Caught the first episode of Billy The Kid on Netflix – could have had City of Chicago as sound track…I didn’t know he was a McCarty. Enjoyed it & eager for the next bit…
Sounds like your shows have been hits for both the audience & the player…as they should.
I’m now officially retired – or “tired – again!” as my dear wife teasingly puts it.
More time to savour life’s joys (including a certain Irishman’s music) & ponder man’s stupidity
Best wishes to you & yours,
Danny Harris, Australia
Very best wishes
Christy's reply
There you are Danny….keep busy in retirement….I’ll check Biily out..thanks for the tip
Dagrab, that’s sad what you told us about losing your good friend, you’d talked about him to us online here. Aint it a hazard that coming to our age we start losing our sidekicks or companeros; they leave us with only just our memories of them. Dean Freidman; a name looming from our past. ‘Lucky Man’, unsure was he a one-hit wonder.
Christy's reply
before she left us,our Mother often spoke of being in the Departure Lounge…..she also maintained that “Old Age is not to be recommended, until one considers the alternative”
Hey Christy – the next best thing to seeing you perform live is listening to a recording of your performance the very next day. Thank you so much for sharing your gig at INEC with me – you are truly The Greatest.
Thanks for the kind words – and similar from songsters here – greatly appreciated.
You’re spot on about making the best of what’s left… we gave it a damned good go at weekend! Wonderful setting in the Derbyshire hills. The best of food and drink, music, laughter and a choked up version of John’s favourite song – ‘America’ by Simon and Garfunkel. We managed to get through many songs, put some new ones on the production line and lashed through the ‘greatest hits’…’Beeswing’ being a highlight (no surprise).
Brilliant that you had a fab gig and hopefully, a taking of the Kerry air – I’m long overdue a visit to that wonderful place.
Anyway, best get the gear out of the car – after a few days away, it’s a treat to trawl the news here – all the best to all.
Dave
Christy's reply
Yes Dave…..I love the buzz of getting home….these days my “touring” is one gig at a time, always on the Island….I still like the “getting home”feeling…unpacking the work bag. putting everything in place…getting into the home duds…check the set list….put on the Kettle
next up Sligo…..The Hawkswell is a lovely venue and Sligo has always been a good gig town
Hello Christy,
Well the Gradam awards are new to me, I can only apologise, I come from the land of the heathen.
I found Dolores Keane’s wonderful singing from the awards https://youtu.be/JgRmcAhRbKM
There’s no understanding taste, or lack of it… Some of us are happy to cross oceans. I forget the words of my own songs too. Those and other people’s. And you’ve got a 25 year head start on me.
That tune from Clyde’s bonny banks is beautiful to sing. I’m quite pleased with the words I wrote. There are a few bits that make me wince, but most of it isn’t too painful.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I first heard Dolores singing when she was a member of De Danaan in the 1970s.Over the years she has made beautiful recordings.In recent years she has had some health issues but her recordings still resound .Her voice and singing remain the foremost of my time.
I know what you mean when you say that certain words “make you wince”.I often suffered such discomforts in earlier decades.Passing time has taught me that such lines are best jettisoned.
But I still retain certain lines that betimes might make some listeners wince !
Hello Christy, just back here in cork after a great weekend in the kingdom…what a brilliant gig in the inec .. i really enjoyed the mixture of the songs you were in top form as usual.. hopefully we see you in the tent in June .. take care stay. Safe ..Tony
Great to see Christy back in form . We really enjoyed Saturday night gig in INEC. Had been looking forward to it since the pre covid canceled gig , (two years ago) , and also the postponement a few weeks ago. Unfortunately our daughter and son in law were gone back to Sydney last week so they missed out this time. We were joined by our other daughter and her partner as well as our two sons, who were first timers at a Christy gig …. they looking forward to the next time already! Great mix of music song and story , many of the old favourites and a mix of new as well. It was different gig without Declan of course , but Christy alone or accompanied always delivers , it doesn’t matter how many times you see him , every gig is different ! Great audience as well, ( bar one , but there’s always one who wants to be heard ) , they connected with him, joined in at the right times and showed respect at the appropriate times as well. Once again it was a night to remember, only regret was the hour and a half went so fast ! Thanks Christy!
