Hi Christy,
Isn’t the journey of a song a funny thing. I remember reading The Grapes of Wrath while listening to Woody’s Dust Bowl Ballads, then watching John Ford’s film. The scene with the Okie kids nailed me to the floor. Then you hear Kris Kristofferson sing Hear comes that rainbow again and find out it was Johnny Cash’s favorite song that he played every concert.
We were going to go all out with VIP Bob Dylan tickets (from the covid fund) until Herself said wouldn’t it better to see Luka in the Taibhhrreac, Damo In the Black Box and the Christy Man In Vicar Street. And I cried and inlay wept for joy …
All the best
Bourkey i
Christy's reply
I hear that Bob is gonna sing “Me & The Rose” next month in the Tríona (with Pipes & Hurdy Gurdy.)…I’ll have my Samsung powered up for that one
Hi Christy,
What put the blood?
Your version sounds suitably dramatic and mournful but i tell you what, the question was ( and always will be) best posed by John Reilly.
The birds of the air are still mourning and singing for him.
Take care
Rory
Christy's reply
I love to sing that song…a few lines get altered..a verse added occasionally..just like John himself used to do…
we are blest here..our Tradition lives on through different strands…theres a nation- wide re-awakening… a renewal fuelled by many different elements…Lankum, Daorí Farrell, Damien Dempsey and a host of other young Bands and soloists, ongoing exposure on TG4 for many young players, the work of ITMA is vital, many song circles like “An Góilín” and “The Larry”…..also we have some beaitiful Films emerging both in Irish and English many of them using Irish Music Soundtracks…”Song of Granite” the story of Joe Heaney features Colm Seoige playing the young Joe..Colm is a regular correspondant here…..Brendan
Gleeson, one of our leading Film Actors is a fine fiddle player, Adrian Dunbar and accomplished singer……
“she will lave her foot down on a ship’s board
and sail right after me”
I listened to the interview in relays and stages. The beauty of pre-recorded interviews and You Tube. Some nights ago this interview was ‘in competition’ with a Sky Arts programme featuring the super-group Cream. We got a piece of ‘history’. Cream went into Atlantic Studios, New York, to record an album. Head of Atlantic Records was keen to have a best producer on-site to produce the albums. A young ‘whippersnapper’ from the Bronx, New York who had worked in folk music, he’d worked with Tom Paxton, was drafted in to assist in producing.
Name: Felix Pappalardi.
Christy's reply
I remember the night well Ed….myself and Ginger swapped a few beats on a drum ‘n bodhrán duet that ran for 18 minutes which sadly became an out-take on the subsequent Cream album ( I was gutted)….Felix sang “One Last Cold Kiss” for me and I gave him “The Night Before Larry was stretched”
Great interview on the ITMA page. I loved it as you recounted your love of ballads and you love of the great Liam Og’s piping. Subsequently I listened to Catherine Ennis and Liam plating Easter Snow; beautiful.
Christy's reply
its the thing about the folk and trad…..we could talk about it forever…pausing occasionally for a verse or the turn of a tune
Hello Christy,
Loved what you said about Bob Dylan gigs. You sound like me at your gigs. It’s the most fun you can have in a classroom…
I had a wander round the Someneck website. What a haven of a shop. Beautiful guitars. There’s one in Bradford that feels the same to me. The Early music shop. When I was a kid it was above Woods music shop on Manningham Lane. These days they’re in an old mill at Saltaire. The place is stuffed to the ginnels with every type of weird and wonderful instrument you can imagine. No uillean pipes though. They must be beyond weird. They do have harps that musicians would buy, not just harp shaped things that end up being ornaments in a posh living room.
Someneck looks like it’s 2 minutes walk from where we stay in Dublin. Must make sure we don’t miss it next time.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
neither pipe nor harp doth linger in Someneck..its geetars all the way…
Hi Christy,
That was a mighty chat you had with Liam O’Connor of ITMA.
The importance of pronouncing every word of a lyric got me thinking about two of the first albums I owned.
Almost Blue by Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan’s Infidels.
I thought I heard Elvis singing
“Long could stand another moment “on Good year for the roses. But on hearing George Jones the line actually goes
“Lawn could stand another mowing”.
