Hello Christy,
I like this line from Billy Connolly
Never trust a man who, when left alone with a tea cosy, doesn’t try it on.
Gets me everytime.
I loved your explanation of what happens at gigs. At the Marquee, at one point you seemed to disappear so far that you nearly didn’t come back.
Gippmeister’s post took me back to when I was learning Little Musgrave, at the beginning of the lock down.
It’s an amazing song and I got pretty obsessed with it. I counted my exercise bike sessions in Musgraves, 4 or 5…
I wish you the very best with it Gippmeister, do you have a real name? It took me months and months but it was all so worth it.
I sing it most days now.
My advice is, don’t get the husband and the lover mixed up in the sword fight or you’ll have to come up with a completely different ending.
Billy Connelly tells a hilarious tale of a guy charging up to the stage. Re-tells it in his own amusing comedic style, when the fact was the guy charged up and got Billy on the stage. Jayney, that’s all you’d need doing a live concert.
Christy's reply
I first heard Billy in 1967 in The Glasgow Folk Centre in Montrose St….Himself, Gerry & Tam were The Humblebums….
I wish him well
Would it be treason or teasin’ to say season doesnt rhyme with reason! Not quite 18 words!
I put up Billy Grey here a few months ago and you said nice things about it, it also sparked an interesting conversation about plagiarism and the folkie!
Anyway, meself and me partner in plagiarism have decided, after about 40 years of listening to it, we better try our hand at the masterpiece that is Little Musgrave. I was listening to as many versions of it i could find, 4 different live Planxty versions, your solo version from your 1976 album and of course The Woman I Loved so Well. What was interesting was the live versions are all same key with the guitar open. The version from 76 appears to be sung quicker on the 2nd fret? Most interesting of all though is the version on Woman I Loved so Well. It appears to be 2 frets lower than open. So would be interested to know did you transpose the chords down a tone or detune the guitar down 2 frets or did those that mix, and master give it a rub of the relic and produce some sort of alchemy? You really do hit some low notes on it.
I was taken by the story of the drunk the other night, arent they what they call sliding doors moments?
Christy's reply
I never go back with that song…its the next time I be thinking about…I’ve not gigged it for 4 or 5 years but I feel a version coming on….its a great sonf
“I’d glad give one hundred pounds to be on yonder plain”
for many years there was always one drunk at my gigs…finally got rid of him 33 years ago
Good day Christy,
Whenever i pass someone, stranger or son, i would say hello to them.
Here in Hawick i will get 95% replies, in london 5%, in kilcullen 95% , in edinburgh 20% but to acknowledge someone’s existence is the right thing to do.
It was a post from the person who was in ALONE that spurred this post, we have no idea who is alone, who feels alone, who struggles alone.
I heard a story of a man who left a suicide note, saying if one person spoke to him on the way to the bridge he would turn back ,but the authotities found the note after nobody spoke.
You mentioned Yellow triangle the other day, i carry the tattoo of those lyrics ‘there was no one left to speak’.
I realise you know, at gigs, how much your music is loved by people you will never meet. Your music touches hearts in every country, in every room it is heard on a radio, cassette or even live, yours is the gift to say hello to everyone, not just those you pass walking your pier, thank you for greeting the stranger and making he/she/they feel not alone.
Rory
Christy's reply
We heard Lazarus Soul tonight ..they played in The Pavilion,Dun Laoghaire as part of the Folk Festival….best gig I’ve heard manys the year…..great great songs from Brian and Joe….You’d love them
Hello Christy and All,
Hope everyone’s doing ok. I’m in a bit of a gig desert right now.
The music really does keep your spirits high.
Guess I need to do some singing.
