Hello Christy,
I played at the Grove last night. We were in the back room. Masks galore unless you were sitting down but we all did ok. The people are all lovely.
There’s a little metal stage in one corner, just big enough for one or two. I sang Yellow Furze Woman and Bright Blue Rose. Far too much variation and arrangement in the harp for me to be satisfied, but they both seemed to go down ok. Lots more work from me now.
Yellow Furze Woman is gorgeous to sing. You have written an absolute beauty. Thankyou.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I have great respect for those who play large heavy instruments….Harp, Cello, Dbl Bass, Drum Kit come to mind…. I’m reminded of the Woman with a tin whistle in her handbag, the man with a Hohner in his breast pocket….what passage of ease they enjoy on their way to a jam sssion….I marvel at Andy Irvine who has travelled the world with numerous instruments in tow…who, unaided, has crossed the Alps, Pyranees, Curlews and Pennines with more strings attached then a Bank Account …. I’ve just been listening to some Autoharp and Appalachan Dulcimer…..
Hi there BUBBAV90, taking Christy’s hint, If my copy of Paddy on the Road, digitised, ended up in MP3 format, maybe there might be a cloud somewhere where you could collect it🤔🤔
Hi Christy,
My dad, whose name is also Declan, is in my opinion the biggest Christy Moore fan on this side of the Atlantic. Growing up I think I heard your CDs in the house or the truck everyday of my life. My dad’s father passed away recently, who was from Ardmore co. Waterford and I was wondering if there was any chance you could maybe send him a little video or something to help cheer him up! I know it would definitely make his day (and probably his year!)
Thank you so much and keep being great!
Christy's reply
I have neither the equpment nor skill to undertake what is, for many, such an apparently simple task…..
that said, should I encounter the right person. we’ll see what might be done..
We love Ardmore…we’ve walked St Declan’s Cliff walk, the Beaches around and drunk tea in Molly Keane’s cottage
Thanks for the TG4 tip off – what a brilliant resource.
I hope Rebecca gets out to play tonight – no chances in these parts.I feel like loading the instruments into the car and going for a drive,for old time’s sake!
Really looking forward to your recordings.Always interesting arrangements too.Mairtin O’Connor being one of many maestros in your company. Youtube keeps me busy as well- loads of RTE clips there…
Hi Christy, hope you are well. Just about to start my journey through your back catalogue.
Don’t know whether to start at your earliest, Prosperous. Still can’t get hold of Paddy on the Road.
Or start at your latest Magic Nights on the Road?
What’s your preference?
Regards, Bryan. P.s – got an interview next week.
Christy's reply
Bryan….I’ve no idea about such matters…I’m currently obsessed with the next one….when I retire I plan to listen to them all again…maybe 2035 or thereabouts…i have them all here on a shelf behind me… I love the fact that they are there, the good the bad and the ugly, but I’ve no time to be listening to them… hope you find a “Paddy on The Road”… maybe someone here might run you off a quick copy !!! anyone listening ?
A Moorefield v Athy County final with 200 people, might be on tellie or streamed……. “Once upon a time in the West ” was on TG4 last week, I had forgotten how good it is, and no connection to the County final.
Christy's reply
I have some good memories from the “pitch” in Athy…Played there with the U14s the year we won the County…got a run out with Moorefield Minors there once and also saw the Kildare Senior team play there as a kid
always remember going there with my Da in 1953 after the funeral of Paul Doyle, legendary Kildare Footballer…later in Life used to go to Dreamland and call into Bapti Mahers for courage..
Then cycling home thru Suncroft and Brownstown..up thru the Curragh Camp as the Sun began to rise..myself and The Meg McGowan and David O’Brien , not a feckin bother on us as we hit The Green Road headin for Langton’s Corner
Brilliant to be reminded of your Slane based take on ‘Los Gatos’, Christy, A great version of one of Woody’s finest songs.
Ace accordion by Mairtin, for sure…adding a lovely texture – a la Flaco Jiminez for Ry Cooder.Lovely…set me up nicely for the afternoon…
Dave
Christy's reply
hoping to play with him again this year…look out for “Cumar- A Galway Rhapsody” … a beautiful Doc about Galway to be repeated on TG4 this week…well worth a watch
I’m likely to be locked down in my bunker soon,but might well flee o’er the border to arrive on Rory’s door step before you. Especially,if there’s home made crumble on the menu!!