On Bob Dylan’s Sweetheart like you I thought “She wanted to hold me not just to have”. Turns out “She wanted a whole man not just a half”
Hope the Armagh gigs go well.
Bourkey
Christy's reply
Maybe its old man’s ears..I’m just not sure…sometimes I play songs sent me and cannot make out any lyrics…I think it s very strange when singers pay so little attention to the words they are presenting…
I loved Declan’s Blue album..played it a lot way back..
Bob is Himself..I’ll go and hear him again in a few weeks..I’ll barely understand a line but Bob is Bob….he changed the settings for many of our lives…Him & Zozimus….I’m happy to to see him again…be in the crowd, watch the Band, try and figure out what he’s up to..best song writer of all
“That man whom with his fingers cheats ,
who lies with every breath”
Well Christy,
You might be interested to know that on Friday night last, lads from Tallaght, Pearse St, the North inner city, Listowel, Fermanagh, Derry & Tyrone collaborated with a couple of Aussies and were victorious in the Brisbane Over 35s Div 1 Grand Final.
And to celebrate this auspicious win, one of the squad, a delusional singer songwriter stole the chords & melody of Joxer and came up with an oul tune.
Some legacy for a song written in the back of a van waiting for a puncture repair.
May the good JuJu ride on forever.
Drive on a Chara,
Dan O’B
Christy's reply
Good Man Dan….
that Brisbane Over 35s Div 1 was always the divil of a league..well done to your upstanding squad..may you thrive in the future and celebrate your current status
re the tune to Joxer..dont tell anyone but I borrowed it myself from Dominic Behan via Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and numerous other tune adapters,borrowers and plagiarisers encountered along the way…
Hello Christy,
I took an hour yesterday to watch your interview with Liam O’connor and you talked about all my favourite subjects. Songs, books, relationships, magic, history, work… Music is a big subject isn’t it.
Thank you for spending so much time talking about Lord Baker. I’m finding it a really comforting song to sing. I wasn’t expecting that. It kind of envelopes you. Very unexpected.
And we got a close up view and listen to the Gibson guitar. Did you find out who, else played it before you.
You talked about people, a lot about Liam O’Flynn, Seamus Ennis and his daughter Catherine, Donal.
I’m going to have to watch again to get more of it.
Steve’s pipes will become a full set next month (hopefully) when the regulators are fitted. They are beautiful already… They have the same future ahead of them as Liam Og’s fine sets. They wi go to the piping organisation.
Rebecca
Christy's reply
I enjoyed the chat with Liam O’Connor..as well as holding the reins at the ITMA he is also a highly accomplished Fiddle Player who comes from a great Dublin Music Family…
The guitar on my lap is not the afore-mentioned Gibson but an Atkin guitar made in Canterbury England.It has the look of an old Gibson but,like manys the pair of Jeans, it was built and sold in a “distressed” state..I happened upon Atkin Guitars in my favourite guitar place…SomeNeck Guitars in Dublin…Declan Sinnott introduced me this Oasis about 10 years ago and ever since I drop in for a chat…they also have a great website..no harps nor pipes but always worth a browse
The Gibson is here beside me as I type… I love the feel of it but dont know if it will go on stage..I’m welded to my 45 year-old – Taks when it comes to gigs…they seem to play themselves( this should not be read as a recommendation for the modern variety of Taks)..I like to pick up the Vintage Gibson for very gentle picking here in the work room..songs like Aonghus,Quiet Desperation,Butterfly,Broomielaw, Away You Broken Heart which, after Belfast this week, now segues out of Giuseppe
Lord Baker is a world of its own..there are others that exist in this nether place but ,for me, it sits upon a throne of ancient balladry…not that I could ever explain why…
Rebecca
Thanks for sharing that link.
Ringing that bell is one of the most powerful songs that I’ve ever heard. And Christy is the man to do it justice.
Hope the harp is going well for you.
Peace and Love
Bourkey
Christy's reply
written by Rob Corcoran ( and The Necessary Evils)
Hello Christy,
My pleasure. It was great to read your thoughts on the relationship between singer, song and listeners. Even more so when the singer is also the writer.
