That’s a fine recepie you gave me looks tasty I listened to alice’s restaurant a very unusual piece firstly the length (18 minutes) secondary so much talking and little singing and thirdly quite a bit of it is repeated over and over so would you call it a song at all I don’t know what you call it and he has another one about his motorcycle I see you have a lot of learning to do if you wanted to preform them ones I tell you I also came across his biggest selling single the city of New Orleans now that’s some song I think it’s fantastic especially the chorus wonderful stuff written by Steve Gooodman poor man died aged only 36 from leukemia it was also covered by Willie Nelson who won a Grammy with it I see I have never sang an American country song I’m thinking this will be my first thank you for sending it my way did you ever think of singing that one yourself
Well things are pretty buzzy round here, thankyou!
Not much going on between the ears but Ive got to say that’s some bodhran you’ve got going there. A beautiful wrist, from a pure percussionists point of view, obviously. Seriously, it’s one of the best wrisis I’ve ever seen. All in the wrist with percussion.
Rebecca
CM 76
Go neireoidh leat tráthnona inniu.
By the way ..the Glasóg Sráide is a wag tail….says Google.
Shes still around .I’m afraid she will nest in my currach and I wont be able to move her. Could be a devil in disguise .
I watched treaty songs last night you did a great job.You look great.Some great writers have come out of Cork.
I was disappointed that John Spillane’s song about the Irish language surcumbed to the infamous editing floor.
67 odd years later you are talking about Brother Dempseys memorial card.Just shows the importance of them.
I looked him up .On his death cert it says 1954 aged 21 in a rescue attempt he sadly drowned in the college lake .It says he was from the patricial college Ballyfin Laois.His father’s name was John .He was buried in the College cemetery. ..but that’s all I could find. would be nice to know some more about him .. ar dheis Dé a raibh a anam.
Slán go fóil
CS
(17)
CS (17)
Christy's reply
Well done CS…thank you for looking into the life of Brother Basil Dempsey…I was 9 years old when in his class at The Patrician Brothers National School…to think he was just 21 when put in charge of such a large group of feral rapscallions…yet my distant memory of him is of a good humoured , kind, tall, athletic young man who’s patience we sometimes stretched to the very limit….one class mate has been in touch to say there were 72 of us in the class…so it was somewhere between 43 and 72….one of my cherished school memories
90 mins to kick off here in Vicar St..sound check done ..gotta get into my prelim warm up here now…get the voice box up to speed…clear them frogs out of the way before going out to face the gaggle of good listeners…
I hope you have a good year of music…get a few new songs down on paper…
That’s a great list of singers/songs that you came across…
as so often here, you’ve jogged a memory or two…early 70s and a mate (long lost in Eastern Europe for decades now) was a student in Scarborough. It was the scene of several great visits for me.Including ‘helping’ at a gig he’d arranged…so, getting to meet Bridget St John and Mike Absalom (apart from long lost Pete, you might well be the only other person I know, ever to reference Mr Absalom)… the other memory jogger being ‘Cameron’s’ ale! Happy days…early travels for both of us, I guess…
Have a great gig tonight.
Dave
Christy's reply
I heard somewhere along the line that Mike Absalom took up painting….I heard Bridget at the MSG
Bernard Hill used to be a regular around Cheetham Hill Folk Clubs way back…
Hello Christy,
Its today and I feel like I’ve been waiting years for this gig.
Your gigs are almost as big in my mind, as my own, and there’s nothing like holding centre stage all by yourself, is there. The whole of time focuses in on it.
The very best of luck for this evening, I can’t wait to find out what you’re going to sing.
I cant wait to find out myself !….been practicing quite a few this week but that dont mean they’ll make it into the set…its all a lottery..chances are I’ll open with Chicago but after that anything can happen….roll on 6pm
Hi Christy. Hope you are keeping well and Happy New Year to you. Really looking forward to your gig tomorrow evening in Vicar Street. Was just wondering if you could play Lily in memory of my uncle Bro. Michael former principal of the Patrician Primary School Newbridge who sadly passed away over the Christmas. He was an amazing man who done so much for the people of Newbridge. I’m sure you have loads of requests and understand if you can’t do it. Thank you. Enda.
