Morning Christy,
Super Gig in NCH , and a wonderful set list without even stopping to think about it.
When you sang “Palenstine” the emotion in the room was palpable. Each time I hear that song the words get stronger and stronger. Thanks for bringing it to us and performing it with such passion and dedication.
Ride on.
Patsy
Christy's reply
the song is connecting ….from Seattle to Dublin, out around the Island,
And was all, or a lot , of your gear stolen from that house in Wicklow ?? And was itfound several months later or maybe located is a better term ?? Best of luck anocht.H
Gandydancer is a new one on me Christy! Didn’t ring any bells. A quick Google search and this turned up. A fascinating read from the man himself. Always great to still come across stuff that one was never aware of from back in the day! Thanks for that!
fair play to Gippmeister…he googled his way back to a post from Declan Sinnott some years back….I hope the good doctor does not mind me reprinting his words again…. I knew I’d heard of GandyDancer somewhere along the line
In 2012 Declan wrote:
As far as I can remember Gandydancer only existed for 6 or 8 months in 1974. The first line-up was Tony Henderson and me on guitars, Ronan Kelly singing, E.J.Cranny on Bass, Dara Maloney on drums. Later Jimmy Phillips played drums. Lorcan Ennis was our roadie. I had a thing worked out with Lorcan where he could change a string on my Tele while I kept playing! We played what was then called country rock and might now be called Americana or Alt Country.
A list of songs we did would include, Long Black Veil, You ain’t goin’ nowhere, Casey Jones, The promised Land, Ripple, Truckin’, Mr Bojangles, Brown eyed women, I know you rider, Wasn’t born to follow, My slow train, Fishin’ Blues, Jambalaya, Stealing, Holy Cow, Big Boss man. My memory won’t drag up any more than that, but Facebook being Facebook I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody had a set list somewhere.
Tony and I wandered into the Westwood bar on the main street of Arklow one fine afternoon and asked for a gig. Eamon and Jimmy Wall owned the bar. They asked us to play a few songs and then said they really liked it and we could play. We played there once or twice a week for the next 6 months. Eamon and Jimmy were really good to us always.
We lived in Glendalough at the time. I remember Tony and I driving down there to look for a house to rent. We got there late and parked our van near the water and slept in the van. Next morning we woke up to glorious sunshine in one of the most beautiful places in the land. We stepped out into the stream in our bare feet knowing we were in heaven. No old saints or angels to look down their noses at us either. Of course we found a lovely house that day. The stars were aligned. The house we got had a half door. In front of the house was a sign that said ‘Tea Rooms’, pointing around the back. Every now and then we’d find large American tourists sitting in our kitchen waiting for scones and tea. They tended to be surprised by hairy hippies asking them to leave.
I knew I’d heard of Gandydancer before and here is confirmation..
Gandydancer didn’t get very popular or play to all that many people, but to me it was very important and a turning point. I had been reaching for something as a musician. Gandydancer in the Westwood was a very special time for me and I found something in my playing and improvising which lifted me to another level. Very hard to explain. Some of the things that happen in music could almost be called imaginary. You play something that feels great one night and the next night you can’t find it at all. You might even think it never happened.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge” I like Einstein. He agrees with me a lot!
Just listened to Erin Sands, Bobby’s granddaughter singing Beeswing in a pub in Santa Ponça…a great singer….the laughter of our children and grandchildren.
Never heard the term before – but understand they were early section railway crews made up of immigrants and ethnic minorities. Derived from he dancing movements of the workers using a lining bar – a lever to keep the tracks in alignment. Great sounds!
Oh they danced on the ceiling
And they danced on the wall
At the Gandy Dancer’s ball…
Christy's reply
where did you hear Erin sing “Beeswing”…have you got a link
Hello Christy,
Thinking about your gig tonight at the National Concert Hall. Sent me back to the one in May 2021. That time with you in a massive space alone, and seven cameras. I remember a shot showing the auditorium. Empty. I thought one or two might have been there. Maybe it was a well picked moment.
