That’s a very intriguing list of songs – and not long to wait to hear them in their glory…
Couldn’t tell you the last time I thought of the word ‘caboose’ – conjures up images of train songs and ‘Western’ films – and I eagerly await meeting Myra!
Enjoy the day
Dave
Christy's reply
For a while I wanted to call the Album “Myra’s Caboose”…..David Rooney had done some sketches of an old railway carriage parked in a woodland setting and repurposed as a beautiful living quarter….pressures of political correctness eventually convinced me to abort poor “Myra’s Caboose”….seemingly the word has been slanged and,for many, no longer refers to the last carriage on a very long goods train…
then one night I was singing Wally’s “16 Ravers” and “Flying Into Mystery” kept jumping out at me….
I realised thats where we’re all at these days…we’re all Flying into Mystery…
The song itself arrived back into my head from 1964…I’ve known it since then but never sung it publicly….to me, its a thing of beauty….always carries me back to Maisie Friel’s where I first heard it sung by Willie Clancy….that same night I sang Liverpool Lou and Willie backed me on his beautiful Uilleann Pipes…..( when Willie died in the early 70s he willed those Pipes to Liam Óg O Flynn…Liam subsequently willed theM to Na Píobairí Uileann…now they are constanly played by up-and-coming young Pipers )
Hi Christy,
Thanks very much for such a brilliant gig last night. I was especially delighted that you played The boy from Tamlaghtduff as it was my request. Beeswing was such a treat too.
The new songs sounded great and were really well received. I’m really looking forward to the new album.
Take care and thanks again.
Paul.
Christy's reply
I had a good night in Carlow Paul…this time last year I wondered would I ever gig again….its opening up a bit now but Covid is like Trump…it has’nt gone away…no one really knows where we are…signs are being ignored….
its quite a diversion to have a new album due out…..working on it has been grist to the mill across the fallow months….now I gotta Late Late date looming next Friday ….I’ve been given the opportunity to sing 3 new songs to Ryan Tubridy and to talk about the album….it could not have a better launch….also spoke to Donal Lynch of Sunday Independent who’s gonna write about it in Tomorrow’s paper (I think)….the team at Columbia Records are pullin out all the stops !
I’m glad I sang “Tamlaghtduff” in Carlow. Thank you for the request…two other voices also requested from the darkness of the room….despite being masked and covid checked the 300 listeners created a great atmosphere in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre….I like that room a lot…..Thanks for your feedback
So delighted to hear of the award, thrilled for you and all around you. Looking forward to the new CD too. I’m playing the new single on both me radio shows and have just downloaded the beautiful ‘Johnny Boy’ for the Sunday show and Sin é…
Waylon was on the Buddy Holly tour in 1959 and decided not to take a seat on the plane that 3rd Feb night.
Can’t wait to get the hands on Flying Into Mystery and a radio special on it one of the Tuesday nights on 103.2 around release time…and what a beautiful site is 10 x sold out signs on the Vicar Street run…love it…L x
Christy's reply
Lar, you had me worried, I thought maybe you had relocated to Budapest…chuggin along here…if it was’nt for Climate, Covid ,Brexit and Mrs Brown it would be plain sailing…catch you later round The Rock
Enjoy the day…time after a fulfilling gig is special.
Sounds like a great set list and venue in Carlow. It’s brilliant to track your playing, in whatever format you ‘tread the boards’…
Countdown to ‘Mystery’ well advanced now…that’s a whole different buzz, I imagine… and, Vicar Street/ Award to come – fair play!
Dave
Christy's reply
Johnny Boy
Clock Winds Down
Greenland
Flying Into Mystery
Gasún
All I Remember
December 1942
Van Diemen’s Land
Bord na Móna Man
Myra’s Caboose
Zozimus & Zimmerman
I Pity The Poor Immigrant
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for telling me about Ellie Power. She sounds like a wonderful woman, full of spirit. I see my grandma Harriet Pain in her still.