Rebecca
Hia christy hope your keeping well . We are in galway to your gig next friday night .would you sing nancy spain or bright blue rose for me and my husband albie its our wedding anniversary celebration 13 years married 22 together . I know your a busy man be very gratful if ud squeese either song in not a bother if if you dont we ll be loving every song you sing anyways .take care christy
Christy's reply
HiaTia,
Busy as an auld bee here, contentedly, trying to get lines that rhyme with reason, trying to be fit for the next game, kick off @ 8 in Salthill next friday..thats when I really get busy..when I hit the traps and inhale that air of expectation, that waft of perfume and aftershave….trying to get that delicate balance of what I need to play and what Ye want to hear..in recent times there has been a notable change in the listening habits of my good songsters…the silence during quiet songs has been awesome… then away we we go again to Lisdoon,Amsterdam,Madrid and Glenravel on the Honda 50 after a good feed of Port & Brandy…
the call-outs can present a bit of a problem (for me)….so far I’ve had numerous requests for upcoming gigs…Birthdays, Anniversaries, Memorials,Injusticies, simple proposals…these times I put them in a hat a pick out 2 before every gig…some nights it might not be appropriate to do even one call out…some acts have no problems with this and fair play to them ..but I got my own thing going on with each gig…I go on a bit of a journey and it takes me to different places every night…I like to do the gig for everyone in the audience as well as myself…the other night, half way thru the gig a very drunk man came in, stumbled up the stairs shouting at me over his shoulder….the usherette took one look at him and ( wisely) decided to go to the lavatory..he went to his seat and (thankfully) fell fast asleep….BUT his entrance changed the direction of my gig and took to a place I had not been for manys the day…
rest assured TiaFitzyRowe…if I sing either or both of those songs in Galway next Friday I will be thinking of you and Albie..also Barney, Rushe, Jimmy MacCarthy, my Mother, Jersey, Macroom, H, and all the other stuff that comes into this old head throughout the singing of a song…I will be suspended in that precious air, that duende,that brings peace and harmony to song singer and listeners..
Hi Christy,
I’ve long known of your association
With ALONE, I wrote a song 25 yrs ago called the beggerman. I’d love to send you the lyrics as I think the lyrics alone will convince you this is the song for you Christy.
I’ve never shown it to anybody.
Christy's reply
you can post your song here if you wish…
“Alone” provides badly needed counsel and support to thousands of people…I have been in touch with them once or twice across the years…I knew the Founder, the late Willie Bermingham
Hi Christy,
A lot of furore surrounding Kneecap.
Interesting story, with musical talent .
Bik Mcfarlane playing song for marcella at milltown.
Joshua burnside producing a range of intruiging sounds.
Belfast is ‘alive’ with music.
Have you ever sung ‘marcella’ i wonder?
Rory
Christy's reply
furore like hot air..comes and goes..Kneecap kick up the dust at their gigs…I hope they ride the storm
Hi Christy,
Do you remember the night you were playing CJs and the power went ? There was no panic or rushing for the exits.
You hushed us down and sang James Connolly unaccompanied – pure magic. Then you took out the bodhran and gave us the well below the valley o. The power came back. You asked them to knock it off. It was ruining the vibe. Finished it up to a mighty Galway roar. Magic night and no bar.
Looking forward to Leisureland on Friday.
Christy's reply
I remember like it was last night…must be 30 years ago..
the gig was flying when the thinder and lightning kicked off..the sky was aflame above The Aran Islands..there was a savage flash and all the power went down..it was a bit spooky at first for the room was thronged and in complete darkness…. I bagan to sing quietly and the room followed me..a sense of calm descended and Jim Donohoe shone a torch in my direction…the gig took on an atmosphere that inspired us all…30 mins later ..the power was restored butthe magic spell was broken…
well remembered Bourkey… see you in The Hanger
Hello Christy,
Home gig tonight.
I’ve had the house of the rising sun on my mind (and in my fingers and voice) these last few weeks. It gets under your skin.
Wandered across this https://youtu.be/cJNFqhMJ4DA
A song through the ages. They’re all different until the noise the animals made completely dominated it and it seems to have enveloped everyone since.
. The Joni Mitchell version isn’t on the video and that’s the one that influences me the most. I love what she captures.
Made me think of when I first started listening to you.
I’d find a song that was new to me, then I’d hear your version, and it was so obviously right that it was overwhelming trying to find my own way through something so completely inhabited by someone else.
Just had to work with it and it’s ok now.
I’ve just read that back and I’m not sure how much sense it makes. Anyway, here goes..
Rebecca
Good evening Christy,
Ballinamore came to mind tonight ( box set again).
I don’t suppose it has been aired for quite a while, funny old song, amusing and more. Is it yours originally or did someone else write it?
That led me on to Mick Blake’s song Leitrim, a very different topic in time but perhaps not that far apart in theme. Mick has a rare talent for song writing. Another child, another war as well as Oblivious and Sean MacDiarmada and Catch Cries are wonderful examples of his eloquent talent , that i know you admire.
