Hello Christy,
I am sorry for wild posts recently. I ran out of meds. All my own fault. Thank goodness I am married to someone sensible.
I like Dylan’s recording. The last verse is lovely. Listening to one voice.
Looking forward to the retrospective. I think it will all be new stuff to me. Do you know what’s on it yet?
I hope things are going smoothly for you.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I do but I don’t have the track list to hand…it covers 1968-81
some hairy moments on the DVD…I winced betimes…
hope your meds are back in order..
many of us need medical assistance..
So Hilary was also listening to Ronan today, hes always good for a few of your Songs. Th e wife says ” oh not that Christy Moore, the baldy …………” then Beeswing comes on the Radio, and she ups and says that’s one of my favourite songs. Surprise Suprise !!!!. On further interegation she admits “Rory is Gone” is another favourite of hers. Before we get too carried away , I think its Declans Riffs that’s she loves in that one.
Seriously, hope you are still coping well in the new Lockdown. Looking forward to the new album and DVD…………. I might convert herto a few more😀.
Best regards
Christy's reply
Decky always pulled out all the stops on Rory….
lock ins, lock ups, lock downs,
out of body experiences
“O the praties are dug and the frost is all over
Kitty lie over close to thr wall” ……………… ( Johnny Moynihan)
Christy sorry,
i meant to say Kieran Halpin was often a visitor to these parts to perform, a lovely voice and fine songsmith.
I came across word of a version of Macbeth, shot in Maghaberry about a decade ago, played mainly by men serving ‘life’. It is called Mickey B.
The trailer, and writings of it, seem very interesting but i cannot find the film to watch it. I don’t suppose you or the 4711ers have seen it or can find it?
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
Dave from Sufragette City posted this for you:
Rory is looking for the Mickey B film – looks its available on DVD via the shop at http://www.esc-film.com I thought you might be interested- fascinating website too.
Hi Christy,
Yesterday a book i ordered from the SF Bookshop arrived. It is the Story of Kevin Barry by Sean Cronin.
I look forward to reading it and learning more of this great, brief, life.
You sing his song sometimes at the Barrowlands, when did it enter your songbook and how does it feel to sing of him, i wonder?
Thanks
Rory
Christy's reply
the first song I ever learned…our Mother carried a devotion to Kevin Barry very close to her heart….aged 10 I sang it on stage in The Palace Cinema in Newbridge in 1955….Both Leonard Cohen and Paul Robeson recorded it…
Sad to learn of the sudden passing of Kieran Halpin. Always struck me as similar to Noel Brazil in that his songs were wonderfully written yet he remained largely unrecognised by the Irish people. He played a fair bit with Jimmy faulkner too. Was wondering if your paths crossed much over the years. Looking forward to the new release in November. Thank God for the musicians artists and writers who have steered us through this most difficult of years. Thinking too of the backroom guys whose income is suffering too. Roll on 2021. Stay safe x
Christy's reply
Shared manys the song with Kieran…back in The Meeting Place when he was starting out on his journey..always a pleasure to meet that gentle man…himself and Jimmy were good companeros
Hi C, your old pal Ronan Collins played you singing Beeswing after the Angelus today, it’s always a treat to come across your voice unexpectedly like that in the car. I think it was the version from Live at the Point Album 2006, I know Patsy Mc C heard it also so he might confirm that ? I will always remember the very first time I heard you sing it in that Bingo Hall in Thurles in May 2003 it was so sweet yet powerful. You have found and shared so many wonderful songs and certainly introduced me to many great songwriters and musicians. The eagerly awaited new releases will shorten the winter for us !! beir bua agus beannacht go deo. H
Christy's reply
fair play to Ronan..he picked that version for it being in the same key as the Angelus bell..
I remember that Hall in Thurles (maybe The Premier Ballroom)…
there used to be another venue near the Town called The Ragg…I plyed there in the 70s..the man of the house insisted that I sing Amhrán na bhFíann at the end of the gig..made me go back out and sing it or I’d not get paid !
