Hello Christy,
I’m thinking that you don’t let this person out so often. Such a privilege.
I’m very glad you’ve never asked Jimmy Mccarthy about Bright Blue Rose. Or you haven’t said, if you have. For me, such an integrated song needs to stay in the between places where human-ness is.
I do know the white light. Not when performing. It happened once when I was meditating. Such a thing, and it was just like turning a page. Do you get sliver too?
I’m still working on my skills but singing is starting to feel more like being than doing. Obsession helps.
I’ll climb down now. The world is a beautiful place without all this nonsense and truth.
as I walked down by the riverside one evening in the spring
heard a long gone song from days gone by blown in on the great north wind
I need to practice now.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I’ve no no control over “this person”…she comes and goes as he wishes…when she’s around I’ve no idea what he’s gonna come up with… sometimes surprising me with it’s,her’s,his,their perambulations….it can come up with allsorts..
I had a friend once who’s practice was to “introduce the sliver” …but thats another story….perhaps not for publication
Ah , the tour of the Kingdom….. some have been lucky enough to experience the guided version by the one true Rose… and always centred around a gig or two if we were lucky…. so. …..There are people dreaming in Kerry too…..
Just to say tho…..there’s always a kettle on the boil in the Hills as The Dangler says…..if you would happen to find yourself near the Butt Hall or the Golden Grill , Johnny Boyles Highlands or swinging by Dunlewy in the shadow of Errigal….. could be a Fairytale in Gortahork !!!
Christy's reply
I long for the sound of Mick’s chariot coming thru the gate, hitting the blue-tar-road to god-knows-where, the cameraderie when meeting up with all the band and crew….the pre-sound-check mug of tea….having a warm up jam in the dressing room as the listeners assemble…the side stage huddle before going out to face the music……”two-bumps-Josie” and away we go..
It might be a tight squeeze, but if I can hitch a ride on Rory’s wagon,en route to Kerry, please add me to the tour party, Hilary – what a mighty itinerary!
More pf your great memories to go with ‘early years’ music, Christy – you prompted me to look in on Martyn Wyndham- Read. Never saw a gig, but well aware of his influence. Like you, he’s making the best of a gig free time and has posted quite a few songs ‘from the settle’. An interesting wander via http://www.dandadesign.co,uk
Enjoy the day
Dave
Christy's reply
what a singer….when Martyn opened up his voice box , the p.a. system was surplus to requirements…..we supped some stuff
Dear Christy,
Guie snell means very bitter in the Hawick pocket dictionary i am pleased to report. Perhaps apt as the nearby village of Denholm sits at the foot of Ruberslaw, and is where Professor James Murray came from. He began compiling the Oxford English Dictionary ( professor and the madman..film).
Hilary’s tour sounds the most wonderful trip i can imagine, i would like a place on the horse and cart.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
I’d like to hitch a ride on that horse & trap….we might detour up the Healy Pass, take the waters at Torc, gallop past Ballyseedy,leap from The Cliffs and gaze across at The Banner
Hi C. Picking up on your reply to Dave Madden after your Cork Tour could I respectfully suggest the following itinerary. On crossing the Cork and Kerry mountains commencing the Kingdom Tour free wheeling into Kenmare/Neidin you can sing some Jimmy Mac, maybe even BBR ? then Sneem where you can reprise that great version of Boys of Barr na Sraide, and maybe then onto Waterville to visit your old pal Micko and maybe repeat Barr na Sraide in Caherciveen the home of Sigerson, John Daly and Batt Andy and the Sheehans, Con and Dan. As you look west towards Valentia you might catch a glimpse of the other Micko rising for a high ball from Maurice Fitz.
Onto Killorglin where you can sing something from King Puck. And check to see if after saddling up the old grey mare,Tim Big Danny and Jacky Timmy made it all the way across the mountain from Gortatagort ? Crossing the Laune and taking the low road from Killorgin passing through Castlemaine you can sing a verse at the new Statue to the Wild Colonial Boy. Onto Inch passing Eamonn Casey’s old home, all the way to Annascaul with a nod to Martin Egan. Dingle next stop with a verse at poor Fungies statue and a gig in Hillgrove long overdue since you last one in 2012. So where next ? well its gotta be a return to Feoghanach to sing again the Two Connellys with Brendan and maybe Seamus on the box, reminiscing about the time you spent in the Gaeltacht learning the teanga. Direach anois to Cuas an Bhodaigh where St Brendan set off to reach America maybe listening to Liam Og’s CD the Brendan Voyage honouring his Kerry roots also. Back then through Dingle/ Dangle where the One Voice sang twice at Other Voices, next stop Conor Pass and onto Brandon and Fitzgeralds pub watching out for the Albatross and the Saint not to mention the fishermen hauling up their nets, the farmers making hay.