Good night (from behind my hand grenade laying hen)
Rory
Christy's reply
Ballinamore was written by Fintan Vallely,
Mick is still producing good work
see :Youtube Mick Blake Putin
CM
Here I am finaly coming up for air after the weekend.
Sunday myself and RS sailed outside leisureland, Not a flitter of wind and the race was cancelled. In the silence I looked in still thinking of your gig and the complete contrast of experiences but both so enjoyable.
The ruaile buaile, from Saturday was some craic you steered us through a master at the helm!! I was a bit apprehensive about the rapscallions at first , I felt like standing up and saying “dún bhur mbéil ar a gcéile” but christ all mighty you sure managed to quell the insanity.
It was nice to sit back and enjoy after a week of pure mayhem at the circus.! Bhain mé fíor sult as..is máistir ar do cheird thú a mhac bán.
CS
PS Great to see H and Patsy..
Christy's reply
They were grand lads…just a wee bit excited…I can relate to that….
Twas great to see you …..hope the new band continues to flourish
Hello Christy,
The world’s turned on its head hasn’t it. You spent all that time lugging a guitar round Scotland and the North, and I listened to a recording of House of the, Rising Sun from 1933 on YouTube last weekend.
Sometimes I wonder about what we’ve lost. Things are so easy now, but the people aren’t alive and talking on YouTube.
I’m starting to get somewhere with this song. It slips through your fingers and so many chords change it and fit it. Never met anything like it.
Did you catch any of the European Championships? They’re still letting us in. Ukraine picked up two medals in the men’s gymnastics.
It’s A link to an old photo taken around 1982 in my hometown in Weesp. Together with my cousin Henk (on the right) and his girlfriend Yvonne. 40 years ago. We played songs from Dutch folksinger Boudewijn de Groot, songs from Planxty and also from you. Can you remember the folkfestival you played in Zwolle around that year (IJsselhallen)? For me it was the moment that you describe yourself as seeing & hearing The Clancy brothers.
First time I saw you live on stage. The Dubliners were there, Stocktons Wing as well. 40 years later and the O’Dreams boat will sail into the new season. Thank you Christy for the music and songs over the years. The hair is gone but the music keeps the spirits high! Hope all is well and have great time with all the gigs.
John O
Christy's reply
jasus John dont talk to me about hair…my ears nostrils and eyebrows are festooned with the fastest growing feckin wiry scraws known to man,or woman for that matter, or whatever you’re having yourself…about 40 years back my flowing locks inverted themselves and started to grow out of every orifice like feckin BillyO…I have the path worn down to Paddy The Turk my personal barber..he uses a blow torch on my ears and an approved health-and-safety scissors up the snodger..he missed a few wiry bits last week and my eyebrows were like Naomi Cambells eyelashes
I rem landing into Zwolle but very little else….there was a serious hash dealer back stage dolin out nepalese like snuff at a wake, none of us knew which band we were in ..there was a riot on the plane coming back…myself and Barney McKenna climbed into two over head lockers and went to sleep
Thanks for the reply earlier re your association with Salthill and Galway over the last six decades. Your gigs can still be hot and sweaty! I’m thinking Bundoran in a few weeks. Remember those two nights back in Oct 2018, it was mighty!
Having read your reply a few times its been some trip for you with those characters & venues mentioned in Galway over the years. I hung around with Des Kelly Jnr when I came to Galway first back in ’96 and must press him for a few more stories of the late Des Snr. He had a show on Galway Bay FM I think back then.
I paid my dues inside the gate of UCG who were then just re-christened NUIG. I had an auld Toyota Starlet and every weekend ’twas full heading off down to Clare or out to Connemara. That was our tent also! I had tapes or your own and of the late Brian O’Rourke and we gave many a tune a go on our travels. I came out the other side anyway with plenty lifelong friends and got a day capped, gowned and photographed, rubber stamped and sent on my way still in me Starlet!
If you had another 2hours in Leisureland the other night there would still a be a song which should have been sang. The Ballad of Ruby Walsh is on the list for the next one so… It’ll get plenty yelps and howls that’s for sure!