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
thar toinn do ráinig chughainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh canaig amhrán na bhfiann
unlike your tribe we never get much opportunity to sing it in Croke Park but we live in eternal hope…
the next album is pending… a collection from 67-79……also working on a new album for next year….
hope ye are all safe and well síos san Ríocht…..lean gig times for all practitioners and listeners, balladeers and 4711ers.. what can we do but live in hope…..do the suggested things as best we can…..try to avert the rantings of the lunatic fringe
Hi Christy, three years ago today we were with friends at your concert in the Waterfront, Belfast. Pictures of us that night popped up earlier on my phone and made me smile as we were theatrically posing in front of your poster! Reflecting on Rory’s mention of young Julie and in light of Unquiet Graves/collusion and the subsequent debacle around it; notwithstanding of course lockdown – made me think of the number of times you lit up our town with your concerts. You continue to shine your generous light on us via your virtual gigs. I look forward to your new album coming down the tracks. In the meantime, go well, Mary
Christy's reply
Clarinbridge for the chowder
keep your powder dry
for the Continental Céilí tonight…………(Mulhearn)
So many great nights beneath the Black Mountain since that first gig with Planxty back in 1972….hundreds of gigs in such diverse venues and locations….from The Conway Mill right down to The Ulster Hall….
that first gig with Planxty was part of an Ulster Tour which we did with John Martyn..we played McMordie Hall…..
Unable to travel right now,but can’t be stopped from searching out info…brilliant folklore/photos etc/research via DCU -at http://www.gaois.ie Lots of great rabbit holes/ background to projects.
Always grateful to those who sought and recorded what they found…
Good to see Autumn sun as the ‘January Man’ walks the road…
Dave
Christy's reply
the rain was lashin
the sun was risin
the wind was whippin
thru the trees
the madness
from the mountains crawlin
when I saw you first
my own Aisling…………………….(McGowan)
Oh Christy,
Marty is right,i would love to have caught up with him, i too was looking forward to Bundoran, a couple of nights in the Cathedral view b&b Derry, some porter, Hugh’s guided tour of the Bogside ( for the 4th time) …and then someone sneezed a new sneeze.
However today i listened to Unfinished Revolution again instead,on my way to walk in the park with my grandaughter on her birthday.
I might have thought that this album’s title would mean a raucous sound, but it is such a calming sound,perhaps curiously understated compared to the title theme.
That serenity is perhaps dislodged momentarily when Julie Livingstone’s murder is mentioned, i might detect an understandable anger in the voice amidst a gentle rendition of the Island?
Julie’s senseless killing led me to some research , today is the 52nd anniversary of the decision to ban a civil rights housing march in that very Derry city, near the Cathedral View,that led to the forceful interference in the ‘unlicensed’ march 2 days later, that in turn could be argued to start the decades of an Unfinished Revolution.
So Marty, 3rd october is marked in history, not just for us missing the surf and the song!
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
The mist comes swirling o’er the mountain
children have forgotten how to play…..
3rd October my son’s birthday under new restrictions can’t go and see him, back to relying on technology.
Decided to paint the kitchen! Something planned pre-covid but never got round to it.
Put Live at Dublin 2006 on my geriatric cd player. Didn’t remember choosing this colour a bit more yellow than I remembered, but convinced myself it’s the colour of buttercups, the sun and half a beeswing, getting used to it! Coming down from the steps to press repeat on the cd (told you it’s old) I stepped into the paint tray ‘there were footsteps in the parlour’ size-5 yellow ones. So stopped for a coffee and checked your guestbook, can I thank Kevin for posting his beautiful song and your many contributers all of us waiting for normality and seeing you live again.
Hope everyone well, off to the shower.
Pam
Christy's reply
Your safe enough with Yellow Pam…..what comes out of the tin is never the same as the colour card…mind yourself on the steps
Sat 3rd of October……. the last of the planned gigs on the list. We should’ve been in Bundoran , walking Rougey…. watching the surfers in the cool waves and talking of the songs from last night’s show and speculating on what different gems might appear tonight.