Onto sweet Tralee hoping that the Bedford is not my now over heating to pay your respects to the Messenger Boy and the statue you unveiled on 31st Oct 2009 while remembering the nights upstairs in the Tent with Gaybo and the Pretty Polly tights as you sing a verse of Me and The Rose, while also most importantly honouring the, finally vindicated, Joanne. Pity the fine strapping lad footing turf in Tralee is long gone ,The Kerry Recruit ! A quick tour around town to visit Benners , Horans and onto Killarney to see how the Gleneagle is faring, and a detour to Castleisland to the ghost of Woodies taking in Scartaglen if it happens to be a Sunday you can check on the lass and see if she home by Barna. Then straight on without delay to Ballybuinon to see a man about a cheque and to see those tall , tall Cliffs of Doneen, measured against the height of the Bomber !! Then through Listowel with a nod to John B with a verse of Cricklewood …..OK best stop now, its been some Voyage and its already too long but we are Missing You, An Riocht awaits your return,!! See ye all along the Road. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Be the janey mac H but there’s no stopping you when you build a head of steam…you’ve taken us on a magical mystery tour there….lifted us out of the Black Valley and carried us up to The Lady’s View
Hi Christy,
This is the son of Magichaggis, who *borrowed* his copy of the “Come All You Dreamers” DVD to keep me going during lockdown, which I have to say worked fantastically! Anyway, for my mum’s Christmas, I gave her a copy of DVD “Luke Kelly – The Performer” which went down a treat. As we’re watching it, we were wondering if you had any stories of Luke at all? We both spotted you in the crowd while he was performing “Black Velvet Band” with the rest of the Dubliners which was an exciting moment! We also discussed how much we’d love to hear you perform Raglan Road, but perhaps that’s just a pipe dream! Anyway, we hope you’ve had a cracking Christmas and a great Hogmanay! – clumhen
Christy's reply
I’ve only sung it once…at the funeral of Chris Roche, a good friend…..a week before Chris died he requested it…
I’ll leave it at that..
Everyone in this City has a Luke story…..its late now Clum….all i gotta say is that Luke was a good friend, an inspiration, a wonderful singer,
and thanks to Paul for the tip off about the superb Pontchartrain analysis – a magical song that’ll keep its mystery – following the Irish links, I wonder if the song’s author deliberately matched it to ‘the Lily of the West’ Irish tune ? – a perfect fit.
Always great to know that songs can be shared and have a life of their own – Mike Waterson was a special bloke – did you ever record Van Diemen’s land?
What a heartening end to the day and to share info here.
Keep well all
Dave
Christy's reply
Great Song…I got Van Diemen’s Land from Mike the same night as he shared Pontchartrain with me…..the first time I played at The Waterson’s Club I stayed with Mike in his Family Home…we talked and laughed and sang..later I began to play regularly at The Rugby Pub in Hull where Mike was a regular singer along with Ian Manuel, Jill Pidd and other Hull singers..the pub was run by Trev and Val and they kept the very finest Cameron’s Strongarm Ale…that was a great club…the best after gig sessions I ever attended were in Hull..that said, The Bay Horse in Bentley has tasty after gig soirees..The Forum in East Kilbride was always a stoater…not to forget heading out to Torbane after the Elbow Room gig in Kircaldy..one session there went on for 3 nights…The Singing Jenny in Huddersfield was held in The Polish Club on Wood Street….sometimes there would be a lock-in with the Polish landlord..he’d break out his stash of special Vodka….I woke up in the club once or twice and back to Halifax with a sick head.. some great sessions in Syke Lane ,Causeway Foot after Richard Collins great club in Halifax..thats where I met Tim Hart & Maddy Prior and Martyn Wyndham Read… we supped some stuff
ps..yes,I recorded it in 1975
Dagrab, I got it via the RTÉ Radio App on my phone. You should also be able to get it from the RTÉ Radio website. Living outside Ireland these things are a god send. Good luck!