Harriet had
Early trauma, a rushed “quiet” wedding. Not a single picture. Brothers in the war, she worked nights in a munitions factory.
Methodist, she pretended she didn’t smoke until her arthritis got too bad and my mum had to light her cigarettes.
When my mum wasn’t about it was snooker, she loved Alex Higgins and Jimmy White, carry on films and singing along to songs of praise. She gave me her makeup and clothes.
I was told that when she was young she once got a piano down off a stage by herself. I wish I’d seen it. She had a backbone of iron and I loved her.
I’m reading a book on New Grange, Knowth and Dowth. When we’re in Ireland in January (all going to plan), I hope to explore the Boyne Valley.
Any news on the gig last night would be brilliant, if you don’t mind.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I’ve covered a bit of the gig in replying to Dave…..interesting to read about Harriet Pain….
I’ve just commenced Martin Hayes book “Shared Notes”…its very good,he too brings his early back to life……
Thanks Christy, nice to make that connection. I know the songs on the box set well and I listened to some Waylon songs for the first time about two years ago. The phrase outlaw country music sounds cool. Hope you had a good night in Carlow, congrats on the award.
Christy's reply
A lovely lazy day today, first one in ages, feels good
I knew you were a fan of Waylon’s, he sure was different, he didn’t like the Nashville cats too much, preferred to do it his way… I try to do , Hank didn’t do it this way . And a few more from his early years when I get to do a gig,. Think it’s that back beat drum that gets my blood flowing… Like yourself, he was original.
Hi Christy, speaking of Declan O’ i must have played his ‘ Poor Boy’s Shoes’ more than a hundred times ,but it brings me towards tears every time.
Beauty and sadness mixed in song. The famine remains a terrible, terrible period and the power existed to have made it avoidable.
Rory
I’ve just looked at the Carlow gig website – what an amazing set up…
Have a brilliant gig – there’ll be a great gang of followers!
Dave
Christy's reply
A beautiful theatre….the front row of the audience literally an arms length away,yet invisible when the lights went down…I’m playing solo now,its very very different but its coming together….since 1966 most of my playing has been solo,…….
(maybe 4 years with Planxty, 2 years with Moving Hearts, 18 (ish) years with Declan Sinnott , during this latter time also toured with Jim Higgins,Cathal Hayden, Seamie Dowd and Mairtin O’Connor)……
Last night was interesting, played 4 songs from next week’s release, “Johnny Boy”, “Clock Winds Down”, “Gasun” and “Bord na Móna Man”……there were 3 separate callouts ( gentle but persistant) for “Boy from Tamlaghtduff”..I’m glad I sang it…..played 24 songs and enjoyed the experience….
Hi Christy, great to see you on front page of the Irish News highlighting your lifetime achievement accolade. Moving Hearts and Planxty too, solo and many times with Declan and gang. Even through lockdown with Andy. So for a lifetime of listening from the early days in West Belfast, thankyou I’m delighted for you. 👏
Christy's reply
Hi Mary, I’d not have achieved this without all you good listeners, ye have inspired me to keep to keep moving on, to follow the songs, to write a few verses….I look forward to puliing in beneath The Black Mountain again…its “Follow me up to Carlow ” tonight…kicking of in an hour
Fair play on the upcoming recognition.. will be in Vicar St as a way of saying Thank You..
Listening to Ballindine this morning.. easy on the ears.. lovely song..
Kev
Christy's reply
As I rambled abroad by Kilsheelan,
where the River meanders on down
to my right lay the Comeragh Mountains
to the left of me sweet Sliabh na mBan
where the fishermen cast on the waters
where the apples are pressed into wine
there the herd returns slowly to meadow
thru the fields that surround Ballydine
Hello Christy,
I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but your Granny Ellie Power sounds like she could be pretty cantankerous. She reminds me of my Granny Harriet Pain. Me and my mum spent a lot of time with her in her last years. One visit my granny and mum spent the afternoon arguing about whether the bird that had landed on the roof opposite had been s seagull or a pigeon. I retreated to the shed and rootled through the jars of nots and bolts.
