Hello Christy,
Thankyou for the stories.
I followed Dave’s link to the copperplate thing. Their shop is stuffed to the ginnels with treasure. I’d no idea where to start. And then the speech project.
So I followed the trail and very soon ended up back in the centre https://youtu.be/_PSDB8MBKNQ
I wish I’d heard Liam live.
As ever, fascinating to read your exchanges and memories…Raymond Roland was a new name to me, but led me to some great online pieces about his music and the vibrant London Irish scene.
If you have time to google ‘Raymond Roland’, I’m sure it won’t be long before you come across more familiar names and venues… There’s a really good piece from http://www.copperplatemailorder.com
All this has reminded me to play Gerry Diver’s CD today!
Have a good day.
Dave
Christy's reply
In London alone, there were diverse Irish Music scenes….I was fortunate to find Roland’s …..Raymond was like a magnet…he drew many into his realm….his music was driven…he was the furnace that lit up the room
Hello Christy I took part in a zoom session tonight and one of the singers sang your song they never came home when she finished the man running the session said there’s solicitors still working on the case isn’t that unbelievable 41 years later almost after the terrible tragedy
Christy's reply
“in Poppintree,Coolock,Bonnybrook and Artane
the injured are abandoned time and again”
And sure a dressing room at all is a luxury in itself.. yesterday eve brought me to John B Keanes, “Cricklewood”.. loved playing this one.. and reading of the support you were given by Raymond Roland.. it must have been so re assuring as a young musician looking for the start.. watched a clip of Raymond playing and chatting about the music here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKnueQouMaY
Christy's reply
Nice link Kevin.back in 1966 I used to go every Monday to here Raymond & Liam. I’d always bring my guitar and have it under the table.. On the 3rd week Raymond said..”do you play that Bull Fiddle Horse or do you just carry it around with you ” he invited me up and I sang two songs,,after that he invited me up most nights,,,I got to play in his Ceili Band one Sunday night in Quex Rd ..another time I stood in for one of the band at a wild wedding in the Railway Hotel in Willesden Junction…I stayed with Raymond and Rose a few times.also with Liam & Margaret out in Croydon..Raymond was a great player and character….it was part of my apprenticeship, learning stuff they dont teach on any degree courses….Liam is still to the good and playing Banjo….the man from Ballygawley
Hi C. Your friends the Imlach family have shared that Hamish would be 82 today, they ‘ re going to celebrate with a curry ! You always remember his friendship and support. You carry on his good example to many. https://youtu.be/uYpgsPB-Bkw beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
Hi H…I’m one of many whom Hamish helped along the way…we travelled together back in the 60s…he pointed me to manys a gig when I was struggling..he shared his contacts generously..introduced me to many great clubs, to good people. took me into his home where I met his wife and family, their love and hospitality never forgotten…..from Hamish I learned about the possibiites of communicating with the listeners, of being conversational, also learned some great songs from Him,..Black is The Colour, Sonny’s Dream…..I got ideas from many of his songs…..and more then any other he generously celebrated any success I gained..my last memory of Hamish was Him coming to a gig of mine in the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow…I’d not have been there had I not met him decades previously…
“O Glory Halleluja !….
will I run ye hame ?..
have you got a pair of sand shoes?”…
There’s something about the place we were brought up, isn’t there.
There’s a pull to it.
I feel it for this place here. The rugged green hills and whipping wind call me when I’m not here.
I feel lucky to live in this place, despite the mess of the country that surrounds it.
Good evening Christy,well done Saturday on the win,I hope all is well with yourself,snow drops are appearing,days are getting longer,fishing time will soon be here,Any plans on coming over the pond this year ?,Might be some Bara brith if you do,Shine on Christy.
Christy's reply
Wont be crossing the water this year Geraint….
We played well last Saturday
I celebrated ..but Wales will be back… and the singing down the Valleys still resounds
Dear Christy,
We have previously conversed on the wonder that was Martyn Bennett previously. My friend recently alerted me to a re release vinyl of Grit . It is a pure, raw and beautiful album.
Today i listened to Bothy Culture on the car CD, again the intriguing work of a lost genius.
I bet Martyn , Sheila Stewart and Hamish Henderson are making some fine music together up there.
My Grit is on CD so another trip to Cool Discs Derry site is in store to see if vinyl is available.