Christy's reply
Good man Enda….
I’ve a right list of call-out requests for tomorrow night…
I’m reminded of another Bro Michael in the Newbridge Patricians back in the 1950’s……also Bros Alphonsus, Aiden, Brendan, Raymond,Ultan & Lazerian….most of them decent men but one or two tyrants among them..the best of them was Bro Basil Dempsey…he died tragically in a drowning..he saved two young lads but then lost his own life….he was only 22..I used to have his memoriam card…he had 47 of us in his class…
Fair play to you Christy another brilliant comment about Dylan that was some compliment Guthrie paid him throw the small songs back in they do me fine and he a respected songwriter himself
Christy's reply
you can get anything you want
in Alice’s Restaraunt………………………(Arlo)
I must say a hugh thank you to you Christy for giving my boys a shout out on Monday nights show. They got such a surprise.
They were over the moon to hear there names being called out.
It was Cathals first time to see you live and what a gig it was. It was probably the best gig I could ever want them to go to see ya at.. You played all the greats. The boys were singing along with so many.. And to start of with a beautiful Donegal song that your brother wrote was just great..
Even after the gig the boys were getting so much attention from all your loyal fans who were so nice acknowledging them. So I must also say a HUGE thanks to all of them..
We had travelled up from donegal that morning and you made the journey fly in listening to all your songs..
I had taken the other Padraig and Caomhan to see you for the first time in letterkenny back in 2017.. On that occasion it was a hugh surprise, as I didn’t tell them they were going until we arrived at the clanree.. I had wrote to you at that time for a wee shout out. I was so thankfull and delighted when we arrived there, you had bumped us up to the front seats. Then you played a special request for them. You played a personalised version of, “Don’t forget your shovel” which they will never forget. Then to top it off you give them each a plectrum, which they still have..
This is how special memories are made..
Hopefully when all this nonsense is over and done with, we will see ya soon in Donegal.
GRMA
Padraig
Christy's reply
” O then rise up lovely Sweeney
and give your horse some hay
and give him a good feed of oats
before you go on your way
don’t feed him on soft turnips
take him down to your green lawn
and then you might be able
for to plough the Rocks of Bawn ”
Padraig.. it was a pleasure to know that You and Your three young men were in Vicar St ….to know that they will remember those nights with you for the rest of their days..to be part of that memory….
65 years ago I travelled by bus and train from Newbridge to Gortahork…there was no gig at the end of it but I’ll never forget it
Such sad and heartbreaking news to learn today of Sinead and Donals son Shane. So many similar stories of youth being let down by mental health services in this country around here in the recent past. Thinking of everyone close to Donal and Sinead today and hope they find the strenght to get through this time as best they can.
Hello Christy,
Thinking about something you said on the planxty 2006 dvd about finding the words to Little Musgrave in an auction room by the liffey, O’Reilly’s I think you said. Is this right? I guess I’m asking because we went looking for tescos yesterday and walked right past it, just behind vicar street.
Going to wander into town today and see where the wind blows us.
Similar to Rory, I think – it’s funny how some familiar songs impact in different ways, for no specific reason…
Starting the day with ‘Prosperous’ and have had ‘Letter to Syracuse’ on repeat for awhile. When I first played the LP (soon after release)I remember assuming it was a Woody Guthrie song. When I finally saw the names Cartwright and Caddick as authors, they meant little at that time – but, it always impacted on me as an impressive song. Maybe one that you heard on a gig and sat down to
learn?
Sadly, Bill Caddick passed in 2018, having had a great folk/rock career and written many fine songs… For a long time, I’ve been a fan of June Tabor. Her power and control are wonderful. JT singing Caddick’s ‘The Cloud Factory’ is due a spin after I’ve revelled in ‘Prosperous’ one more time. Such a great LP – brings back memories of a happy time for me – also, for you, I think, as ‘Planxty’ emerged via Bill Leader’s ‘basement tapes’…
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
Yes, I heard Dave sing Syracuse and Bill sing John O’Dreams at Folk Clubs I played in the 60s….every club had Resident singers….many had “floor ” singers too..thats how I came across so many great songs….Pontchartrain, Barr na Sraide, Cold Blow,Red Velvet Steering Wheel Cover Driver, Jim Larkin, Bogies Bonnie Belle,January Man,Los Gatos, Seth Davey, Dalesmans Litany, to name but a few gleaned from those years of learning,gathering and quaffing…I heard Mike Absalom sing” London West 14″, Mike Harding “Poverty Knocks” Muriel Greaves “Bunch of Thyme” Archie Fisher “Open the door Softly” Cyril Tawney “Sally Free & Easy”…..a time of forging friendships, rolling out sleeping bags, sharing contacts, catching trains, ADT phone calls, homelessness, going without, when a ten bob note could buy a set of strings and a pint of Camerons….