I’m enjoying exploring the little wirestrung harp. It’s very different to the modern lever harp. It fits the old songs perfectly. Got through Lord Baker for the first time yesterday, with the help of the wire strung harp. I missed a couple of verses, but I got there.
Hi Christy
A massive thanks for your generosity to The People’s Kitchen in what was a magical night at The Waterfront Hall in Belfast. The music was moving and uplifting in equal measures, and your kindness to the Kitchen and myself will live long. Thank you for your generosity, your spirit and your voice.
Go raibh Maith agat a chara
Damian
Christy's reply
Thank You and all The Volunteers at The People’s Kitchen
any one interested in donating or helping see;
Hi Christy,
while i may still be smarting from ‘justice’ getting in my way on Monday, Charlie had an absolute blast thanks.
I have found that Ye Vagabonds plus Joshua Burnside are playing in Stirling’s Tollbooth ( on the castle ramparts) next wednesday . So Stevie , his wife Kim, and i are going, and are thoroughly looking forward to it. I recall you gave ye vagabonds a positive review here a couple of years ago, and i am an admirer of young Burnside.
So here’s tae us, whaes like us, damn few are they’re a’ deed.
Rory
Ps pick up some great scots heritage hoodies and t shirts on stevie’s not for profit facebook page scottishsuperheroes well worth a look
Christy's reply
sounds like a great night in Auld Reekie
I’ll be heading up to the County of Armagh
hopin to rob a few orchards
Hello Christy.Just a big thank you for the memorable night of music and song in the waterfront hall on monday night. It was my first time in Belfast .By god Christy you made it memorable.Atmosphere was magic. Thanks again Christy . Up THE Rebels/ The Blood And Bandage.Slan Leat A Chara.
Christy's reply
dere ye were boy
a long way from Timoleague
cosy as could be
lookin completely at home
and you outside europe
fair play Dave
Well done to Rebeccah – that’s an absolutely brilliant clip and gives a great feel of a community united in song. Don’t think Mickey Coleman is gigging much – living in New York and had a really scary health scare – a warning to us all https://youtu.be/l6yzbh2F3pU
Thank You so much Rebecca…this is just what I hope to hear..the man who wrote as he sings it…what a brilliant piece of footage too..The sudience sitting with their backs to the stage,, such an array of people lined up to perform, I’d love to have been in that wee hall on that special occasion..I wonder where that wee hall stands.. what was the nights function ..the listeners so deeply immersed in Neilly’s great singing…Thank You for taking the trouble to search and share
Hi Christy, loved listening to your stories on the ITMA programme. There is always great learnings to be derived about the songs and their carriers. Great to hear Belfast was singing! Did Rosalita & Jack Campbell appear? In San Francisco a few years ago I scribbled “The grass is always greener on the other side. You may feel so far away, but never lose your pride. Whether ya’ come from Dublin, from Cavan or Tyrone, there’ll always be a special place for you to call your home.” Next up Our Ma.
Hello Christy,
Thanks to John for posting the Barry Kerr version of The Tern and the Swallow. Beautiful.
I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for giving one of your set list grids to me. It’s on orange card and it looks wonderful, framed on the wall of my workroom. I love your names for the songs. I look at it every day. So, thank you!
Talking of song sharing. I remember reading that someone asked Margaret Barry where she got a particular song from. She said Radio Luxembourg.
So many opportunities these days, but not often as direct as it used to be.
Sorry to bother you but as I am a big fan of yours and have been at many of your wonderful gigs in the past I was wondering if you could help me. I have booked the Carrickdale hotel for the 11th of November as it is my 35th wedding anniversary as a surprise for my husband but I have been unable to secure tickets, do you know if there is anywhere i could get two tickets. I would really appreciate if you could help.
Hi Christy,
Isn’t the journey of a song a funny thing. I remember reading The Grapes of Wrath while listening to Woody’s Dust Bowl Ballads, then watching John Ford’s film. The scene with the Okie kids nailed me to the floor. Then you hear Kris Kristofferson sing Hear comes that rainbow again and find out it was Johnny Cash’s favorite song that he played every concert.