Interesting that you might be doing some recording in the ‘Royal’ area…not sure if it’s still going,but there was a studio near Slane a few years back.Good luck with your choice.If catering is a factor, Mrs B’s in Hawick might well clinch it!!
All the best
Dave
Christy's reply
recorded some of “The Spirit of Freedom” album in Slane Studio in 1983…..I still remember Mairtín O’Connor’s Accordeon playin on “Plane Crash at Los Gatos”
Hi Christy,
Surely the next album has to be recorded in a bunker.
I am sure that Dave and i would each give up our bunkers for the session.
You will need a resident blackbird, and so i have auditions planned in the holly tree for tomorrow at dawn.
We can ensure that copious amounts of my mother’s plum and rhubarb crumble ,and some vegetarian haggis are on the menu, with more peppermint or ordinary tea than a whale could drink.
Glow worms and fireflies are on order for the bunker as you record on into the night.
Bring your bouzouki and sleeping bag , we have plenty horse blankets .
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
I’m trawling again thru your treasure trove of flashbacks…way way back (’67) I had a 1956 blue VW Beetle purchased from “Uncle”Harry in Sheffield (twin windows at the back and permanent a/c thru holes in the floor.)..I travelled everywhere with my guitar, a smidgin of hashish from Bradford and a blue /greenhorse blanket from my Aunt Kath in Bury…I gathered it round me on manys the friendly floor…..
our Bunker has been confirmed but security is very tight…keep coming back
Hello Christy,
I’m thinking of giving Yellow Furze Woman it’s first outing with me on Wednesday night. Bright Blue Rose too.
I hope your prep for recording is going on apace and the muse is being kind.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Morra Rebecca,
thats great news..delighted to hear that you may sing YFW in The Grove..wish I could be there to hear you…..Thank You…..
its all go here in the engine room…new songs taking shape
Hi C, you asked about Alice C, not wishing to turn this into a one to one chat yes I know of her, through mutual acquaintances, I found this fascinating article written by her son https://projectalicecurtayne.wordpress.com/my-mother-alice-curtayne/?fbclid=IwAR36SlR3euWs3ox9UsuFQGUvINmJYhvuybJwO43BRIlmX8jTt1LYihNyHOM my grandfather must have passed her home on the way to the shop, wonder did he know her ? he surely would have known her family. It was good to follow the Frank Harte Festival online, they put an awful lot of work into it, beir bua agus beannacht go deo. H
Christy's reply
Alice was a fine Lady….I had the pleasure of knowing Alice and her Husband Stephen…..
Hi Christy,
I listened to the Ride On album today, crivens it was good. I had not spun it for a while, it has such a fine array of songs, of varying moods too.
Ride On itself as a song today had a special place this morning. Our great homebred horse Shades of Midnight , raised in my mother’s house field, died overnight, he was stripping fitter than ever and getting ready for a campaign to reach Punchestown in April, poor bugger, 7 wins, 29 races, hardy ( as eustace) and game as a pebble.
I heard that Ride On was a song about loss/leaving and it struck an even greater chord today.
Enough melancholy, tis a great album, really enjoyed playing it again, it must have been wonderful to make.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
Farewell to Shades of Midnight….may he gallop freely across eternal pasture…
Its 35 years since we recorded that album… we gathered in Muckross, Killarney,County Kerry… we parked a Mobile Studio outside a group of holiday cottages….Myself, Donal Lunny and Declan Sinnott set to work… Mark Frank, Peter Eades , Jim and Peter Donohoe took care of technicalities and we hung out for two weeks getting it all down….many of the songs from those sessions remain in the repertoire to this day ( I think 6 or 7, but CS will correct me)…perhaps more so then any other album ….
I’m enjoying this wee trip down memory lane which you have provoked….since that project I’ve moved away from big recording studios..wherever possible I try and record in more open environments…
at the moment we are seeking a space to record the next album…..its a toss up between the Shortgrass and the Royal County…..at the moment its down to acoustics, cooking faciliities and Covid restrictions, ( I’ll check what Ivan and Noel have to say)….but our logistic team are on it….