at the other end of it now….
Morning Christy,
2 interesting observations about whitley bay from a recent visit.
There is a pub grub place on the seafront called The Caboose and i wonder if Myra is in charge.
Best fish n chips in ingerland ,so they say, in the Spanish City, certainly tasty, Dire Straits would be pleased and licking their lips.
However i leave you with a question.
Why is the fascinating 1945 on the pink disc in the wonderful box set of CDs not available on the spotify thing ?
Cheers
Rory
Christy's reply
here in the scratcher
contemplating your observations
wind howling round the chimneys….
in all my travels I never made it to Whitley Bay
now I hear of a great Folk Club there
every Tuesday night in The Caboose,
its a “Free House” run by Myra & Bill
I have not got the foggiest notion about your 1945 query
I’d get to the bottom of it ..if only I knew where the surface lay
I’ve never once gigged that old song but now you got me hummin it
“1945 being the date of the year
when I landed in Moorefield in the County Kildare
the Liffey Water was sparkling cool clear
as the trout and the salmon were gaping”
Thanks for your ongoing engagements and references to “Box Set 1964 -2004”
It was a most satisfying project with my collaborator Michael Traynor.
He delved deep into the archive and emerged with 106 CD’s of poss runners & riders which we whittled away to the 6 CDs that made the collection
RE Spotify, I’m gonna ring their necks, I’m gonna rattle their …(contd P94)
RIP Sidney Poitier… humanitarian and superb actor. Terrific tributes and surprise for me as I’d no idea that he’d been in so many films. Lots of intriguing clips showing the man’s class. I well remember the power of seeing ‘To Sir with love’, when it was first released.
Enjoy the gigs and safe travels to audience members, near and far.
Dave
Christy's reply
He sure could fill that screen…..may god be good to him
Looking forward to the show on Sunday! Was thinking on Wednesday it wasn’t going to happen and cancelled hotel, but due to the recent changes we are now ready to go. Only snag was we had to get a late flight on Sunday so have to rush off to the airport straight after the show. Did go to Cork airport after a gig at the marquee for the first plane out the next morning, but never for the last plane out 🙂
Christy's reply
Doors at 5 Gig at 6..has to be over by 7.45…safe journey
Christy, whilst the likes of yourself, your team and promotors are jumping through hoops to ensure gigs can still take place safely it looks like ‘Novac’ Djokovic will not be making an appearance at the Australian Open this year. However all is not lost for Novac fans because I hear he can be seen on the next series of Border Force (Australia) on Dave. Game Set & Match
Christy's reply
how would Novac would look with a racket up his Djovic
Went to hear Arlo Guthrie here some years ago….he compared songwriting to fishing downstream from Bob Dylan…..Arlo reckoned he’d shout at Dylan..
“Hey Bob, throw some of the small ones back in ” !!
Hello Christy,
Well, we’re here. I hope we’ve made the right decision too. We’re in a little house about 5 mins walk from vicar street, the whole place is ours so hopefully it’s as covid safe as it can be.
We set off from home at 3am so I’ve not got much brain attached right now.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Welcome back to The Black Lagoon…I hope ye have a good trip
That’s a fine recepie you gave me looks tasty I listened to alice’s restaurant a very unusual piece firstly the length (18 minutes) secondary so much talking and little singing and thirdly quite a bit of it is repeated over and over so would you call it a song at all I don’t know what you call it and he has another one about his motorcycle I see you have a lot of learning to do if you wanted to preform them ones I tell you I also came across his biggest selling single the city of New Orleans now that’s some song I think it’s fantastic especially the chorus wonderful stuff written by Steve Gooodman poor man died aged only 36 from leukemia it was also covered by Willie Nelson who won a Grammy with it I see I have never sang an American country song I’m thinking this will be my first thank you for sending it my way did you ever think of singing that one yourself
forever contemplating where next to turn
Well things are pretty buzzy round here, thankyou!