Aye Christy it was guie snell up Ruberslaw today.
However i carried with me 5 remembered folk on the journey.
I wore a George Floyd t shirt, thought of Nelson Mandela’s long road, sang of Whacker Humphries, imagined i was Jinky Johnstone as i kicked the snow clumps and sang of Grace Gifford too. I enjoyed the journey in their company.
Thanks for the story of how you came by Lock Hospital, 50 years since singing it is a long ,long time but who knows you might take out the old guitar in a quiet moment and sing of it again in your pantry one day.
I told a young friend today of John Reilly, and he seemed enthralled, i showed him ( at a distance through an open door to the outside) the photo i took of the plaque in Boyle, and sent him the album link of the Bonny Green Tree, hopefully a new convert to the voice of the man.
I think Ruberslaw has done her 4711ers turn, though i shall return a couple more times before the work calls next week.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
you truly are like a monk carrying the songs of John Reilly to distant places….you have me entering Ruberslaw into my wish journal….I wont commit to a “guie snell” until I know what it might entail….
” play the drums slowly and play the fifes lowly
sound the dead march as you carry him along”
Listening to RTÉ radio 1 today and had a treat! A thing on a dissection of The Lakes of Ponchartrain song, with your good self getting a good mention and deserved credit about the song! Then, a thing about Shane Lowry winning the Open at Portrush in 2019, which was great and which ended by them playing one of his favourite songs – and mine – My Little Honda 50 by guess who?!? Not a bad day at all, considering……. I need get Me and The Rose on next – what a wonderful track. All the best Christy! Paul McSharry – second generation from Dromahair, Leitrim.
Christy's reply
“I suppose a rasher sandwich is out of the question”
Great to see the MSG mention ,as ever and touching on ‘Lock Hospital’ – a fine version by yourself – what I thought to be an English song, but looking into it awhile back, there are many Irish links. I was fooled by references to Westmoreland for awhile, but was led to the Dublin connection via the Duke of Westmoreland’s actions… the history of a song,then how it came to be sung is always fascinating.
I’ve always enjoyed ‘Prosperous’ and the embryonic Planxty sound – ‘Hackler from Grousehall ‘ being another gem – featured on youtube amongst any others -such a treasure trove there.
Replaying the Vicar Street ‘Pontchartrain ‘ a few times now , you and Andy have it down so sweet- fair play.
Hi Christy, don’t know if you managed to catch the TV documentary on Billy Connolly last night (as I know you and he shared many a pint back in the day). The similarities between you and him and the relationship with your audiences was amazing, just as you perform without a set list according to his wife, Pamela, he also goes on stage with only the opening line pre prepared, The other thing was to hear the way he spoke about the audience and the fact that he almost gets as much from them as they get from him and its them who guide the direction of the show not him. Its as if his attitude is never ‘I am here to entertain you’ but ‘were all here to have a good time’. Also he dosent tell jokes but tells stories everyone can relate to, as you dont sing songs but sing stories everyone can relate to. How many artists of his/your calibre could you go and see on two consecutive nights and come away having seen two completely different shows? Unfortunatly it looks like Billys touring days are behind him but P.G. we will all get the chance to catch you live again in some ‘auld kip’ in the new year.
Christy's reply
I wish “The Big Yin” well…..we shared some good times together over 50 years ago…
Hello Christy,
I want to thank you for your comments on fluency on an instrument. I’ve been thinking about what you said and it’s helping me a lot. Performing and playing don’t always have a lot in common?
I’ve been having fun listening to the way Declan talks using his guitar.
In the Barrowland gig listening this time, On The Bridge really stood out for me.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Sometimes when a gig is really cookin every thing seems easy….its like the song is playing the singer and the player….
ultimate performance can only be achieved when muscle memory takes over…when I dont have to think of lyrics and chords I can concentrate on colours, inflections,variations…
on very rare occasions a sense,a suggestion of white light may be experienced….. in ’94 in Waterford when singing Jimmy Mack’s Bright Blue Rose ….much earlier singing “Unquiet Grave” in East Kilbride…..as a boy singing Kevin Barry in The Palace Cinema in Newbridge….that used to be spooky…were it to visit again I’d embrace it with gratitude , maybe with a sense of understanding
Dear Christy,
Yesterday morning i headed back up Ruberslaw, in search of some answers for you.