Anyway, it’s good to not embrace the mythology, it’s better to embrace the people. There’s a lot of love behind this, I think.
Hope you have a ball tonight.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I may have given the wrong impression….I think she was uneasy in the world ,she may have suffered some trauma in her young years…times were hard…her favourite brother fell at Ypres, all that came back was his cap badge, her Husband too went to Flanders….very private, emotional, distant, but utterly devoted to those few whom she loved….I spent many long and happy hours with her..she spoke of the Yellow Furze, The Cotton Mills, Ardmulchan,Beauparc as tho it were Heaven itself…on a recent drive around The Boyne Valley I think She may have been right…
She liked a wee daily flutter..I would cycle to Dick Symes, Turf Accountant in Lucan with her daily bet..she was devoted to Lester Piggott who could do no wrong in her eyes…
She also used Eau De Cologne 4711 which gave its name to this collective
A misty morning, heralding the poignant mood of Armistice Day. I’m going to a small ceremony at 11 am…I’ll be thinking of ‘sergeants and their men’ from all over the world – who ‘did their bit’… never forgetting the lads from Slane who left rural Co Meath – your Gt Uncle included… Francis Ledwidge is now widely known and the Slane museum has troubles, apparently… a good read at http://www.francisledwidge.com and, hopefully, the museum will continue – it’s a great tribute to the poet, as well as a fascinating record of Ireland in the early C20th.
Time for ‘Green fields of France’, I think…The Fureys doing justice to Australian, Eric Bogle’s wonderful writing.
All good wishes and hearty congrats on the RTE Award!
Dave
Christy's reply
Thanks Dave,I did not realise that the Ledwidge Museum was having difficulties…you have your finger on such a variety pulses that I sometimes wonder does Dagrab ever hit the hay at all…you are our head librarian here on 4711
just pulled into Carlow Town for tonight’s Concert in The George Bernard Shaw Theatre at The Visual Arts Centre…its a very progressive institution, I’ve been to many exhibitions here over the years and also played many gigs
Hi all, which song on the box set is by Waylon? I like his song are you sure Hank done it that way, especially the live version. It’s powerful when he sings the line ‘we need to change’ and then the drums come in.
Christy's reply
number one on the red..
far as I can recall I learned that from a Waylon cassette
Hi Christy. Congratulations on the upcoming award. Well deserved. Any tour dates for the North next year. Listened to you on Miriams programme, lovely interview. Regards Deirdre
Christy's reply
Hope to play some dates in the new year right around the 32..it all depends on the health of the Nation………between Climate, Covid and Brexit we’re all up in a bit of a heap..we need to mind each other
Hi Christy,
Last night i again went to see Declan O’Rourke in Glasgow.
It was braw and beautiful at the same time.
He did not sing Lightning Bird but plenty of other gems. He does chunter on between songs mind you ,but the song is always worth waiting for.
Regards
Rory
Christy's reply
“chunter” …thats a new word on me…..
I caught a gig of Declan’s about 6 years ago in Kenny’s of Lahinch..it was superb
Any plans for concerts in Kilkenny or Waterford 2022
Christy's reply
soon as the coast is clear…I’m ready and waiting
but there are many other factors to be considered..some venues are up and running ,others more hesitant…its all to do with factors outside my control…I long to play in both counties and many others besides
Hi Christy, I am just listening to Shay Byrne covering the Ronan Collins show and heard the announcement that you will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Folk Awards next week. Congratulations! Very Well Deserved.
Mary
Christy's reply
thank you Mary..
fair play to Shay Byrne..ho spun “Flickering Light” and played the entire outro….Donal Lunny at his very best
Mornin’ Christy
That’s a very intriguing list of songs – and not long to wait to hear them in their glory…
Couldn’t tell you the last time I thought of the word ‘caboose’ – conjures up images of train songs and ‘Western’ films – and I eagerly await meeting Myra!