Not much going on between the ears but Ive got to say that’s some bodhran you’ve got going there. A beautiful wrist, from a pure percussionists point of view, obviously. Seriously, it’s one of the best wrisis I’ve ever seen. All in the wrist with percussion.
Rebecca
she swore by grass
she swore by corn
Hi Christy
http://www.mikeabsalom.com a very entertaining wander through Mike’s website…good call of yours about his art.
40 minutes to your kick off – lucky punters!
Have fun
Dave
we gelled..ths gig worked well..thanks be
CM 76
Go neireoidh leat tráthnona inniu.
By the way ..the Glasóg Sráide is a wag tail….says Google.
Shes still around .I’m afraid she will nest in my currach and I wont be able to move her. Could be a devil in disguise .
I watched treaty songs last night you did a great job.You look great.Some great writers have come out of Cork.
I was disappointed that John Spillane’s song about the Irish language surcumbed to the infamous editing floor.
67 odd years later you are talking about Brother Dempseys memorial card.Just shows the importance of them.
I looked him up .On his death cert it says 1954 aged 21 in a rescue attempt he sadly drowned in the college lake .It says he was from the patricial college Ballyfin Laois.His father’s name was John .He was buried in the College cemetery. ..but that’s all I could find. would be nice to know some more about him .. ar dheis Dé a raibh a anam.
Slán go fóil
CS
(17)
CS (17)
Well done CS…thank you for looking into the life of Brother Basil Dempsey…I was 9 years old when in his class at The Patrician Brothers National School…to think he was just 21 when put in charge of such a large group of feral rapscallions…yet my distant memory of him is of a good humoured , kind, tall, athletic young man who’s patience we sometimes stretched to the very limit….one class mate has been in touch to say there were 72 of us in the class…so it was somewhere between 43 and 72….one of my cherished school memories
90 mins to kick off here in Vicar St..sound check done ..gotta get into my prelim warm up here now…get the voice box up to speed…clear them frogs out of the way before going out to face the gaggle of good listeners…
I hope you have a good year of music…get a few new songs down on paper…
Mornin’ Christy
That’s a great list of singers/songs that you came across…
as so often here, you’ve jogged a memory or two…early 70s and a mate (long lost in Eastern Europe for decades now) was a student in Scarborough. It was the scene of several great visits for me.Including ‘helping’ at a gig he’d arranged…so, getting to meet Bridget St John and Mike Absalom (apart from long lost Pete, you might well be the only other person I know, ever to reference Mr Absalom)… the other memory jogger being ‘Cameron’s’ ale! Happy days…early travels for both of us, I guess…
Have a great gig tonight.
Dave
I heard somewhere along the line that Mike Absalom took up painting….I heard Bridget at the MSG
Bernard Hill used to be a regular around Cheetham Hill Folk Clubs way back…
Hello Christy,
Its today and I feel like I’ve been waiting years for this gig.
Your gigs are almost as big in my mind, as my own, and there’s nothing like holding centre stage all by yourself, is there. The whole of time focuses in on it.
The very best of luck for this evening, I can’t wait to find out what you’re going to sing.
Here’s a pic from 11th December 2018 at vicar street.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10165570343970136&id=847680135
I’ve posted it before but I really like this pic.
Rebecca
I cant wait to find out myself !….been practicing quite a few this week but that dont mean they’ll make it into the set…its all a lottery..chances are I’ll open with Chicago but after that anything can happen….roll on 6pm
Hi Christy. Hope you are keeping well and Happy New Year to you. Really looking forward to your gig tomorrow evening in Vicar Street. Was just wondering if you could play Lily in memory of my uncle Bro. Michael former principal of the Patrician Primary School Newbridge who sadly passed away over the Christmas. He was an amazing man who done so much for the people of Newbridge. I’m sure you have loads of requests and understand if you can’t do it. Thank you. Enda.
