I came across a book called “Terminal Bar”. It’s a mostly photographic record of a very tough bar right by the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC, I wondered if you’d ever passed through there in the 70’s or 80’s ? Anyway, looking forward to the the next gig from the concert hall.
Kind regards as always. Brian.
Christy's reply
Sounds like my kinda book…..for the middle years of my life it certainly would have been my kinda Bar…..ridin the high stool, expandin and expoundin
‘Rare Records’, Manchester – early 70s…basement for prog rock/folk rock etc. Ground floor for folk/world (a shop ahead of its time)- and where I found ‘Prosperous’. Recognising the name of the singer who’d greatly impressed me at the local folk club,weeks before… It’s there on my shelf (under its 5th roof),with related LPs.
LP sleeve notes and cover art are to be treasured. The first Planxty cover is pure genius – made for the 12” format.
Here endeth the gospel – over and out
Dave
Christy's reply
played in Lichtenstein in 1976….they bought all the albums…we returned to Germany without a stitch of Merchandise….Myself and Jimmy Faulkner, a Gibson, a Martin, 2 sleeping bags and a Peugeot 404 Diesel (5118 IP) ….we were huge in Lichtenstein, for one night anyway…..we were dizzy traversing the Autobahns, toten hosen, we were munchen the glad bach….
Dear Christy,
I came back home tonight and at last, 5 shamefully wasted weeks on from moving house, i set up my turntable and spun it into action.
Don’t get me wrong i like the CD, at it’s beginning i railed against anything but the LP, but it has an ease that ensures that the hundreds and hundreds around the house all have a place in my life.
However the jet black vinyl ( and sometimes the shaped disc or the rare ,coloured release), are where it is at.
Give me the LP every time, the smile swept across my face, to see it whirring again, to listen with deep joy to the crackles interspersing the glorious vinyl sound .
Smoke and Strong Whiskey will be gently lowered onto the turntable of life before the night is out.
I adore the LP cover and ,when an album has them, the sleeve notes and the lyrics.
I am in love with my vinyl collection, i always will be. The vinyl album is now expensive ( perhaps disproportionately so) but it is a necessary luxury for me.
Returning to thumbing through the racks in a record shop, row after row of new and old LPs ,will be one of the joys of post lockdown life.
Anyway, i went far off track there,apologies to those who have read this .What i meant to do was just extoll the virtues of James Dean Bradfield’s excellent album ‘Even in Exile’, songs of the life of Victor Jara, and of the wonderful first track Recuerda ( remember) a song that refers poigniantly to the disapoeared, to the devils of thatcher,pinochet, nixon and references Cofiwch a welsh village drowned to feed england’s thirst.
Enjoy
Rory
Hello Christy,
I’m sorry the recording wasn’t very clear. I love lyrics too.
Here’s a clear a delicate version of the Unst Boat song https://youtu.be/Pa2R1oGCFgk
Rebecca
Hi Christy thank you for replying ,
I was thinking of maybe a signed Cd or a video message but that’s entirely up to you on what you would like to do
Thank you again for your reply
If you would like to contact me personally on
My email Erinodowd1@yahoo.ie
A good call on the Shetland music, Rebecca. Lots of fascinating music there and always good to think of Inge Thomson . Well worth looking at http://www.ingethomson.com plus youtube and her contributions to Karine Polwart’s trio. She’s quite a talent, with diverse music and sound projects on the go.
Have a good day all
Dave
Christy's reply
heard Inge once here in Dublin….her sound is still with me..
Hi C. Sneem 30th Aug 2013…… I remember you singing The Boys very clearly,it went down very well with great singing from the audience if I recall….It was a long gig 2 hours 12 minutes , Petra and Uwe were there from Germany and a woman from the USA who has since moved to Galway and a Galway man living in Canada was there with his wife. I know you returned to Sneem again in Aug 2014 but it clashed with a very important GAA replay in Limerick that very night. Maybe when lockdown it over you could make it a hat trick ? Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Hello Christy,
An orchestra in the dreams. It could materialise. Kind of like a well schooled race horse. So under control for now, but you know there’s a furnace in there just waiting to be given its head.