Cheers
Rory
Hi all, update from Feb.4: The tickets I had to offer for Drogheda are in good hands now. So I will “listen” from afar March 12, and let the music keep my spirits high till next time live 🙂
Dietmar
Hallelujah – some positive news…and something to send your memory back to your EMI jobs…
Filling a gap in vinyl music production, mainly as a result of increased demand ..www.pressonvinyl.com – cheered me up via BBC News, after lengthy swearing at the TV during PM Questions in Parliament.
Good to be in the groove.
Dave
Christy's reply
my best night was 1250 copies of Good Vibrations…EMI Hayes Middx 1966
Hi Christy hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. I was just wondering are you considering crossing the pond for some gigs or is it still to early for that . We miss our yearly concert. All the best Graeme
Christy's reply
Thank You Graeme….no plans to travel over this year….
Hi Christy hope all is well. My good friend Barry Tierney from Kinsale released a new single yesterday Colours On Canvas. I thought you might like a listen , a great songwriter.
Also i was playing at a session with Daoirí in bluebell afew times before Christmas, i had a great chat with your Sister Eilish one night and Peter came afew times after and sang a couple of songs with us. A fine singer and a gent.
Hello Christy,
You sang The Least We Can Do in the Bridgewater Hall. It was at the height of the brexit stupidity, may it wither into ash. The song was perfect for the mood of the people there.
Catmelodeon is a good word.
The few gigs I’ve done, I’ve appreciated a space where I can be quiet and separate, so maybe a coffin is a reasonable addition. At the Brighouse library gig I escaped into the art gallery. There’s a very accurate painting of a harp in there.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
last time I played Bridgewater I had the great pleasure of meeting with my Lancashire cousins…..
the old Dressing Room in The Phil In Liverpool boasted a large imposing portrait of Prince Andrew’s Mother…on the opposite was a photo of the rt hon mgt thatch…between them they always seemed to set us up for the gig…how I’ve enjoyed both those venues….
Hi Christy, lifted “One Voice” yesterday and decided to pluck a song a day to play on the guitar.. open at random and give whatever the page displays a go.. yesterday eve led me to Gerry Murray’s, “The Least We Can Do”.. lovely song and sweet air to it.. you must have got some hop to find coffins stored in a dressing room in Mayo.. be the latern jaysus..
Christy's reply
I’ve always liked Gerry’s song….never gigged it much…. still give it a whirl here in the workroom….used to like playing it with Donal Lunny & Declan Sinnott… we may have played it on an RTE TV series once….
coffins in dressing rooms happened twice…in the early 70s when Planxty played in Ballinrobe,County Galway….in the 80s I played The Mountain Inn in Coolaney,County Sligo a few times.. had some crackin gigs there….both venues run by undertakers..both housed good gigs…
encountered a variety of “dressing rooms” over the years…also many gigs where changing facilities were deemed unnecessary ….luxurious facilites experienced in splendid Opera Houses and Concert Halls… among favourite dressing rooms I recall De Barras in Clonakilty, The Log Cabin in Ballinasloe, Kennedy’s of Puckaune, The Merriman in Scariff, I’ll not embarrass anyone by listing the horror stories but I do remember
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for the feedback on Lagan Love. It is a lovely tune, as you said. I love the way it swoops from high to low and back again. I have taken it right back to basics. I’m humming my way round it. Then I’ll add vowels, then consonants, over the next couple of weeks. You’re right, a song is nothing without the words. Beautiful shapes though. I’m tightening the harp up too.
Rory and, Dave have got me thinking about birds. I work in the conservatory, so I get to see anything that’s happening in the garden. In the depths of winter a big group of blackbirds visited the apple tree next door and ate all the apples. It took them a few days, then they were off.
The magic of blackbirds singing was (I think) the first time there was an exchange between my bunker and Rory’s in Hawick…the first of many, as we riff on mutual interests centred on your music.
An early awareness of birdsong in music for me was hearing Pink Floyd’s ‘Grantchester Meadows’, superb acoustic music from their 2nd LP, ‘Saucerful of Secrets’… back to the 60s again! Happy days…
Cold days lengthen… I’m looking forward to the neighbourhood blackbirds’ late night, Summer serenades.
G’night
Dave
Christy's reply
those men of Floyd created a wonderful body of music….and thon Blackbird still singing in the dead of night
Hi Christy,
Do you remember 18 months ago when we were all transfixed by our friends the birds as we listened out from our silent bunkers?
They are still there, hiding now from our trucks and factory sounds all whirring again.
My son sent me a recording of a bird from his walk in Alexandra Park Glasgow yesterday, it was easy to identify, your blackbird from the shed at the garden end who sang with you to Folk Tale on the box set…honestly one of the top ten musical moments of my lifetime.