Strange times they were. Strange gig. I think you must have done a few over the years. https://patrickmaginty.blogspot.com/2021/05/christy-moore-national-concert-hall.html?m=1
Hi christy
The bridge at killaloe on the lilac disc ( and 76 album) is a hidden gem. A track of rememerance so we don’t forget. I gather the song was collected from, and mainy sung in, county Clare, the Banner county, perhaps by Banner men.
Your collections repeat, preserve, celebrate so many events that might otherwise pass the casual listener by.thanks
Rory
Came across this little piece about Gandy dancers and how they used their songs and chants to help with the work. Brought to mind a mixture of Duffys Cut and ” The Roo, the Goo, and Gandy”. Another example of how the music and song tradition was such a part of people’s daily lives. Even in the local level of my grandmother singing to the cows to help with the milking. Music is such a part of our heritage. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ypTeZbcZbxWdgSey/
Christy's reply
Anyone remember an Irish Band called Gandhi Dancer ?
Sad to read of the recent passing of Ron Kavana…first found him via pub rock/London pub scene articles and music
compilations.
He studied hard and became a respected academic as well as fine performer. I’m grateful to him for detailed sleeve notes and writings about music and song,in context of Irish history…sadly,never saw a gig,but the ‘Alias’ outfit kicked some arse…
So,time to play ‘the parting glass’ for Ron and several members of my family whose anniversaries fall this week.
Hi C. I want to thank you for the heads up on the mini Irish tour of Tom Robinson, I caught his gig in The Royal Spa on Sun, what an amazing artist ! He bounded on the stage full of energy and confidence, a bit like yourself, despite a horrible chest infection !! When a performer is confident it is so easy to engage in a gig, it really was more like a One Man Show/ social history, he played guitars and keyboards he is a Rebel with a Cause !! There were some very welcoming long term fans in the audience who were so delighted to hear him. I have to confess if it were not for you promoting the gigs and it providing an opportunity to stay over in the Royal Spa I may not have gone, so GRMMA. Although sick he chatted signed CDs etc after the gig and seems to be in a really happy place with plans for further gigs here and in UK. Maybe it’s time for you to return to your Irish spiritual home in Lisdoon ??Le gach dea ghui don Ceolaras Naisiunta. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
Christy's reply
to all who read here…Thank you for your recent birthday greetings… I appreciate your good wishes and your involvement in our 4711er perambulations
Sorry I missed Tom Robinson’s gig…I hear that he will coming back again… I’ll catch him next time
I hope to return to The Hall myself sometime…its now 43 years since I first played there with Moving Hearts..Since then played there with Planxty, The Trad Outfit, The Companeros and numerous solo gigs
will they scoop the Euro..I’m afraid I cant look at it
Belated Happy birthday Christy for yesterday…long time fan since the Planxty days and you are still No1….keep it going.
Hoping to get over to see you in Castlebar in October 🤞🙏
All the best
Michael
Morning Christy,
Super Gig in NCH , and a wonderful set list without even stopping to think about it.
When you sang “Palenstine” the emotion in the room was palpable. Each time I hear that song the words get stronger and stronger. Thanks for bringing it to us and performing it with such passion and dedication.
Ride on.
Patsy
the song is connecting ….from Seattle to Dublin, out around the Island,
Hello Christy,
Here’s a link with some pics. One of them might be Gandydancer
https://muso.ie/band/gandydancer-2/
Rebecca
so the good doctor was in GandyDancer…I see a yound Jimmy MacCarthy in one of those snaps
Thank you Rory.
50 years ago! Brilliant.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH-t9wjsu1g
never saw that before
https://twitter.com/TheParkheadF/status/1785792066791842136
Erin sands
thank you rory
And was all, or a lot , of your gear stolen from that house in Wicklow ?? And was itfound several months later or maybe located is a better term ?? Best of luck anocht.H
???