Christy, thanks so so much for the music from NCH it lifted the spirts, just when it was needed most. How can one explain how good it was to hear good music, wise words and leave the worries of these challenging times aside. Thank you again. JD
Christy's reply
JD…..the NCH gig was a joy …..many skilled people involved in creating that space for me to sing….everything that could be done to make it happen was achieved….I give thanks to all who made it happen, and to those of you who bought those tickets which gave us all some wages….
Interesting talk about Laoise Kelly. I came across her playing via my trawls on http://www.tg4.ie Putting her name in the channel’s search box,just now shows several mor ereferences.So,more rabbit holes to descend ,with superb music…happy days!
Dave
Christy's reply
you’ve reminded me of the man with the ferret….rabbits would appear from all directions..what happened then..I dont wanna go there…….
Hello Christy,
Lots of black dogs round here. No wonder the place feels so understanding. I’ve been living with it for around 20 years, I guess. As you say, medication does help. One of the weird things about it seems to be that when I’m ok, I can’t remember what it’s like. A few years ago I was off work for 3 months. That’s when I got back deep into music, got serious with singing and started with the harp. It’s weird to feel grateful for something like this.
I’d heard of Laoise Kelly but not really listened till you mentioned her. So yesterday I bought her album, Ceis. I looked it up, it means basket. Lovely ☺️. She’s a beautiful player. It’s got an incandescence about it, and her rhythm is secure and exciting. Thank you for the nudge.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Laoise is the Queen of Irish harpers… she rocks and she reels and she raves
Hi, Christy… Thanks for your shout-out !!!
Paddy Darcy to the rescue …
Let me know how to proceed.
Where can I send a contribution ???
Kind regards, Bryan.
I’ll work it out….Both Pat Darcy & and CS (15) have come to the rescue
Hello Christy,
I played at the Grove last night. We were in the back room. Masks galore unless you were sitting down but we all did ok. The people are all lovely.
There’s a little metal stage in one corner, just big enough for one or two. I sang Yellow Furze Woman and Bright Blue Rose. Far too much variation and arrangement in the harp for me to be satisfied, but they both seemed to go down ok. Lots more work from me now.
Yellow Furze Woman is gorgeous to sing. You have written an absolute beauty. Thankyou.
Rebecca
I have great respect for those who play large heavy instruments….Harp, Cello, Dbl Bass, Drum Kit come to mind…. I’m reminded of the Woman with a tin whistle in her handbag, the man with a Hohner in his breast pocket….what passage of ease they enjoy on their way to a jam sssion….I marvel at Andy Irvine who has travelled the world with numerous instruments in tow…who, unaided, has crossed the Alps, Pyranees, Curlews and Pennines with more strings attached then a Bank Account …. I’ve just been listening to some Autoharp and Appalachan Dulcimer…..
Hi there BUBBAV90, taking Christy’s hint, If my copy of Paddy on the Road, digitised, ended up in MP3 format, maybe there might be a cloud somewhere where you could collect it🤔🤔
thats the kinda talk we like to hear Pat
Hi Christy,
My dad, whose name is also Declan, is in my opinion the biggest Christy Moore fan on this side of the Atlantic. Growing up I think I heard your CDs in the house or the truck everyday of my life. My dad’s father passed away recently, who was from Ardmore co. Waterford and I was wondering if there was any chance you could maybe send him a little video or something to help cheer him up! I know it would definitely make his day (and probably his year!)
Thank you so much and keep being great!
I have neither the equpment nor skill to undertake what is, for many, such an apparently simple task…..
that said, should I encounter the right person. we’ll see what might be done..
We love Ardmore…we’ve walked St Declan’s Cliff walk, the Beaches around and drunk tea in Molly Keane’s cottage
Please extend my condolence to your Father
Hi Christy
Thanks for the TG4 tip off – what a brilliant resource.
I hope Rebecca gets out to play tonight – no chances in these parts.I feel like loading the instruments into the car and going for a drive,for old time’s sake!
Really looking forward to your recordings.Always interesting arrangements too.Mairtin O’Connor being one of many maestros in your company. Youtube keeps me busy as well- loads of RTE clips there…
Have a good Atkin day.
Dave
Sound Man Dave
Hi Christy, hope you are well. Just about to start my journey through your back catalogue.
Don’t know whether to start at your earliest, Prosperous. Still can’t get hold of Paddy on the Road.