Christy's reply
feckin baldy bogman from Kildare…dont know what people see in him….cant even remember the words of his own songs…I would’nt cross the road to see him…sweatin,always on about somethin…gimme Mrs Brown any day of the week
Hi Christy, great to see you back on the road again. Hope you weren’t too sick.
Heard great reports from Killarney. Speaking of Killarney, I suppose you didn’t call over to see The Galtee Mountain Boy in Burncourt when you were passing. Any sign of a gig in the Clonmel area in the near future?
Take care a while and stay safe.
Regards…John O Neill.
Christy's reply
bocsti..it was leppin in Killarney last night…your Burncourt reminder came a bit late..never thought of it….tearing back towards Baile Áth Clíath now hoping to catch devotions before Glenroe….just crossing The Curragh now..scene of many the boyhood ramble…the odd mitch in the Furze…where we once we gathered mushrooms and sold them for 1/6 a hank….crossing the Liffey between Athgarvan and Walshestown remembering allsorts of diversions…Naas looming..its all memories here for me,familiar sights in every direction….the Hill of Allen to my left, Jigginstown Castle to my right….
no word of Clonmel from the planning department…I’ll sen them a memo in the morning and we’ll see if there is anything cooking on the Mainguard….is The Collins Hall still a goer? maybe Hearns Hotel, or The Ormonde or The Minella….maybe a tour of that Vale of Honey…I’ll shack up in Annie’s for a fortnight and we’ll all suck crubeens at the Westgate
Hello Christy,
I’m sorry the video didn’t work.
Here’s another link to the same clip https://youtu.be/aH1TYj_YXXc
Found under a Yorkshire sky. I’m pretty sure this one won’t scramble itself on its way to you through the clouds.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
we watch the Gradam Awards every year..always a joy to see Traditional Players, Singers and Dancers gaining national recognition…heartwarming to see Dolores Keane again…..Dolores had it all across her performing years…a natural “blas” for the pure tradition, plus an ability to move into more contemporary settings without ever sacrificing her musical integrity
Well, a nice sunny morning here, Hope alls well with you.
Here’s a chorus of ‘Mother Eireann ”
“Mother Eireann, our Irish nation.
Land of the warrior, The Poet, The Piper.
Our Heroes lie upon a bed of Clover.
The leaf may rot,
But the root does not”
And the Chorus of “And 9 men more”
“Bobby Sands and 9 men more,
In a fight for human rights,
For something you believed in,
You sacrificed your lives
Your names are not forgotten,
And never will they be,
Or your struggle against oppression,
Your courage, and dignity.”
Maybe I should post links?
I have them up on YouTube,
I didn”t feckin think of that….I would greatly value feedback from you all, I’m not too sensitive, so no worries. Enjoy your Sunday, I’m looking at tickets for The Trim gig Christy, I’ll most likely see you there. All the best
Christy's reply
“They took away Hurson,McCreesh, McDonnell and McIlwee,
O’Hara, Hughes,Lynch,Devine,Sands and Doherty…
from Camlough,Bellaghy, Dungiven,The Bogside, Belfast and Tyrone,
where the gerrymandered people rose up, never again to lie down.”…
remember too Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg….two Mayo Volunteers who died, separately, on Hunger Strike in English Prisons….
Yes Christy, back gigging again this past couple of months. Unfortunately the pub scene has taken a hit after the pandemic and the number of people out and about enjoying a pint and a song has definitely decreased, in Armagh, Down and Louth anyway.! A diary with 6 nights out and 1 night off is a thing of the past now! Meant to say in my earlier post, “Dark end of the street” was exceptional on Tuesday night and very fitting too, thanks.
Take care, Decky.