We were going to go all out with VIP Bob Dylan tickets (from the covid fund) until Herself said wouldn’t it better to see Luka in the Taibhhrreac, Damo In the Black Box and the Christy Man In Vicar Street. And I cried and inlay wept for joy …
All the best
Bourkey i
I hear that Bob is gonna sing “Me & The Rose” next month in the Tríona (with Pipes & Hurdy Gurdy.)…I’ll have my Samsung powered up for that one
Hi Christy,
What put the blood?
Your version sounds suitably dramatic and mournful but i tell you what, the question was ( and always will be) best posed by John Reilly.
The birds of the air are still mourning and singing for him.
Take care
Rory
I love to sing that song…a few lines get altered..a verse added occasionally..just like John himself used to do…
we are blest here..our Tradition lives on through different strands…theres a nation- wide re-awakening… a renewal fuelled by many different elements…Lankum, Daorí Farrell, Damien Dempsey and a host of other young Bands and soloists, ongoing exposure on TG4 for many young players, the work of ITMA is vital, many song circles like “An Góilín” and “The Larry”…..also we have some beaitiful Films emerging both in Irish and English many of them using Irish Music Soundtracks…”Song of Granite” the story of Joe Heaney features Colm Seoige playing the young Joe..Colm is a regular correspondant here…..Brendan
Gleeson, one of our leading Film Actors is a fine fiddle player, Adrian Dunbar and accomplished singer……
“she will lave her foot down on a ship’s board
and sail right after me”
I listened to the interview in relays and stages. The beauty of pre-recorded interviews and You Tube. Some nights ago this interview was ‘in competition’ with a Sky Arts programme featuring the super-group Cream. We got a piece of ‘history’. Cream went into Atlantic Studios, New York, to record an album. Head of Atlantic Records was keen to have a best producer on-site to produce the albums. A young ‘whippersnapper’ from the Bronx, New York who had worked in folk music, he’d worked with Tom Paxton, was drafted in to assist in producing.
Name: Felix Pappalardi.
I remember the night well Ed….myself and Ginger swapped a few beats on a drum ‘n bodhrán duet that ran for 18 minutes which sadly became an out-take on the subsequent Cream album ( I was gutted)….Felix sang “One Last Cold Kiss” for me and I gave him “The Night Before Larry was stretched”
Great interview on the ITMA page. I loved it as you recounted your love of ballads and you love of the great Liam Og’s piping. Subsequently I listened to Catherine Ennis and Liam plating Easter Snow; beautiful.
its the thing about the folk and trad…..we could talk about it forever…pausing occasionally for a verse or the turn of a tune
I was away and missed the booking last week.
Our family is big fan and attended his last virtual concert in the NCH during COVID.
Can you put on more shows? I need to see Christy live!
Gerry Jones
if everything holds up..the caravan will roll out thru 2023..
hopefully setting up the carnival near you as we
move-along-get-along-go! move! shift!
Hello Christy,
Loved what you said about Bob Dylan gigs. You sound like me at your gigs. It’s the most fun you can have in a classroom…
I had a wander round the Someneck website. What a haven of a shop. Beautiful guitars. There’s one in Bradford that feels the same to me. The Early music shop. When I was a kid it was above Woods music shop on Manningham Lane. These days they’re in an old mill at Saltaire. The place is stuffed to the ginnels with every type of weird and wonderful instrument you can imagine. No uillean pipes though. They must be beyond weird. They do have harps that musicians would buy, not just harp shaped things that end up being ornaments in a posh living room.
Someneck looks like it’s 2 minutes walk from where we stay in Dublin. Must make sure we don’t miss it next time.
Rebecca
neither pipe nor harp doth linger in Someneck..its geetars all the way…
Hi Christy,
That was a mighty chat you had with Liam O’Connor of ITMA.
The importance of pronouncing every word of a lyric got me thinking about two of the first albums I owned.
Almost Blue by Elvis Costello and Bob Dylan’s Infidels.
I thought I heard Elvis singing
“Long could stand another moment “on Good year for the roses. But on hearing George Jones the line actually goes
“Lawn could stand another mowing”.