Or start at your latest Magic Nights on the Road?
What’s your preference?
Regards, Bryan. P.s – got an interview next week.
Bryan….I’ve no idea about such matters…I’m currently obsessed with the next one….when I retire I plan to listen to them all again…maybe 2035 or thereabouts…i have them all here on a shelf behind me… I love the fact that they are there, the good the bad and the ugly, but I’ve no time to be listening to them… hope you find a “Paddy on The Road”… maybe someone here might run you off a quick copy !!! anyone listening ?
good luck with your interview
A Moorefield v Athy County final with 200 people, might be on tellie or streamed……. “Once upon a time in the West ” was on TG4 last week, I had forgotten how good it is, and no connection to the County final.
I have some good memories from the “pitch” in Athy…Played there with the U14s the year we won the County…got a run out with Moorefield Minors there once and also saw the Kildare Senior team play there as a kid
always remember going there with my Da in 1953 after the funeral of Paul Doyle, legendary Kildare Footballer…later in Life used to go to Dreamland and call into Bapti Mahers for courage..
Then cycling home thru Suncroft and Brownstown..up thru the Curragh Camp as the Sun began to rise..myself and The Meg McGowan and David O’Brien , not a feckin bother on us as we hit The Green Road headin for Langton’s Corner
Brilliant to be reminded of your Slane based take on ‘Los Gatos’, Christy, A great version of one of Woody’s finest songs.
Ace accordion by Mairtin, for sure…adding a lovely texture – a la Flaco Jiminez for Ry Cooder.Lovely…set me up nicely for the afternoon…
Dave
hoping to play with him again this year…look out for “Cumar- A Galway Rhapsody” … a beautiful Doc about Galway to be repeated on TG4 this week…well worth a watch
Thanks a million Christy, sorry about the drenching hahahaha… unreal that you take the time to listen so thanks again.
All the best
Kevin
keep up the good work Kevin….you’re making some lovely sounds
Hi Christy
I’m likely to be locked down in my bunker soon,but might well flee o’er the border to arrive on Rory’s door step before you. Especially,if there’s home made crumble on the menu!!
Interesting that you might be doing some recording in the ‘Royal’ area…not sure if it’s still going,but there was a studio near Slane a few years back.Good luck with your choice.If catering is a factor, Mrs B’s in Hawick might well clinch it!!
All the best
Dave
recorded some of “The Spirit of Freedom” album in Slane Studio in 1983…..I still remember Mairtín O’Connor’s Accordeon playin on “Plane Crash at Los Gatos”
Hi Christy,
Surely the next album has to be recorded in a bunker.
I am sure that Dave and i would each give up our bunkers for the session.
You will need a resident blackbird, and so i have auditions planned in the holly tree for tomorrow at dawn.
We can ensure that copious amounts of my mother’s plum and rhubarb crumble ,and some vegetarian haggis are on the menu, with more peppermint or ordinary tea than a whale could drink.
Glow worms and fireflies are on order for the bunker as you record on into the night.
Bring your bouzouki and sleeping bag , we have plenty horse blankets .
Regards
Rory
I’m trawling again thru your treasure trove of flashbacks…way way back (’67) I had a 1956 blue VW Beetle purchased from “Uncle”Harry in Sheffield (twin windows at the back and permanent a/c thru holes in the floor.)..I travelled everywhere with my guitar, a smidgin of hashish from Bradford and a blue /greenhorse blanket from my Aunt Kath in Bury…I gathered it round me on manys the friendly floor…..
our Bunker has been confirmed but security is very tight…keep coming back
Hello Christy,
I’m thinking of giving Yellow Furze Woman it’s first outing with me on Wednesday night. Bright Blue Rose too.
I hope your prep for recording is going on apace and the muse is being kind.
