following them, the garden feels a bit neglected.
The spirit you conjured up with Viva and the Shovel, you were fairly hoppin on the stool. I feel a belt of Lisdoon coming on… I suppose you wonder why I would like that especially?
Christy's reply
it feels good when the songs begin to dance….dont know if I can rise to Lisdoon in such a calm setting…it really does need a room full of revellers
Excellent request from Pam for ‘Motherland’…one of Ms Merchant’s finest songs and your take is spot on…
Woody’s 108th birthday next week…always good info from the Guthrie Foundation,but an Okie publisher is great too.Numerous features about the area/arts ,but if you put ‘Woody Guthrie ‘ in the search box of http://www.thislandpress.com ,there’s some excellent features about ‘the man’…including the excellent research to identify all the ‘deportees’ lost in the Los Gatos plane crash.So poignant -remembered in one of his finest songs.
Dave
Christy's reply
“they treat us like outlaws,like rustlers, like thieves”
Can I add to the comments on session 7 well worth the wait and ‘So do I’ is a personal favourite, would love to hear Motherland if that’s ever possible. Your voice has such a unique quality it hasn’t changed in all the years I’ve been listening to you.
My first LP (still at school) was Freewheelin, I loved Dylan and the American folk scene and it’s gratifying to hear names like Phil Ochs, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, etc being mentioned by people much younger than me in your guestbook also the links shared and the Irish singers you’ve mentioned are a great find for me.
I do appreciate people with musical talent which seems to be the majority of your contributors, I’m a mere fan, have always loved lyrics but appreciate without the tunes they remain poetry so a big thanks to you all. Pam
Christy's reply
Pam, let me assure you that, to me, you are more then a “mere fan”….Songs need Singers and Singers need Listeners….all you good listeners out there area vital part of my life’s work….
Hi Christy ,
I have been watching a short documentay 3 part series on bbc iplayer ART OF PERSIA. What magnificence of history and achievement for over 7000 years. I seem to recall you mentioning ( and introducing me to) the excellent group Nava ,so this may strike a chord if you can access to watch it. Certainly Dave will be able to.
As i watched it ,the lightbulb in the ceiling was helping me see. I recently discovered,it was invented not by Edison but by Lewis Howard Latimer, a black man.
Wasp history has it’s agenda, for it Iran is a devil and the lightbulb is a white man’s success.
Folk like Nava open not just our ears, as did Rosetta Tharpe, but open our minds, and they help us breathe.
Take care
Rory
Christy's reply
Have the Persian Docs saved…..Hope the Nava lads are safe and well
Thanks so much for playing “So do I” for us last week!! Jackie was over the moon beside herself and has been playing the set over and over ever since. Ha ha! “Gortatagort” was brilliant! It certainly deserves to rank “somewhere between” number 1 and number 6 on your list of all-time favorite songs. The Cristy fan base remains string in these parts. Thanks Da, much love and blessings!
Thanks for video 7 CM
That Anfield story was interesting, that referee should be beaten with a stick and his whistle stuck where the sun dont shine.!
Looking forward to you’ll never walk alone.
I ventured out yesterday … first time since the begining of march.I needed new glasses .It was a strange being out and about.
There is a new 42 ft hooker in the docks from Dublin.Shes donated to the club. I got a chance to go under deck ,I could stand up in there.(cant do that in the volunteer.)I Sat on a bunk and was enjoying the smell of oakam and marveling at the navigation equipment. I was then disturbed by two non socially distancing interlopers..had to get out fast!!
I’m back in my cocoon here today again!
CS
Christy's reply
there is great comfort and peace in my new blanket…its like a magic carpet…I’m finding songs in the weave
ps
http://www.johnnyhndle.co.uk more great memories of Geordie land. D
Cushy Butterfield
Hi Christy
Always good to get your take on people and places.
A sign of the times in 60s/70s that there were so many folk clubs.Ashington would have probably had a miners’ social club too… Johnny Handle was the first ‘turn’ I saw at the MSG…part of a rich heritage…Kathryn Tickell is a brilliant Northumbrian ambassador now.
Dave
Big Jack
Hello Christy,
I’m thinking back to that music shop in Halifax, it was like Shangri-la in there when I was a kid. Was it called Hinds? It was at the top of town. I got a drum kit there and a casio keyboard that did loads of things but turned out to be much less interesting than a piano. The guitars were downstairs. Later I watched Steve play a beautiful bass in there. I loved that place.