Christy's reply
the old world has been turned down Decky
everything changes on a weekly basis
the simplest of things being made more complicated
as the computer takes over
but balladry is on the rise
soon the diary will fill up again
Looking forward to seeing you tonight, can I please request the voyage for Brooke and myself who are expecting the first addition to our crew in two weeks.
Seeing clon de Barras mentioned reminds me of this clip I came across from one of the gigs a nice version of motherland the same week I had successfully bided and got a copy of paddy on the road LP and brought it to the gig to gwt signed some sound from the lp must get the V player out again.
Operation mincemeat is geting good reviews worth a watch
Christy's reply
Sound Adam
A grand flashback to De Barras there
Killarney was bopping last night
Luka Bloom was at the gig
great to see the Brother
see you up in Sligo
And Christy before i forget i had my 3 year old granddaughter down last weekend. We were looking at old videos of her on my phone but she mostly loved the videos of you at gigs i had ( probably illegally) taken. Oh she loved Viva la Quinta and Clock Winds Down particularly.
Maybe one day i will haul her over the water to see you live ,on thesame ferry that will carry me over this wednesday.
Top man sir
Rory
Christy's reply
that young lady showing early signs of good taste in listening….not unlike her grandad
Hi Christy,
Sorry i have been preoccupied with ‘stuff’ and missing the wonderful record of life that is the guestbook.
Hawick will be announcing the return of our music festival shortly so bag the date folks. At least 5 gigs over the 5’7 August with acts likely to include Dean Freidman, Boo Hewerdine, Finlay Napier and ….MATT MCGINN.
I am buzzing as ‘they’ say, i presume “they’ are the bumblebees.
Love and regards
Rory
Christy's reply
thats some line-up being assembled there Rory….Hawick will throb to the music come August….
I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I never met him but he sounds like a wonderful man.
I saw this and thought some people here might like to have a crack at it. I’m hopefully going to have a go at it. It’s from Paraic McNeela’s newsletter. Dublin Fleadh is on 14th and 15th May.
To celebrate its return, Dublin Comhaltas has launched the Dublin Fleadh Challenge to help musicians everywhere blow the dust off their instruments, and get those fleadh tunes ready.
Musicians like you from all over the world have been taking part.
Taking part is easy. All you have to do is:
Record a video of yourself playing your favourite Irish tune.
Share to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (or all three if you’re feeling brave).
Tag Dublin Comhaltas using @DublinComhaltas and use the hashtag #dublinfleadhchallenge
Nominate two friends to do the same.
Their favourite videos will be shown on the Dublin Fleadh website, so make sure to put your best foot forward.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
time to lilt a few polkas and press send
Row dill dum dill de doo dum dido
row dill di dum doo dill dido
Sometimes the timing of events can be so strange…I’ve just filled the car boot with instruments and supplies to head for Fred’s and the Peak District.Almost out of the door and hit with sad news that our mutual friend, John lost his cancer battle a few hours ago. I’d known him for over 60 years, he was Fred ‘s mate for almost as long.
John loved music but never played. He’s a brilliant photographer/ film maker and shot the footage of the ‘Nightshift’ songs that are on the Pat/Rory lockdown film for you.
I’ve just played a fairly scruffy version of ‘The Parting Glass’ on the mandolin John gave me and thought it would be great if anyone watching your film, comes across our bit and raises a cuppa to John, the film maestro.
I know no one here knew him, but he’d have been popular!
Thanks and all good wishes
Dave
Christy's reply
what a privildge, to have known such a good friend,
the sadness of his passing eased by the memory of your times together….
its that time for us Dave..
old companeros falling by the wayside…
let us make the best of whats left..
I’m gonna ring some old pals today..
if only to say;
” Hello, how you keepin “
G’day Christy:
Caught the first episode of Billy The Kid on Netflix – could have had City of Chicago as sound track…I didn’t know he was a McCarty. Enjoyed it & eager for the next bit…
Sounds like your shows have been hits for both the audience & the player…as they should.
I’m now officially retired – or “tired – again!” as my dear wife teasingly puts it.