Rebecca
Morra Rebecca,
thats great news..delighted to hear that you may sing YFW in The Grove..wish I could be there to hear you…..Thank You…..
its all go here in the engine room…new songs taking shape
Sorry,,, that link does n’t seem to work,,,, fingers crossed
https://projectalicecurtayne.wordpress.com/my-mother-alice-curtayne/?fbclid=IwAR2vhyqL_92eewZqARV0fhxYMSlQSHEJdS8MyHfnMc4Wdz_GTloaa37TuUI
I’m delighted to have read this piece from Andrew..I had not seen it previously..thanks for sharing
Hi C, you asked about Alice C, not wishing to turn this into a one to one chat yes I know of her, through mutual acquaintances, I found this fascinating article written by her son https://projectalicecurtayne.wordpress.com/my-mother-alice-curtayne/?fbclid=IwAR36SlR3euWs3ox9UsuFQGUvINmJYhvuybJwO43BRIlmX8jTt1LYihNyHOM my grandfather must have passed her home on the way to the shop, wonder did he know her ? he surely would have known her family. It was good to follow the Frank Harte Festival online, they put an awful lot of work into it, beir bua agus beannacht go deo. H
Alice was a fine Lady….I had the pleasure of knowing Alice and her Husband Stephen…..
Hi Christy,
I listened to the Ride On album today, crivens it was good. I had not spun it for a while, it has such a fine array of songs, of varying moods too.
Ride On itself as a song today had a special place this morning. Our great homebred horse Shades of Midnight , raised in my mother’s house field, died overnight, he was stripping fitter than ever and getting ready for a campaign to reach Punchestown in April, poor bugger, 7 wins, 29 races, hardy ( as eustace) and game as a pebble.
I heard that Ride On was a song about loss/leaving and it struck an even greater chord today.
Enough melancholy, tis a great album, really enjoyed playing it again, it must have been wonderful to make.
Regards
Rory
Farewell to Shades of Midnight….may he gallop freely across eternal pasture…
Its 35 years since we recorded that album… we gathered in Muckross, Killarney,County Kerry… we parked a Mobile Studio outside a group of holiday cottages….Myself, Donal Lunny and Declan Sinnott set to work… Mark Frank, Peter Eades , Jim and Peter Donohoe took care of technicalities and we hung out for two weeks getting it all down….many of the songs from those sessions remain in the repertoire to this day ( I think 6 or 7, but CS will correct me)…perhaps more so then any other album ….
I’m enjoying this wee trip down memory lane which you have provoked….since that project I’ve moved away from big recording studios..wherever possible I try and record in more open environments…
at the moment we are seeking a space to record the next album…..its a toss up between the Shortgrass and the Royal County…..at the moment its down to acoustics, cooking faciliities and Covid restrictions, ( I’ll check what Ivan and Noel have to say)….but our logistic team are on it….
Hi Christy
Great to explore songs and back stories (Peacehaven,Sussex – the name says it all,post Great War)leading to ‘Whitsun Dance’…go for it Rebecca!
Shirley Collins is in fine voice – wonderful accompanying musicians too.
Enjoy the sun
Dave
Thanks Dave for talking about Whitsun Dances. I listened and was back in the 16th century 😊. I think you’re right about the harp, also voice though.
Christy, thanks so so much for the music from NCH it lifted the spirts, just when it was needed most. How can one explain how good it was to hear good music, wise words and leave the worries of these challenging times aside. Thank you again. JD
JD…..the NCH gig was a joy …..many skilled people involved in creating that space for me to sing….everything that could be done to make it happen was achieved….I give thanks to all who made it happen, and to those of you who bought those tickets which gave us all some wages….
Hi Christy
Interesting talk about Laoise Kelly. I came across her playing via my trawls on http://www.tg4.ie Putting her name in the channel’s search box,just now shows several mor ereferences.So,more rabbit holes to descend ,with superb music…happy days!
Dave
you’ve reminded me of the man with the ferret….rabbits would appear from all directions..what happened then..I dont wanna go there…….
Hello Christy,
Lots of black dogs round here. No wonder the place feels so understanding. I’ve been living with it for around 20 years, I guess. As you say, medication does help. One of the weird things about it seems to be that when I’m ok, I can’t remember what it’s like. A few years ago I was off work for 3 months. That’s when I got back deep into music, got serious with singing and started with the harp. It’s weird to feel grateful for something like this.
I’d heard of Laoise Kelly but not really listened till you mentioned her. So yesterday I bought her album, Ceis. I looked it up, it means basket. Lovely ☺️. She’s a beautiful player. It’s got an incandescence about it, and her rhythm is secure and exciting. Thank you for the nudge.
Rebecca
Laoise is the Queen of Irish harpers… she rocks and she reels and she raves