Christy's reply
If you are talking to Des Jnr please give him my regards and best wishes…this time 50 years ago his Dad, Des Snr, gave Planxty the support needed for us to move from Ballad Lounge to Concert Hall….as well as being our Manager, he became a dear friend….we had almighty crack together…Des was managing a number of Showbands and Country Bands, Planxty were on a different wavelength but Des loved our sound and music and got behind us 100%….our two first singles were on his Label “Ruby Records” ….none of the Irish Record Companies would sign us but Des kept at it until we were signed by Polydor (UK)
He put us on the road with Van and PA….he invested in Planxty, its unlikely that he ever re-couped
Last time I saw Des was when he came to a gig at Glór in Ennis….his love for music and his friendship still intact…I think of him often..please remember me to his family
Christy's reply
I was serving my apprenticeship in the Folk Clubs of England and Scotland…taking it all in….Fred Jordan, The Watersons, Carthy & Swarbrick, Cyril Tawney, Hamish Imlach, MacColl & Seeger,Jeanie Robertson, Tony Capstick, High Level Ranters, Marsden Rattlers, Stockton Fettlers, The Yetties….every night a different sound..all the genres blending together..travelling long distances to hear and learn a specific song, Ralph McTell, Mike Harding, Ian & Lorna Cambell, Streets of London, Cold Blow, Sun is Burning….so many nights in so many places…. Kircaldy, Troutbeck, Congleton, Mirfield, Beverly, Lincoln…..Nigel Denver, Jimmy Hutchinson, Mary Asquith, Rosemasy Hardman, Marie Little….
thats where I got my ba,ma,doctorate in Folk Music and Song….in Folk Clubs arpind the Highways and Byeways…Ian Manuel, Jill Pidd. Mick Hipkiss,Frank Duffy, Des English,………cherished years of growing and learning
Christy's reply
dont know what happened there..this was meant to be a reply to previous post
Hello Christy,
I like this line from Billy Connolly
Never trust a man who, when left alone with a tea cosy, doesn’t try it on.
Gets me everytime.
I loved your explanation of what happens at gigs. At the Marquee, at one point you seemed to disappear so far that you nearly didn’t come back.
Gippmeister’s post took me back to when I was learning Little Musgrave, at the beginning of the lock down.
It’s an amazing song and I got pretty obsessed with it. I counted my exercise bike sessions in Musgraves, 4 or 5…
I wish you the very best with it Gippmeister, do you have a real name? It took me months and months but it was all so worth it.
I sing it most days now.
My advice is, don’t get the husband and the lover mixed up in the sword fight or you’ll have to come up with a completely different ending.
Rebecca
The Big Yin
Billy Connelly tells a hilarious tale of a guy charging up to the stage. Re-tells it in his own amusing comedic style, when the fact was the guy charged up and got Billy on the stage. Jayney, that’s all you’d need doing a live concert.
I first heard Billy in 1967 in The Glasgow Folk Centre in Montrose St….Himself, Gerry & Tam were The Humblebums….
I wish him well
Howdy Christy!
Would it be treason or teasin’ to say season doesnt rhyme with reason! Not quite 18 words!
I put up Billy Grey here a few months ago and you said nice things about it, it also sparked an interesting conversation about plagiarism and the folkie!
Anyway, meself and me partner in plagiarism have decided, after about 40 years of listening to it, we better try our hand at the masterpiece that is Little Musgrave. I was listening to as many versions of it i could find, 4 different live Planxty versions, your solo version from your 1976 album and of course The Woman I Loved so Well. What was interesting was the live versions are all same key with the guitar open. The version from 76 appears to be sung quicker on the 2nd fret? Most interesting of all though is the version on Woman I Loved so Well. It appears to be 2 frets lower than open. So would be interested to know did you transpose the chords down a tone or detune the guitar down 2 frets or did those that mix, and master give it a rub of the relic and produce some sort of alchemy? You really do hit some low notes on it.
I was taken by the story of the drunk the other night, arent they what they call sliding doors moments?
I never go back with that song…its the next time I be thinking about…I’ve not gigged it for 4 or 5 years but I feel a version coming on….its a great sonf
“I’d glad give one hundred pounds to be on yonder plain”
for many years there was always one drunk at my gigs…finally got rid of him 33 years ago
Good day Christy,
Whenever i pass someone, stranger or son, i would say hello to them.