On the way up i met a clutch of pheasants who declared that they had been spooked over a fight between 2 cocks ruffling feathers in a coincidental dispute over whether a question mark precedes quotation marks .
As Peden’ pulpit came into view at the hill top the snow blew in ,stinging the eyes and nipping the nose.
I found a discarded mini loch of espresso martinis , but alas it was frozen solid so whilst i skated on it i couldnae taste its content.
Tomorrow morning i am heading up again, a hattrick of Ruberslaws in 5 days, 2 hours up and down, heather louping, crampons on, hipflask filled with the Borders Distillery’s finest and Where i Come From playing in the headphones, and 5 layers of t-shirts to keep out the cold.
I shall report in after the latest ascent and in the meantime, where did you pick up the song Locke Hospital from Christy, the tune is familiar whenever i play it but what of the song’s CM history?
Cheers
Rory
Christy's reply
I used to frequent the MSG Club in Manchester back in ’66-’67.Monday night was always the Singers Club. We’d gather there and give our names in to Droney or Jack Taylor who were the resident MCs.Some Mondays, if there was a surplus of names, you might not get the all up. It was nerve wrecking.There was a lad there,I cant remember his name,used to do a version of “Lock Hospital”.He used to put his heart and soul into it and it always got me….in 1968 I was in Halifax.My flat mate,Derek McEwan,had a great collection of Albums and Books….I came across Lock Hospital again in some collection and began to sing it myself….When I was gathering songs for the Prosperous album it seemed to fit the bill….I’ve not sung it for almost 50 years …..but still recall the emotion felt when first hearing it
Christy . Howya. Last year you obliged by doing a video for my son Edward who is Autistic. You dedicated City of Chicago to him. Could you sing it for him in your live stream in January as we will all be watching. His name is Edward Ryan from Templemore. Thanks so much.
Michael Ryan Templemore Co Tipperary
Christy's reply
Michael,
I did a gig at NCH a few months back and opened with that song…having been invited back so soon I feel the need to do an entirely different set of song
Hello Christy .Just a line or two thanking yourself and Andrew for the beautiful selection of Moores melodies from Vicat st last night.Isnt it great to see another one of the Moore generation taking the stage keeping the music alive.It would be lovely to see the two of you share the stage somewhere in Cork in 2021.It was great to see the Barrowlands in all its splendour to finish a great night with The Moores.Happy new year .Lets hope for a better 2021.
Christy's reply
“somewhere” in Cork gives us loads of options….From Youghal to Allahies, From Mitchelstown to Timoleague….we could a 6 week tour of Cork and still have to come back ….Middleton to Macroom, Ballycotton to Ballymountain, I’m dizzy here in the bed just thinkin about it…De Barras, Dopera House, Leap, Kilcrohane,Ma Murphy’s, The Tin Pub, then we’ll freewheel down into Kenmare and start into a Kingdom Tour
Between Vicar St.,TG4, Early Years and a couple of records, the old sick year is getting a grand send off here!
Sound man Christy, very nice mention of Ned there in your comment. I passed it on to Barry, and here is his answer
‘That is fabulous Pat. Thank you so much. That will keep the spirits up. Great to see Dad honoured and respected by one of my heroes!’
Barry, meself and probably a cast of thousands also say thanks. You manage this guestbook with great energy, and you really look after your fans. Just like Ned in Dowlings, you bring us all into the circle, fair play dhuit.
Christy's reply
I enjoy the chats here…in the main its song related….a lot of the original 4711ers jumped ship on to emerging platforms but I like the pace here …..
and thanks to Rebecca for saving me finding a Vicar Street link!
Fair play to you,Andy and all companeros on and off stage – what a great programme.
Brilliant to see you and Andy looking /sounding so great-and extra thanks for ‘Ponchartrain’ – a special song for me and so good to have it easily accessible now.
2020 has been a tough year for so many – thanks for what you have given, to ease the burdens – from workroom to HQ. Let’s hope for better times soon.
Hello Christy,
I’m thinking that you don’t let this person out so often. Such a privilege.
I’m very glad you’ve never asked Jimmy Mccarthy about Bright Blue Rose. Or you haven’t said, if you have. For me, such an integrated song needs to stay in the between places where human-ness is.