Covid has played havoc… and it’s rampant here in the hills at present . We look forward with hope and pray that in time things will return to normal…. after the deluge….
Christy's reply
“there are people dreaming of The Hills of Donegal”
Hi ,
Rebeccah’s post reminds me that when i went to see The Poet and the Piper, the support act was a young scottish borders lassie called Phamie Gow, a lovely harpist.
I think the show was in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall but it may have been the Glasgow concert Hall, i still cherish the cd.
So there is demand for the harp in big venues as well as small.
By the way Christy, that pairing take some beating, what a lifetime privilege for me to see messrs Heaney and O’Flynn perform together. What a joy it must have been for you to have known them both so well.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
I knew The Piper well but only met The Poet briefly on three occasions….he always had a warm smile and a twinkle in his ete
Hello Christy,
I think you are very kind and what you said is making me laugh. Thankyou. Lugging a harp round is nothing, is it? You just described living in a car to enable you to gig, and that was progress from a floor. The flame certainly burns bright there.
At least its all acoustic for me right now. The harp only weighs 8kgs. It’s a soft case so it’s delicate, but I have plans to remedy this with a beautiful yew harp from Scotland with a flight case on wheels. The pa system is another matter. I’ve used it a couple of times and it only just fits in the car. I’ve no idea how you managed to do the sound yourself. I guess it’s trusting your ears from where you are? The determination you show is immense. It’s a great inspiration.
So, as I said, I think you are very kind and I just need to work, work, work, play, get out there and keep feeding and feeding off the flame. It’s the music that matters.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
back then about 1% of Folk Clubs had “mikes” and most us hated them….when we met along the way we would share vital info about clubs….scran and skipper being top of the list
Morra Christy,
Having just woken i remembered that ,last night, your Dennistoun devotee ( my son Charlie) asked me to send him a couple of your songs for this morning ,that he may not know so well.
The Boys of Barr na Sraida is one i have selected, the live recording of such a gorgeous song is magical.
Secondly i have sent on Home by Bearna, with the old hurling type injury to the bicep it might be out of your reach
at the moment ,but it is a rare gem.
I am sure he will enjoy them, he has ( as many have) been struggling with being isolated in his single flat, still working from home, but these will fill his emotions positively.
Have a look ,if you can, at one of the youtube videos of Home by Bearna, it has you driving a blue box van…was that you being your own roadie, was it your van, what memories?
All the best
Rory
Christy's reply
Ruairí , mo sean cara,
You’ve got me rawmaishing again…that great Chariot…my Peugeot 404 Diesel. Twas the first time I ever bought a new vehicle (5118 IP)….I bought the Cab and Chassis from Ormonde Motors in Kilkenny circa 1977….I got a sturdy aluminium box built on the back…I had 4 H/H 100W Speakers,2 x100 H/H amps, 2 Shure Mikes, a Gibson Guitar, a Bodhrán ( made by Joe Kelly of “THe Brow” Coolcullen) a Sleeping Bag, Gypsy our beautiful, black ,half-collie dog and a basket of songs . I drove myself, set up the gear, did the gig (and sound), took down the gear, collected “The Brads”, drank a gallon of Black Porter, slept in the back of the Chariot and off again the next morning….
( there is an aerial shot of Carnsore Festival ’78 that appears occasionally…you can see that Peugeot proudly parked side stage, myself and Gypsy probably asleep in the back..
Both those songs were in the repertoire back then….”Home by Bearna” came from the Tom Munnelly collection and would have been my first time to accompany a song with solo Bodhran…..Barr na Sráide came from Michael Hipkiss who ran a most wonderful Folk Club in “The Old Contemptible” Pub in Birmingham. I gigged there regularly in the late 60s. Twas there I met Bob Cooney , a veteran Brigadista from Aberdeen, who quietly shared many of his experiences while fighting Fascism in Spain. (Bob wrote a song called “Windy Edinburgh Town” about James Connolly who was born there in 1869)… I sang it once or twice but subsequently lost it..
