Over 300 gigs in one year was some going nearly a gig every night of the year and the roads were not as good as today and no motorways either great getting around
I’d saved watching the TG4 Louise Mulcahy doc…what great history – and so good to see young women pipers, following the tradition.
Always good to see Gay McKeon and recall his musicianship as a young fella, when you both played on the same bill at Slane House in the late 70s. Very poignant to see Paddy Moloney on fine form – RIP – a sad note to this year.
Anyway, good you got the turkey wrangling sorted – I’m hitting the sack soon, in case the big man calls early and catches me awake…can’t chance that!
In these days when there’s only Winter light – http://www.notquitelight.com seems more atmospheric than ever… I’m particularly drawn to ‘Our future is ancient’, via the Projects section of the website.
Anyone with any spare time will, hopefully, find things of interest. Simon has a very keen eye and ear…
Keep well
Dave
Christy's reply
I’m after catchin him..I’m up to my knees in feathers
Wishing you and all the family a very Happy Christmas and a lovely New Year , Thanks for all the Great Music which I only got the Online Gigs this year but they were Amazing . It has been a tough year for all Musicians and Music lovers alike but all this shall pass . As Bruce Springsteen once said ” One day we will look back on all this and laugh about it ”
Hello Christy,
Can’t sleep.
I’m thinking about words that I’ve loved this year.
Endless days, restless nights, stories from the past
Remembering the Mother of the Sea
In her tangled hair she holds the sins of Man
Every missing creature there would be
Did you read the story of the mother of the sea?
In Greenland, if the animals disappear then people starve.
The shaman has to travel over the horizon to talk to the mother of the sea.
She explains what taboo his village has and how to put it right.
The shaman goes back to the village. They do as the mother of the sea said and then the animals return
Lots of female protagonists in your songs these days. Thankyou.
Here’s Louise Mulcahy’s documentary. I hope this link works. Merry Christmas to Christy and all the other wonderful people I’ve met in this virtual space.
Hello to Christy and all contributors to this wonderful guestbook, uplifting and full of info.
The best of Christmases to you all and your dearest, and here’s hope for a more normal New Year. Pam
Christy's reply
I’m thinking back 54 years to a Christmas spent in The Pack Horse Inn in Birtle….
best wishes to you Pam and all the Bury songsters
Brilliant to riff on gigs,art and wonderful times past… that sums up the year, I reckon. No gigs, restricted social contact, but so much good chat, ideas and people/ music to follow up via these pages.
So, maybe a bit early, but figuring that some folk will be baling out to wrap, cook and make merry – here’s Suffragette City Christmas greetings to all and hopes for a less hassled, gig filled 2022.
All the best
Dave
Christy's reply
This is the fourth Christmas I’ve not been able to catch the Turkey..he’s hiding somewhere over there at the back of the haggart.. out beyond the pig sty..he’s gone as big as an ostrich..you should hear the hobble gobble comin out of him…not unlike Garth Brooks after 5 nights in Croke park
No regrets wouldn’t change nothing is a great thing to be able to say it’s been really interesting being in contact with you and I like to wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year and hopefully you be able to put on a good few concerts next year
Christy's reply
to think I played over 300 gigs in 1969
without a driving licence
no bell on my bike and my knickers ringing
That’s amazing about Tramore ’93…first I’d heard of it – some fascinating online info and an excellent poster.replica. The ‘what might have beens’ are intriguing in life…
Good that the London Fleadh/Feis were successful for many years. Amazing lineups there too.A privilege to have been their twice – and to have seen you and Declan play a blinder on a still, Summer night.
All the best.
Dave
Christy's reply
aint that a great poster….it was designed by Terry O’Neill ….who also did the first Moving Hearts album sleeve
Thanks, Christy…fascinating recall and great info…
As an audient, Barry’s ‘City of Chicago’ is a gem of an opener – also, to play, I imagine… a wonderful song that has a trad feel – that’s a powerful touch.
Being one of c 100 000 in a Finsbury Park field in 2011 – the majesty of ‘Black is the Colour’ that night was/is a real goosebumps time – special to experience such power.