I do know the white light. Not when performing. It happened once when I was meditating. Such a thing, and it was just like turning a page. Do you get sliver too?
I’m still working on my skills but singing is starting to feel more like being than doing. Obsession helps.
I’ll climb down now. The world is a beautiful place without all this nonsense and truth.
as I walked down by the riverside one evening in the spring
heard a long gone song from days gone by blown in on the great north wind
I need to practice now.
Rebecca
I’ve no no control over “this person”…she comes and goes as he wishes…when she’s around I’ve no idea what he’s gonna come up with… sometimes surprising me with it’s,her’s,his,their perambulations….it can come up with allsorts..
I had a friend once who’s practice was to “introduce the sliver” …but thats another story….perhaps not for publication
Ah , the tour of the Kingdom….. some have been lucky enough to experience the guided version by the one true Rose… and always centred around a gig or two if we were lucky…. so. …..There are people dreaming in Kerry too…..
Just to say tho…..there’s always a kettle on the boil in the Hills as The Dangler says…..if you would happen to find yourself near the Butt Hall or the Golden Grill , Johnny Boyles Highlands or swinging by Dunlewy in the shadow of Errigal….. could be a Fairytale in Gortahork !!!
I long for the sound of Mick’s chariot coming thru the gate, hitting the blue-tar-road to god-knows-where, the cameraderie when meeting up with all the band and crew….the pre-sound-check mug of tea….having a warm up jam in the dressing room as the listeners assemble…the side stage huddle before going out to face the music……”two-bumps-Josie” and away we go..
http://www.dandadesign.co.uk for MW-R.. interesting visuals too ,fair play to him D
Martyn & Danni…..love to them both
Mornin’ Christy
It might be a tight squeeze, but if I can hitch a ride on Rory’s wagon,en route to Kerry, please add me to the tour party, Hilary – what a mighty itinerary!
More pf your great memories to go with ‘early years’ music, Christy – you prompted me to look in on Martyn Wyndham- Read. Never saw a gig, but well aware of his influence. Like you, he’s making the best of a gig free time and has posted quite a few songs ‘from the settle’. An interesting wander via http://www.dandadesign.co,uk
Enjoy the day
Dave
what a singer….when Martyn opened up his voice box , the p.a. system was surplus to requirements…..we supped some stuff
Dear Christy,
Guie snell means very bitter in the Hawick pocket dictionary i am pleased to report. Perhaps apt as the nearby village of Denholm sits at the foot of Ruberslaw, and is where Professor James Murray came from. He began compiling the Oxford English Dictionary ( professor and the madman..film).
Hilary’s tour sounds the most wonderful trip i can imagine, i would like a place on the horse and cart.
Regards
Rory
I’d like to hitch a ride on that horse & trap….we might detour up the Healy Pass, take the waters at Torc, gallop past Ballyseedy,leap from The Cliffs and gaze across at The Banner
Hi C. Picking up on your reply to Dave Madden after your Cork Tour could I respectfully suggest the following itinerary. On crossing the Cork and Kerry mountains commencing the Kingdom Tour free wheeling into Kenmare/Neidin you can sing some Jimmy Mac, maybe even BBR ? then Sneem where you can reprise that great version of Boys of Barr na Sraide, and maybe then onto Waterville to visit your old pal Micko and maybe repeat Barr na Sraide in Caherciveen the home of Sigerson, John Daly and Batt Andy and the Sheehans, Con and Dan. As you look west towards Valentia you might catch a glimpse of the other Micko rising for a high ball from Maurice Fitz.
Onto Killorglin where you can sing something from King Puck. And check to see if after saddling up the old grey mare,Tim Big Danny and Jacky Timmy made it all the way across the mountain from Gortatagort ? Crossing the Laune and taking the low road from Killorgin passing through Castlemaine you can sing a verse at the new Statue to the Wild Colonial Boy. Onto Inch passing Eamonn Casey’s old home, all the way to Annascaul with a nod to Martin Egan. Dingle next stop with a verse at poor Fungies statue and a gig in Hillgrove long overdue since you last one in 2012. So where next ? well its gotta be a return to Feoghanach to sing again the Two Connellys with Brendan and maybe Seamus on the box, reminiscing about the time you spent in the Gaeltacht learning the teanga. Direach anois to Cuas an Bhodaigh where St Brendan set off to reach America maybe listening to Liam Og’s CD the Brendan Voyage honouring his Kerry roots also. Back then through Dingle/ Dangle where the One Voice sang twice at Other Voices, next stop Conor Pass and onto Brandon and Fitzgeralds pub watching out for the Albatross and the Saint not to mention the fishermen hauling up their nets, the farmers making hay.