So thinking of Shane’s Lullaby of London, and the lament for the lonesome Corncrake’s call, i searched it on the bbc sounds site for Tweet of the Day where so many beautiful calls are kept….and there indeed was the Corncrake and hundreds of her feathered friends.
Long live the birds, and their song, after all they will outlive us.
Rory
Christy's reply
Hi Rory,
I can barely remember what I had for my dinner yesterday..I do remember thon song bird in Folk Tale…mention of which reminds me of Dear Traudel who died last year….her gentle presence always welcome any time she attended a gig with her Horst….forever young and beautiful…
I remember too the distant Corncrake..as a boy out in Barronstown I’d stand and listen and wonder….heard the Cuckoo there too…distant sounds, the butter churning, the mangolds pulping, the bucket dropping into the well of spring water,the old folks getting on with their busy days (I’m older then them now)..
lots of song work here these times as I re-enter solo mode
Finally, I got hold of ‘One night in Bremen’…many aspect of the finest Planxty playing on this CD…fair play to all concerned – fab recording by Radio Bremen.What a 1979 schedule, via Andy Irvine’s sleeve notes… 8 countries/ 45 gigs/58 days…no wonder the music is so tight.It’s a treat of a CD…
Other news is that my 7 yo grandson is addicted to rugby, having been to 3 training sessions at his local club. Highlight this week, getting his first gum shield… tough going in the under 9 squad!
Have a good day
Dave
Christy's reply
a gum shield at 7 ! may he flourish upon the playing field
Hello Christy,
That front row of yours is as solid as a block of flats. I’m loving listening to your tales with the oddly shaped ball. Thank you.
I once saw a Halifax rugby league player in sainsburys. He filled the aisle.
I’ve done a bit of work on Lagan Love. First time with this type of thing, but I’m trying my best and giving it a good bash.
Here it is so far. https://youtu.be/ngxQKCsFf-0
Rebecca
Christy's reply
Lagan is a lovely tune..
the Ireland front row came to a gig recently..they sat in six seats
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for the stories.
I followed Dave’s link to the copperplate thing. Their shop is stuffed to the ginnels with treasure. I’d no idea where to start. And then the speech project.
So I followed the trail and very soon ended up back in the centre
https://youtu.be/_PSDB8MBKNQ
I wish I’d heard Liam live.
Rebecca
what a gem…..
Mornin’ Christy
As ever, fascinating to read your exchanges and memories…Raymond Roland was a new name to me, but led me to some great online pieces about his music and the vibrant London Irish scene.
If you have time to google ‘Raymond Roland’, I’m sure it won’t be long before you come across more familiar names and venues… There’s a really good piece from http://www.copperplatemailorder.com
All this has reminded me to play Gerry Diver’s CD today!
Have a good day.
Dave
In London alone, there were diverse Irish Music scenes….I was fortunate to find Roland’s …..Raymond was like a magnet…he drew many into his realm….his music was driven…he was the furnace that lit up the room
Hello Christy I took part in a zoom session tonight and one of the singers sang your song they never came home when she finished the man running the session said there’s solicitors still working on the case isn’t that unbelievable 41 years later almost after the terrible tragedy
“in Poppintree,Coolock,Bonnybrook and Artane
the injured are abandoned time and again”
And sure a dressing room at all is a luxury in itself.. yesterday eve brought me to John B Keanes, “Cricklewood”.. loved playing this one.. and reading of the support you were given by Raymond Roland.. it must have been so re assuring as a young musician looking for the start.. watched a clip of Raymond playing and chatting about the music here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKnueQouMaY
Nice link Kevin.back in 1966 I used to go every Monday to here Raymond & Liam. I’d always bring my guitar and have it under the table.. On the 3rd week Raymond said..”do you play that Bull Fiddle Horse or do you just carry it around with you ” he invited me up and I sang two songs,,after that he invited me up most nights,,,I got to play in his Ceili Band one Sunday night in Quex Rd ..another time I stood in for one of the band at a wild wedding in the Railway Hotel in Willesden Junction…I stayed with Raymond and Rose a few times.also with Liam & Margaret out in Croydon..Raymond was a great player and character….it was part of my apprenticeship, learning stuff they dont teach on any degree courses….Liam is still to the good and playing Banjo….the man from Ballygawley
Hi C. Your friends the Imlach family have shared that Hamish would be 82 today, they ‘ re going to celebrate with a curry ! You always remember his friendship and support. You carry on his good example to many. https://youtu.be/uYpgsPB-Bkw beir bua agus beannacht. H
Hi H…I’m one of many whom Hamish helped along the way…we travelled together back in the 60s…he pointed me to manys a gig when I was struggling..he shared his contacts generously..introduced me to many great clubs, to good people. took me into his home where I met his wife and family, their love and hospitality never forgotten…..from Hamish I learned about the possibiites of communicating with the listeners, of being conversational, also learned some great songs from Him,..Black is The Colour, Sonny’s Dream…..I got ideas from many of his songs…..and more then any other he generously celebrated any success I gained..my last memory of Hamish was Him coming to a gig of mine in the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow…I’d not have been there had I not met him decades previously…
“O Glory Halleluja !….