Enjoy the day
Dave
For a while I wanted to call the Album “Myra’s Caboose”…..David Rooney had done some sketches of an old railway carriage parked in a woodland setting and repurposed as a beautiful living quarter….pressures of political correctness eventually convinced me to abort poor “Myra’s Caboose”….seemingly the word has been slanged and,for many, no longer refers to the last carriage on a very long goods train…
then one night I was singing Wally’s “16 Ravers” and “Flying Into Mystery” kept jumping out at me….
I realised thats where we’re all at these days…we’re all Flying into Mystery…
The song itself arrived back into my head from 1964…I’ve known it since then but never sung it publicly….to me, its a thing of beauty….always carries me back to Maisie Friel’s where I first heard it sung by Willie Clancy….that same night I sang Liverpool Lou and Willie backed me on his beautiful Uilleann Pipes…..( when Willie died in the early 70s he willed those Pipes to Liam Óg O Flynn…Liam subsequently willed theM to Na Píobairí Uileann…now they are constanly played by up-and-coming young Pipers )
Hi Christy,
Thanks very much for such a brilliant gig last night. I was especially delighted that you played The boy from Tamlaghtduff as it was my request. Beeswing was such a treat too.
The new songs sounded great and were really well received. I’m really looking forward to the new album.
Take care and thanks again.
Paul.
I had a good night in Carlow Paul…this time last year I wondered would I ever gig again….its opening up a bit now but Covid is like Trump…it has’nt gone away…no one really knows where we are…signs are being ignored….
its quite a diversion to have a new album due out…..working on it has been grist to the mill across the fallow months….now I gotta Late Late date looming next Friday ….I’ve been given the opportunity to sing 3 new songs to Ryan Tubridy and to talk about the album….it could not have a better launch….also spoke to Donal Lynch of Sunday Independent who’s gonna write about it in Tomorrow’s paper (I think)….the team at Columbia Records are pullin out all the stops !
I’m glad I sang “Tamlaghtduff” in Carlow. Thank you for the request…two other voices also requested from the darkness of the room….despite being masked and covid checked the 300 listeners created a great atmosphere in the George Bernard Shaw Theatre….I like that room a lot…..Thanks for your feedback
So delighted to hear of the award, thrilled for you and all around you. Looking forward to the new CD too. I’m playing the new single on both me radio shows and have just downloaded the beautiful ‘Johnny Boy’ for the Sunday show and Sin é…
Waylon was on the Buddy Holly tour in 1959 and decided not to take a seat on the plane that 3rd Feb night.
Can’t wait to get the hands on Flying Into Mystery and a radio special on it one of the Tuesday nights on 103.2 around release time…and what a beautiful site is 10 x sold out signs on the Vicar Street run…love it…L x
Lar, you had me worried, I thought maybe you had relocated to Budapest…chuggin along here…if it was’nt for Climate, Covid ,Brexit and Mrs Brown it would be plain sailing…catch you later round The Rock
Hi Christy
Enjoy the day…time after a fulfilling gig is special.
Sounds like a great set list and venue in Carlow. It’s brilliant to track your playing, in whatever format you ‘tread the boards’…
Countdown to ‘Mystery’ well advanced now…that’s a whole different buzz, I imagine… and, Vicar Street/ Award to come – fair play!
Dave
Johnny Boy
Clock Winds Down
Greenland
Flying Into Mystery
Gasún
All I Remember
December 1942
Van Diemen’s Land
Bord na Móna Man
Myra’s Caboose
Zozimus & Zimmerman
I Pity The Poor Immigrant
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for telling me about Ellie Power. She sounds like a wonderful woman, full of spirit. I see my grandma Harriet Pain in her still.
Harriet had
Early trauma, a rushed “quiet” wedding. Not a single picture. Brothers in the war, she worked nights in a munitions factory.
Methodist, she pretended she didn’t smoke until her arthritis got too bad and my mum had to light her cigarettes.
When my mum wasn’t about it was snooker, she loved Alex Higgins and Jimmy White, carry on films and singing along to songs of praise. She gave me her makeup and clothes.