Onto sweet Tralee hoping that the Bedford is not my now over heating to pay your respects to the Messenger Boy and the statue you unveiled on 31st Oct 2009 while remembering the nights upstairs in the Tent with Gaybo and the Pretty Polly tights as you sing a verse of Me and The Rose, while also most importantly honouring the, finally vindicated, Joanne. Pity the fine strapping lad footing turf in Tralee is long gone ,The Kerry Recruit ! A quick tour around town to visit Benners , Horans and onto Killarney to see how the Gleneagle is faring, and a detour to Castleisland to the ghost of Woodies taking in Scartaglen if it happens to be a Sunday you can check on the lass and see if she home by Barna. Then straight on without delay to Ballybuinon to see a man about a cheque and to see those tall , tall Cliffs of Doneen, measured against the height of the Bomber !! Then through Listowel with a nod to John B with a verse of Cricklewood …..OK best stop now, its been some Voyage and its already too long but we are Missing You, An Riocht awaits your return,!! See ye all along the Road. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Be the janey mac H but there’s no stopping you when you build a head of steam…you’ve taken us on a magical mystery tour there….lifted us out of the Black Valley and carried us up to The Lady’s View
Hi Christy,
This is the son of Magichaggis, who *borrowed* his copy of the “Come All You Dreamers” DVD to keep me going during lockdown, which I have to say worked fantastically! Anyway, for my mum’s Christmas, I gave her a copy of DVD “Luke Kelly – The Performer” which went down a treat. As we’re watching it, we were wondering if you had any stories of Luke at all? We both spotted you in the crowd while he was performing “Black Velvet Band” with the rest of the Dubliners which was an exciting moment! We also discussed how much we’d love to hear you perform Raglan Road, but perhaps that’s just a pipe dream! Anyway, we hope you’ve had a cracking Christmas and a great Hogmanay! – clumhen
I’ve only sung it once…at the funeral of Chris Roche, a good friend…..a week before Chris died he requested it…
I’ll leave it at that..
Everyone in this City has a Luke story…..its late now Clum….all i gotta say is that Luke was a good friend, an inspiration, a wonderful singer,
Hi Christy
and thanks to Paul for the tip off about the superb Pontchartrain analysis – a magical song that’ll keep its mystery – following the Irish links, I wonder if the song’s author deliberately matched it to ‘the Lily of the West’ Irish tune ? – a perfect fit.
Always great to know that songs can be shared and have a life of their own – Mike Waterson was a special bloke – did you ever record Van Diemen’s land?
What a heartening end to the day and to share info here.
Keep well all
Dave
Great Song…I got Van Diemen’s Land from Mike the same night as he shared Pontchartrain with me…..the first time I played at The Waterson’s Club I stayed with Mike in his Family Home…we talked and laughed and sang..later I began to play regularly at The Rugby Pub in Hull where Mike was a regular singer along with Ian Manuel, Jill Pidd and other Hull singers..the pub was run by Trev and Val and they kept the very finest Cameron’s Strongarm Ale…that was a great club…the best after gig sessions I ever attended were in Hull..that said, The Bay Horse in Bentley has tasty after gig soirees..The Forum in East Kilbride was always a stoater…not to forget heading out to Torbane after the Elbow Room gig in Kircaldy..one session there went on for 3 nights…The Singing Jenny in Huddersfield was held in The Polish Club on Wood Street….sometimes there would be a lock-in with the Polish landlord..he’d break out his stash of special Vodka….I woke up in the club once or twice and back to Halifax with a sick head.. some great sessions in Syke Lane ,Causeway Foot after Richard Collins great club in Halifax..thats where I met Tim Hart & Maddy Prior and Martyn Wyndham Read… we supped some stuff
ps..yes,I recorded it in 1975
Dagrab, I got it via the RTÉ Radio App on my phone. You should also be able to get it from the RTÉ Radio website. Living outside Ireland these things are a god send. Good luck!
good directions
Hi Christy
The RTE programme on ‘The Lakes of Pontchartrain’ sounds brilliant. If any companeros have time to track it down/ post a link, I’d be very grateful,
Thanks D
good luck
Aye Christy it was guie snell up Ruberslaw today.