On Bob Dylan’s Sweetheart like you I thought “She wanted to hold me not just to have”. Turns out “She wanted a whole man not just a half”
Hope the Armagh gigs go well.
Bourkey
Maybe its old man’s ears..I’m just not sure…sometimes I play songs sent me and cannot make out any lyrics…I think it s very strange when singers pay so little attention to the words they are presenting…
I loved Declan’s Blue album..played it a lot way back..
Bob is Himself..I’ll go and hear him again in a few weeks..I’ll barely understand a line but Bob is Bob….he changed the settings for many of our lives…Him & Zozimus….I’m happy to to see him again…be in the crowd, watch the Band, try and figure out what he’s up to..best song writer of all
“That man whom with his fingers cheats ,
who lies with every breath”
Well Christy,
You might be interested to know that on Friday night last, lads from Tallaght, Pearse St, the North inner city, Listowel, Fermanagh, Derry & Tyrone collaborated with a couple of Aussies and were victorious in the Brisbane Over 35s Div 1 Grand Final.
And to celebrate this auspicious win, one of the squad, a delusional singer songwriter stole the chords & melody of Joxer and came up with an oul tune.
Some legacy for a song written in the back of a van waiting for a puncture repair.
May the good JuJu ride on forever.
Drive on a Chara,
Dan O’B
Good Man Dan….
that Brisbane Over 35s Div 1 was always the divil of a league..well done to your upstanding squad..may you thrive in the future and celebrate your current status
re the tune to Joxer..dont tell anyone but I borrowed it myself from Dominic Behan via Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and numerous other tune adapters,borrowers and plagiarisers encountered along the way…
Hello Christy,
I took an hour yesterday to watch your interview with Liam O’connor and you talked about all my favourite subjects. Songs, books, relationships, magic, history, work… Music is a big subject isn’t it.
Thank you for spending so much time talking about Lord Baker. I’m finding it a really comforting song to sing. I wasn’t expecting that. It kind of envelopes you. Very unexpected.
And we got a close up view and listen to the Gibson guitar. Did you find out who, else played it before you.
You talked about people, a lot about Liam O’Flynn, Seamus Ennis and his daughter Catherine, Donal.
I’m going to have to watch again to get more of it.
Steve’s pipes will become a full set next month (hopefully) when the regulators are fitted. They are beautiful already… They have the same future ahead of them as Liam Og’s fine sets. They wi go to the piping organisation.
Rebecca
I enjoyed the chat with Liam O’Connor..as well as holding the reins at the ITMA he is also a highly accomplished Fiddle Player who comes from a great Dublin Music Family…
The guitar on my lap is not the afore-mentioned Gibson but an Atkin guitar made in Canterbury England.It has the look of an old Gibson but,like manys the pair of Jeans, it was built and sold in a “distressed” state..I happened upon Atkin Guitars in my favourite guitar place…SomeNeck Guitars in Dublin…Declan Sinnott introduced me this Oasis about 10 years ago and ever since I drop in for a chat…they also have a great website..no harps nor pipes but always worth a browse
The Gibson is here beside me as I type… I love the feel of it but dont know if it will go on stage..I’m welded to my 45 year-old – Taks when it comes to gigs…they seem to play themselves( this should not be read as a recommendation for the modern variety of Taks)..I like to pick up the Vintage Gibson for very gentle picking here in the work room..songs like Aonghus,Quiet Desperation,Butterfly,Broomielaw, Away You Broken Heart which, after Belfast this week, now segues out of Giuseppe
Lord Baker is a world of its own..there are others that exist in this nether place but ,for me, it sits upon a throne of ancient balladry…not that I could ever explain why…
Rebecca
Thanks for sharing that link.
Ringing that bell is one of the most powerful songs that I’ve ever heard. And Christy is the man to do it justice.
Hope the harp is going well for you.
Peace and Love
Bourkey
written by Rob Corcoran ( and The Necessary Evils)
Hello Christy,
My pleasure. It was great to read your thoughts on the relationship between singer, song and listeners. Even more so when the singer is also the writer.