I hope Charlie has peace of mind this day….that a bit of music, a few verses, might offer him temporary respite from the lurking cloud….
I woke early this morning and read your post, the wind is howling thru the chimeys above my head, I think I’ll seek another wee slumber the noo…
Hello captain, greetings from way down Melbourne… what a farce but thats for another eposide.
Thanks for the Lockdown gigs only really enjoying them now, got your mojo going again, the concert hall gig was great congrats, I hope you’ll consider getting the old crew back together it would be really special, turn up the aids and away you go!
Hope your keeping well – no town final this year another gimme for the Moors
Christy's reply
Morra ,
such thoughts are never too far from my mind….I think of all the different orchestras, Planxty, Moving Hearts, The Companeros, The Trad Outfit and various CM bands across the decades……
as for The County Final….I have a spot booked in an old Oak Tree that overlooks “The Pitch”…I’ll be there in my Green & White Colours…but we should never write off Athy…..some right good Footballers (and singers) have emanated from that South Kildare Town on the Barrow Banks
Hi Bryan, drop an email, patdarcyis@gmail.com and we can get the clouds skuttling along.
Mulling over what will be on the upcoming Early Years’ album. Christy will they be 2020 retakes, or from the archives? Either way will be brill, and please if you can, continue telling us the story behind the song. That is very special. Maith thú a chara.
Christy's reply
all archive and remastered tracks…. nothing later then 1979…..I’ll pass that on to yer man….thank you
Hello Christy,
I am sorry for wild posts recently. I ran out of meds. All my own fault. Thank goodness I am married to someone sensible.
I like Dylan’s recording. The last verse is lovely. Listening to one voice.
Looking forward to the retrospective. I think it will all be new stuff to me. Do you know what’s on it yet?
I hope things are going smoothly for you.
Rebecca
I do but I don’t have the track list to hand…it covers 1968-81
some hairy moments on the DVD…I winced betimes…
hope your meds are back in order..
many of us need medical assistance..
One for Frank Christy 👍
https://youtu.be/6lpkMjg85xc
Lovely Hurlin Dylan….Frank Harte, Luke Cheevers, both carriers of the flame…
You’re sounding good..
Jasas Christy, the wet pubs are drying up , its time to put the ‘hi-vis’ on and make for the ‘Ball Alley Near Nogra’ ! (again….)
https://www.facebook.com/548856438/videos/10157539050231439/?extid=b1iy42jEzy95h6KK
hes hittin butts
So Hilary was also listening to Ronan today, hes always good for a few of your Songs. Th e wife says ” oh not that Christy Moore, the baldy …………” then Beeswing comes on the Radio, and she ups and says that’s one of my favourite songs. Surprise Suprise !!!!. On further interegation she admits “Rory is Gone” is another favourite of hers. Before we get too carried away , I think its Declans Riffs that’s she loves in that one.
Seriously, hope you are still coping well in the new Lockdown. Looking forward to the new album and DVD…………. I might convert herto a few more😀.
Best regards
Decky always pulled out all the stops on Rory….
lock ins, lock ups, lock downs,
out of body experiences
“O the praties are dug and the frost is all over
Kitty lie over close to thr wall” ……………… ( Johnny Moynihan)
Christy sorry,
i meant to say Kieran Halpin was often a visitor to these parts to perform, a lovely voice and fine songsmith.
I came across word of a version of Macbeth, shot in Maghaberry about a decade ago, played mainly by men serving ‘life’. It is called Mickey B.
The trailer, and writings of it, seem very interesting but i cannot find the film to watch it. I don’t suppose you or the 4711ers have seen it or can find it?
Regards
Rory
Dave from Sufragette City posted this for you:
Rory is looking for the Mickey B film – looks its available on DVD via the shop at http://www.esc-film.com I thought you might be interested- fascinating website too.
Hope the Atkin is busy…
Dave
Hi Christy,
Yesterday a book i ordered from the SF Bookshop arrived. It is the Story of Kevin Barry by Sean Cronin.
I look forward to reading it and learning more of this great, brief, life.