Something got me thinking about a time in my late teens when I travelled up to the Shetlands. Unst is the northernmost island. I stayed in the policeman’s house. Everybody on the island plays either the fiddle or the accordion. They all meet once a week in a big room to play. It was the first time I heard Shetland folk. Great music. The accent up there doesn’t sound Scottish, it’s more like Scandinavian. A beautiful thing to listen to them speaking. I walked to Muckleflugga. It’s the most northern place in Scotland. A big beautiful cliff of green grass looking over the sea. There’s a hut up there where people stay.
On the island they have a small copse of trees. It’s surrounded by a wall to protect it from the wind. They also have a very wild ram in a field on a long rope. Someone sneaks in to move where the rope is tethered to give the ram a choice of different grass.
Hi Christy
Your music and words have always lifted me and no more than in recent times. The last year would have tested the patience of a saint. I found it hard to keep enthused about music which has always been an important part of my life. I feel more confident now and the guitar is getting a bit more of an airing lately. Nobody needs a string of letters after their name to teach us love and compassion. Hope to see you down the road soon. Take care of yourself and yours. Frankie
Christy's reply
Frankie of The Burning Sands…..Let the music keep your spirits high
“The town it climbs the mountain and looks out ouer the sea”! Every time I drive through Cahirciveen on me way to Valentia it hits me like a stone! It really does climb the mountain Christy! Sigerson Clifford! What a poet! Now I know we could all sit here all day and say why didn’t this make the cut and why didn’t dat! Your vocal, jimmys slide, and donals bouzouki! It’s still in me mind’s eye in the Meeting Place, Dorset Street! And having being exiled meself in London town for many years around that time it’s utter magic. So after that long ramble how did it not make it onto Early Years. She’s well inside me top 5!
Christy's reply
Morra Gipp,
I agrees with you Boy…
I still remember the first time I heard Sigerson’s great song
twas in The Skillet Pot Folk Club ,Birmingham in 1967
Mick Hipkiss sang it and time stood still
and that version with Donal and Jimmy,
I remembers that too
circa 1978 ….Jimmy Faulkner shone…Donal and I held on
I must get that song out again and give it a whirl
I’ve sung it but once in the past 40 years
twas a gig in Sneem among the pyramids
Like you, I’m an early riser – ready to tackle a day… I tend to hit the sack earlier than in gigs/working days, but am greatly enjoying the newsletters/info that hit the inbox.
So… a great exhibition in New York. Must have taken ages to set up, only to run for 2 weeks before lockdown. But, it works well online. For history geeks – lots of great artefacts linked to Lady Gregory, J/WB Yeats, Abbey Theatre etc via http://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/all-this-mine-alone
I hope the Atkin was ringing out today.
Dave
Christy's reply
another day has dawned..Thanks Be
busy as a bee here, at least I will be when I haul myself out of the scratcher…
Yeats and Lady Gregory will have to wait for another time…when the last A minor has sounded
I have an extensive file here of Dagrab suggestions for future perusal…an exciting prospect…
That Dulcimer has a lovely ring to it….sounds suitable for John Reilly songs…
would need to be given a “stressed” look for the sake of appearances, for Folk authenticity, for the Mudcap lurchers…
Shine On Dave
I was wondering if you could wish my Dad Gerry Breen a happy birthday (I’m using his account to send this!) He’ll be 67 on Sunday and I know it would make his day if I could show him a message from you. He’s been your biggest fan most of his life and he’s taught me and my brother and sister well, because your music is never off in any of our homes.
We’re looking forward to seeing you live again as we have countless times before, we’ve enjoyed the Facebook streams and live show from the concert hall and we’ll be tuning in come May of course.
For Gerry Breen, with love on his birthday from David, Michelle and Paul, and of course his loving first-mate Bernie.
The seagulls fly
I don’t know why they always know which way to go.
The ditches are all covered with a winter snow.
It’s morning time the frost is on withered grass
And little birds dance their morning Merry dance.