I’m enjoying exploring the little wirestrung harp. It’s very different to the modern lever harp. It fits the old songs perfectly. Got through Lord Baker for the first time yesterday, with the help of the wire strung harp. I missed a couple of verses, but I got there.
Rebecca
Rock On Rebecca
Hi Christy
A massive thanks for your generosity to The People’s Kitchen in what was a magical night at The Waterfront Hall in Belfast. The music was moving and uplifting in equal measures, and your kindness to the Kitchen and myself will live long. Thank you for your generosity, your spirit and your voice.
Go raibh Maith agat a chara
Damian
Thank You and all The Volunteers at The People’s Kitchen
any one interested in donating or helping see;
peopleskitchenbelfast.org
Hi Christy,
while i may still be smarting from ‘justice’ getting in my way on Monday, Charlie had an absolute blast thanks.
I have found that Ye Vagabonds plus Joshua Burnside are playing in Stirling’s Tollbooth ( on the castle ramparts) next wednesday . So Stevie , his wife Kim, and i are going, and are thoroughly looking forward to it. I recall you gave ye vagabonds a positive review here a couple of years ago, and i am an admirer of young Burnside.
So here’s tae us, whaes like us, damn few are they’re a’ deed.
Rory
Ps pick up some great scots heritage hoodies and t shirts on stevie’s not for profit facebook page scottishsuperheroes well worth a look
sounds like a great night in Auld Reekie
I’ll be heading up to the County of Armagh
hopin to rob a few orchards
Hello Christy.Just a big thank you for the memorable night of music and song in the waterfront hall on monday night. It was my first time in Belfast .By god Christy you made it memorable.Atmosphere was magic. Thanks again Christy . Up THE Rebels/ The Blood And Bandage.Slan Leat A Chara.
dere ye were boy
a long way from Timoleague
cosy as could be
lookin completely at home
and you outside europe
fair play Dave
Well done to Rebeccah – that’s an absolutely brilliant clip and gives a great feel of a community united in song. Don’t think Mickey Coleman is gigging much – living in New York and had a really scary health scare – a warning to us all https://youtu.be/l6yzbh2F3pU
I’m wondering if this might be it?
https://youtu.be/LSQEJZqaaig
Rebecca
Thank You so much Rebecca…this is just what I hope to hear..the man who wrote as he sings it…what a brilliant piece of footage too..The sudience sitting with their backs to the stage,, such an array of people lined up to perform, I’d love to have been in that wee hall on that special occasion..I wonder where that wee hall stands.. what was the nights function ..the listeners so deeply immersed in Neilly’s great singing…Thank You for taking the trouble to search and share
Hi Christy, loved listening to your stories on the ITMA programme. There is always great learnings to be derived about the songs and their carriers. Great to hear Belfast was singing! Did Rosalita & Jack Campbell appear? In San Francisco a few years ago I scribbled “The grass is always greener on the other side. You may feel so far away, but never lose your pride. Whether ya’ come from Dublin, from Cavan or Tyrone, there’ll always be a special place for you to call your home.” Next up Our Ma.
Here’s the link to ITMA’s Saoithe seriries where you can find links to Christy’s episode
https://www.itma.ie/latest/news/dfte-saoithe-launch-2022
Hello Christy,
Thanks to John for posting the Barry Kerr version of The Tern and the Swallow. Beautiful.
I don’t think I’ve ever thanked you for giving one of your set list grids to me. It’s on orange card and it looks wonderful, framed on the wall of my workroom. I love your names for the songs. I look at it every day. So, thank you!
Talking of song sharing. I remember reading that someone asked Margaret Barry where she got a particular song from. She said Radio Luxembourg.
So many opportunities these days, but not often as direct as it used to be.
Rebecca
Hi Christy,
Sorry to bother you but as I am a big fan of yours and have been at many of your wonderful gigs in the past I was wondering if you could help me. I have booked the Carrickdale hotel for the 11th of November as it is my 35th wedding anniversary as a surprise for my husband but I have been unable to secure tickets, do you know if there is anywhere i could get two tickets. I would really appreciate if you could help.
Thank you so much
Anne