Here in Hawick i will get 95% replies, in london 5%, in kilcullen 95% , in edinburgh 20% but to acknowledge someone’s existence is the right thing to do.
It was a post from the person who was in ALONE that spurred this post, we have no idea who is alone, who feels alone, who struggles alone.
I heard a story of a man who left a suicide note, saying if one person spoke to him on the way to the bridge he would turn back ,but the authotities found the note after nobody spoke.
You mentioned Yellow triangle the other day, i carry the tattoo of those lyrics ‘there was no one left to speak’.
I realise you know, at gigs, how much your music is loved by people you will never meet. Your music touches hearts in every country, in every room it is heard on a radio, cassette or even live, yours is the gift to say hello to everyone, not just those you pass walking your pier, thank you for greeting the stranger and making he/she/they feel not alone.
Rory
We heard Lazarus Soul tonight ..they played in The Pavilion,Dun Laoghaire as part of the Folk Festival….best gig I’ve heard manys the year…..great great songs from Brian and Joe….You’d love them
Hope you all enjoy this
https://youtu.be/e4ssa4vQEYs
Rebecca
lovely stuff..well done Universal
Hello Christy and All,
Hope everyone’s doing ok. I’m in a bit of a gig desert right now.
The music really does keep your spirits high.
Guess I need to do some singing.
Rebecca
Hia christy hope your keeping well . We are in galway to your gig next friday night .would you sing nancy spain or bright blue rose for me and my husband albie its our wedding anniversary celebration 13 years married 22 together . I know your a busy man be very gratful if ud squeese either song in not a bother if if you dont we ll be loving every song you sing anyways .take care christy
HiaTia,
Busy as an auld bee here, contentedly, trying to get lines that rhyme with reason, trying to be fit for the next game, kick off @ 8 in Salthill next friday..thats when I really get busy..when I hit the traps and inhale that air of expectation, that waft of perfume and aftershave….trying to get that delicate balance of what I need to play and what Ye want to hear..in recent times there has been a notable change in the listening habits of my good songsters…the silence during quiet songs has been awesome… then away we we go again to Lisdoon,Amsterdam,Madrid and Glenravel on the Honda 50 after a good feed of Port & Brandy…
the call-outs can present a bit of a problem (for me)….so far I’ve had numerous requests for upcoming gigs…Birthdays, Anniversaries, Memorials,Injusticies, simple proposals…these times I put them in a hat a pick out 2 before every gig…some nights it might not be appropriate to do even one call out…some acts have no problems with this and fair play to them ..but I got my own thing going on with each gig…I go on a bit of a journey and it takes me to different places every night…I like to do the gig for everyone in the audience as well as myself…the other night, half way thru the gig a very drunk man came in, stumbled up the stairs shouting at me over his shoulder….the usherette took one look at him and ( wisely) decided to go to the lavatory..he went to his seat and (thankfully) fell fast asleep….BUT his entrance changed the direction of my gig and took to a place I had not been for manys the day…
rest assured TiaFitzyRowe…if I sing either or both of those songs in Galway next Friday I will be thinking of you and Albie..also Barney, Rushe, Jimmy MacCarthy, my Mother, Jersey, Macroom, H, and all the other stuff that comes into this old head throughout the singing of a song…I will be suspended in that precious air, that duende,that brings peace and harmony to song singer and listeners..
I wish you a safe journey from Longford to Galway
Hi Christy,
I’ve long known of your association
With ALONE, I wrote a song 25 yrs ago called the beggerman. I’d love to send you the lyrics as I think the lyrics alone will convince you this is the song for you Christy.
I’ve never shown it to anybody.
you can post your song here if you wish…
“Alone” provides badly needed counsel and support to thousands of people…I have been in touch with them once or twice across the years…I knew the Founder, the late Willie Bermingham
Hi Christy,
A lot of furore surrounding Kneecap.
Interesting story, with musical talent .
Bik Mcfarlane playing song for marcella at milltown.
Joshua burnside producing a range of intruiging sounds.
Belfast is ‘alive’ with music.
Have you ever sung ‘marcella’ i wonder?
Rory
furore like hot air..comes and goes..Kneecap kick up the dust at their gigs…I hope they ride the storm
Hi Christy
You’ve done Floyd, Morrissey, Elvis Costello.
Would you not try Paul Weller and The Jam.