I look around and wonder
Why am I still here.
Corn fields lay bare the cuckoo flies away to God knows where.
I look around and wonder
Why am I still here.
Friends disappear
Their laugh lingers in the wind only I can hear.
Someday someone else will wonder
Why am I still here.
Only in my dreams Christy. My fishing days were hard and not too rewarding I’m afraid.. but the call of the ocean never goes away. Combine that with some well placed words and a nice sweet sounding guitar , receipy for a good song .
Every night I dream the same auld dreams
Every night your face is in my slumber
I dream about the things that used to be
When the love we thaught we had was so much younger
Christy's reply
“You’re up on deck
you’re a Fisherman,
you’re learning all about Seafaring”…..sang Ewan MacColl
Hi Christy how are you ?
I’m trying to get a special present for a friend of mine who recently got bad news she’s only 26 and when I say she’s a big fan she’s always listening and singing to your songs ..
I wasn’t sure how to get in contact with you so this is probably my best bet she also recently bought tickets for your gig in may
All the best and hope to hear from you soon.!
Erin
Christy's reply
let me know what have you have in mind… current situation makes everything very difficult
I see mention of the ‘Coalminers Daughter’, I half-remember going to it years ago. Franky: noble sentiments but at times, you think……..
D, Manchester features tonight, a BBC documentary, the football scene, Manchester, a guy preying on youngsters. Worth looking at. When as you remark who culture, music, art, football playing such a big part in life in the city. Crewe Alexandra left with lots of unanswered questions.
Dave, I don’t know if Amazon differs your part of World, but Coal Miner’s Daughter is free with adds here now. I saw on big screen with my Mother, may she rest in peace. Anne said Levin Helm reminded her a lot of her Daddy.
I came across a book called “Terminal Bar”. It’s a mostly photographic record of a very tough bar right by the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC, I wondered if you’d ever passed through there in the 70’s or 80’s ? Anyway, looking forward to the the next gig from the concert hall.
Kind regards as always. Brian.
Sounds like my kinda book…..for the middle years of my life it certainly would have been my kinda Bar…..ridin the high stool, expandin and expoundin
Hi Christy
Hallelujah,Rory – I’m with you!!
‘Rare Records’, Manchester – early 70s…basement for prog rock/folk rock etc. Ground floor for folk/world (a shop ahead of its time)- and where I found ‘Prosperous’. Recognising the name of the singer who’d greatly impressed me at the local folk club,weeks before… It’s there on my shelf (under its 5th roof),with related LPs.
LP sleeve notes and cover art are to be treasured. The first Planxty cover is pure genius – made for the 12” format.
Here endeth the gospel – over and out
Dave
played in Lichtenstein in 1976….they bought all the albums…we returned to Germany without a stitch of Merchandise….Myself and Jimmy Faulkner, a Gibson, a Martin, 2 sleeping bags and a Peugeot 404 Diesel (5118 IP) ….we were huge in Lichtenstein, for one night anyway…..we were dizzy traversing the Autobahns, toten hosen, we were munchen the glad bach….
Dear Christy,
I came back home tonight and at last, 5 shamefully wasted weeks on from moving house, i set up my turntable and spun it into action.
Don’t get me wrong i like the CD, at it’s beginning i railed against anything but the LP, but it has an ease that ensures that the hundreds and hundreds around the house all have a place in my life.
However the jet black vinyl ( and sometimes the shaped disc or the rare ,coloured release), are where it is at.
Give me the LP every time, the smile swept across my face, to see it whirring again, to listen with deep joy to the crackles interspersing the glorious vinyl sound .
Smoke and Strong Whiskey will be gently lowered onto the turntable of life before the night is out.
I adore the LP cover and ,when an album has them, the sleeve notes and the lyrics.
I am in love with my vinyl collection, i always will be. The vinyl album is now expensive ( perhaps disproportionately so) but it is a necessary luxury for me.
Returning to thumbing through the racks in a record shop, row after row of new and old LPs ,will be one of the joys of post lockdown life.