All good wishes to you. crew and all involved with trying set up and attend the Vicar Street gigs. I hope all goes well…
Dave
Christy's reply
RE Finsbury 2011
Vince Power has created a lot of work for many people… I first met him when I played the original Mean Fiddler venue in London in 1982….last gig with Vince was Nell’s Cafe 2018 also in London..in between those gigs he created the memorable London Fleadh ( rhymes with Ma and Da), Glasgow Fleadh on Glasgow Green, New York Fleadh at Randall’s Island as well as many major Rock Festivals, he also opened a Mean Fiddler in Dublin ( formerly Wexford Inn) where I played the opening gig…and another short lived venue in Tramore Co Waterford. His greatest Festival achievement should have been Tramore Co Waterford in 1993 ( google same for poster and line-up)…but for some half-arsed reason,some half-baked thinking, local authorities and business interests never got behind it, did not support it, even put obstacles in the way of it… the gombeens succeeded and Vince’s vision failed…..it was , without doubt, the greatest line up ever presented at an Irish festival….when I think back to some of the Music I heard that weekend…all in the Sunshine on Tramore Racecourse looking down upon the sparkling Irish Sea..everything seemed idyllic but numbers were way down on what was required to break even… I often surmise ,if that Festival had succeeded, it could well have become an annual event….the lewdermawns who opposed it killed the feathered goose…
but Vince is still up and running..still runs venues with a burning passion for gigs…if anyone sees him, give him my best wishes…tell him I fancy Waterford for the Hurling next year..I’ll have two good tickets for the final
I’m sorry Christy. I have no opinion on anyone who’s having to struggle with the current circumstances, apart from feeli g a shared “all at sea-ness” . We’re all in the same boat.
I think money is an awful invention. Its so good at sucking the joy from things, but it offers no joy back. I wish it had never been invented.
I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but I think you’re doing an amazing job with this. We’re all trying our best, me included. However clumsy I may seem.
That’s such a great question from Dave. I guess we’re all different but, personally, as an audience member I’ll sing along to anything. It’s all about the singing and the connecting with the others around me. The song is secondary. As a performer it’s the opposite, I’m very choosy.
Hello Christy,
I’m not sure what’s going on with ticket master but an email came from them last night.
It said 11th and 17th January were cancelled and rearranged. It gave a link to buy tickets for the rearranged shows.
Posting it so as many people as possible here can get tickets, there are some still available.
If you want to buy table seats it won’t let you buy two, but it will let you buy four.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
There are many different agencies struggling to sort out this very difficult and complex situation…all I can do here is keep practicing, to be ready when the time comes….
Ticket Master are but one of those agencies…Aiken Promotions, Vicar St Staff and my own crew are all trying to deal with (understandable) Government restrictions…
I might also add that, at 50% capacity , its quite probable that these gigs will run at a financial loss to all concerned….but we are all doing our best to make them happen…
Starting the day with the live album of Joan Baez’s 75th bash… a cast of thousands and some fab songs…
The list includes Stephen Foster’s ‘Hard Times’ and ‘Deportees’. Back in folk club gig days, we played both songs a lot. Always with the anticipation of good audience singing on choruses – whether it be 5 or 45 in the room.The type of ‘joining in’ where you’d glance round and see a few people with eyes closed, heads back and ‘going for it’…
if you get chance, I’m curious what would feature among your favourite songs of that ilk…as an audience member (‘Leavin’ on a jet plane – one of mine!) and as performer…
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
I’m transported back to those early times….”The Leavin of Liverpool” “The Jolly Ploughboy”. “Rosin The Bow”….the passion and gusto of our chorus singing in those poerter fuelled early Ballad sessions….you’ve brought me right back..