More time to savour life’s joys (including a certain Irishman’s music) & ponder man’s stupidity
Best wishes to you & yours,
Danny Harris, Australia
Very best wishes
There you are Danny….keep busy in retirement….I’ll check Biily out..thanks for the tip
Hi Christy, thanks for the great night on Saturday night in the INEC. It was a great set list. You are like a bottle of wine!!
QPR
Loftus Rd
Rodney Marsh
Dagrab, that’s sad what you told us about losing your good friend, you’d talked about him to us online here. Aint it a hazard that coming to our age we start losing our sidekicks or companeros; they leave us with only just our memories of them. Dean Freidman; a name looming from our past. ‘Lucky Man’, unsure was he a one-hit wonder.
before she left us,our Mother often spoke of being in the Departure Lounge…..she also maintained that “Old Age is not to be recommended, until one considers the alternative”
Hey Christy – the next best thing to seeing you perform live is listening to a recording of your performance the very next day. Thank you so much for sharing your gig at INEC with me – you are truly The Greatest.
Tim
hope it works out….you get a mention
Hi Christy
Thanks for the kind words – and similar from songsters here – greatly appreciated.
You’re spot on about making the best of what’s left… we gave it a damned good go at weekend! Wonderful setting in the Derbyshire hills. The best of food and drink, music, laughter and a choked up version of John’s favourite song – ‘America’ by Simon and Garfunkel. We managed to get through many songs, put some new ones on the production line and lashed through the ‘greatest hits’…’Beeswing’ being a highlight (no surprise).
Brilliant that you had a fab gig and hopefully, a taking of the Kerry air – I’m long overdue a visit to that wonderful place.
Anyway, best get the gear out of the car – after a few days away, it’s a treat to trawl the news here – all the best to all.
Dave
Yes Dave…..I love the buzz of getting home….these days my “touring” is one gig at a time, always on the Island….I still like the “getting home”feeling…unpacking the work bag. putting everything in place…getting into the home duds…check the set list….put on the Kettle
next up Sligo…..The Hawkswell is a lovely venue and Sligo has always been a good gig town
Hello Christy,
Well the Gradam awards are new to me, I can only apologise, I come from the land of the heathen.
I found Dolores Keane’s wonderful singing from the awards
https://youtu.be/JgRmcAhRbKM
There’s no understanding taste, or lack of it… Some of us are happy to cross oceans. I forget the words of my own songs too. Those and other people’s. And you’ve got a 25 year head start on me.
That tune from Clyde’s bonny banks is beautiful to sing. I’m quite pleased with the words I wrote. There are a few bits that make me wince, but most of it isn’t too painful.
Rebecca
I first heard Dolores singing when she was a member of De Danaan in the 1970s.Over the years she has made beautiful recordings.In recent years she has had some health issues but her recordings still resound .Her voice and singing remain the foremost of my time.
I know what you mean when you say that certain words “make you wince”.I often suffered such discomforts in earlier decades.Passing time has taught me that such lines are best jettisoned.
But I still retain certain lines that betimes might make some listeners wince !
Hello Christy, just back here in cork after a great weekend in the kingdom…what a brilliant gig in the inec .. i really enjoyed the mixture of the songs you were in top form as usual.. hopefully we see you in the tent in June .. take care stay. Safe ..Tony
Up The Banks Boy
Dean Friedman.
Now there’s one name from the past. Rory, I’ll be getting my tent and groundsheet rolled up tight for that forthcoming festival.
You’ll need more then your tent Ed…brexit made shite of the easy travel
Great to see Christy back in form . We really enjoyed Saturday night gig in INEC. Had been looking forward to it since the pre covid canceled gig , (two years ago) , and also the postponement a few weeks ago. Unfortunately our daughter and son in law were gone back to Sydney last week so they missed out this time. We were joined by our other daughter and her partner as well as our two sons, who were first timers at a Christy gig …. they looking forward to the next time already! Great mix of music song and story , many of the old favourites and a mix of new as well. It was different gig without Declan of course , but Christy alone or accompanied always delivers , it doesn’t matter how many times you see him , every gig is different ! Great audience as well, ( bar one , but there’s always one who wants to be heard ) , they connected with him, joined in at the right times and showed respect at the appropriate times as well. Once again it was a night to remember, only regret was the hour and a half went so fast ! Thanks Christy!
feckin baldy bogman from Kildare…dont know what people see in him….cant even remember the words of his own songs…I would’nt cross the road to see him…sweatin,always on about somethin…gimme Mrs Brown any day of the week
Hi Christy, great to see you back on the road again. Hope you weren’t too sick.