Getting ready to head into town for tonight’s concert, so excited
me too Fitz
Gandydancer is a new one on me Christy! Didn’t ring any bells. A quick Google search and this turned up. A fascinating read from the man himself. Always great to still come across stuff that one was never aware of from back in the day! Thanks for that!
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0Y2Nd58u8Kv8pcCn98RdJ1ucLhyRpZZCVNMgRS88CNdbEfKNxM5qidq6TnzPQEkTjl&id=378586115485534
fair play to Gippmeister…he googled his way back to a post from Declan Sinnott some years back….I hope the good doctor does not mind me reprinting his words again…. I knew I’d heard of GandyDancer somewhere along the line
In 2012 Declan wrote:
As far as I can remember Gandydancer only existed for 6 or 8 months in 1974. The first line-up was Tony Henderson and me on guitars, Ronan Kelly singing, E.J.Cranny on Bass, Dara Maloney on drums. Later Jimmy Phillips played drums. Lorcan Ennis was our roadie. I had a thing worked out with Lorcan where he could change a string on my Tele while I kept playing! We played what was then called country rock and might now be called Americana or Alt Country.
A list of songs we did would include, Long Black Veil, You ain’t goin’ nowhere, Casey Jones, The promised Land, Ripple, Truckin’, Mr Bojangles, Brown eyed women, I know you rider, Wasn’t born to follow, My slow train, Fishin’ Blues, Jambalaya, Stealing, Holy Cow, Big Boss man. My memory won’t drag up any more than that, but Facebook being Facebook I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody had a set list somewhere.
Tony and I wandered into the Westwood bar on the main street of Arklow one fine afternoon and asked for a gig. Eamon and Jimmy Wall owned the bar. They asked us to play a few songs and then said they really liked it and we could play. We played there once or twice a week for the next 6 months. Eamon and Jimmy were really good to us always.
We lived in Glendalough at the time. I remember Tony and I driving down there to look for a house to rent. We got there late and parked our van near the water and slept in the van. Next morning we woke up to glorious sunshine in one of the most beautiful places in the land. We stepped out into the stream in our bare feet knowing we were in heaven. No old saints or angels to look down their noses at us either. Of course we found a lovely house that day. The stars were aligned. The house we got had a half door. In front of the house was a sign that said ‘Tea Rooms’, pointing around the back. Every now and then we’d find large American tourists sitting in our kitchen waiting for scones and tea. They tended to be surprised by hairy hippies asking them to leave.
I knew I’d heard of Gandydancer before and here is confirmation..
Gandydancer didn’t get very popular or play to all that many people, but to me it was very important and a turning point. I had been reaching for something as a musician. Gandydancer in the Westwood was a very special time for me and I found something in my playing and improvising which lifted me to another level. Very hard to explain. Some of the things that happen in music could almost be called imaginary. You play something that feels great one night and the next night you can’t find it at all. You might even think it never happened.
“Imagination is more important than knowledge” I like Einstein. He agrees with me a lot!
Just listened to Erin Sands, Bobby’s granddaughter singing Beeswing in a pub in Santa Ponça…a great singer….the laughter of our children and grandchildren.
Never heard the term before – but understand they were early section railway crews made up of immigrants and ethnic minorities. Derived from he dancing movements of the workers using a lining bar – a lever to keep the tracks in alignment. Great sounds!
Oh they danced on the ceiling
And they danced on the wall
At the Gandy Dancer’s ball…
where did you hear Erin sing “Beeswing”…have you got a link
Wanted to hear more of this since that 40 second teaser on Life on the Road.
https://twitter.com/NCH_Music/status/1788611687597113536?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2alh6Rcs3GdpNkoOEAoK0XQ8G_eQyPWgcAGVw53w_ISfSfQBZYW6FTnH4_aem_AQbAAzOAxdIUoSHDiMIXhOV1Uq156Mmj0RYkSQ69EnyvHi-Sw9FxyIFRlEoqpTNmp7ACNjf-gvFiNgd48J5rd297
Hello Christy,
Thinking about your gig tonight at the National Concert Hall. Sent me back to the one in May 2021. That time with you in a massive space alone, and seven cameras. I remember a shot showing the auditorium. Empty. I thought one or two might have been there. Maybe it was a well picked moment.