You sing his song sometimes at the Barrowlands, when did it enter your songbook and how does it feel to sing of him, i wonder?
Thanks
Rory
the first song I ever learned…our Mother carried a devotion to Kevin Barry very close to her heart….aged 10 I sang it on stage in The Palace Cinema in Newbridge in 1955….Both Leonard Cohen and Paul Robeson recorded it…
Sad to learn of the sudden passing of Kieran Halpin. Always struck me as similar to Noel Brazil in that his songs were wonderfully written yet he remained largely unrecognised by the Irish people. He played a fair bit with Jimmy faulkner too. Was wondering if your paths crossed much over the years. Looking forward to the new release in November. Thank God for the musicians artists and writers who have steered us through this most difficult of years. Thinking too of the backroom guys whose income is suffering too. Roll on 2021. Stay safe x
Shared manys the song with Kieran…back in The Meeting Place when he was starting out on his journey..always a pleasure to meet that gentle man…himself and Jimmy were good companeros
Hi C, your old pal Ronan Collins played you singing Beeswing after the Angelus today, it’s always a treat to come across your voice unexpectedly like that in the car. I think it was the version from Live at the Point Album 2006, I know Patsy Mc C heard it also so he might confirm that ? I will always remember the very first time I heard you sing it in that Bingo Hall in Thurles in May 2003 it was so sweet yet powerful. You have found and shared so many wonderful songs and certainly introduced me to many great songwriters and musicians. The eagerly awaited new releases will shorten the winter for us !! beir bua agus beannacht go deo. H
fair play to Ronan..he picked that version for it being in the same key as the Angelus bell..
I remember that Hall in Thurles (maybe The Premier Ballroom)…
there used to be another venue near the Town called The Ragg…I plyed there in the 70s..the man of the house insisted that I sing Amhrán na bhFíann at the end of the gig..made me go back out and sing it or I’d not get paid !
Sinne Fianna Fáil,
atá faoi gheall ag Éirinn,
Buíon dár slua
thar toinn do ráinig chughainn,
Faoi mhóid bheith saor
Seantír ár sinsear feasta,
Ní fhágfar faoin tíorán ná faoin tráill.
Anocht a théam sa bhearna baoil,
Le gean ar Ghaeil, chun báis nó saoil,
Le gunna scréach faoi lámhach na bpiléar,
Seo libh canaig amhrán na bhfiann
unlike your tribe we never get much opportunity to sing it in Croke Park but we live in eternal hope…
the next album is pending… a collection from 67-79……also working on a new album for next year….
hope ye are all safe and well síos san Ríocht…..lean gig times for all practitioners and listeners, balladeers and 4711ers.. what can we do but live in hope…..do the suggested things as best we can…..try to avert the rantings of the lunatic fringe
Hi Christy, three years ago today we were with friends at your concert in the Waterfront, Belfast. Pictures of us that night popped up earlier on my phone and made me smile as we were theatrically posing in front of your poster! Reflecting on Rory’s mention of young Julie and in light of Unquiet Graves/collusion and the subsequent debacle around it; notwithstanding of course lockdown – made me think of the number of times you lit up our town with your concerts. You continue to shine your generous light on us via your virtual gigs. I look forward to your new album coming down the tracks. In the meantime, go well, Mary
Clarinbridge for the chowder
keep your powder dry
for the Continental Céilí tonight…………(Mulhearn)
So many great nights beneath the Black Mountain since that first gig with Planxty back in 1972….hundreds of gigs in such diverse venues and locations….from The Conway Mill right down to The Ulster Hall….
that first gig with Planxty was part of an Ulster Tour which we did with John Martyn..we played McMordie Hall…..
Hi Christy
Unable to travel right now,but can’t be stopped from searching out info…brilliant folklore/photos etc/research via DCU -at http://www.gaois.ie Lots of great rabbit holes/ background to projects.