Lisa Ridley
it all comes down to the song….not who wrote it
Hi Christy,
Do you remember the night you were playing CJs and the power went ? There was no panic or rushing for the exits.
You hushed us down and sang James Connolly unaccompanied – pure magic. Then you took out the bodhran and gave us the well below the valley o. The power came back. You asked them to knock it off. It was ruining the vibe. Finished it up to a mighty Galway roar. Magic night and no bar.
Looking forward to Leisureland on Friday.
I remember like it was last night…must be 30 years ago..
the gig was flying when the thinder and lightning kicked off..the sky was aflame above The Aran Islands..there was a savage flash and all the power went down..it was a bit spooky at first for the room was thronged and in complete darkness…. I bagan to sing quietly and the room followed me..a sense of calm descended and Jim Donohoe shone a torch in my direction…the gig took on an atmosphere that inspired us all…30 mins later ..the power was restored butthe magic spell was broken…
well remembered Bourkey… see you in The Hanger
Hello Christy,
Home gig tonight.
I’ve had the house of the rising sun on my mind (and in my fingers and voice) these last few weeks. It gets under your skin.
Wandered across this
https://youtu.be/cJNFqhMJ4DA
A song through the ages. They’re all different until the noise the animals made completely dominated it and it seems to have enveloped everyone since.
. The Joni Mitchell version isn’t on the video and that’s the one that influences me the most. I love what she captures.
Made me think of when I first started listening to you.
I’d find a song that was new to me, then I’d hear your version, and it was so obviously right that it was overwhelming trying to find my own way through something so completely inhabited by someone else.
Just had to work with it and it’s ok now.
I’ve just read that back and I’m not sure how much sense it makes. Anyway, here goes..
Rebecca
Hello Christy,
Gave your Early Years album a whirl last night. It’s something I do pretty often.
That song Ramblin’ Robin has a lovely rhythm to it.
Rebecca
it was a long time ago, I think that song might have come from Mike Harding….
Good evening Christy,
Ballinamore came to mind tonight ( box set again).
I don’t suppose it has been aired for quite a while, funny old song, amusing and more. Is it yours originally or did someone else write it?
That led me on to Mick Blake’s song Leitrim, a very different topic in time but perhaps not that far apart in theme. Mick has a rare talent for song writing. Another child, another war as well as Oblivious and Sean MacDiarmada and Catch Cries are wonderful examples of his eloquent talent , that i know you admire.
Good night (from behind my hand grenade laying hen)
Rory
Ballinamore was written by Fintan Vallely,
Mick is still producing good work
see :Youtube Mick Blake Putin
CM
Here I am finaly coming up for air after the weekend.
Sunday myself and RS sailed outside leisureland, Not a flitter of wind and the race was cancelled. In the silence I looked in still thinking of your gig and the complete contrast of experiences but both so enjoyable.
The ruaile buaile, from Saturday was some craic you steered us through a master at the helm!! I was a bit apprehensive about the rapscallions at first , I felt like standing up and saying “dún bhur mbéil ar a gcéile” but christ all mighty you sure managed to quell the insanity.
It was nice to sit back and enjoy after a week of pure mayhem at the circus.! Bhain mé fíor sult as..is máistir ar do cheird thú a mhac bán.
CS
PS Great to see H and Patsy..
They were grand lads…just a wee bit excited…I can relate to that….
Twas great to see you …..hope the new band continues to flourish
Hello Christy,
The world’s turned on its head hasn’t it. You spent all that time lugging a guitar round Scotland and the North, and I listened to a recording of House of the, Rising Sun from 1933 on YouTube last weekend.
Sometimes I wonder about what we’ve lost. Things are so easy now, but the people aren’t alive and talking on YouTube.
I’m starting to get somewhere with this song. It slips through your fingers and so many chords change it and fit it. Never met anything like it.
Did you catch any of the European Championships? They’re still letting us in. Ukraine picked up two medals in the men’s gymnastics.
Rebecca
I’m thinking of taking up the Hammer
Dear Christy
Hope this works via the link.
https://share.icloud.com/photos/0f1vXRJ_z5OT94u1OWVoWEcIA
It’s A link to an old photo taken around 1982 in my hometown in Weesp. Together with my cousin Henk (on the right) and his girlfriend Yvonne. 40 years ago. We played songs from Dutch folksinger Boudewijn de Groot, songs from Planxty and also from you. Can you remember the folkfestival you played in Zwolle around that year (IJsselhallen)? For me it was the moment that you describe yourself as seeing & hearing The Clancy brothers.