Strange times they were. Strange gig. I think you must have done a few over the years.
https://patrickmaginty.blogspot.com/2021/05/christy-moore-national-concert-hall.html?m=1
Rebecca
Hi christy
The bridge at killaloe on the lilac disc ( and 76 album) is a hidden gem. A track of rememerance so we don’t forget. I gather the song was collected from, and mainy sung in, county Clare, the Banner county, perhaps by Banner men.
Your collections repeat, preserve, celebrate so many events that might otherwise pass the casual listener by.thanks
Rory
To the Stradivarius of Irish music, .’there’s many a good tune played on an old fiddle’ (belated) Happy Birthday Christy.
Hello Christy,
Here’s something for a Friday morning
https://youtu.be/vVztFvJ4cEc?si=naqY6dwHqWTdcHug
Rebecca
our Liam Óg in full flight
Happy Belated Birthday, best of the day
Brendan
Came across this little piece about Gandy dancers and how they used their songs and chants to help with the work. Brought to mind a mixture of Duffys Cut and ” The Roo, the Goo, and Gandy”. Another example of how the music and song tradition was such a part of people’s daily lives. Even in the local level of my grandmother singing to the cows to help with the milking. Music is such a part of our heritage. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/ypTeZbcZbxWdgSey/
Anyone remember an Irish Band called Gandhi Dancer ?
Hi Christy
Sad to read of the recent passing of Ron Kavana…first found him via pub rock/London pub scene articles and music
compilations.
He studied hard and became a respected academic as well as fine performer. I’m grateful to him for detailed sleeve notes and writings about music and song,in context of Irish history…sadly,never saw a gig,but the ‘Alias’ outfit kicked some arse…
So,time to play ‘the parting glass’ for Ron and several members of my family whose anniversaries fall this week.
…in good company..
Dave
Rest In Peace Ron….
Hi C. I want to thank you for the heads up on the mini Irish tour of Tom Robinson, I caught his gig in The Royal Spa on Sun, what an amazing artist ! He bounded on the stage full of energy and confidence, a bit like yourself, despite a horrible chest infection !! When a performer is confident it is so easy to engage in a gig, it really was more like a One Man Show/ social history, he played guitars and keyboards he is a Rebel with a Cause !! There were some very welcoming long term fans in the audience who were so delighted to hear him. I have to confess if it were not for you promoting the gigs and it providing an opportunity to stay over in the Royal Spa I may not have gone, so GRMMA. Although sick he chatted signed CDs etc after the gig and seems to be in a really happy place with plans for further gigs here and in UK. Maybe it’s time for you to return to your Irish spiritual home in Lisdoon ??Le gach dea ghui don Ceolaras Naisiunta. Beir bua agus beannacht. H
to all who read here…Thank you for your recent birthday greetings… I appreciate your good wishes and your involvement in our 4711er perambulations
Sorry I missed Tom Robinson’s gig…I hear that he will coming back again… I’ll catch him next time
I hope to return to The Hall myself sometime…its now 43 years since I first played there with Moving Hearts..Since then played there with Planxty, The Trad Outfit, The Companeros and numerous solo gigs
will they scoop the Euro..I’m afraid I cant look at it
Happy Birthday JP and Best wishes to Donal Lunny. https://stairnaheireann.net/2024/05/07/otd-in-1945-birth-of-folk-singer-songwriter-and-guitarist-christy-moore-in-newbridge-co-kildare-7/
Belated Happy birthday Christy for yesterday…long time fan since the Planxty days and you are still No1….keep it going.
Hoping to get over to see you in Castlebar in October 🤞🙏
All the best
Michael