Rebecca
Hinds rings a bell,,,,strings were 7/6 a set…a pint of Websters 2 & tuppence in The Upper George
RIP Big Jack
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Charlton
ey up oor kid
RIP ‘big Jack’…terrifying,even viewed from a 60’s crowd on ‘the Kippax’…loved him during his Ireland times…what a great legacy …’Joxer’ marked the era so well-maybe one for a lockdown tribute ? D
“Jack wanted Cascarino but Joxer wanted Quinn”
a larger then life man in both physical stature and emotional presence…I got to sing “Joxer” in his presence twice, to shake his hand once….I remember 1966 so well..I watched the World Cup final thru the window of a TV shop in Norwich..I was “well nourished” at the time..
got to see him in Elland Road a few times too… with Bremner, Giles, Clarke,Lorimer et al..back in my Halifax days..my abiding memory of Jack will always be of him standing in The River Moy in Ballina as gently laid his line out upon the trout filled waters
played in Ashington too..back in dem glory days
Thank you both, Christy & Dave (Dagrab) for your kind words re Planxty, Little Musgrave in Listoonvarna 1981.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9yRXjAd1c4
Regards
JP O’Sullivan. Excuse the visual quality but as a techie chancer its the best i can do at the moment but hope to upgrade it in the near future..
Fair Play JP…thank you for uncovering and sharing that snippet of Planxty History
ps
further compliments to Rory-the Hawickmeister…’Traveller’ is about to get a spin here today…its an ace musical surprise .One of those albums that seems even better every time its played.Maybe because of the layers of sound?…I recall it being mentioned a few years back.Was it a link with Andy and friends that led you in that direction?I may well be wrong on that,but I’m glad you followed that path…
Also,curious if some listeners picked up on your music via that album,not having previously connected with the ‘folk’scene?D
Played a few tunes here in the house one night when Andy’s friends were gathered here…one of them was a teenage Leo Pearson who was already making music and recording sounds…he like some f what he heard and we had a chat about his recording process, his use of samples and loops and other emerging tricks of the trade..as a result he set up his gear down in our garden room and we began to work together on what became “Traveller”
Leo is still making Music and now lives with his family in County Kilkenny
Morning Christy
You’re generous in your credit,thanks,but I can’t claim the uncovered Planxty gem…I picked it up from a post by ‘JP’-West Limerick…the link is there,but I think its on youtube too…I’ve watched it loads in recent days .Its a favourite song,and I love the playing styles-classic Planxty…I’m interested that you now feel you benefit from time in your workroom.No time for that back then,I’m sure.
Also,good to see instruments with pick ups held on by tape,before the DI lark.My dulcimer has numerous tape marks from such ventures…like your Yamaha,fortune has been kind to it!
One of the ace features of being involved here is chance comments that regenerate memories…early 70s,rambling along Deansgate to Forsyth’s or Mameloks for a Black Diamond thin E string…bought individually as a set was expensive…and,so often it was the ‘thin E’ that bust during tuning! If I’d known about boiling strings,I’d have a go and probably knackered one of my Mum’s pans as well as strings!
Enjoy the day
Dave
I’d forgotten about Dulcimer days….I had one for a few weeks at some stage..I think Andy Irvine may have played one on a Planxty session at some stage
Someone’s now just mentioned a Late Late Show special on RTE Radio, there must have been one tonight on TV.
Hamish and the man looking to move the chairs. Hilarious. These ‘folkies’ had that gift; a self-deprecating sense of humour, that they can laugh at themselves and re-tell the story.
So the Quinta Brigada got an airing, must tune in to get a listen.
And who has found a Lisdoonvarna 1981 video shot? Planxty. My God. 39 years ago.
Dave from Suffragette City found it about a dozen posts back…he posts under DAGRAB
The best of the Late Late…hearing your great rendition again – a pair of brown eyes followed by the poetic genius Shane Magowan…a measure of my dreams!
I missed that….slavin over a hot guitar here in the cosy cocoon…I need to get out more often
Good evening Christy,
The Traveller album is one that i played a little immediately after i got it on release, and then it kind of went to sleep in my bunker.
In the last couple of years i have returned to it more frequently, never more so than in the last 4 months.
Last night i came across my ideal situation to listen to it, by chance.
Waking around 4 i wanted to get back over ,struggling to do so i stuck Traveller on in the dark, played softly.
It was magical, mystical, it flowed over and through me. I just found my place and time to commune properly with this fine album. I have spent all day trying to think which is the oldest voice only version on my old folk Lps or Cds that i heard The banks of the Lee/i loved her ,it is a beautiful song.
As the land of nod cascades towards me in the darkness now, Traveller is taking me there. It would be great to hear ‘i loved her’ in a lockdown session or a gig sometime.
Best regards
Rory
I must admit Rory….this old shelmalier always gets a buzz when earlier work is mentioned…that album passed under the main radar…apart from a few loyal companeros like yourself who give it a spin….I’m thinking of “Lovely Young One” again…on the back of your post I gave the “Banks of The Lee” a birl tonight..I learned that song from Andy Rynne in 1967….
Hi Christy
A rare sunny evening…sending greetings via Rory’s bunker…with compliments to the Hawick maestro for putting ‘Nava’ my way…what a stonking good fusion outfit…had the bunker grooving in fine fettle! Looking forward to finding their back story – must be a tale to tell…
New strings on the Epiphone today…like a different guitar nowStopped short of boiling the old ones!