Always grateful to those who sought and recorded what they found…
Good to see Autumn sun as the ‘January Man’ walks the road…
Dave
the rain was lashin
the sun was risin
the wind was whippin
thru the trees
the madness
from the mountains crawlin
when I saw you first
my own Aisling…………………….(McGowan)
Shame.
Swearing sounds so good in a Yorkshire accent. Gutteral comes naturally round here.
Heavens Above
Prick!
Is a girl allowed to say that?
Nun of that
Oh Christy,
Marty is right,i would love to have caught up with him, i too was looking forward to Bundoran, a couple of nights in the Cathedral view b&b Derry, some porter, Hugh’s guided tour of the Bogside ( for the 4th time) …and then someone sneezed a new sneeze.
However today i listened to Unfinished Revolution again instead,on my way to walk in the park with my grandaughter on her birthday.
I might have thought that this album’s title would mean a raucous sound, but it is such a calming sound,perhaps curiously understated compared to the title theme.
That serenity is perhaps dislodged momentarily when Julie Livingstone’s murder is mentioned, i might detect an understandable anger in the voice amidst a gentle rendition of the Island?
Julie’s senseless killing led me to some research , today is the 52nd anniversary of the decision to ban a civil rights housing march in that very Derry city, near the Cathedral View,that led to the forceful interference in the ‘unlicensed’ march 2 days later, that in turn could be argued to start the decades of an Unfinished Revolution.
So Marty, 3rd october is marked in history, not just for us missing the surf and the song!
Regards
Rory
The mist comes swirling o’er the mountain
children have forgotten how to play…..
https://www.facebook.com/100014026453763/posts/964969780647228/?extid=dCxr2pi8C9V3vF4Y&d=n
3rd October my son’s birthday under new restrictions can’t go and see him, back to relying on technology.
Decided to paint the kitchen! Something planned pre-covid but never got round to it.
Put Live at Dublin 2006 on my geriatric cd player. Didn’t remember choosing this colour a bit more yellow than I remembered, but convinced myself it’s the colour of buttercups, the sun and half a beeswing, getting used to it! Coming down from the steps to press repeat on the cd (told you it’s old) I stepped into the paint tray ‘there were footsteps in the parlour’ size-5 yellow ones. So stopped for a coffee and checked your guestbook, can I thank Kevin for posting his beautiful song and your many contributers all of us waiting for normality and seeing you live again.
Hope everyone well, off to the shower.
Pam
Your safe enough with Yellow Pam…..what comes out of the tin is never the same as the colour card…mind yourself on the steps
Sat 3rd of October……. the last of the planned gigs on the list. We should’ve been in Bundoran , walking Rougey…. watching the surfers in the cool waves and talking of the songs from last night’s show and speculating on what different gems might appear tonight.
Covid has played havoc… and it’s rampant here in the hills at present . We look forward with hope and pray that in time things will return to normal…. after the deluge….
“there are people dreaming of The Hills of Donegal”
Hi ,
Rebeccah’s post reminds me that when i went to see The Poet and the Piper, the support act was a young scottish borders lassie called Phamie Gow, a lovely harpist.
I think the show was in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall but it may have been the Glasgow concert Hall, i still cherish the cd.
So there is demand for the harp in big venues as well as small.
By the way Christy, that pairing take some beating, what a lifetime privilege for me to see messrs Heaney and O’Flynn perform together. What a joy it must have been for you to have known them both so well.
Regards
Rory
I knew The Piper well but only met The Poet briefly on three occasions….he always had a warm smile and a twinkle in his ete
Hello Christy,
I think you are very kind and what you said is making me laugh. Thankyou. Lugging a harp round is nothing, is it? You just described living in a car to enable you to gig, and that was progress from a floor. The flame certainly burns bright there.
At least its all acoustic for me right now. The harp only weighs 8kgs. It’s a soft case so it’s delicate, but I have plans to remedy this with a beautiful yew harp from Scotland with a flight case on wheels. The pa system is another matter. I’ve used it a couple of times and it only just fits in the car. I’ve no idea how you managed to do the sound yourself. I guess it’s trusting your ears from where you are? The determination you show is immense. It’s a great inspiration.