Anyway, i went far off track there,apologies to those who have read this .What i meant to do was just extoll the virtues of James Dean Bradfield’s excellent album ‘Even in Exile’, songs of the life of Victor Jara, and of the wonderful first track Recuerda ( remember) a song that refers poigniantly to the disapoeared, to the devils of thatcher,pinochet, nixon and references Cofiwch a welsh village drowned to feed england’s thirst.
Enjoy
Rory
Lyrics are here and a bit of a translation
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/unst-boat-song-unst-boat-song.html
I don’t know what the original language is it sounds very old.
Hello Christy,
I’m sorry the recording wasn’t very clear. I love lyrics too.
Here’s a clear a delicate version of the Unst Boat song
https://youtu.be/Pa2R1oGCFgk
Rebecca
Hi Christy thank you for replying ,
I was thinking of maybe a signed Cd or a video message but that’s entirely up to you on what you would like to do
Thank you again for your reply
If you would like to contact me personally on
My email
Erinodowd1@yahoo.ie
I keep on working on those cosonants…
Hi Christy
A good call on the Shetland music, Rebecca. Lots of fascinating music there and always good to think of Inge Thomson . Well worth looking at http://www.ingethomson.com plus youtube and her contributions to Karine Polwart’s trio. She’s quite a talent, with diverse music and sound projects on the go.
Have a good day all
Dave
heard Inge once here in Dublin….her sound is still with me..
Hi C. Sneem 30th Aug 2013…… I remember you singing The Boys very clearly,it went down very well with great singing from the audience if I recall….It was a long gig 2 hours 12 minutes , Petra and Uwe were there from Germany and a woman from the USA who has since moved to Galway and a Galway man living in Canada was there with his wife. I know you returned to Sneem again in Aug 2014 but it clashed with a very important GAA replay in Limerick that very night. Maybe when lockdown it over you could make it a hat trick ? Beir bua agus beannacht. H
or a hat trick in Knocknagoshel
Hello Christy,
An orchestra in the dreams. It could materialise. Kind of like a well schooled race horse. So under control for now, but you know there’s a furnace in there just waiting to be given its head.
Something got me thinking about a time in my late teens when I travelled up to the Shetlands. Unst is the northernmost island. I stayed in the policeman’s house. Everybody on the island plays either the fiddle or the accordion. They all meet once a week in a big room to play. It was the first time I heard Shetland folk. Great music. The accent up there doesn’t sound Scottish, it’s more like Scandinavian. A beautiful thing to listen to them speaking. I walked to Muckleflugga. It’s the most northern place in Scotland. A big beautiful cliff of green grass looking over the sea. There’s a hut up there where people stay.
On the island they have a small copse of trees. It’s surrounded by a wall to protect it from the wind. They also have a very wild ram in a field on a long rope. Someone sneaks in to move where the rope is tethered to give the ram a choice of different grass.
Here’s a little Shetland folk
https://youtu.be/gcK628Vmkgk
Rebecca
thanks for sharing..
I love lyrics
could not make out one word
Hi Christy
Your music and words have always lifted me and no more than in recent times. The last year would have tested the patience of a saint. I found it hard to keep enthused about music which has always been an important part of my life. I feel more confident now and the guitar is getting a bit more of an airing lately. Nobody needs a string of letters after their name to teach us love and compassion. Hope to see you down the road soon. Take care of yourself and yours. Frankie
Frankie of The Burning Sands…..Let the music keep your spirits high
“The town it climbs the mountain and looks out ouer the sea”! Every time I drive through Cahirciveen on me way to Valentia it hits me like a stone! It really does climb the mountain Christy! Sigerson Clifford! What a poet! Now I know we could all sit here all day and say why didn’t this make the cut and why didn’t dat! Your vocal, jimmys slide, and donals bouzouki! It’s still in me mind’s eye in the Meeting Place, Dorset Street! And having being exiled meself in London town for many years around that time it’s utter magic. So after that long ramble how did it not make it onto Early Years. She’s well inside me top 5!