Good man Enda….
I’ve a right list of call-out requests for tomorrow night…
I’m reminded of another Bro Michael in the Newbridge Patricians back in the 1950’s……also Bros Alphonsus, Aiden, Brendan, Raymond,Ultan & Lazerian….most of them decent men but one or two tyrants among them..the best of them was Bro Basil Dempsey…he died tragically in a drowning..he saved two young lads but then lost his own life….he was only 22..I used to have his memoriam card…he had 47 of us in his class…
I’m looking forward to it as well….
Fair play to you Christy another brilliant comment about Dylan that was some compliment Guthrie paid him throw the small songs back in they do me fine and he a respected songwriter himself
you can get anything you want
in Alice’s Restaraunt………………………(Arlo)
Sheep’s Eyes, Mashed Mangolds, Chopped Straws & Buttermilk (Daddy)
I must say a hugh thank you to you Christy for giving my boys a shout out on Monday nights show. They got such a surprise.
They were over the moon to hear there names being called out.
It was Cathals first time to see you live and what a gig it was. It was probably the best gig I could ever want them to go to see ya at.. You played all the greats. The boys were singing along with so many.. And to start of with a beautiful Donegal song that your brother wrote was just great..
Even after the gig the boys were getting so much attention from all your loyal fans who were so nice acknowledging them. So I must also say a HUGE thanks to all of them..
We had travelled up from donegal that morning and you made the journey fly in listening to all your songs..
I had taken the other Padraig and Caomhan to see you for the first time in letterkenny back in 2017.. On that occasion it was a hugh surprise, as I didn’t tell them they were going until we arrived at the clanree.. I had wrote to you at that time for a wee shout out. I was so thankfull and delighted when we arrived there, you had bumped us up to the front seats. Then you played a special request for them. You played a personalised version of, “Don’t forget your shovel” which they will never forget. Then to top it off you give them each a plectrum, which they still have..
This is how special memories are made..
Hopefully when all this nonsense is over and done with, we will see ya soon in Donegal.
GRMA
Padraig
” O then rise up lovely Sweeney
and give your horse some hay
and give him a good feed of oats
before you go on your way
don’t feed him on soft turnips
take him down to your green lawn
and then you might be able
for to plough the Rocks of Bawn ”
Padraig.. it was a pleasure to know that You and Your three young men were in Vicar St ….to know that they will remember those nights with you for the rest of their days..to be part of that memory….
65 years ago I travelled by bus and train from Newbridge to Gortahork…there was no gig at the end of it but I’ll never forget it
Christy Please pass on our sympathies to your good friends Donal and Sinead. Regards JP
Such sad and heartbreaking news to learn today of Sinead and Donals son Shane. So many similar stories of youth being let down by mental health services in this country around here in the recent past. Thinking of everyone close to Donal and Sinead today and hope they find the strenght to get through this time as best they can.
Hello Christy,
Thinking about something you said on the planxty 2006 dvd about finding the words to Little Musgrave in an auction room by the liffey, O’Reilly’s I think you said. Is this right? I guess I’m asking because we went looking for tescos yesterday and walked right past it, just behind vicar street.
Going to wander into town today and see where the wind blows us.
Rebecca
Hi Christy
Similar to Rory, I think – it’s funny how some familiar songs impact in different ways, for no specific reason…
Starting the day with ‘Prosperous’ and have had ‘Letter to Syracuse’ on repeat for awhile. When I first played the LP (soon after release)I remember assuming it was a Woody Guthrie song. When I finally saw the names Cartwright and Caddick as authors, they meant little at that time – but, it always impacted on me as an impressive song. Maybe one that you heard on a gig and sat down to
learn?