I was told that when she was young she once got a piano down off a stage by herself. I wish I’d seen it. She had a backbone of iron and I loved her.
I’m reading a book on New Grange, Knowth and Dowth. When we’re in Ireland in January (all going to plan), I hope to explore the Boyne Valley.
Any news on the gig last night would be brilliant, if you don’t mind.
Rebecca
I’ve covered a bit of the gig in replying to Dave…..interesting to read about Harriet Pain….
I’ve just commenced Martin Hayes book “Shared Notes”…its very good,he too brings his early back to life……
Thanks Christy, nice to make that connection. I know the songs on the box set well and I listened to some Waylon songs for the first time about two years ago. The phrase outlaw country music sounds cool. Hope you had a good night in Carlow, congrats on the award.
A lovely lazy day today, first one in ages, feels good
I knew you were a fan of Waylon’s, he sure was different, he didn’t like the Nashville cats too much, preferred to do it his way… I try to do , Hank didn’t do it this way . And a few more from his early years when I get to do a gig,. Think it’s that back beat drum that gets my blood flowing… Like yourself, he was original.
Waylon …so distinctive
Hi Christy, speaking of Declan O’ i must have played his ‘ Poor Boy’s Shoes’ more than a hundred times ,but it brings me towards tears every time.
Beauty and sadness mixed in song. The famine remains a terrible, terrible period and the power existed to have made it avoidable.
Rory
a Holocaust
Hi Christy
I’ve just looked at the Carlow gig website – what an amazing set up…
Have a brilliant gig – there’ll be a great gang of followers!
Dave
A beautiful theatre….the front row of the audience literally an arms length away,yet invisible when the lights went down…I’m playing solo now,its very very different but its coming together….since 1966 most of my playing has been solo,…….
(maybe 4 years with Planxty, 2 years with Moving Hearts, 18 (ish) years with Declan Sinnott , during this latter time also toured with Jim Higgins,Cathal Hayden, Seamie Dowd and Mairtin O’Connor)……
Last night was interesting, played 4 songs from next week’s release, “Johnny Boy”, “Clock Winds Down”, “Gasun” and “Bord na Móna Man”……there were 3 separate callouts ( gentle but persistant) for “Boy from Tamlaghtduff”..I’m glad I sang it…..played 24 songs and enjoyed the experience….
Hi Christy, great to see you on front page of the Irish News highlighting your lifetime achievement accolade. Moving Hearts and Planxty too, solo and many times with Declan and gang. Even through lockdown with Andy. So for a lifetime of listening from the early days in West Belfast, thankyou I’m delighted for you. 👏
Hi Mary, I’d not have achieved this without all you good listeners, ye have inspired me to keep to keep moving on, to follow the songs, to write a few verses….I look forward to puliing in beneath The Black Mountain again…its “Follow me up to Carlow ” tonight…kicking of in an hour
Mornin’ Christy
Fair play on the upcoming recognition.. will be in Vicar St as a way of saying Thank You..
Listening to Ballindine this morning.. easy on the ears.. lovely song..
Kev
As I rambled abroad by Kilsheelan,
where the River meanders on down
to my right lay the Comeragh Mountains
to the left of me sweet Sliabh na mBan
where the fishermen cast on the waters
where the apples are pressed into wine
there the herd returns slowly to meadow
thru the fields that surround Ballydine
……….I’m remembering Annie Kehoe
We have “chunter” in Yorkshire too. Haven’t heard it in ages.
Hello Christy,
I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but your Granny Ellie Power sounds like she could be pretty cantankerous. She reminds me of my Granny Harriet Pain. Me and my mum spent a lot of time with her in her last years. One visit my granny and mum spent the afternoon arguing about whether the bird that had landed on the roof opposite had been s seagull or a pigeon. I retreated to the shed and rootled through the jars of nots and bolts.
Anyway, it’s good to not embrace the mythology, it’s better to embrace the people. There’s a lot of love behind this, I think.