Heard great reports from Killarney. Speaking of Killarney, I suppose you didn’t call over to see The Galtee Mountain Boy in Burncourt when you were passing. Any sign of a gig in the Clonmel area in the near future?
Take care a while and stay safe.
Regards…John O Neill.
bocsti..it was leppin in Killarney last night…your Burncourt reminder came a bit late..never thought of it….tearing back towards Baile Áth Clíath now hoping to catch devotions before Glenroe….just crossing The Curragh now..scene of many the boyhood ramble…the odd mitch in the Furze…where we once we gathered mushrooms and sold them for 1/6 a hank….crossing the Liffey between Athgarvan and Walshestown remembering allsorts of diversions…Naas looming..its all memories here for me,familiar sights in every direction….the Hill of Allen to my left, Jigginstown Castle to my right….
no word of Clonmel from the planning department…I’ll sen them a memo in the morning and we’ll see if there is anything cooking on the Mainguard….is The Collins Hall still a goer? maybe Hearns Hotel, or The Ormonde or The Minella….maybe a tour of that Vale of Honey…I’ll shack up in Annie’s for a fortnight and we’ll all suck crubeens at the Westgate
Hello Christy,
I’m sorry the video didn’t work.
Here’s another link to the same clip
https://youtu.be/aH1TYj_YXXc
Found under a Yorkshire sky. I’m pretty sure this one won’t scramble itself on its way to you through the clouds.
Rebecca
we watch the Gradam Awards every year..always a joy to see Traditional Players, Singers and Dancers gaining national recognition…heartwarming to see Dolores Keane again…..Dolores had it all across her performing years…a natural “blas” for the pure tradition, plus an ability to move into more contemporary settings without ever sacrificing her musical integrity
Well, a nice sunny morning here, Hope alls well with you.
Here’s a chorus of ‘Mother Eireann ”
“Mother Eireann, our Irish nation.
Land of the warrior, The Poet, The Piper.
Our Heroes lie upon a bed of Clover.
The leaf may rot,
But the root does not”
And the Chorus of “And 9 men more”
“Bobby Sands and 9 men more,
In a fight for human rights,
For something you believed in,
You sacrificed your lives
Your names are not forgotten,
And never will they be,
Or your struggle against oppression,
Your courage, and dignity.”
Maybe I should post links?
I have them up on YouTube,
I didn”t feckin think of that….I would greatly value feedback from you all, I’m not too sensitive, so no worries. Enjoy your Sunday, I’m looking at tickets for The Trim gig Christy, I’ll most likely see you there. All the best
“They took away Hurson,McCreesh, McDonnell and McIlwee,
O’Hara, Hughes,Lynch,Devine,Sands and Doherty…
from Camlough,Bellaghy, Dungiven,The Bogside, Belfast and Tyrone,
where the gerrymandered people rose up, never again to lie down.”…
remember too Michael Gaughan and Frank Stagg….two Mayo Volunteers who died, separately, on Hunger Strike in English Prisons….
Yes Christy, back gigging again this past couple of months. Unfortunately the pub scene has taken a hit after the pandemic and the number of people out and about enjoying a pint and a song has definitely decreased, in Armagh, Down and Louth anyway.! A diary with 6 nights out and 1 night off is a thing of the past now! Meant to say in my earlier post, “Dark end of the street” was exceptional on Tuesday night and very fitting too, thanks.