will I run ye hame ?..
have you got a pair of sand shoes?”…
Lovely storytelling
https://youtu.be/fEO2hlqwjJg
I love the way it’s so internalised.
There’s something about the place we were brought up, isn’t there.
There’s a pull to it.
I feel it for this place here. The rugged green hills and whipping wind call me when I’m not here.
I feel lucky to live in this place, despite the mess of the country that surrounds it.
Rebecca
Good evening Christy,well done Saturday on the win,I hope all is well with yourself,snow drops are appearing,days are getting longer,fishing time will soon be here,Any plans on coming over the pond this year ?,Might be some Bara brith if you do,Shine on Christy.
Wont be crossing the water this year Geraint….
We played well last Saturday
I celebrated ..but Wales will be back… and the singing down the Valleys still resounds
hope you are catching some big ones
Dear Christy,
We have previously conversed on the wonder that was Martyn Bennett previously. My friend recently alerted me to a re release vinyl of Grit . It is a pure, raw and beautiful album.
Today i listened to Bothy Culture on the car CD, again the intriguing work of a lost genius.
I bet Martyn , Sheila Stewart and Hamish Henderson are making some fine music together up there.
My Grit is on CD so another trip to Cool Discs Derry site is in store to see if vinyl is available.
Cheers
Rory
Hope to have a listen
Hi all, update from Feb.4: The tickets I had to offer for Drogheda are in good hands now. So I will “listen” from afar March 12, and let the music keep my spirits high till next time live 🙂
Dietmar
good news
Hi Chrsty
Hallelujah – some positive news…and something to send your memory back to your EMI jobs…
Filling a gap in vinyl music production, mainly as a result of increased demand ..www.pressonvinyl.com – cheered me up via BBC News, after lengthy swearing at the TV during PM Questions in Parliament.
Good to be in the groove.
Dave
my best night was 1250 copies of Good Vibrations…EMI Hayes Middx 1966
Hi Christy hope this message finds you well and in good spirits. I was just wondering are you considering crossing the pond for some gigs or is it still to early for that . We miss our yearly concert. All the best Graeme
Thank You Graeme….no plans to travel over this year….
Hi Christy hope all is well. My good friend Barry Tierney from Kinsale released a new single yesterday Colours On Canvas. I thought you might like a listen , a great songwriter.
https://youtu.be/mM7ewCcItGA
Also i was playing at a session with Daoirí in bluebell afew times before Christmas, i had a great chat with your Sister Eilish one night and Peter came afew times after and sang a couple of songs with us. A fine singer and a gent.
Hope you enjoy Barrys song
Cheers,
Seán
lovely hurlin Sean..fair play to Barry…grand song
That must be the scariest room ever. I’d have had to cover the harridans up with a couple of sheets.
they….
Hello Christy,
You sang The Least We Can Do in the Bridgewater Hall. It was at the height of the brexit stupidity, may it wither into ash. The song was perfect for the mood of the people there.
Catmelodeon is a good word.
The few gigs I’ve done, I’ve appreciated a space where I can be quiet and separate, so maybe a coffin is a reasonable addition. At the Brighouse library gig I escaped into the art gallery. There’s a very accurate painting of a harp in there.
Rebecca
last time I played Bridgewater I had the great pleasure of meeting with my Lancashire cousins…..
the old Dressing Room in The Phil In Liverpool boasted a large imposing portrait of Prince Andrew’s Mother…on the opposite was a photo of the rt hon mgt thatch…between them they always seemed to set us up for the gig…how I’ve enjoyed both those venues….
Hi Christy, lifted “One Voice” yesterday and decided to pluck a song a day to play on the guitar.. open at random and give whatever the page displays a go.. yesterday eve led me to Gerry Murray’s, “The Least We Can Do”.. lovely song and sweet air to it.. you must have got some hop to find coffins stored in a dressing room in Mayo.. be the latern jaysus..