All the best
Dave
living in Halifax in 1968 strings were a scarce commodity…I boiled regularly…I think I was using St David Original’s or Black Diamond…not too sure….I played a Yamaha, one guitar was quite sufficient, I lived with it, beside it, it never left my side, in cars buses vans or trains, in Yates Wine Lodges, in Indian Cafes,was often reckless and careless with it at late night soirees but fortune was kind
You cannot beat the old analog recording set up…a good quality desk, a good sweet mic, and Avalon 737 pre amp , a quiet closet, that all u really need..I’m afraid I never got into pro tools or dabbled with digital too much even though it’s easier to edit your stuff. When I write a song anymore I throw it down to utube it keeps all my stuff in one place, sometimes the audio is not the best like the last song. But I’ll re do it when I get home., Keep safe Christy, we will all be back to what has become normal before u know it..
I have no means of recording whatsoever….I have tried over the years to conquer my nil capability with the process…. but it has always come to nought….
Maith thú Christy! Session 7, on the 7th of the 7th, 7 Songs…. I am on cloud 7 as the Germans say, no nine for them…
I relate to Pam, a ‘mere’ fan but I love the way you bring us all onstage Christy, or as you said, we are all in the room with you.
Gortatagort, where as you say we can all put our field names in the story. I wrote a wee (very short) homeland story which I could share here if I can conjour it up again.
So many brilliant links popping up in these posts, sure I have to spend so much time following them, the garden feels a bit neglected.
The spirit you conjured up with Viva and the Shovel, you were fairly hoppin on the stool. I feel a belt of Lisdoon coming on… I suppose you wonder why I would like that especially?
it feels good when the songs begin to dance….dont know if I can rise to Lisdoon in such a calm setting…it really does need a room full of revellers
Hi Christy
Excellent request from Pam for ‘Motherland’…one of Ms Merchant’s finest songs and your take is spot on…
Woody’s 108th birthday next week…always good info from the Guthrie Foundation,but an Okie publisher is great too.Numerous features about the area/arts ,but if you put ‘Woody Guthrie ‘ in the search box of http://www.thislandpress.com ,there’s some excellent features about ‘the man’…including the excellent research to identify all the ‘deportees’ lost in the Los Gatos plane crash.So poignant -remembered in one of his finest songs.
Dave
“they treat us like outlaws,like rustlers, like thieves”
Can I add to the comments on session 7 well worth the wait and ‘So do I’ is a personal favourite, would love to hear Motherland if that’s ever possible. Your voice has such a unique quality it hasn’t changed in all the years I’ve been listening to you.
My first LP (still at school) was Freewheelin, I loved Dylan and the American folk scene and it’s gratifying to hear names like Phil Ochs, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, etc being mentioned by people much younger than me in your guestbook also the links shared and the Irish singers you’ve mentioned are a great find for me.
I do appreciate people with musical talent which seems to be the majority of your contributors, I’m a mere fan, have always loved lyrics but appreciate without the tunes they remain poetry so a big thanks to you all. Pam
Pam, let me assure you that, to me, you are more then a “mere fan”….Songs need Singers and Singers need Listeners….all you good listeners out there area vital part of my life’s work….
Hi Christy ,
I have been watching a short documentay 3 part series on bbc iplayer ART OF PERSIA. What magnificence of history and achievement for over 7000 years. I seem to recall you mentioning ( and introducing me to) the excellent group Nava ,so this may strike a chord if you can access to watch it. Certainly Dave will be able to.
As i watched it ,the lightbulb in the ceiling was helping me see. I recently discovered,it was invented not by Edison but by Lewis Howard Latimer, a black man.
Wasp history has it’s agenda, for it Iran is a devil and the lightbulb is a white man’s success.
Folk like Nava open not just our ears, as did Rosetta Tharpe, but open our minds, and they help us breathe.
Take care
Rory
Have the Persian Docs saved…..Hope the Nava lads are safe and well
Thanks so much for playing “So do I” for us last week!! Jackie was over the moon beside herself and has been playing the set over and over ever since. Ha ha! “Gortatagort” was brilliant! It certainly deserves to rank “somewhere between” number 1 and number 6 on your list of all-time favorite songs. The Cristy fan base remains string in these parts. Thanks Da, much love and blessings!
Jackie & Paul Maytan
a pleasure to share
Thanks for video 7 CM
That Anfield story was interesting, that referee should be beaten with a stick and his whistle stuck where the sun dont shine.!
Looking forward to you’ll never walk alone.
I ventured out yesterday … first time since the begining of march.I needed new glasses .It was a strange being out and about.
There is a new 42 ft hooker in the docks from Dublin.Shes donated to the club. I got a chance to go under deck ,I could stand up in there.(cant do that in the volunteer.)I Sat on a bunk and was enjoying the smell of oakam and marveling at the navigation equipment. I was then disturbed by two non socially distancing interlopers..had to get out fast!!
I’m back in my cocoon here today again!
CS
there is great comfort and peace in my new blanket…its like a magic carpet…I’m finding songs in the weave
I feel for Hamish. He got the gigs though, so maybe it’s a win?
if ever there was a Knight of the road…it was my good friend