………then later in life I discovered the pleasures of standing before gatherings in Folk Clubs and Concert Halls, “Quinte Brigada” comes to mind….”Nancy Spain” unites us in chorus, Hamish’s “Black is The Colour” comes back at me from the rooms…”Pagan Ritual”is still gathering volume….sections of “Blue Rose”
others are coming back, “Los Gatos” as you mention, “Dreamers” in Barrowland,
brother Barry’s “Chicago”, Bobby’s “Back Home in Derry”, Wally’s “Smoke & Strong Whisky”, Bob’s “Hattie”
……This makes for a good start to my day….Thanks Dave
Wow that was some answer to my question thanks so much for that all the big places you played in is just fantastic a great achievement for sure playing between Ray Charles and Bob Dylan no pressure indeed you wouldn’t want to have forgotten the words that day and you got a very special feeling in Waterford I had thought to ask do you be tired when you come off and winding down in days of yore was different I guess that involved a good lot of drinking when you look back at your career now do you regret that drink was such a big part of playing and singing in those days or do you think that was the way it was and it was all part of the fun thanks
Dear Christy, i am having to can the trip over for 3 Jan, which grieves me sore, but given all the restrictions ,and closing in of another bunker session, it seems pointless to ‘risk it’.
I have offered my briefs to pals in Eadestown, but if they cannot go i will stick them on here for a 4711er to use.
I cannot say i am ecstatic but we will get that cuppa sometime and i hope the gig can go ahead for those able to get from more local areas than over here. I feel that you thrive on the crowd just as the crowd thrives on you, and sincerely hope that you get the gigs to go ahead.
May the tidings of Christmas lap no higher than your ankles, i am off to knit cashmere bogroll for the bunker meantime.
rory
Christy's reply
we’ll rise again Rory….we’re here for the long haul
Over 300 gigs in one year was some going nearly a gig every night of the year and the roads were not as good as today and no motorways either great getting around
Part of me prefers the old roads
Hi Christy
I’d saved watching the TG4 Louise Mulcahy doc…what great history – and so good to see young women pipers, following the tradition.
Always good to see Gay McKeon and recall his musicianship as a young fella, when you both played on the same bill at Slane House in the late 70s. Very poignant to see Paddy Moloney on fine form – RIP – a sad note to this year.
Anyway, good you got the turkey wrangling sorted – I’m hitting the sack soon, in case the big man calls early and catches me awake…can’t chance that!
Enjoy the festivities all
Dave
Everything is ready
Mornin’ Christy/ all
In these days when there’s only Winter light – http://www.notquitelight.com seems more atmospheric than ever… I’m particularly drawn to ‘Our future is ancient’, via the Projects section of the website.
Anyone with any spare time will, hopefully, find things of interest. Simon has a very keen eye and ear…
Keep well
Dave
I’m after catchin him..I’m up to my knees in feathers
Hi Christy ,
Wishing you and all the family a very Happy Christmas and a lovely New Year , Thanks for all the Great Music which I only got the Online Gigs this year but they were Amazing . It has been a tough year for all Musicians and Music lovers alike but all this shall pass . As Bruce Springsteen once said ” One day we will look back on all this and laugh about it ”
Thanks for keeping the music alive Christy!
Jimi The Barber
will there be anything else Sir ?
Ride On Jimi
Hello Christy,
Can’t sleep.
I’m thinking about words that I’ve loved this year.
Endless days, restless nights, stories from the past
Remembering the Mother of the Sea
In her tangled hair she holds the sins of Man
Every missing creature there would be
Did you read the story of the mother of the sea?
In Greenland, if the animals disappear then people starve.
The shaman has to travel over the horizon to talk to the mother of the sea.
She explains what taboo his village has and how to put it right.
The shaman goes back to the village. They do as the mother of the sea said and then the animals return
Lots of female protagonists in your songs these days. Thankyou.
Rebecca
I’m suffering from an awful dose of protagonitis
No Easter Kings came bearing gifts, instead the order came to shift….
The wise men came so stern and strict,
And gave the orders to evict.
Hey Christy, you and Ewan McColl provided us with a gem ,and a relevant one at that ,in this song.
Thanks for the gift of a year of your music and chat.
Stay safe
Rory
heave Hawick
Hello Christy,
Just wishing you and yours a very happy Christmas and all the best for 2022.
Take good care.