Morra Gipp,
I agrees with you Boy…
I still remember the first time I heard Sigerson’s great song
twas in The Skillet Pot Folk Club ,Birmingham in 1967
Mick Hipkiss sang it and time stood still
and that version with Donal and Jimmy,
I remembers that too
circa 1978 ….Jimmy Faulkner shone…Donal and I held on
I must get that song out again and give it a whirl
I’ve sung it but once in the past 40 years
twas a gig in Sneem among the pyramids
Hi Christy
Like you, I’m an early riser – ready to tackle a day… I tend to hit the sack earlier than in gigs/working days, but am greatly enjoying the newsletters/info that hit the inbox.
So… a great exhibition in New York. Must have taken ages to set up, only to run for 2 weeks before lockdown. But, it works well online. For history geeks – lots of great artefacts linked to Lady Gregory, J/WB Yeats, Abbey Theatre etc via http://www.nypl.org/events/exhibitions/all-this-mine-alone
I hope the Atkin was ringing out today.
Dave
another day has dawned..Thanks Be
busy as a bee here, at least I will be when I haul myself out of the scratcher…
Yeats and Lady Gregory will have to wait for another time…when the last A minor has sounded
I have an extensive file here of Dagrab suggestions for future perusal…an exciting prospect…
That Dulcimer has a lovely ring to it….sounds suitable for John Reilly songs…
would need to be given a “stressed” look for the sake of appearances, for Folk authenticity, for the Mudcap lurchers…
Shine On Dave
Hi Christy, hope you and yours are well.
I was wondering if you could wish my Dad Gerry Breen a happy birthday (I’m using his account to send this!) He’ll be 67 on Sunday and I know it would make his day if I could show him a message from you. He’s been your biggest fan most of his life and he’s taught me and my brother and sister well, because your music is never off in any of our homes.
We’re looking forward to seeing you live again as we have countless times before, we’ve enjoyed the Facebook streams and live show from the concert hall and we’ll be tuning in come May of course.
For Gerry Breen, with love on his birthday from David, Michelle and Paul, and of course his loving first-mate Bernie.
The seagulls fly
I don’t know why they always know which way to go.
The ditches are all covered with a winter snow.
It’s morning time the frost is on withered grass
And little birds dance their morning Merry dance.
I look around and wonder
Why am I still here.
Corn fields lay bare the cuckoo flies away to God knows where.
I look around and wonder
Why am I still here.
Friends disappear
Their laugh lingers in the wind only I can hear.
Someday someone else will wonder
Why am I still here.
Only in my dreams Christy. My fishing days were hard and not too rewarding I’m afraid.. but the call of the ocean never goes away. Combine that with some well placed words and a nice sweet sounding guitar , receipy for a good song .
Every night I dream the same auld dreams
Every night your face is in my slumber
I dream about the things that used to be
When the love we thaught we had was so much younger
“You’re up on deck
you’re a Fisherman,
you’re learning all about Seafaring”…..sang Ewan MacColl
Hi Christy how are you ?
I’m trying to get a special present for a friend of mine who recently got bad news she’s only 26 and when I say she’s a big fan she’s always listening and singing to your songs ..
I wasn’t sure how to get in contact with you so this is probably my best bet she also recently bought tickets for your gig in may
All the best and hope to hear from you soon.!
Erin
let me know what have you have in mind… current situation makes everything very difficult
I’ll look at those websites D.
Dave will keep us all well occupied….does that man ever go to bed
I see mention of the ‘Coalminers Daughter’, I half-remember going to it years ago. Franky: noble sentiments but at times, you think……..
D, Manchester features tonight, a BBC documentary, the football scene, Manchester, a guy preying on youngsters. Worth looking at. When as you remark who culture, music, art, football playing such a big part in life in the city. Crewe Alexandra left with lots of unanswered questions.
all change at Crewe
Dave, I don’t know if Amazon differs your part of World, but Coal Miner’s Daughter is free with adds here now. I saw on big screen with my Mother, may she rest in peace. Anne said Levin Helm reminded her a lot of her Daddy.
ice caps melt,the Amazon burns