However i carried with me 5 remembered folk on the journey.
I wore a George Floyd t shirt, thought of Nelson Mandela’s long road, sang of Whacker Humphries, imagined i was Jinky Johnstone as i kicked the snow clumps and sang of Grace Gifford too. I enjoyed the journey in their company.
Thanks for the story of how you came by Lock Hospital, 50 years since singing it is a long ,long time but who knows you might take out the old guitar in a quiet moment and sing of it again in your pantry one day.
I told a young friend today of John Reilly, and he seemed enthralled, i showed him ( at a distance through an open door to the outside) the photo i took of the plaque in Boyle, and sent him the album link of the Bonny Green Tree, hopefully a new convert to the voice of the man.
I think Ruberslaw has done her 4711ers turn, though i shall return a couple more times before the work calls next week.
Regards
Rory
you truly are like a monk carrying the songs of John Reilly to distant places….you have me entering Ruberslaw into my wish journal….I wont commit to a “guie snell” until I know what it might entail….
” play the drums slowly and play the fifes lowly
sound the dead march as you carry him along”
Listening to RTÉ radio 1 today and had a treat! A thing on a dissection of The Lakes of Ponchartrain song, with your good self getting a good mention and deserved credit about the song! Then, a thing about Shane Lowry winning the Open at Portrush in 2019, which was great and which ended by them playing one of his favourite songs – and mine – My Little Honda 50 by guess who?!? Not a bad day at all, considering……. I need get Me and The Rose on next – what a wonderful track. All the best Christy! Paul McSharry – second generation from Dromahair, Leitrim.
“I suppose a rasher sandwich is out of the question”
Hi Christy
Great to see the MSG mention ,as ever and touching on ‘Lock Hospital’ – a fine version by yourself – what I thought to be an English song, but looking into it awhile back, there are many Irish links. I was fooled by references to Westmoreland for awhile, but was led to the Dublin connection via the Duke of Westmoreland’s actions… the history of a song,then how it came to be sung is always fascinating.
I’ve always enjoyed ‘Prosperous’ and the embryonic Planxty sound – ‘Hackler from Grousehall ‘ being another gem – featured on youtube amongst any others -such a treasure trove there.
Replaying the Vicar Street ‘Pontchartrain ‘ a few times now , you and Andy have it down so sweet- fair play.
Dave
“Jenks”
Hi Christy, don’t know if you managed to catch the TV documentary on Billy Connolly last night (as I know you and he shared many a pint back in the day). The similarities between you and him and the relationship with your audiences was amazing, just as you perform without a set list according to his wife, Pamela, he also goes on stage with only the opening line pre prepared, The other thing was to hear the way he spoke about the audience and the fact that he almost gets as much from them as they get from him and its them who guide the direction of the show not him. Its as if his attitude is never ‘I am here to entertain you’ but ‘were all here to have a good time’. Also he dosent tell jokes but tells stories everyone can relate to, as you dont sing songs but sing stories everyone can relate to. How many artists of his/your calibre could you go and see on two consecutive nights and come away having seen two completely different shows? Unfortunatly it looks like Billys touring days are behind him but P.G. we will all get the chance to catch you live again in some ‘auld kip’ in the new year.
I wish “The Big Yin” well…..we shared some good times together over 50 years ago…
Hello Christy,
I want to thank you for your comments on fluency on an instrument. I’ve been thinking about what you said and it’s helping me a lot. Performing and playing don’t always have a lot in common?
I’ve been having fun listening to the way Declan talks using his guitar.
In the Barrowland gig listening this time, On The Bridge really stood out for me.
Rebecca
Sometimes when a gig is really cookin every thing seems easy….its like the song is playing the singer and the player….
ultimate performance can only be achieved when muscle memory takes over…when I dont have to think of lyrics and chords I can concentrate on colours, inflections,variations…
on very rare occasions a sense,a suggestion of white light may be experienced….. in ’94 in Waterford when singing Jimmy Mack’s Bright Blue Rose ….much earlier singing “Unquiet Grave” in East Kilbride…..as a boy singing Kevin Barry in The Palace Cinema in Newbridge….that used to be spooky…were it to visit again I’d embrace it with gratitude , maybe with a sense of understanding
Dear Christy,
Yesterday morning i headed back up Ruberslaw, in search of some answers for you.