Hope you have a ball tonight.
Rebecca
I may have given the wrong impression….I think she was uneasy in the world ,she may have suffered some trauma in her young years…times were hard…her favourite brother fell at Ypres, all that came back was his cap badge, her Husband too went to Flanders….very private, emotional, distant, but utterly devoted to those few whom she loved….I spent many long and happy hours with her..she spoke of the Yellow Furze, The Cotton Mills, Ardmulchan,Beauparc as tho it were Heaven itself…on a recent drive around The Boyne Valley I think She may have been right…
She liked a wee daily flutter..I would cycle to Dick Symes, Turf Accountant in Lucan with her daily bet..she was devoted to Lester Piggott who could do no wrong in her eyes…
She also used Eau De Cologne 4711 which gave its name to this collective
Mornin’ Christy
A misty morning, heralding the poignant mood of Armistice Day. I’m going to a small ceremony at 11 am…I’ll be thinking of ‘sergeants and their men’ from all over the world – who ‘did their bit’… never forgetting the lads from Slane who left rural Co Meath – your Gt Uncle included… Francis Ledwidge is now widely known and the Slane museum has troubles, apparently… a good read at http://www.francisledwidge.com and, hopefully, the museum will continue – it’s a great tribute to the poet, as well as a fascinating record of Ireland in the early C20th.
Time for ‘Green fields of France’, I think…The Fureys doing justice to Australian, Eric Bogle’s wonderful writing.
All good wishes and hearty congrats on the RTE Award!
Dave
Thanks Dave,I did not realise that the Ledwidge Museum was having difficulties…you have your finger on such a variety pulses that I sometimes wonder does Dagrab ever hit the hay at all…you are our head librarian here on 4711
just pulled into Carlow Town for tonight’s Concert in The George Bernard Shaw Theatre at The Visual Arts Centre…its a very progressive institution, I’ve been to many exhibitions here over the years and also played many gigs
Hi all, which song on the box set is by Waylon? I like his song are you sure Hank done it that way, especially the live version. It’s powerful when he sings the line ‘we need to change’ and then the drums come in.
number one on the red..
far as I can recall I learned that from a Waylon cassette
Hi Christy. Congratulations on the upcoming award. Well deserved. Any tour dates for the North next year. Listened to you on Miriams programme, lovely interview. Regards Deirdre
Hope to play some dates in the new year right around the 32..it all depends on the health of the Nation………between Climate, Covid and Brexit we’re all up in a bit of a heap..we need to mind each other
Hello Christy and All,
Mary has already let us know about this but I wanted to post the article about it.
https://www.rte.ie/culture/2021/1109/1258924-christy-moore-to-get-lifetime-achievement-honour-at-folk-awards/
If we get a cake big enough for us all to have a bit it would be as big as a swimming pool. Anyone got a million odd cake candles lying about?
Rebecca
I’m reminded of my Granny Ellie Power….she had an overbearing cynicism about almost everything…
she’d probably say..”paper never refuses ink”
Hi Christy,
Last night i again went to see Declan O’Rourke in Glasgow.
It was braw and beautiful at the same time.
He did not sing Lightning Bird but plenty of other gems. He does chunter on between songs mind you ,but the song is always worth waiting for.
Regards
Rory
“chunter” …thats a new word on me…..
I caught a gig of Declan’s about 6 years ago in Kenny’s of Lahinch..it was superb
Hi Christy
Any plans for concerts in Kilkenny or Waterford 2022
soon as the coast is clear…I’m ready and waiting
but there are many other factors to be considered..some venues are up and running ,others more hesitant…its all to do with factors outside my control…I long to play in both counties and many others besides
Hi Christy, I am just listening to Shay Byrne covering the Ronan Collins show and heard the announcement that you will be awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Folk Awards next week. Congratulations! Very Well Deserved.
Mary
thank you Mary..
fair play to Shay Byrne..ho spun “Flickering Light” and played the entire outro….Donal Lunny at his very best