First time I saw you live on stage. The Dubliners were there, Stocktons Wing as well. 40 years later and the O’Dreams boat will sail into the new season. Thank you Christy for the music and songs over the years. The hair is gone but the music keeps the spirits high! Hope all is well and have great time with all the gigs.
John O
jasus John dont talk to me about hair…my ears nostrils and eyebrows are festooned with the fastest growing feckin wiry scraws known to man,or woman for that matter, or whatever you’re having yourself…about 40 years back my flowing locks inverted themselves and started to grow out of every orifice like feckin BillyO…I have the path worn down to Paddy The Turk my personal barber..he uses a blow torch on my ears and an approved health-and-safety scissors up the snodger..he missed a few wiry bits last week and my eyebrows were like Naomi Cambells eyelashes
I rem landing into Zwolle but very little else….there was a serious hash dealer back stage dolin out nepalese like snuff at a wake, none of us knew which band we were in ..there was a riot on the plane coming back…myself and Barney McKenna climbed into two over head lockers and went to sleep
look up..its aer lingus
Thanks for the reply earlier re your association with Salthill and Galway over the last six decades. Your gigs can still be hot and sweaty! I’m thinking Bundoran in a few weeks. Remember those two nights back in Oct 2018, it was mighty!
Having read your reply a few times its been some trip for you with those characters & venues mentioned in Galway over the years. I hung around with Des Kelly Jnr when I came to Galway first back in ’96 and must press him for a few more stories of the late Des Snr. He had a show on Galway Bay FM I think back then.
I paid my dues inside the gate of UCG who were then just re-christened NUIG. I had an auld Toyota Starlet and every weekend ’twas full heading off down to Clare or out to Connemara. That was our tent also! I had tapes or your own and of the late Brian O’Rourke and we gave many a tune a go on our travels. I came out the other side anyway with plenty lifelong friends and got a day capped, gowned and photographed, rubber stamped and sent on my way still in me Starlet!
If you had another 2hours in Leisureland the other night there would still a be a song which should have been sang. The Ballad of Ruby Walsh is on the list for the next one so… It’ll get plenty yelps and howls that’s for sure!
If you are talking to Des Jnr please give him my regards and best wishes…this time 50 years ago his Dad, Des Snr, gave Planxty the support needed for us to move from Ballad Lounge to Concert Hall….as well as being our Manager, he became a dear friend….we had almighty crack together…Des was managing a number of Showbands and Country Bands, Planxty were on a different wavelength but Des loved our sound and music and got behind us 100%….our two first singles were on his Label “Ruby Records” ….none of the Irish Record Companies would sign us but Des kept at it until we were signed by Polydor (UK)
He put us on the road with Van and PA….he invested in Planxty, its unlikely that he ever re-couped
Last time I saw Des was when he came to a gig at Glór in Ennis….his love for music and his friendship still intact…I think of him often..please remember me to his family
I was serving my apprenticeship in the Folk Clubs of England and Scotland…taking it all in….Fred Jordan, The Watersons, Carthy & Swarbrick, Cyril Tawney, Hamish Imlach, MacColl & Seeger,Jeanie Robertson, Tony Capstick, High Level Ranters, Marsden Rattlers, Stockton Fettlers, The Yetties….every night a different sound..all the genres blending together..travelling long distances to hear and learn a specific song, Ralph McTell, Mike Harding, Ian & Lorna Cambell, Streets of London, Cold Blow, Sun is Burning….so many nights in so many places…. Kircaldy, Troutbeck, Congleton, Mirfield, Beverly, Lincoln…..Nigel Denver, Jimmy Hutchinson, Mary Asquith, Rosemasy Hardman, Marie Little….
thats where I got my ba,ma,doctorate in Folk Music and Song….in Folk Clubs arpind the Highways and Byeways…Ian Manuel, Jill Pidd. Mick Hipkiss,Frank Duffy, Des English,………cherished years of growing and learning
dont know what happened there..this was meant to be a reply to previous post
Hello Christy,
287 in a year. Is that your record?
I think it could be a world record.
No wonder you’re so good at it.
Rebecca