On the way up i met a clutch of pheasants who declared that they had been spooked over a fight between 2 cocks ruffling feathers in a coincidental dispute over whether a question mark precedes quotation marks .
As Peden’ pulpit came into view at the hill top the snow blew in ,stinging the eyes and nipping the nose.
I found a discarded mini loch of espresso martinis , but alas it was frozen solid so whilst i skated on it i couldnae taste its content.
Tomorrow morning i am heading up again, a hattrick of Ruberslaws in 5 days, 2 hours up and down, heather louping, crampons on, hipflask filled with the Borders Distillery’s finest and Where i Come From playing in the headphones, and 5 layers of t-shirts to keep out the cold.
I shall report in after the latest ascent and in the meantime, where did you pick up the song Locke Hospital from Christy, the tune is familiar whenever i play it but what of the song’s CM history?
Cheers
Rory
I used to frequent the MSG Club in Manchester back in ’66-’67.Monday night was always the Singers Club. We’d gather there and give our names in to Droney or Jack Taylor who were the resident MCs.Some Mondays, if there was a surplus of names, you might not get the all up. It was nerve wrecking.There was a lad there,I cant remember his name,used to do a version of “Lock Hospital”.He used to put his heart and soul into it and it always got me….in 1968 I was in Halifax.My flat mate,Derek McEwan,had a great collection of Albums and Books….I came across Lock Hospital again in some collection and began to sing it myself….When I was gathering songs for the Prosperous album it seemed to fit the bill….I’ve not sung it for almost 50 years …..but still recall the emotion felt when first hearing it
Christy . Howya. Last year you obliged by doing a video for my son Edward who is Autistic. You dedicated City of Chicago to him. Could you sing it for him in your live stream in January as we will all be watching. His name is Edward Ryan from Templemore. Thanks so much.
Michael Ryan Templemore Co Tipperary
Michael,
I did a gig at NCH a few months back and opened with that song…having been invited back so soon I feel the need to do an entirely different set of song
Hello Christy .Just a line or two thanking yourself and Andrew for the beautiful selection of Moores melodies from Vicat st last night.Isnt it great to see another one of the Moore generation taking the stage keeping the music alive.It would be lovely to see the two of you share the stage somewhere in Cork in 2021.It was great to see the Barrowlands in all its splendour to finish a great night with The Moores.Happy new year .Lets hope for a better 2021.
“somewhere” in Cork gives us loads of options….From Youghal to Allahies, From Mitchelstown to Timoleague….we could a 6 week tour of Cork and still have to come back ….Middleton to Macroom, Ballycotton to Ballymountain, I’m dizzy here in the bed just thinkin about it…De Barras, Dopera House, Leap, Kilcrohane,Ma Murphy’s, The Tin Pub, then we’ll freewheel down into Kenmare and start into a Kingdom Tour
Between Vicar St.,TG4, Early Years and a couple of records, the old sick year is getting a grand send off here!
Sound man Christy, very nice mention of Ned there in your comment. I passed it on to Barry, and here is his answer
‘That is fabulous Pat. Thank you so much. That will keep the spirits up. Great to see Dad honoured and respected by one of my heroes!’
Barry, meself and probably a cast of thousands also say thanks. You manage this guestbook with great energy, and you really look after your fans. Just like Ned in Dowlings, you bring us all into the circle, fair play dhuit.
I enjoy the chats here…in the main its song related….a lot of the original 4711ers jumped ship on to emerging platforms but I like the pace here …..
Mornin’ Christy
and thanks to Rebecca for saving me finding a Vicar Street link!
Fair play to you,Andy and all companeros on and off stage – what a great programme.
Brilliant to see you and Andy looking /sounding so great-and extra thanks for ‘Ponchartrain’ – a special song for me and so good to have it easily accessible now.
2020 has been a tough year for so many – thanks for what you have given, to ease the burdens – from workroom to HQ. Let’s hope for better times soon.
Dave
the night is bursting into morning