Take care, Decky.
the old world has been turned down Decky
everything changes on a weekly basis
the simplest of things being made more complicated
as the computer takes over
but balladry is on the rise
soon the diary will fill up again
Hi Christy,
Looking forward to seeing you tonight, can I please request the voyage for Brooke and myself who are expecting the first addition to our crew in two weeks.
Go raibh mile maith agat
Eoin & Brooke
fáilte romhat…
Hi christy
Hope all is well
Seeing clon de Barras mentioned reminds me of this clip I came across from one of the gigs a nice version of motherland the same week I had successfully bided and got a copy of paddy on the road LP and brought it to the gig to gwt signed some sound from the lp must get the V player out again.
Hopefully see you in Sligo during the week
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmQh8p3eZhk&ab_channel=AdamSherwood
Operation mincemeat is geting good reviews worth a watch
Sound Adam
A grand flashback to De Barras there
Killarney was bopping last night
Luka Bloom was at the gig
great to see the Brother
see you up in Sligo
Hello Christy and All,
Here’s a short(ish) video that I wandered across. The mummers at the end are great.
https://fb.watch/cyluOAyIHZ/
Rebecca
wont open for me….must be the Kerry weather
And Christy before i forget i had my 3 year old granddaughter down last weekend. We were looking at old videos of her on my phone but she mostly loved the videos of you at gigs i had ( probably illegally) taken. Oh she loved Viva la Quinta and Clock Winds Down particularly.
Maybe one day i will haul her over the water to see you live ,on thesame ferry that will carry me over this wednesday.
Top man sir
Rory
that young lady showing early signs of good taste in listening….not unlike her grandad
Hi Christy,
Sorry i have been preoccupied with ‘stuff’ and missing the wonderful record of life that is the guestbook.
Hawick will be announcing the return of our music festival shortly so bag the date folks. At least 5 gigs over the 5’7 August with acts likely to include Dean Freidman, Boo Hewerdine, Finlay Napier and ….MATT MCGINN.
I am buzzing as ‘they’ say, i presume “they’ are the bumblebees.
Love and regards
Rory
thats some line-up being assembled there Rory….Hawick will throb to the music come August….
Hello Christy and All,
I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I never met him but he sounds like a wonderful man.
I saw this and thought some people here might like to have a crack at it. I’m hopefully going to have a go at it. It’s from Paraic McNeela’s newsletter. Dublin Fleadh is on 14th and 15th May.
To celebrate its return, Dublin Comhaltas has launched the Dublin Fleadh Challenge to help musicians everywhere blow the dust off their instruments, and get those fleadh tunes ready.
Musicians like you from all over the world have been taking part.
Taking part is easy. All you have to do is:
Record a video of yourself playing your favourite Irish tune.
Share to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (or all three if you’re feeling brave).
Tag Dublin Comhaltas using @DublinComhaltas and use the hashtag #dublinfleadhchallenge
Nominate two friends to do the same.
Their favourite videos will be shown on the Dublin Fleadh website, so make sure to put your best foot forward.
Rebecca
time to lilt a few polkas and press send
Row dill dum dill de doo dum dido
row dill di dum doo dill dido
Mornin’ Christy/ all
Sometimes the timing of events can be so strange…I’ve just filled the car boot with instruments and supplies to head for Fred’s and the Peak District.Almost out of the door and hit with sad news that our mutual friend, John lost his cancer battle a few hours ago. I’d known him for over 60 years, he was Fred ‘s mate for almost as long.
John loved music but never played. He’s a brilliant photographer/ film maker and shot the footage of the ‘Nightshift’ songs that are on the Pat/Rory lockdown film for you.
I’ve just played a fairly scruffy version of ‘The Parting Glass’ on the mandolin John gave me and thought it would be great if anyone watching your film, comes across our bit and raises a cuppa to John, the film maestro.
I know no one here knew him, but he’d have been popular!
Thanks and all good wishes
Dave
what a privildge, to have known such a good friend,
the sadness of his passing eased by the memory of your times together….
its that time for us Dave..
old companeros falling by the wayside…
let us make the best of whats left..
I’m gonna ring some old pals today..
if only to say;
” Hello, how you keepin “