Sadly, Bill Caddick passed in 2018, having had a great folk/rock career and written many fine songs… For a long time, I’ve been a fan of June Tabor. Her power and control are wonderful. JT singing Caddick’s ‘The Cloud Factory’ is due a spin after I’ve revelled in ‘Prosperous’ one more time. Such a great LP – brings back memories of a happy time for me – also, for you, I think, as ‘Planxty’ emerged via Bill Leader’s ‘basement tapes’…
Have a good day
Dave
Yes, I heard Dave sing Syracuse and Bill sing John O’Dreams at Folk Clubs I played in the 60s….every club had Resident singers….many had “floor ” singers too..thats how I came across so many great songs….Pontchartrain, Barr na Sraide, Cold Blow,Red Velvet Steering Wheel Cover Driver, Jim Larkin, Bogies Bonnie Belle,January Man,Los Gatos, Seth Davey, Dalesmans Litany, to name but a few gleaned from those years of learning,gathering and quaffing…I heard Mike Absalom sing” London West 14″, Mike Harding “Poverty Knocks” Muriel Greaves “Bunch of Thyme” Archie Fisher “Open the door Softly” Cyril Tawney “Sally Free & Easy”…..a time of forging friendships, rolling out sleeping bags, sharing contacts, catching trains, ADT phone calls, homelessness, going without, when a ten bob note could buy a set of strings and a pint of Camerons….
at the other end of it now….
Morning Christy,
2 interesting observations about whitley bay from a recent visit.
There is a pub grub place on the seafront called The Caboose and i wonder if Myra is in charge.
Best fish n chips in ingerland ,so they say, in the Spanish City, certainly tasty, Dire Straits would be pleased and licking their lips.
However i leave you with a question.
Why is the fascinating 1945 on the pink disc in the wonderful box set of CDs not available on the spotify thing ?
Cheers
Rory
here in the scratcher
contemplating your observations
wind howling round the chimneys….
in all my travels I never made it to Whitley Bay
now I hear of a great Folk Club there
every Tuesday night in The Caboose,
its a “Free House” run by Myra & Bill
I have not got the foggiest notion about your 1945 query
I’d get to the bottom of it ..if only I knew where the surface lay
I’ve never once gigged that old song but now you got me hummin it
“1945 being the date of the year
when I landed in Moorefield in the County Kildare
the Liffey Water was sparkling cool clear
as the trout and the salmon were gaping”
Thanks for your ongoing engagements and references to “Box Set 1964 -2004”
It was a most satisfying project with my collaborator Michael Traynor.
He delved deep into the archive and emerged with 106 CD’s of poss runners & riders which we whittled away to the 6 CDs that made the collection
RE Spotify, I’m gonna ring their necks, I’m gonna rattle their …(contd P94)
after breakfast
Mornin’ Christy
RIP Sidney Poitier… humanitarian and superb actor. Terrific tributes and surprise for me as I’d no idea that he’d been in so many films. Lots of intriguing clips showing the man’s class. I well remember the power of seeing ‘To Sir with love’, when it was first released.
Enjoy the gigs and safe travels to audience members, near and far.
Dave
He sure could fill that screen…..may god be good to him
Looking forward to the show on Sunday! Was thinking on Wednesday it wasn’t going to happen and cancelled hotel, but due to the recent changes we are now ready to go. Only snag was we had to get a late flight on Sunday so have to rush off to the airport straight after the show. Did go to Cork airport after a gig at the marquee for the first plane out the next morning, but never for the last plane out 🙂
Doors at 5 Gig at 6..has to be over by 7.45…safe journey
Novac Deportovich
Norac Djovic…..pain in the hole
Christy, whilst the likes of yourself, your team and promotors are jumping through hoops to ensure gigs can still take place safely it looks like ‘Novac’ Djokovic will not be making an appearance at the Australian Open this year. However all is not lost for Novac fans because I hear he can be seen on the next series of Border Force (Australia) on Dave. Game Set & Match
how would Novac would look with a racket up his Djovic
I took it wrong I see what you mean now
Went to hear Arlo Guthrie here some years ago….he compared songwriting to fishing downstream from Bob Dylan…..Arlo reckoned he’d shout at Dylan..
“Hey Bob, throw some of the small ones back in ” !!
Hello Christy,
Well, we’re here. I hope we’ve made the right decision too. We’re in a little house about 5 mins walk from vicar street, the whole place is ours so hopefully it’s as covid safe as it can be.
We set off from home at 3am so I’ve not got much brain attached right now.
Rebecca
Welcome back to The Black Lagoon…I hope ye have a good trip