I’ve always liked Gerry’s song….never gigged it much…. still give it a whirl here in the workroom….used to like playing it with Donal Lunny & Declan Sinnott… we may have played it on an RTE TV series once….
coffins in dressing rooms happened twice…in the early 70s when Planxty played in Ballinrobe,County Galway….in the 80s I played The Mountain Inn in Coolaney,County Sligo a few times.. had some crackin gigs there….both venues run by undertakers..both housed good gigs…
encountered a variety of “dressing rooms” over the years…also many gigs where changing facilities were deemed unnecessary ….luxurious facilites experienced in splendid Opera Houses and Concert Halls… among favourite dressing rooms I recall De Barras in Clonakilty, The Log Cabin in Ballinasloe, Kennedy’s of Puckaune, The Merriman in Scariff, I’ll not embarrass anyone by listing the horror stories but I do remember
Hello Christy,
Thankyou for the feedback on Lagan Love. It is a lovely tune, as you said. I love the way it swoops from high to low and back again. I have taken it right back to basics. I’m humming my way round it. Then I’ll add vowels, then consonants, over the next couple of weeks. You’re right, a song is nothing without the words. Beautiful shapes though. I’m tightening the harp up too.
Rory and, Dave have got me thinking about birds. I work in the conservatory, so I get to see anything that’s happening in the garden. In the depths of winter a big group of blackbirds visited the apple tree next door and ate all the apples. It took them a few days, then they were off.
Rebecca
Hi Christy
The magic of blackbirds singing was (I think) the first time there was an exchange between my bunker and Rory’s in Hawick…the first of many, as we riff on mutual interests centred on your music.
An early awareness of birdsong in music for me was hearing Pink Floyd’s ‘Grantchester Meadows’, superb acoustic music from their 2nd LP, ‘Saucerful of Secrets’… back to the 60s again! Happy days…
Cold days lengthen… I’m looking forward to the neighbourhood blackbirds’ late night, Summer serenades.
G’night
Dave
those men of Floyd created a wonderful body of music….and thon Blackbird still singing in the dead of night
Hi Christy,
Do you remember 18 months ago when we were all transfixed by our friends the birds as we listened out from our silent bunkers?
They are still there, hiding now from our trucks and factory sounds all whirring again.
My son sent me a recording of a bird from his walk in Alexandra Park Glasgow yesterday, it was easy to identify, your blackbird from the shed at the garden end who sang with you to Folk Tale on the box set…honestly one of the top ten musical moments of my lifetime.
So thinking of Shane’s Lullaby of London, and the lament for the lonesome Corncrake’s call, i searched it on the bbc sounds site for Tweet of the Day where so many beautiful calls are kept….and there indeed was the Corncrake and hundreds of her feathered friends.
Long live the birds, and their song, after all they will outlive us.
Rory
Hi Rory,
I can barely remember what I had for my dinner yesterday..I do remember thon song bird in Folk Tale…mention of which reminds me of Dear Traudel who died last year….her gentle presence always welcome any time she attended a gig with her Horst….forever young and beautiful…
I remember too the distant Corncrake..as a boy out in Barronstown I’d stand and listen and wonder….heard the Cuckoo there too…distant sounds, the butter churning, the mangolds pulping, the bucket dropping into the well of spring water,the old folks getting on with their busy days (I’m older then them now)..
lots of song work here these times as I re-enter solo mode
Hi Christy
Finally, I got hold of ‘One night in Bremen’…many aspect of the finest Planxty playing on this CD…fair play to all concerned – fab recording by Radio Bremen.What a 1979 schedule, via Andy Irvine’s sleeve notes… 8 countries/ 45 gigs/58 days…no wonder the music is so tight.It’s a treat of a CD…
Other news is that my 7 yo grandson is addicted to rugby, having been to 3 training sessions at his local club. Highlight this week, getting his first gum shield… tough going in the under 9 squad!
Have a good day
Dave
a gum shield at 7 ! may he flourish upon the playing field
Hello Christy,
That front row of yours is as solid as a block of flats. I’m loving listening to your tales with the oddly shaped ball. Thank you.
I once saw a Halifax rugby league player in sainsburys. He filled the aisle.
I’ve done a bit of work on Lagan Love. First time with this type of thing, but I’m trying my best and giving it a good bash.
Here it is so far.
https://youtu.be/ngxQKCsFf-0
Rebecca
Lagan is a lovely tune..
the Ireland front row came to a gig recently..they sat in six seats