Sue
Woodcock and Pheasant, Partridge and Hare,
every sort of dainty, no scarcity was there
Here’s Louise Mulcahy’s documentary. I hope this link works. Merry Christmas to Christy and all the other wonderful people I’ve met in this virtual space.
https://www.tg4.ie/ga/player/baile/?pid=6287219100001&series=Mn%C3%A1+na+bP%C3%ADob&genre=Faisneis
she plays in a lovely trio with her Father & Sister
Hello Christy and All,
That’s a great article about Fleadh Mor. Here’s a direct link
https://waterford-news.ie/2020/06/12/remembering-fleadh-mor/
It mentions the Lisdoonvarna vibe.
Rebecca
one of my sweetest moments..thanks to Vince Power during Ray Charles set
Hello to Christy and all contributors to this wonderful guestbook, uplifting and full of info.
The best of Christmases to you all and your dearest, and here’s hope for a more normal New Year. Pam
I’m thinking back 54 years to a Christmas spent in The Pack Horse Inn in Birtle….
best wishes to you Pam and all the Bury songsters
Mornin’ Christy/ all
Brilliant to riff on gigs,art and wonderful times past… that sums up the year, I reckon. No gigs, restricted social contact, but so much good chat, ideas and people/ music to follow up via these pages.
So, maybe a bit early, but figuring that some folk will be baling out to wrap, cook and make merry – here’s Suffragette City Christmas greetings to all and hopes for a less hassled, gig filled 2022.
All the best
Dave
This is the fourth Christmas I’ve not been able to catch the Turkey..he’s hiding somewhere over there at the back of the haggart.. out beyond the pig sty..he’s gone as big as an ostrich..you should hear the hobble gobble comin out of him…not unlike Garth Brooks after 5 nights in Croke park
No regrets wouldn’t change nothing is a great thing to be able to say it’s been really interesting being in contact with you and I like to wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year and hopefully you be able to put on a good few concerts next year
to think I played over 300 gigs in 1969
without a driving licence
no bell on my bike and my knickers ringing
Hi Christy
That’s amazing about Tramore ’93…first I’d heard of it – some fascinating online info and an excellent poster.replica. The ‘what might have beens’ are intriguing in life…
Good that the London Fleadh/Feis were successful for many years. Amazing lineups there too.A privilege to have been their twice – and to have seen you and Declan play a blinder on a still, Summer night.
All the best.
Dave
aint that a great poster….it was designed by Terry O’Neill ….who also did the first Moving Hearts album sleeve
Thanks, Christy…fascinating recall and great info…
As an audient, Barry’s ‘City of Chicago’ is a gem of an opener – also, to play, I imagine… a wonderful song that has a trad feel – that’s a powerful touch.
Being one of c 100 000 in a Finsbury Park field in 2011 – the majesty of ‘Black is the Colour’ that night was/is a real goosebumps time – special to experience such power.
All good wishes to you. crew and all involved with trying set up and attend the Vicar Street gigs. I hope all goes well…
Dave
RE Finsbury 2011
Vince Power has created a lot of work for many people… I first met him when I played the original Mean Fiddler venue in London in 1982….last gig with Vince was Nell’s Cafe 2018 also in London..in between those gigs he created the memorable London Fleadh ( rhymes with Ma and Da), Glasgow Fleadh on Glasgow Green, New York Fleadh at Randall’s Island as well as many major Rock Festivals, he also opened a Mean Fiddler in Dublin ( formerly Wexford Inn) where I played the opening gig…and another short lived venue in Tramore Co Waterford. His greatest Festival achievement should have been Tramore Co Waterford in 1993 ( google same for poster and line-up)…but for some half-arsed reason,some half-baked thinking, local authorities and business interests never got behind it, did not support it, even put obstacles in the way of it… the gombeens succeeded and Vince’s vision failed…..it was , without doubt, the greatest line up ever presented at an Irish festival….when I think back to some of the Music I heard that weekend…all in the Sunshine on Tramore Racecourse looking down upon the sparkling Irish Sea..everything seemed idyllic but numbers were way down on what was required to break even… I often surmise ,if that Festival had succeeded, it could well have become an annual event….the lewdermawns who opposed it killed the feathered goose…
but Vince is still up and running..still runs venues with a burning passion for gigs…if anyone sees him, give him my best wishes…tell him I fancy Waterford for the Hurling next year..I’ll have two good tickets for the final
I’m sorry Christy. I have no opinion on anyone who’s having to struggle with the current circumstances, apart from feeli g a shared “all at sea-ness” . We’re all in the same boat.