So, as I said, I think you are very kind and I just need to work, work, work, play, get out there and keep feeding and feeding off the flame. It’s the music that matters.
Rebecca
back then about 1% of Folk Clubs had “mikes” and most us hated them….when we met along the way we would share vital info about clubs….scran and skipper being top of the list
Morra Christy,
Having just woken i remembered that ,last night, your Dennistoun devotee ( my son Charlie) asked me to send him a couple of your songs for this morning ,that he may not know so well.
The Boys of Barr na Sraida is one i have selected, the live recording of such a gorgeous song is magical.
Secondly i have sent on Home by Bearna, with the old hurling type injury to the bicep it might be out of your reach
at the moment ,but it is a rare gem.
I am sure he will enjoy them, he has ( as many have) been struggling with being isolated in his single flat, still working from home, but these will fill his emotions positively.
Have a look ,if you can, at one of the youtube videos of Home by Bearna, it has you driving a blue box van…was that you being your own roadie, was it your van, what memories?
All the best
Rory
Ruairí , mo sean cara,
You’ve got me rawmaishing again…that great Chariot…my Peugeot 404 Diesel. Twas the first time I ever bought a new vehicle (5118 IP)….I bought the Cab and Chassis from Ormonde Motors in Kilkenny circa 1977….I got a sturdy aluminium box built on the back…I had 4 H/H 100W Speakers,2 x100 H/H amps, 2 Shure Mikes, a Gibson Guitar, a Bodhrán ( made by Joe Kelly of “THe Brow” Coolcullen) a Sleeping Bag, Gypsy our beautiful, black ,half-collie dog and a basket of songs . I drove myself, set up the gear, did the gig (and sound), took down the gear, collected “The Brads”, drank a gallon of Black Porter, slept in the back of the Chariot and off again the next morning….
( there is an aerial shot of Carnsore Festival ’78 that appears occasionally…you can see that Peugeot proudly parked side stage, myself and Gypsy probably asleep in the back..
Both those songs were in the repertoire back then….”Home by Bearna” came from the Tom Munnelly collection and would have been my first time to accompany a song with solo Bodhran…..Barr na Sráide came from Michael Hipkiss who ran a most wonderful Folk Club in “The Old Contemptible” Pub in Birmingham. I gigged there regularly in the late 60s. Twas there I met Bob Cooney , a veteran Brigadista from Aberdeen, who quietly shared many of his experiences while fighting Fascism in Spain. (Bob wrote a song called “Windy Edinburgh Town” about James Connolly who was born there in 1869)… I sang it once or twice but subsequently lost it..
I hope Charlie has peace of mind this day….that a bit of music, a few verses, might offer him temporary respite from the lurking cloud….
I woke early this morning and read your post, the wind is howling thru the chimeys above my head, I think I’ll seek another wee slumber the noo…
Hello captain, greetings from way down Melbourne… what a farce but thats for another eposide.
Thanks for the Lockdown gigs only really enjoying them now, got your mojo going again, the concert hall gig was great congrats, I hope you’ll consider getting the old crew back together it would be really special, turn up the aids and away you go!
Hope your keeping well – no town final this year another gimme for the Moors
Morra ,
such thoughts are never too far from my mind….I think of all the different orchestras, Planxty, Moving Hearts, The Companeros, The Trad Outfit and various CM bands across the decades……
as for The County Final….I have a spot booked in an old Oak Tree that overlooks “The Pitch”…I’ll be there in my Green & White Colours…but we should never write off Athy…..some right good Footballers (and singers) have emanated from that South Kildare Town on the Barrow Banks
Greetings to Victoria
Hi Bryan, drop an email, patdarcyis@gmail.com and we can get the clouds skuttling along.
Mulling over what will be on the upcoming Early Years’ album. Christy will they be 2020 retakes, or from the archives? Either way will be brill, and please if you can, continue telling us the story behind the song. That is very special. Maith thú a chara.
all archive and remastered tracks…. nothing later then 1979…..I’ll pass that on to yer man….thank you