I think money is an awful invention. Its so good at sucking the joy from things, but it offers no joy back. I wish it had never been invented.
I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but I think you’re doing an amazing job with this. We’re all trying our best, me included. However clumsy I may seem.
Rebecca
That’s such a great question from Dave. I guess we’re all different but, personally, as an audience member I’ll sing along to anything. It’s all about the singing and the connecting with the others around me. The song is secondary. As a performer it’s the opposite, I’m very choosy.
We are….
Hello Christy,
I’m not sure what’s going on with ticket master but an email came from them last night.
It said 11th and 17th January were cancelled and rearranged. It gave a link to buy tickets for the rearranged shows.
https://www.ticketmaster.ie/christy-moore-vicar-street-dublin-tickets/venueartist/198259/932034
Posting it so as many people as possible here can get tickets, there are some still available.
If you want to buy table seats it won’t let you buy two, but it will let you buy four.
Rebecca
There are many different agencies struggling to sort out this very difficult and complex situation…all I can do here is keep practicing, to be ready when the time comes….
Ticket Master are but one of those agencies…Aiken Promotions, Vicar St Staff and my own crew are all trying to deal with (understandable) Government restrictions…
I might also add that, at 50% capacity , its quite probable that these gigs will run at a financial loss to all concerned….but we are all doing our best to make them happen…
Mornin’ Christy
Starting the day with the live album of Joan Baez’s 75th bash… a cast of thousands and some fab songs…
The list includes Stephen Foster’s ‘Hard Times’ and ‘Deportees’. Back in folk club gig days, we played both songs a lot. Always with the anticipation of good audience singing on choruses – whether it be 5 or 45 in the room.The type of ‘joining in’ where you’d glance round and see a few people with eyes closed, heads back and ‘going for it’…
if you get chance, I’m curious what would feature among your favourite songs of that ilk…as an audience member (‘Leavin’ on a jet plane – one of mine!) and as performer…
Have a good day
Dave
I’m transported back to those early times….”The Leavin of Liverpool” “The Jolly Ploughboy”. “Rosin The Bow”….the passion and gusto of our chorus singing in those poerter fuelled early Ballad sessions….you’ve brought me right back..
………then later in life I discovered the pleasures of standing before gatherings in Folk Clubs and Concert Halls, “Quinte Brigada” comes to mind….”Nancy Spain” unites us in chorus, Hamish’s “Black is The Colour” comes back at me from the rooms…”Pagan Ritual”is still gathering volume….sections of “Blue Rose”
others are coming back, “Los Gatos” as you mention, “Dreamers” in Barrowland,
brother Barry’s “Chicago”, Bobby’s “Back Home in Derry”, Wally’s “Smoke & Strong Whisky”, Bob’s “Hattie”
……This makes for a good start to my day….Thanks Dave
Wow that was some answer to my question thanks so much for that all the big places you played in is just fantastic a great achievement for sure playing between Ray Charles and Bob Dylan no pressure indeed you wouldn’t want to have forgotten the words that day and you got a very special feeling in Waterford I had thought to ask do you be tired when you come off and winding down in days of yore was different I guess that involved a good lot of drinking when you look back at your career now do you regret that drink was such a big part of playing and singing in those days or do you think that was the way it was and it was all part of the fun thanks
no regrets Vince, would’nt change nothin
Dear Christy, i am having to can the trip over for 3 Jan, which grieves me sore, but given all the restrictions ,and closing in of another bunker session, it seems pointless to ‘risk it’.
I have offered my briefs to pals in Eadestown, but if they cannot go i will stick them on here for a 4711er to use.
I cannot say i am ecstatic but we will get that cuppa sometime and i hope the gig can go ahead for those able to get from more local areas than over here. I feel that you thrive on the crowd just as the crowd thrives on you, and sincerely hope that you get the gigs to go ahead.
May the tidings of Christmas lap no higher than your ankles, i am off to knit cashmere bogroll for the bunker meantime.
rory
we’ll rise again Rory….we’re here for the long haul